Interview Question Database
Common Q's
These are basic and general questions that may be commonly found in any kind of job interview. If you don't know where to start in preparing for your interview, try practicing with these questions.
Work and Culture Fit
QUESTION INTENT
Many organizations put an focus on the importance of how the new hire will fit in with the existing team when seeking new employees. You may have the basic qualifications, but so does everyone else they’ve interviewed.
Take your interview one step further by showing that not only can you do the best job, but you can also fit in with their team.
Describe your ideal working situation.
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Answer Tips
What extra-curricular activities are you involved in? How did you choose these activities?
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Organizations like to hire well-rounded individuals and feedback from accounting firms supports this view. In fact, when screening applications, recruiters often move those that mention participation in extracurricular activities to the top of the pile.
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Organizations like to hire well-rounded individuals and feedback from accounting firms supports this view. In fact, when screening applications, recruiters often move those that mention participation in extracurricular activities to the top of the pile.
Answer Tips
Answer Tips
Get involved! An important part of an accountant's job is interaction with clients, so activities that hone your communication and customer service skills are particularly valuable. Consider joining the Accounting Student Association, or at least attend some of their great events.
Why should I hire you?
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This question is asked to candidates of all positions within a company. Variations of this question is asked to gauge what you can provide to the organization and to differentiate you from other candidates. For example, other variations of this question could be "What are your strengths?" or "What would your previous supervisor say about you?.
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This question is asked to candidates of all positions within a company. Variations of this question is asked to gauge what you can provide to the organization and to differentiate you from other candidates. For example, other variations of this question could be "What are your strengths?" or "What would your previous supervisor say about you?.
Answer Tips
Answer Tips
There are some situations were this question is not asked explicitly, but you would like to somehow present this information to the interviewer regardless. For the question "why should I hire you?", you could focus on what differentiates you from other candidates, such as relevant work experience and your GPA. If the interviewer to ask you "what are your strengths?", you can list the relevant strengths to this position, such as attention to details, strong computer skills, quick to learn and your initiative. Lastly, if you were asked "what would your previous supervisor say about you?", you can say something about your work ethics, work performance, such as hardworking and efficiency. Many of these answers overlap and/or can be combined.
What strengths would you bring to this firm?
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This question is used to assess your confidence, maturity, capacity to learn and potential for future growth with the firm.
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This question is used to assess your confidence, maturity, capacity to learn and potential for future growth with the firm.
Answer Tips
Do you feel overqualified for this job? Do you feel under-qualified for this job?
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Don't let this question distress you. It's seldom meant as an indication that the interviewer thinks you're not right for the job, rather it's a 'placed' question to test your response.
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Don't let this question distress you. It's seldom meant as an indication that the interviewer thinks you're not right for the job, rather it's a 'placed' question to test your response.
Answer Tips
Answer Tips
If you may be over-qualified, the interviewer wants you to prove that you will not be bored by the job on offer. Remember, people are seldom perfectly qualified for a job. You should be capable of showing that you will enjoy other challenges that the job presents. If you may be under-qualified, the interviewer wants you to prove that you are up to the job on offer. Remember, people are seldom perfectly qualified for a job. You should be capable of showing that you are willing to learn the necessary skills to perform the job.
From your previous experience(s), what have you gained that you could apply to this position?
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Name 5 qualities that you think are important for someone working in this position. Do you possess these qualities?
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How do you feel about working in a smaller/larger work environment than you've ever worked at previously?
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What do you think you can learn from this job?
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What is one task that you would never want to do?
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Why do you think you're qualified for this job?
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This is an opportunity not only to specify your relevant educational and professional qualifications but also to describe their relevance to this job.
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This is an opportunity not only to specify your relevant educational and professional qualifications but also to describe their relevance to this job.
Answer Tips
Answer Tips
A 'qualification' in the context of this question is not restricted to a certificate/diploma/degree. Feel free to include relevant work and/or leisure experience which makes you a better candidate for this job.
What qualities do you have that make you the best candidate above all others?
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Why would you like to work with our organization?
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This question is intended to test how much research you have done prior to the interview, how much you know about the organization and if your interest and their needs align.
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This question is intended to test how much research you have done prior to the interview, how much you know about the organization and if your interest and their needs align.
Answer Tips
Answer Tips
You can allude to the reputation and qualities in the company that you respect and the complimentary qualities you could bring to the team. Try not to over-extol the virtues of the company as it may be thought to be insincere.
In what specific way will our company benefit from hiring you?
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The interviewer is interested to find out your relevant strengths and the benefits you would bring to the company. As well, this type of question is an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate your level of self-awareness and your confidence in your abilities.
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The interviewer is interested to find out your relevant strengths and the benefits you would bring to the company. As well, this type of question is an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate your level of self-awareness and your confidence in your abilities.
Answer Tips
Answer Tips
Highlight the skills and qualifications that you will bring to the company. Be specific and give examples from your work experience to illustrate to the interviewer what you are like as an employee.
How long would it take before you could contribute to this company?
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This question is intended to find out how confident your are and to test your goal setting skills.
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This question is intended to find out how confident your are and to test your goal setting skills.
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Answer Tips
Ask the interviewer to elaborate if you don't yet understand the full range of responsibilities and complexity associated with the position. Elaborate on the skills and experiences that you bring and highlight how some of them can be used immediately.
Which organization do you admire? Why?
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Tell me about a time when you had to represent an organization in a professional manner.
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Assessing if you can take a professional tone and be a good representative of an organization.
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Assessing if you can take a professional tone and be a good representative of an organization.
Answer Tips
Answer Tips
If you haven't done this in a paid position, have you done this in a volunteer position or for an SFU club (if applicable)?