The sample interview questions on this page can be the starting point when you build your own list. You can use these as examples of what good questions look like.
Please don’t just copy and use these questions. Instead, use them as a place to start. Be sure to read the article on creating questions for a full discussion on how to create your questions.
One final caution before you read the sample interview questions below, These are just samples. You will get the most value from this list if you pay attention to the data they are after. Each sample questions is looking for a specific piece of data. Your questions should as well.
Below are dozens of sample interview questions. They are listed by requirement.
Sample Interview Questions
Computer Skills
What software package did you use on your last project?
What other packages have you used?
What have you done in the last 3 months to keep your computer skills current?
What was the last problem you had to troubleshoot on your computer?
How did you learn your last new piece of software?
Organizational Skills
How did you plan your day yesterday?
What filing system do you use?
Describe the last time you varied from your normal routine.
What have you done to make your job easier?
How have you kept track of your appointments?
Attention to Detail
How did you proof you last big project?
What was the last error you caught?
What is the most tedious task you perform?
Who approves your work?
How have you judged the quality of your work?
People Skills
How many people work in your office?
How often do you work with the public in your current job?
Who was the last angry person you dealt with?
Describe the last team you worked on.
How did you establish rapport with the last new person on your team?
Reliability
Describe the last time you went beyond the call of duty.
What deadlines do you face daily?
How did you make sure all your work was completed yesterday?
What goals have you set for yourself?
How do you keep your manager informed of your progress?
Written Communication Skills
What documents have you prepared?
How often do you prepare documents?
What is the most difficult document you have prepared?
How did you proof the document?
How have you documented your work?
Customer Service Skills
How often do you deal with customers in person? By phone?
What customer situations do you handle?
What was the last customer problem you solved?
What was the last compliment you got from a customer?
Describe the last time you brought someone in to help with a customer.
Ability to Learn
How have you kept your skills current?
What was the last new skill you learned?
What did you have to learn to be proficient in your current job?
Describe the last time you sought help from your manager with a problem.
How many different pieces of equipment do you work with?
Initiative
How do you get your assignments at ABC?
How much daily direction do you get from your manager?
What was the last time you did an outstanding job on a project?
When was the last time you sought help from a co-worker?
Describe the last time you helped one of your co-workers?
Problem-Solving
What was the last problem that came up with a guest?
When was the last time you sought help to solve a problem?
Describe the last time you helped another person solve a problem.
What is the most creative solution you came up with for a diner?
What did you do the last time you had conflicting priorities?
General Sales Skills
Describe your sales cycle.
How did you prepare for your last sales call?
What percentage of your business last year was new business?
What was the toughest sale you made last year?
What caused you to lose the last deal you lost?
Goal Oriented
How is your quota determined?
How do you monitor your progress toward your goal?
What do you want to achieve for yourself outside of work?
How have your goals for this year changed from last year?
What is the toughest goal you are currently working on?
Work Ethic
How many hours did you work last week?
What circumstances cause you to exceed that number?What have you done to improve your performance in the past year?
Describe the last time you went above and beyond to complete a project?
Describe the last time you were not satisfied with your work.
Integrity
Describe the last time you’ve spent your standards to attain success.
What company rule or practice, do you not agree with?
Describe the last time you had to oversell to close a deal.
How far you gone to close a deal?
How did you earn the trust of your customer during the ABC deal?
Listening Skills
How much of your job involves listening?
How did you determine your customer’s needs on the ABC deal?
Describe the last time you misunderstood a client request.
What did you listen forward during the first sales call at ABC?
Describe the last time you had a mis-communication with a prospect.
Writing Skills
What types your correspondence?
What is the hardest document you wrote last month?
When was the last time you wrote instead of communicating face-to-face?
How much of your correspondence is boilerplate?
How do you best get your point across in writing?
Flexibility
How many sales situations do you currently have going?
What system do you use to keep your deals on track?
How do you anticipate change with the ABC?
How much freedom, do you have in making a deal?
How many different ways have you dealt with objections?
In conclusion, the sample interview questions on this page are a starting point. Creating your own list of sample questions will help you when it comes time to interview candidates. You can use your sample list to create the specific questions for each individual interview.
Remember, these are only sample interview questions!
