Top Interview Questions
and Sample Answers

Prepare for the top interview questions you can expect in your job interview.

Prepare winning answers to frequently asked interview questions.

How would your co-workers describe you?

The interviewer wants to find out if you have a good understanding of how you are perceived and how your behavior impacts on others. Your answer should demonstrate an objective view of your strengths and areas for improvement in terms of teamwork and your interpersonal skills.

In your job interview answer describe the good points and perceptions but also discuss one or two areas that you are aware need attention.

Emphasize what you have done to improve on these areas. This makes your answer both real and insightful.

When you refer to the positive characteristics, support your answer with a quote or paraphrase from one or two of your colleagues.

For example, "I know they considered me to be hard working. In fact, the other team members often thanked me for the extra hours I put in."

Then move on to the areas for improvement.

"I know that I was initially considered intolerant if I felt they were not putting in the same amount of effort as I was. I realized it was better to encourage them to meet our deadlines by offering help where needed. This has worked much better for all of us."

Use work-relevant words like good communicator, reliable, decisive, resilient, energetic, team member when answering top interview questions like this.

Expect to be asked interview questions that explore your attitude towards your previous manager or boss. Find help with this at Typical Interview Questions.

What motivates you in your job?

This is a personal trait, there is no right or wrong answer.

However, you need to prepare for this job interview question and note down some specific examples. It is often difficult to verbalize your motivation properly in the stressful context of a job interview.

Other interview questions will determine whether you have the skills for the job - can you do the job. With this question the interviewer is exploring whether you will be a good motivational fit with the job opportunity - will you want to do this job?

What does motivate you will depend on your background and work experiences, but try to make your motivation relevant to what this job can provide. For example if the job is a fairly isolated one do not give "working with other people" as a motivation! You can use this preparation as an opportunity to think about whether this position is really suitable for you in terms of motivational fit.

Here are some sample answers to top interview questions about your motivation to help you prepare your own answers:

"I am motivated by the challenge of difficult tasks and projects.My previous manager gave me more and more responsibility as I proved myself, I found this very motivating."

"It is important for me to meet the customers needs. I give them the best service and when I exceed their expectations or get positive feedback it motivates me."

Find out how to Answer Interview Questions that ask you to describe your ideal job.

Prepare for common Interview Questions and Answers including "Tell me about yourself."

Get help with Answering Interview Questions including "Why do you want this job?" and "Why should we employ you?"

Prepare for typical Group Interview Questions.

Always anticipate these 5 Common Interview Questions in your job interview.

Be prepared for the behavioral or competency-based interview questions you will be asked in your job interview. Go to Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions

Think about these top interview questions before your job interview. Prepare and practice your answers.

Be confident that you will impress in your job interview as the most professional and suitable candidate.

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