Here are some very typical questions asked during Interviews that you may desire to review and think through! Not all will apply to the position you are interviewing for but many will apply and hopefully are helpful.
Typical Interview questions you will probably be asked and should prepare to answer succinctly!
- Describe your past work experience.
- How did you get your job?
- What are/were your responsibilities?
- Why did you leave past positions?
- Why are you considering leaving your current position?
- What have you liked best about your past & most current positions?
- Shrink questions relating to current or most recent position if applicable.
- What is your shrink? How does it compare to your Company average or region’s average? Is shrink based on gross or retail? What makes up your shrink? What three steps do you take to control shrink?
- How do you manage your time?
- What is your level of proficiency in Excel? Provide examples of spreadsheets that you have created.
- What is your management style?
- What is your current labor percentage?
- How do you control the cost of labor?
- How do you hire? What would I have to do to be hired as a Store Manager/District Manager for you?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- How would your employees describe you?
- How do you control cash losses?
- What is your average cash variance?
- Give me an example of a bad cash control situation and how you turned it around.
- What three skills or attributes would you bring to the table?
- What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How did you overcome it?
- How would you (have you) handle a situation that required the termination or discipline of a long term employee?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What are your opportunities for improvement?
- What is the greatest lesson that life has taught you thus far?
- Tell me one word that best describes you?
- Who are your hero’s, people who have had the most influence in your life?
- Tell me 2 things that you want to avoid in this position
- If a person cannot address shrink and their numbers they will not be moving forward.
- Clients look as much at character as they do at job ability – they will want to hear someone talk about their personal integrity.
Sample Traditional Interview Questions:
- Tell a little about yourself
- Why did you choose the College you attended?
- Why did you choose your major?
- Which courses did you find most difficult? Why?
- What would you like to be doing five years from now?
- What has been your greatest accomplishment?
- Describe your greatest strengths and weaknesses.
- Would you rather be in charge of a project or work as part of a team?
- What have you learned from the jobs you have held?
Sample Behavioral Interview Questions:
- Describe the best/worst team of which you have been a member.
- Tell me about a time when your course load was heaviest. How did you get all of your work done?
- Give me a specific example of a time when you sold someone on an idea or concept.
- Tell me about a time when you were creative in solving a problem.
- Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together.
- Tell me about a time when you made a bad decision.
Sample Stress Interview Questions:
- What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with?
- What are some of the things you find difficult to do?
- How would you evaluate me as an interviewer?
- What interests you least about this job?
- How do you handle rejection?
- What is the worst thing you have heard about our company?
- See this pen I’m holding. Sell it to me.
Sample Case Interview Questions:
A chain of grocery stores currently receives its stock on a decentralized basis. Each store deals independently with its suppliers. The president of the chain is wondering whether the firm can benefit from a centralized warehouse. What are the key considerations in making this decision?
A magazine publisher is trying to decide how many magazines she should deliver to each individual distribution outlet in order to maximize profits. She has extensive historical sales volume data for each of the outlets. How should she determine delivery quantities?
Other Interview How – To’s
- Arrive at the 15 minutes early (not more, not less)! Allow plenty of extra time for parking, walking, inclement weather, etc.
- Be aware of the importance of good first impressions. The first five minutes are critical. Your appearance should reflect professional dress and grooming. You should smile and show enthusiasm for the interview. Maintain good eye contact and give a firm handshake. Exit the interview with the same mannerisms. If you are waiting in the lobby remember the receptionist is probably going to be asked how you treated them, what you did while you waited. Be polite and simply glance through a magazine occasionally looking up and making eye contact in a friendly, but not flirtatious way.
- Upon entering the interview room or office, take the lead from the interviewer. Take a seat when and where he/she asks. Sit comfortably, but appear attentive and not overly relaxed (e.g., do not slouch back in the chair).
- Carry an attractive portfolio (cordovan, black, or brown leather) and include extra copies of your resume, references, and transcript. Also include questions on a notebook pad that you may want to refer to later in the interview. Do not, however, open your portfolio and take notes during the interview.
- Listen carefully to the questions being asked and answer them completely! Be careful not to ramble.
- Memorize the key selling points you want to present in the interview. Be prepared for the appropriate time to communicate these.
- Select and be prepared to describe situations and events that you have dealt with effectively, in the case that your interview is behaviorally-based.
- Memorize at least 3-5 well-stated questions that you will ask the interviewer about the job or the organization.
- Avoid discussing salary, vacation, or benefits until it appears an offer will be made or unless the interviewer initiates the discussion. Avoid providing a salary expectation until you’ve researched the going rate for someone with your qualifications. Team-ELS are professional recruiters who do this many time each month. Allow us the time to get the details about compensation for you. Ask us to ask them!! In this way you can get very detailed information without potentially stepping on someone that was in on the interviews toes!
Good Luck with your Career Search– “Always remember, be prepared you only get one chance to make a first impression.”
