You never know what will come up in an interview 🤔 I’ve heard of everything from day-long rotating interviews to ones where the interviewer talked for 25 minutes and asked only one question. But most of the time, what you’ll be asked can be categorized into one of 5 interview question types!
Check out the infographic below that talks about 5 common types of interview questions. We created this infographic so that you can understand the common types of questions that interviewers ask. Even though the question may be different, there are patterns to how you can tackle each question.
Use this infographic, along with your most interesting stories about your experiences to fill in the blanks to any interview question. There will also be some question types where you’ll need to be well versed in more specific knowledge. In technical interview questions, we provide a list of topics you should be intimately familiar with about the job that you’re interviewing for.
You may also find that certain types of questions come easier to you. If you’re structured thinking, behavioural questions may be a good place to start practicing. If you’re someone that loves giving feedback to others, then negative-reframe questions may be your shining spot.
TL;DR on Interview Question Types
About You Questions
These are questions that really help to learn about you, your skills, and unique values. This is the ultimate opportunity to paint a clear narrative about your skills. Use a well-defined structure and specific examples to take full advantage of the opportunity to highlight your best assets.
Examples:
- Tell me bout yourself
- What are your greatest strengthes
- What’s your proudest accomplishment at your last job?
- Why are you interested in a career in sales?
Extemporaneous Questions
Extemporaneous questions test your ability to think quickly and react professionally. Use one thought to use as the basis of an answer because simplicity is key here. Think about the simple model PEP: point, example, and point to help stay grounded. The goal is to show them how you problem-solve and that you can stay calm and credible.
Examples:
- Teach me something in 2 minutes.
- What kind of sound best describes you?
- What’s your favourite app on your phone and why?
Technical Questions
Technical questions are to help show that you know exactly what you’re doing, that you have on-the-job knowledge. Know everything from tools to industry trends to stand out. When answering these questions, really focus on the process or language that reinforces that you understand how to tackle real-life issues.
Mention:
- Tools and software commonly used
- Metrics used to measure the team or personal success
- Job specific processes or playbooks you’ve created or used
- Industry challenges or risks
- What leaders in the space are doing.
Negative-Reframe Questions
These questions check for authenticity and your willingness to acknowledge tough or negative topics. Be honest and show how you were pragmatic during difficult times. Ps. Don’t dwell!
Examples:
- What was wrong with your last company?
- Tell me about a time when you crashed and burned. What happened?
- What risk do I face if I hire you?
Behavioural Questions
Behavioural and situational are all about how you’d deal with real-life situations. Try using steps, mention assumptions, and discuss possible impacts to shine. When you’re thinking about these questions, follow the BAR method: background, action or assessment, and result. This is an opportunity to dive deep into a specific story or example, so don’t gloss over the key details!
Examples:
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict.
- What’s an example of your leadership abilities?
- What would you do if we had you try and market this new product? Where would you start?
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