Interview question templates

For example, if a position emphasizes cross-collaboration, you might speak about your ability to unite a team around a common goal. Ways you've been successful in previous roles: Reflect on past accomplishments and list the qualities that helped you achieve them. For example, if you received an award for your marketing skills you might share this along with the project or experience that earned you the award.

Traits or skills you've been praised for: Consider your strengths and qualities commonly recognized by previous employers or coworkers. Example answer: "What makes me unique is my ability to meet and exceed deadlines. In my previous role, my manager consistently praised me for completing my projects efficiently with a high level of quality. This allowed me to take on additional responsibilities and eventually led to a promotion.

The best way to prepare for this question is to do your homework and learn about the products, services, mission, history and culture of this workplace. In your answer, mention the aspects of the company that appeals to you and aligns with your values and career goals.

Finding a company with a positive work environment and values that align with my own has remained a priority throughout my job search and this company ranks at the top of the list. Hiring managers often ask this question to ensure you understand the role and give you an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills. Study the job description carefully and compare its requirements to your skills and experience. Choose a few responsibilities you particularly enjoy or excel at and focus on those in your answer.

Employers ask this question to gauge your level of self-awareness and ensure your sources of motivation align with the role and company.

Consider asking yourself these questions to prepare your answer:. What did a great day at work look like in your previous role and why? What made you choose your profession or field? What prompted you to apply for the role when you read the job description?

Much like the previous question about motivation, employers might ask what you are passionate about to better understand what drives you and what you care most deeply about. This can both help them understand whether you are a good fit for the role and if it fits into your larger goals. To answer, consider this structure:. Relate it back to the job: " Having the opportunity to lead projects from ideation through launch was one of the reasons I was so excited to apply for this role.

There are many acceptable reasons for leaving a job. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your current or previous role, focus on the future and what you hope to gain in your next position. Consider the following when crafting your response:. Keep it positive: " In your answer to this question, share your most relevant technical and soft skills. While it may feel uncomfortable to talk highly of yourself, remember that this is your opportunity to tell your interviewers what makes you a great candidate—and they want to hear it.

To answer, follow the formula below:. Back them up with examples: " However, when answered correctly, sharing your weaknesses shows that you are self-aware with an interest in continued growth and learning—traits that are extremely attractive to many employers. Consider using this formula for your response:. Add context: " From high school and into my early professional interactions, it sometimes prevented me from speaking up Provide a specific example: " Explain how you overcame or are working to overcome it: " I joined an improv acting class.

I learned practical skills around leading discussions and sharing diverse perspectives. Now, in group settings, I always start conversations with the quieter folks. I know exactly how they feel, and people can be amazing once they start talking. Additionally, this question is used to gauge your ambition, expectations for your career and ability to plan ahead. The best way to handle this question is to examine your current career trajectory and how this role helps you reach your long-term goals.

I believe this experience will serve me well in achieving my ultimate goal of someday leading a marketing department. Understanding how you imagine your life in the future can help employers understand whether the trajectory of the role and company fits in with your personal development goals.

To answer this question you can:. I would also like to gain specialized expertise in user experience to be a well-rounded contributor working with design and marketing teams on large-scale projects that make a difference both in the company and the global community.

Provide specific career goals including any dream roles or projects:. This question is often used to assess how well you perform under pressure as well as your problem-solving abilities. For this question, consider sticking to the STAR method :. I spent my lunch hour on the phone with him talking through his concerns. We even brainstormed ideas for his next campaign. He was so grateful for the personal attention that he signed another six-month contract before my boss even returned from her trip.

Here are three ways to approach this response:. Research the typical compensation range for the role on Indeed Salaries and make the low end of your range your lowest acceptable salary. However, I am flexible and willing to discuss. There may be other benefits, perks or forms of compensation you find just as valuable as your salary. That way, I can provide a more accurate expectation.

Culture adds make the company stronger by diversifying the experiences and perspectives of its workforce. I understand that you require a highly organized candidate with acute attention to detail. Remember that you are interviewing the company too. Take time to ask the interviewer questions about their own experiences with the company, gain tips on how you can succeed if hired and address any lingering questions you have. Here are a few of the best interview questions to ask candidates.

What career accomplishment makes you most proud? Why do you want to work here? What made you want to apply for this position?

What are your greatest weaknesses? What are your greatest strengths? Tell me about a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.

Why are you leaving your current employer? Tell me about a time you had to manage a particularly heavy workload. How did you handle it? Describe a time when you had to work with someone whose personality or work style was very different from yours. What are your long-term career goals? How do you want to improve yourself in the next year? In some locations, employers are legally prohibited from asking you about salary history —but they can ask how much you expect to get paid.

There are several free online salary calculators that can provide you with a reasonable range based on your job title, employer, experience, skills, and location. What Are Your Career Goals? Are you a job hopper? Or do you plan on staying with the company, at least for a while?

Where do you envision your career going? Do your plans for the future match the career path for someone typically hired for this position? Keep your answer focused on the job and the company, and reiterate to the interviewer that the position aligns with your long-term goals. Here are some related questions you might be asked during a job interview that will require some thought to answer. Need more help? For a comprehensive list of over of the most common interview questions, review the most frequently asked interview questions , tips for responding, and sample answers you can use to practice for a job interview.

You can also expect to be asked about how you would respond to a specific work-related situation. Here's a list of examples of these behavioral interview questions you may be asked. At the close of the interview, most interviewers ask whether you have any questions about the job or company.

It's always a good idea to have a list of questions ready, and to be prepared to discuss them. There are some questions that hiring managers should not ask during a job interview for legal reasons. Here are questions that shouldn't be asked , with advice on how to respond diplomatically. The more time you spend preparing for a job interview , the better your chances will be of acing it. Research the company. Before your interview, take the time to learn as much as possible about the job and your prospective employer.

There are many different resources you can use to find information and news about the organization, its mission, and its plans. Tap your connections for insider information. Who you know at a company can help you get hired. Check LinkedIn to see if you have connections who work at the company.

Ask them if they can give you any advice that will help with the interview process. Make a match. Take the time before the interview to make matches between your qualifications and the requirements as stated in the job announcement. This way, you will have examples at hand to demonstrate your suitability for the job. Practice your responses. Write out your answer in advance for each question and then read it aloud to ensure it sounds natural. Try to keep it short and sweet. For group interviews or lengthy agendas, it can be helpful to create an organized outline so that everyone involved in the process is aware of the interview format.

Modify the template to create an agenda that suits your organization and the role you are filling. Excel PDF Smartsheet. Create a schedule to keep track of interviews with multiple candidates. This interview scheduling template can also be used to coordinate several activities for one applicant, such as interviewing with multiple individuals or teams, offering a presentation, or attending other events as part of the interview process.

To modify the template, simply edit the headings of each column on the spreadsheet for a customized schedule. Download Brief Interview Form Template.

Word PDF Smartsheet. This job interview form covers the basics on a single page, with room for questions, a brief evaluation, and notes or recommendations.

At the top, add details about the interview, such as the position being applied for, the date and time of the interview, the candidate and interviewer names, and any other details you want to track. Use the template as a guide to create your own condensed interview form. Word PDF. An interview guide template can walk interviewers through the steps of introducing candidates to the interview process, asking pre-planned questions, evaluating responses, and rating candidates to help decide whether they should move on to the next step toward being hired.

Use this template as an outline to create your own guide, and add a script for interviewers to follow, information that is relevant to the position, and specific questions to determine applicant qualifications.

The template includes a basic evaluation scorecard and rating scale as well as room for comments or recommendations. If you need ideas for questions to ask during an interview, use this template as part of your brainstorming process. Candidates can also use this template as a practice guide for answering interview questions.

The template includes sample questions aimed at gathering information about a range of skills and qualities. Adjust the questions to fit a specific role, industry, and type of interview. This template provides a survey for employees who are leaving a job, with questions related to the reason for ending employment, experience at the company, and satisfaction with the job.

As with the other templates on this page, the template can be tailored to fit the needs of your human resources department. Smartsheet is a cloud-based platform that enables HR teams to manage everything from job applicant tracking to new hire onboarding and employee performance reviews. See Smartsheet in action. Watch a free demo. List the core skills and credentials required for a position, along with other qualities that you want to rank, such as communication style, preparation for the interview, or initiative.