Interview Questions (Part 2)

In a first interview, you tend to meet the manager or stakeholders to discuss the project and to discuss whether you are suitable and have previous experience to show you can achieve the goals.

The second interview might be to answer any unanswered questions, but is more likely to be a HR lead interview to make sure you are a suitable fit for the role.  Many companies use HR to ask some difficult questions and gauge how you react under pressure and make sure you can backup your answers with examples.

Below is a set of typical tough questions that can be used to prepare yourself for those tough answers.  I used the following list and wrote out my answers within approximatly 2 hours to make sure that I had answers prepared.... have a go...

1. When have you had to discipline a member of the team.
2. When has a project failed / missed a deadline. What did you do to resolve it.
3. Do you have any weaknesses
4. What are your Strengths
5. Example of where something wasn't initially communicated properly. How was it resolved.
6. Tell me about a time when you failed.
7. Tell me about a time when you were faced with conflicting priorities. How did you determine the top priority?
8. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
9. Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
10. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
11. Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
12. Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.
13. Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
14. Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.
15. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
16. Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
17. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
18. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
19. Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
20. Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.
21. Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
22. Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
23. Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
24. Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
25. Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
26. Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
27. Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
28. Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
29. Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
30. Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.
31. Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).