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Interview Question Database

Skill Specific

Skill specific questions are asked to determine if you have the knowledge and skills to sufficiently perform the required job. When answering skill specific questions, demonstrate that you are capable and the best fit for the job.

Problem Solving

QUESTION INTENT

An employer may ask you problem-solving questions to determine your:

  • Responsiveness to work place problems and challenges.
  • Ability to assess problems and devise workable solutions.
  • Willingness to learn from mistakes.

This is a a key skill set that employers seek because the ability to tackle challenges, make and follow through on decisions, and ensure maximum productivity are all necessary for workplace success.

TIPS FOR RESPONDING TO PROBLEM SOLVING Q'S
  • Provide examples of situations in which you were faced with challenges and the steps you took to solve them.
  • Describe what you have learned and how you have grown as a result of the challenges you have faced.
  • Use the STAR strategy (Situation, Task, Action, and Response).

How do you correct a mistake?

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Demonstrating your ability to admit to mistakes, take responsibility for them and act to address them accordingly is very important for employers. Errors do occur in work environments. An employer wants to ensure that you will manage them appropriately.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

Provide your strategy on identifying a mistake, taking responsibility, determining appropriate action, reporting to colleagues (or supervisors), and following up. Offer to provide an example of a mistake that you made and your response. Do not take the approach that you don't make mistakes, as an employer will not be impressed, in fact they will be concerned that you either are not aware of errors that you may make and/or would not accept responsibility and bring the error to their attention.

Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgement, logic and creativity in solving a problem.

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This question intends to understand how you generated new and creative ideas or solutions to problems.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

Use the STAR technique - Situation, Action, Task, Result. Pick some examples that demonstrate your creativity and problem solving skills in an professional environment. 

Describe a situation where you've used your initiative to solve a problem.

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This type of question allows the interviewer to find out your problem solving as well as analytical skills.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

This is a gilt-edged opportunity to impress the interviewer. You should certainly prepare an answer to this question prior to the interview. Describe a problem that the interviewer can relate to and demonstrate how you were able to solve the problem.

Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor.
How did you approach the problem?
What role did others play?
What was the outcome?

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Answer Tips

Teamwork and Working Relationships

QUESTION INTENT

Before inviting you to join their team, an employer will be inclined to gather information about your:

  • experience(s) working in a team environment
  • previous team role(s)
  • ability to lead, manage, or effectively join a team
  • commitment, contributions, collegiality, and conflicts.

The interviewer is trying to assess your compatibility with existing teams and ensure that you would be a positive addition to their team.

TIPS FOR RESPONDING TO TEAMWORK Q'S
  • Highlight your range of team work experience through work, volunteer, academia, athletics, committees, etc.
  • Demonstrate your understanding of team dynamics, roles, and challenges.
  • Convince the employer that you are able make a smooth transition into their team environment.

Have you ever been in a group project where there were difficulties? How were these issues resolved?

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Before inviting you to join their team, an employer will be inclined to gather information about your; experience(s) working in a team environment previous team role(s) ability to lead, manage, or effectively join a team commitment, contributions, collegiality, and conflicts The interviewer is trying to assess your compatibility with existing teams and ensure that you would be a positive addition to their team.


Answer Tips

List some technique to use with people who sit in meetings and don't participate.

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Before inviting you to join their team, an employer will be inclined to gather information about your experience(s) on working in a team environment. Employer is evaluating your previous team role(s) including your ability to lead, manage, or effectively join a team commitment, contributions, collegiality, and conflicts. The interviewer is trying to assess your compatibility with existing teams and ensure that you would be a positive addition to their team.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

• Highlight your range of teamwork experience; work, volunteer, academic, athletic, committees, etc.
•  Demonstrate your understanding of team dynamics, roles, and challenges.
•  Convince the employer that you are able to make a smooth transition into their team environment.

What kind of experiences do you have working in a team?

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Provide specific examples of times when you worked in a team. Try to relate the team experiences to skills you gained and how you can channelize those skills in the future work space.

Answer Tips

Adaptability and Creativity

QUESTION INTENT

These questions are intended to reveal your ability to:

  • Respond to new challenges and changing expectations
  • Adapt to different people, situations and work environments
  • Generate new and creative ideas or solutions to problems

The interviewer wants to find out whether you possess flexibility and the ability to think "outside of the box" when coping with the demands of work.

TIPS FOR RESPONDING TO ADAPTABILITY AND CREATIVITY Q'S
  • Provide examples from different situations (work, school or volunteer) that clearly demonstrate how you have successfully adapted your work strategies and style
  • Provide examples of how you have approached a challenge from a unique perspective or sought out innovative solutions

Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment, logic, and creativity in solving a problem.

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The interviewer wants to determine if you are able to generate new and creative ideas or solutions to problems.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

Provide examples of how you have approached a challenge from a unique perspective or sought out innovative solutions.

Can you provide an example of a time that you used creativity to solve a problem?

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The interviewer is directly asking for a specific example for you to share your creativity.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

Consider a strong example of your creativity in either work, volunteer or academic situations. Share full details of the situation, the challenges, your thought processes and considerations in solving the situation. Include information on the outcome.

When you suffer a setback, how does it affect you and your work?

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There are many aspects to this Q. The interviewer wants to learn more on how you understand, react and adapt to challenging circumstances and possibly how it affected you and/or your work/timelines/team members.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

Everyone handles the disappointment and stress of setbacks differently. Share with the interviewer how you would cope with a setback, what you might communicate to them and/or your team members and provide an example.

When have you had to adapt to change in the workplace?

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Being able to adapt to change in the workplace is an essential skill to possess because change is inevitable. The interviewer would like to know about a time you were required to adapt to change in the workplace.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

Share a time where you needed to adapt and what caused you to make the change - feedback, failure, timelines, etc.

Communication

QUESTION INTENT

An employer may ask you communication questions to verify your ability to:

  • Clearly and succinctly communicate with colleagues and target audiences
  • Listen and respond to instructions
  • Convey a genuine interest in the opinions of others
  • Adapt to varied communication styles
  • Determine your communication style and preference

Communication questions allow the employer to evaluate your ability to build strong relationships with work associates, peers, and clients. An employer will likely be observing your communication skills throughout the interview.

TIPS FOR RESPONDING TO COMMUNICATION Q's
  • Demonstrate clarity and fluency of oral communication in your responses and throughout all your communication (including body language) during the interview
  • Describe situations from past work experiences in which you have gone the extra mile to ensure effective communication
  • Provide examples of how you have adapted your communication style to accommodate different people and situations

How would you define effective verbal communication?

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Answer Tips

Answer Tips

•  Demonstrate clarity and fluency of oral communication in your responses and throughout all your communication (including body language) during the interview
•  Describe situations from past work experiences in which you have gone the extra mile to ensure effective communication
•  Provide examples of how you have adapted your communication style to accommodate different people and situations

Intercultural Awareness

QUESTION INTENT

It is essential to demonstrate intercultural awareness, sensitivity and skills in the workplace. This is why employers may ask you questions on your understanding and experience working in multicultural environments.

What experience have you had working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural and inclusive settings?

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How do organizations benefit from multiculturalism?

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How would you help to create a welcoming & inclusive work environment?

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Work Management and Performance

QUESTION INTENT

Employers are interested in determining if you will be able to keep with the organization's productivity demands while working under pressure to meet expectations. The best candidates will be ones who can meet deadlines and performance outcomes successfully even under stress.

TIPS FOR RESPONDING TO WORK MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Q'S 
  • Have a list of previous experiences where you bounced back successfully from a challenges faced in the workplace.
  • Be able to respond to questions about meeting deadlines and expectations by highlighting your personal management skills.

Please provide examples of meeting deadlines successfully.

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Answer Tips

Give me an example of a situation where you showed strong multi-tasking ability.

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Can you share a time when you had a challenge in meeting a deadline?

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Tell me about a time when you were under enormous pressure. What was the source of the pressure and what did you
do?

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Answer Tips

Think about a recent project you were assigned. How did you go about managing your time and organizing the project?

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