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Readers Respond: Your Favorite Interview Questions
Responses: 33

By Susan M. Heathfield, About.com

If you've interviewed potential employees for jobs, you have sample interview questions that shine the spotlight on your best potential employees. These are the interview questions you use again and again because they work for you. These interview questions get candidates talking and contribute to a successful job interview. Your favorite interview questions might work for others, too. What's your favorite interview question and why? See More Reader Responses. Share Your Favorites

my favourite interview question

The question was: why do you think I should put you on a difficult task for promotion? My response was: promotion is secondary and it should be based on merit but for the task put me on because I never say no to challenges.
—Guest d'dear

What are the challenges of this job?

Knowing how deep the candidate's experience on the job is compared to your expectation.
—ife.ogaji

VP Associate Relations

"What were you hoping I would ask you today?" Followed by, "What were you hoping I wouldn't ask you today?" You'll be amazed what people will tell you!
—bk4502

Sr. Recruiter

Why should I NOT hire you. It is amazing what people say... try this question next time you interview...
—Guest Tod

Shows ambition, creativity and goals

Tell about a time you created something or took charge of a project...
—Guest Laurie

Interview Question

One that is interesting to ask is "Are you smart?" Another: "what would your references tell me about you" and, of course, "why would you want this job if $ wasn't an object"
—Guest bridgette

Fav. Question for Management Applicants

"If you were interviewing applicants for (the position for which they oversee), what top 2 qualities would you look for in an interviewee?" Without fail, the interviewee will describe 2 qualities about him/herself. It's amazing!
—Guest Megan

Favorite Interview Questions

Name your greatest mentor and the 3 most powerful competencies they exemplified.
—Guest Bev

Worst day...

"Describe for me the worst day you ever had at work and how you coped with it." I would then drill down for specifics, and finish by asking, "What would you have done differently knowing what you know now."
—zambatriste

What would they say

If I called your current supervisor right now, what would he/she say about you?
—Guest Carol

First Paying Job

One of my favorite questions to ask is "what was your first paying job and what did you learn from it?" The answer helps me know a bit about that applicant's work ethic and what brought that person into the workforce.
—Guest Latricia

Leadership

I was once asked during an interview, "What makes a good leader?" I responded, "They have followers." The interviewer practically came out of her chair and exclaimed, "YES!" I'm certain it's why I got the job!
—Guest Ted

My favorite interview question

Why do think we should NOT HIRE you? If he is wise, the candidate can tell me his best assets and at the end will tell me that I will be afraid to hire him because he will be a competition to my employment, too.
—Guest sir jim

Personality interview

For the particular job, we need to select the candidate as per required personalities within the individual. If his personality fits to the respective position, choose the candidate and give placement.
—Guest Sanjay

One word

One question I ask often is to have the candidate tell me one word that best describes him/her. Many candidates try and sneak in 2 or 3 words but must boil it down to 1. The answers tell me a lot about what the candidate thinks is important and how he wants to be viewed.
—Guest guestpam

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