AHH! Chances are you are here because you have a job interview coming up—CONGRATS! That is so exciting!! I am proud of you for getting out there and making this happen! If you can’t tell, I’m so excited for you!! I love seeing people doing what they love to do, and hopefully this interview is another step closer, in being where you want to be!! OR you could just be interviewing for an ice cream shop summer job, which is awesome too, gotta get to that dream job somehow $$ or if working at an ice cream shop is your dream job, that’s epic too, I love a good Moose Tracks ice cream 😉 EITHER WAY these practice interview questions and answers will be very beneficial to you – let’s dive in!
INTERVIEWS!!!
They can make or break if you get that job you’ve always wanted! That’s a scary thought and why job interviews can be so stressful and nerve racking! Interviews are most likely your first time talking with a boss or representative of a company. They probably have already seen you resume, which scored you an interview with them. This is where they will truly see if you seem like a good candidate for the position they need filled. Can you carry a conversion? Do you know what you have to offer their company? Do they see you fitting in with their work environment? These are all things employers are looking for.
Preparation..
While preparing for an interview, the best thing you can do is read through practice questions and think of detailed answers for each one. Do this in your head as often as you’d like, but also make sure to say your answers out loud at least twice before it’s time to interview. This will make you more comfortable with what you are going to say, and make sure you are less likely to trip up on words and thoughts. The more you practice and have these interview questions and answers memorized, the easier it will be to stay calm during the interview. You won’t have to come up with something on the spot, because you already have an answer prepared for the type of questions you will be asked.
More Preparation..
An important thing about preparing for interviews is to know your story. Know who you are, what you want, what you have done, what you can contribute, your values, what you stand for, etc. Know your story. You should look at your resume to remind yourself of what the interviewer has already seen, and prepare yourself to talk about each point you have on your resume.
Keep in mind, there’s a chance the interviewer or other people in the room have not seen your resume already. It’s always good to bring a few printed copies in case they ask about it!
Disclaimer:
Of course interview questions will vary based on what type of company you are interviewing with. However, these interview questions are general staple questions that are going to be asked at any place of work.
The Breakdown –
The first part of this post is listing interview questions. The second part of the post is interview questions and answers. The answers will help you get an idea of what to say that will impress whoever is interviewing you! Whether you are applying for a short-term job, or your dream job, these are interview questions that you should be prepared to answer!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/687924911829853513/Example Interview Questions
- Tell us about yourself?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Explain a time you have experienced diversity?
- What does diversity mean to you?
- What opportunities have you had working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings?
- When did you encounter a problem in the workplace and how did you overcome it?
- What is one accomplishment you are most proud of?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What does your availability look like?
Now I have never been asked this question, but I have heard of people being asked this.. I suppose it can be an insight to your personality or qualities:
- If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
So, for an answer think of an animal that might represent some of the qualities you have. For example, a lion might represent strength and leadership, and an elephant might show loyalty and knowledge.
Example Interview Questions and Answers
- Tell me about yourself?
I am from (city and state) and I am a (first/second/third/fourth) year student at (university/college) studying (major/minor). So far, I am really enjoying my college career. I have always known I wanted to be in this career field, and during college I am looking to gain as much experience as I can in this industry. When I am not pursuing this passion, I also enjoy (name a few hobbies that can be unrelated to work).
- What is a problem you’ve had at work and how did you overcome it?
Example answer: The owners at my past place of employment changed, and the work I was used to doing was unsatisfactory to their new standards. We actually sat down and talked about it, and that’s how we were able to resolve the conflict of not being on the same page of expectations, as I was used to how the former owners wanted me to perform my tasks.
- What does diversity mean to you?
Example answer: Diversity means having a group of people of different backgrounds or beliefs. I think it is very important to have diversity, especially in the workplace. If a team is trying to find a solution to a problem, you want diverse people with different views and ideas thinking of new solutions with new perspectives. If everyone was the same, then they would all come up with the same solution.
- Tell us a time you experienced diversity?
*This answer should be personal to your own experiences. This is a chance to pull at the interviewer’s heart strings and show how your experience in diversity impacted you.
Example answer: A time that has really stuck with me was at the beginning of my freshman year of college I attended a lecture that was about equal rights, poverty, and the overcoming of this for the lecturer. At the end, we were having a big group discussion relating to these topics and the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. At the end of the discussion, other students started standing up expressing their gratitude towards the speaker and telling their own stories of how they grew up homeless or living paycheck to paycheck or in unhealthy conditions. I thought how incredible it is that I am now going to a university where I have the opportunity to meet all of these people with different backgrounds and get to learn about who they are, what they’ve been through, and how that has shaped them into who they are today.
- What are you most proud of?
*This is an opportunity to really hype yourself up for something great you have achieved! This can be any ‘big’ or ‘small’ moment you are proud of yourself for. This is another chance to pull some heart strings and show how passionate you are about what you have accomplished. My example below (said in more detail at the interview) actually made the boss tear up because of how passionately I was speaking! This will make them relate to you on a greater level than just business.
Example answer: Senior year of high school I was able to participate in a school fundraising event called Senior Survivor run by the National Honor Society. We picked a local charity that was started by a man who survived stage four cancer and wanted to give back to his community. We would spend a week staying at the school, day and night, to raise as much money as we could. Together, we were able to raise $60,000 that week which matched what that charity raised throughout the entire last year! Seeing how much our efforts meant to the founder of the charity, and how they will be able to use that money, is something that will always have an impact on me.
- When have you faced adversity?
This can be any set back you have gone through. Explain what you learned from it, and how it will affect you moving forward.
Example answer: I worked really hard on a scholarship for a lot of money that would greatly help me pay for college, but I did not end up getting chosen to receive it. I was upset that my efforts did not pay off, but it gave me more motivation to apply for scholarships in the future.
- Why are you interested in this/us?
Example answer: Your program really sounds like a great fit for me, I want to learn the core of this career by being able to be the one doing the work. All of your values align with mine, (look on their website and try to find what the company’s values are, then explain how they match with your values) and I am inspired by the work your company does everyday.
- Why should we hire you?
Example answer: I am dependable, hard working, willing to take on new responsibilities, and excited to do any task you would have for me. I would be eager to learn everything there is to learn in this industry, and I think a (job, internship, mentorship) with (company name) would be a great opportunity to do that. I love what this company stands for, and I feel I would be a great asset to the team.
?Your Questions?
A SUPER import part!!! When they ask you if YOU have any questions for them. ALWAYS ask at least one question back to them, and have that question prepared beforehand. Asking a question will show that you care about knowing more about the company or about the job. Do your research before the interview and ask a question relating to something you found.
Example: On the company’s website it says that they are really passionate about team collaboration.
YOUR Question: On your website I saw that (this shows you took time to research) you are very passionate about team collaboration. I was wondering how this is displayed in the daily work life of this company? Are all projects worked on in groups, or are some still individual?
You may have thought of a new question during the interview, or wanted them to elaborate on something, so ask those questions as well.
Remain Calm 😉
Walking in to the interview, have the mindset of ‘if it’s meant to be, it will be’. Try not to let yourself get too nervous. Take a deep breath, relax, it will all work out how it’s supposed to. You did your research, practiced all the interview questions, went in prepared, crushed it, and did the best you could!
Good luck – but you don’t need it, you got this!
I hope you found this interview questions and answers post helpful! If you have been asked other questions not listed in this post, I would love to hear them in the comments!
