8/2/2019 40 Typical Interview Questions.pdf

1/1www.cranfield.ac.uk/careers

Careers Service

40 typical interview

questions

1. Give me a brief summary of your career/educational background to date.

2. What has been your greatest achievement todate?

3. Tell me about your most challenging experience.What did you learn from it?

4. Why did you choose to do a higher degree?5. Why have you chosen this area?6. Why did you choose to go to Cranfield University

to study?7. How will this higher qualification benefit our

organisation?8. Most students feel pressurised at some point

how do you manage pressure and stressfulsituations? Please give me an example of whenyou think you have coped particularly well underpressure.

9. When did you last lose your temper? Have youever lost your temper at work? If so, why?

10. Give me some examples of when you had to workto tight deadlines. How did you plan your work

11. How do you relax? (refer to hobbies and interests)12. What things make you laugh?13. How would your Supervisor at Cranfield describe

your approach to your studies?14. How would your best friend describe you? Think of

three ways you would use to describe yourself.15. What are your strengths and weaknesses?16. Have you ever turned down a job? If so, why?17. What previous work experience do you have?18. What elements did you enjoy/not enjoy? Why19. What did you learn from work experience? What

responsibilities has it equipped you for?20. Give specific examples of the types of decisions

you were required to make?21. Give me an example of when you have contributed

to team work. Be specific.22. What role do you normally take in team situations?

Why?

23. When are you most comfortable: when you areworking as part of a team or when you are workingalone? Why?

24. What makes a good leader? Give examples ofwhen you have used these skills?

25. What skills do you think will be needed here?26. How would you handle?27. How do you think this job might be difficult?28. How would you feel about managing older and

more experienced staff than yourself?29. What types of people do you most enjoy working

with? (eg outgoing)30. What difficulties have you experienced in getting

on with people and how have you overcomethem?

31. What qualities would you look for in yourManager? What would you do if your Managerturned out to be difficult to work with?

32. Thinking about experiences within either youreducational career or previous work experiencewhat has been the most difficult situation you have

had to face and how did you deal with it/resolve it?33. Have you ever had to make a decision alone?Explain.

34. What area of professional development do youwish to improve over the next two years and why?

35. How long would it take you to make a positivecontribution to the success of our business?

36. How does this company compare with others insimilar fields?

37. What do you hope to get out of this job?38. How long would you expect to stay in your first job

after finishing at Cranfield?39. What are your long term goals and ambitions?

How are you going to succeed in achieving them?40. Finally, please briefly summarise why you think you

should get this job.