This material is provided as general information and is not a substitute for legal or other professional advice. Before you use any of the following interview questions, be sure you can justify a job or business-related reason for doing so. Additional information about risks and issues related to interviews can be found using our web site search feature.
Sample Interview Question Categories
Telephone Pre-Screen
Behavioral
Interpersonal
Creative Thinking
General
Managerial
Executive
Functional
Accounting
Administrative
Customer Service
Expatriate
Engineering
Healthcare
Human Resources
Human Resources Government Contracting
Information Technology
Hospitality
Consultants
Marketing
Sales
Example Questions and Possible Answers for Interviews
Sample Diversity Interview Questions
Productivity/Time Management Questions
Quality Questions
Learning Questions
Teamwork Questions
Managing Change
Problem/Analysis Solving
Communication Skills
Project Management
Project Work
Additional SHRM Online Sources
Note:
Not all questions will be applicable to every situation; choose questions that fit the position. When interviewing multiple candidates for a position, it is important to use the same criteria for evaluating each candidate so as to avoid legal problems. The key is to be consistent and fair with all candidates (i.e., show no favoritism or discrimination). Use an interviewing guideline of core criteria/qualifications that is applicable to all candidates for the position.
Most of these questions do not have a “right” or “wrong” answer under all circumstances! After you have selected the questions that are appropriate to use, give some thought to the answer(s) that make sense given your organization, culture and the priorities of the position. The applicant’s reasoning abilities and the thought process that leads to the answer is often as important as the answer itself.
