Sample Job Interview Questions and Answers

Job interviews can be tough and overwhelming when you don't know what questions they are going to throw your way. Here are some sample job interview questions and answers to help make it less daunting.

Question: What was your role in your department's most recent success?

You'll want to be very specific and frame your answer in terms of how you saved the department time and money. The hiring manager is looking for a pattern of success, so you need to describe in detail your recent successes. You should be prepared with at least three examples showing your recent successes. Make sure at least one of the examples relates to teamwork and something you accomplished with a group. Also be sure to address how your work made other people feel, as well as any time you saved and the revenue or cost-savings you generated.


Possible Answers:

"I guess that would be a recent project for client "X." I handled all of the communication with the client for our last project. It was a three month long project where my team had to build a custom package based on the needs of client. I was instrumental in translating the client's business needs into detailed product features. I had to make sure that my team understood what the client wanted, and then check the quality to make sure that we were delivering a quality product with the features that the client was expecting."

"Well, it was an ongoing process that required a lot of communication and teamwork with my team as well as the client. I think my role really was to clarify the scope of the project, and then "manage the client's expectations." We were able to deliver on time, and the client was thrilled! I was able to make sure no time was wasted on adding unnecessary features, and since we were working on a fixed bid price, we saved my company time and money. My manager and everybody on my team felt great because the project went so smoothly ... Is that the kind of experience that would help me be successful here?"


Question: Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses at work that tested your coping skills. What did you do?  

Stress at the workplace is an issue for everyone. Don't try to pretend that you never get stressed out, instead, you want to demonstrate that you are capable of dealing with stress and coping with difficult situations. Show that you are calm under pressure and that you know how to avoid stress to begin with through planning and time management.


Possible Answers:

"Well I think it is important to remember that stress effects everyone, and it is inevitable that sometimes people are going to have bad days. That is why I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when they seem to have a short fuse. What I do personally is try to control my response to a situation. You can't necessarily control what happens to you, but you CAN control your own response. What I try to do is lengthen the time between the stressful situation and my response — so that I can identify the cause of the stress and decide what I can do about it ... Would you say it is a stressful environment here? ... I see. I'm sure I can handle it. I have been tested like that before ... FOR EXAMPLE ...."

"FOR EXAMPLE, on several occasions I have had to deal with very irate customers who actually yelled at me. What I did was stay calm and not let them get under my skin. I really tried to listen and decide exactly what it was that was at the root of their problem. Then I provided solutions that could be completed within a specific time-frame. I always find that it is best to face those types of situations head-on and be objective about them. I do my best to be professional and not get my emotions involved. Also, I try to avoid stress in the first place by tackling difficult tasks or conversations sooner rather than later. Does that make sense? ... I hope I've answered that question to your satisfaction?" 


 If you found these questions and their answers helpful, then you might be interested in reading more sample job interview questions and answers.