Personality Interview Questions: Proving

You’re One-In-A-Million!
Maybe we have all gone to the same school, taken all the same classes, passed all the same tests,
and all have the same desirable skill set. What is going to set us apart? The only way that an
interviewer or employer is going to figure this out is by thinking outside the box – and hoping
that you can, too. What is your superpower? While you (hopefully) won’t be sporting a cape
and tights during an interview, what the employer is trying to figure out is…who are you? Who
are you behind all these achievements, promises, and great track record that you have on paper?
Personality interview questions tell you about the person behind the resume, revealing the job
candidate’s personality, strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, and skills. An online course in how
to prepare for an interview will give you the right type of preparation and insight into what to
expect during you interview. However, do not forget to think outside the box!

Why Personality Questions?

Even though it may not look that way, employers and human resource professionals have a
purpose to asking crazy questions. Basically, they want to see if you, the job candidate, can
think on their feet. Hiring managers are using these questions to go beyond the resume and find
the better fit candidates for their organization. The worst thing an interviewee can do is give is a
short response with no explanation or say, ‘I don’t know.’

When answering tough questions like these, here are some things you can do:

 Take your time: This shows that you are patient and know how to think things through
before reacting to a situation.
 Ask the interviewer questions if need be. Let the interviewer know that you can ask for
help and are interested in something enough to ask for it to be clarified.
 Show your personality: The basis of personality interview questions are for employers to
see the person behind the resume, and factor that into determining whether or not you
will be a good company fit.
 Show how you can problem solve out loud: Work is going to require problem solving,
and talking things through is a great way to show you know how to communicate your
ability to solve problems.
 Roll with the punches: Do not crumble under pressure or act unpleasant. Instead, laugh
or respond with something witty.

Often it is not the content of your response to an odd question but how you respond to the
question that is most important.
What’s Your Personality?

Practice makes perfect, so here are a few examples of personality interview questions that an
employer might have up their sleeve. Take notes and try to figure out how you would respond to
each of these:

1. What concerns do you have about our company?

Strange question? Not really. Every company and every job has its challenges and potential
downsides. Employers want to hear that you will be willing to take their company to great
heights. Show that you are willing to share your concerns because you trust that the company
values openness, honesty, and transparency.

2. What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

Everyone makes tough decisions, including employers! Great candidates make a decision based
on data and on interpersonal considerations, because every important or meaningful decision, no
matter how smart it looks on paper, eventually has an effect on and must be carried out
by people. A company at its core is made up of people. Great employees weigh both sides of an
issue, considering the “business” aspects as well as the human impact.

3. Tell me about a time when you had to slog your way through a ton of work. How did you get
through it?

Employers know that everyone has been on the grindstone. Most people can slog through the
drudgery because they have to. The candidate they want to hire can take on a boring task, find
the meaning in that task, and turn it into something they want to do.

4. What were you doing the last time you looked at a clock and realized you had lost all track of
time?

We do our best when a task does not feel like work but feels like what we are meant to do. This
can be called being, “in the zone” or “flow”, and all great people experience it. This question
shows your ability to commit passionately to a project or task. These moments of high-creativity
and high-productivity are often when the best ideas come.

5. Describe a time you felt you were right but you still had to follow directions or guidelines.

Surprisingly, this question can be a great way to evaluate a candidate’s ability to follow and to
lead. Poor candidates find a way to get around the rules because they “know” they were right.
Great candidates did what needed to be done, stayed motivated and helped others stay motivated
to get things done, too. Good leaders are able to debate and argue behind closed doors and then
fully support a decision in public, even if they disagree with that decision. No employee agrees
with every decision, but what matters is how you react and perform when you may not agree.

6. What book do you think everyone should read?

If you cannot think of a single book to recommend to others, it is a warning sign. Curiosity is a
wonderful indicator of intellect and, oddly enough, modesty, because curious people are willing
to admit they do not know everything and are then willing to work to learn what they do not
know.

7. Tell me about a time you felt company leadership was wrong. What did you do?

Employers want their employees to question perspectives or conclusions and ask, “Why?” and,
sometimes, “Why not?” Power is gained by sharing knowledge, not hoarding it.

8. What movie, no matter how many times you have seen it, do you have to watch when it is on?

A favorite movie can indicate a lot about a candidate’s personality. The type of movie does not
always matter; the question simply helps employers learn more about the person and not their
skills. It can often lead to a fun, engaging conversation.

9. What would you most like to learn here that would help you in the future?

It is revealing for employers to figure out where you may they think they need help.

10. Who is your role model, and why?

This question can reveal how introspective you are about your own personal and professional
development.

11. What’s your superpower or what’s your spirit animal?

This question can show how you work internally, even if you present a character on the outside.
For example, you can say you are a duck, because ducks are calm on the surface and hustling
like crazy getting things done under the surface.

12. Who is your role model, and why?

This question can reveal how introspective the candidate is about their own personal and
professional development. Also, it can show what attributes and behaviors the candidate aspires
to.

sPrepare yourself for handling these kinds of tough interview questions:

Personality Questions
1. Do you generally speak to people before they speak to you?

It depends on the circumstances.

2. What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?

Talk about books, sports or films to show that you have balance in your life.

3. What is the toughest part of a job for you?

Be honest. Remember, not everyone can do everything.

4. Are you creative?

Yes. Give examples that relate to your current job.

5. How would you describe your own personality?

Balanced is a good word to use, but remember the type of company you are interviewing at.
Some companies may want someone who is aggressive and a go-getter.

6. Are you a leader?

Absolutely! Cite specific examples using your current job as a reference point.

7. What are your future goals?

Avoid, "I would like the job you advertised." Instead, give long-range goals.

8. What are your strengths?

Present at least three and relate them to the company and job you are interviewing for.

9. What are your weaknesses?

Don’t say that you don’t have any. Try not to cite personal characteristics as weaknesses, but be
ready to have one if the interviewer presses. Turn a negative into a positive answer: "I am
sometimes intent on completing an assignment and get too deeply involved when we are late."

Your Career Goals

1. If you could start your career again, what would you do differently?

Nothing ... I am happy today, so I don’t want to change my past.

2. What career options do you have at the moment?

"I see three areas of interest..." Relate those to the position and industry.

3. How would you describe the essence of success? According to your definition of success,
how successful have you been so far?

Think carefully about your answer and relate it to your career accomplishments.

General Questions

1. Tell me about you!

Keep your answer to one or two minutes; don’t ramble. Use your resume summary as a base to
start.

2. What do you know about our company?

Do your homework before the interview! Spend some time online or at the library researching
the company. Find out as much as you can, including products, size, income, reputation, image,
management talent, people, skills, history and philosophy. Project an informed interest; let the
interviewer tell you about the company.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

Don’t talk about what you want; first, talk about their needs: You would like to be part of a
specific company project; you would like to solve a company problem; you can make a definite
contribution to specific company goals.

4. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can’t?

Relate past experiences that show you’ve had success in solving previous employer problem(s)
that may be similar to those of the prospective employer.

5. What about the job offered do you find the most attractive? Least attractive?

List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive factor.

6. Why should we hire you?

Because of your knowledge, experience, abilities, and skills.

7. What do you look for in a job?

An opportunity to use your skills, to perform, and be recognized.

8. Please give me your definition of a .... (the position for which you are being interviewed).
Keep it brief -- give an action- and results-oriented definition.

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Not long at all -- you expect only a brief period of adjustment to the learning curve.

10. How long would you stay with us?

As long as we both feel I’m contributing, achieving, growing, etc.

Experience and Management Questions

1. You may be overqualified for the position we have to offer.

Strong companies need strong people. A growing, energetic company is rarely unable to use its
employees’ talents. Emphasize your interest in a long-term association, pointing out that the
employer will get a faster return on investment because you have more experience than required.

2. What is your management style?

(If you’ve never thought about this, it’s high time you did.) "Open-door management" is best ...
And you get the job done on time or inform your management.

3. Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you feel you have top managerial
potential?

Keep your answer achievement- and task-oriented; emphasize management skills -- planning,
organizing, interpersonal, etc.

4. What do you look for when you hire people?

Skills, initiative, adaptability.

5. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what were the reasons and how did you handle it?

Give a brief example of a time when you faced this, and stress that it worked out well.

6. What do you see as the most difficult task in being a manager?

Getting things planned and done on time within the budget.

7. What do your subordinates think of you?

Be honest and positive...they can check your responses easily.

8. What is your biggest weakness as a manager?

Be honest and end on a positive note, e.g. "I don’t enjoy reprimanding people, so I try to begin
with something positive first."

Industry Trend Questions

What important trends do you see in our industry?

Keep your answer to two or three trends.

3. Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment.

One in which people are treated as fairly as possible.

4. How would you evaluate your present firm?

It’s an excellent company that afforded me many fine experiences.

Quantifying Your Experience and Accomplishments

1. How have you helped increase sales? Profits?

Explain in some detail, citing figures and specific examples.

2. Have you helped reduce costs? How?

Describe in some detail with specifics.

3. How much money did you account for?

Give examples as to your responsibilities. Explain how the budget was determined, and your role
in overseeing your department’s portion.

4. How many people did you supervise on your last job?

Explain the structure of your department and your role as manager.

5. Do you like working with figures more than words?

Be honest but positive.

6. In your current or last position, what features did you like the most? Least?

Be honest but put a positive spin on your least favorite duties.

7. In your current or last position, what are or were your five most significant
accomplishments?

Refer to the key accomplishments already identified on your resume.

Job Search Questions

What do you think of your boss?

Be as positive as you can, even if you don’t really believe it.

Would you describe a situation in which your work was criticized?

Be as positive as you can and emphasize what you learned from the situation.

What other types of jobs or companies are you considering?

Keep your answer related to this company’s field, and don’t give out specific company names.

Your Work Habits and Style

1. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he say are your greatest strengths and
weaknesses?

Emphasize your skills, and don’t be overly negative about your weaknesses. It’s always safer to
identify a lack of a skill as an area for improvement rather than a shortcoming.

2. Can you work under pressures, deadlines, etc.?

Yes, it’s a way of life in business. Be sure to cite examples of your success.

3. How have you changed the nature of your job?

Explain how you have improved the efficiency, productivity, and the like.

4. Do you prefer staff or line work? Why?

It depends on the job and its challenges.

5. In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been
overlooked?

Keep it brief and don’t brag.

6. Do you feel you might be better off in a different size company? Different type company?
It depends on the job -- elaborate slightly.

7. How do you resolve conflict on a project team?

Explain that communication is important, and that you would first discuss the issues privately.

8. What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?

Try to relate your response to the prospective employment situation.

Salary Questions

1. How much are you looking for?

Answer with a question, e.g., "What is the salary range for similar jobs in your company?" If the
interviewer doesn’t answer, then give a range of what you understand you are worth in the
marketplace. Check out Monster.ca’s Salary Centre.

2. How much do you expect if we offer this position to you?

Be careful; the market value of the job may be the key answer, e.g., "My understanding is that a
job like the one you’re describing may be in the range of $______."

3. What kind of salary are you worth?

Have a specific figure in mind… don’t be hesitant.

 How would you describe yourself?

 How would your friends describe you?
 Give us three adjectives that describe you best.
 What will your referees say about you?
 What type of things makes you angry?
 Do you ever lose your temper?
 How would you cope with criticism and a complaint against you?
 What was the most important event in your life?
 How would you describe your management style?
 How do you deal with criticism?
 What is the riskiest thing you’ve ever done?
 What is your approach to resolving conflict?
 Describe an instance where your work was criticised.
 Tell us about your best/worst manager.
 Tell us about your best/worst colleague.
 Are you a leader?
 What is the difference between a manager and a leader?
  Do you consider yourself successful?
 What was your greatest success?
 How did you achieve it?
 What has been your biggest failure?
 How could you improve yourself?
 How do you run a meeting?
 What management style gets the best results out of you?
 Are you competitive?
 Are you aggressive?
 What do you dislike doing?
 Do you feel you are ready to take on greater responsibilities?
 Can you work under pressure?
 How many hours are you prepared to work?

Often the most dreaded questions in a job interview are those that relate to personality.
Even if you feel you have a wonderful and well-suited personality for the job, you might feel
you’re being put on-the-spot or falling into a trap because you don’t know what kind of answer
the interviewer would like to hear.

You never know when you’ll be faced with such questions related to personality traits.
Some interviewers use them and some don’t. Industry-wise they are used across the board – so it
doesn’t matter if you’re on a healthcare job search or interviewing for a sales position, these
questions can come up and they can be downright tricky.

How to Answer Personality Questions for Job Interviews

Here are a few example personality questions that could come up on an interview.
Of course, the number of questions that could be asked is unlimited so there is no way to
anticipate every one:

Tell me about your weaknesses

This one is tricky as no one wants to focus on the negative when they are interviewing for a job.
Talking about your flaws can only show the employer why not to hire you. So what do you do?
The best thing to do in this situation is to turn your weakness into strength. A possible answer
could focus on an area where you have more to learn about a particular skill.
As long as it isn’t an essential qualification for the job (one where you need a high level of
proficiency) you can say:
“I haven’t had enough experience with electronic health records and desire to learn more about
them. I believe this position will offer me an excellent opportunity to enhance my skills in this
area.”

Tell me about a time you tried an innovative approach. What was the result?
Any “tell me about a time” questions can be very disconcerting.
You certainly don’t want to be sitting there with your eyes to the ceiling and your mouth hanging
open as you dig through your brain for an old experience to reference. You also don’t want to
say, “I can’t think of any.” The best thing you can do with these types of questions is to prepare
for the interview by reviewing your work history. Go through your resume and letters of
recommendations and any employment history and old communications you have.
Write down particularly interesting projects you worked on and think about positive experiences
you can allude to.
There might not be a best answer to this question, but having an answer is the key. Keep your
story positive, even if the situation didn’t end in a complete success. You can always say,
“It was the first time I tried that approach and I learned a lot from the process. The result was
short of what I was aiming for, but I learned why this was the outcome and was able to adjust for
it the next time.”
Of course, having a completely successful tale to tell is also an excellent response.
The more you can quantify your results, the better (e.g. “The company saved $30,000 by
implementing my new procedure.”).

“What books have you read lately?”

This is truly a question of a personal nature.
It may seem unrelated to the job, but the good news is you can make it relate to the job. When
conducting your job search, it is important to keep up with your industry. What publications
should you be reading as a career-driven person of your industry? Are there manuals, magazines,
books, online sites, and blogs? If you’re prepared, you have the perfect opportunity to show
you’ve been keeping your skills and industry-knowledge up-to-date. This is also a great way to
save yourself if you aren’t a pleasure reader. If you do enjoy reading, you should discuss these
books, as long as they seem appropriate. Discussing titles that show your appreciation of
literature (even popular fiction) or your desire to learn (non-fiction) are fine.
For instance, if you truly are reading a biography about Benjamin Franklin, then be sure to say
so. If you aren’t, don’t ever lie to “look good” because you never know what the interviewer may
know about the topic.
Maybe he or she is a Ben Franklin enthusiast! Always be honest.
Preparation is the key to having something to say and being honest about it.

Other personality questions that can be asked:

1. How do you resolve conflicts in general?

2. Who has had the most influence on your life and why?
3. What would you want to do if you were not in this field?
4. Tell me about some of your strengths as sales person?
5. Are you a perfectionist?
6. What is your communication style?
7. How do you deal with difficult personalities?
8. How do you resolve conflicts in the workplace?
9. How would you describe your leadership style?
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

1. Tell me about yourself. –

2. Are you easy to talk to?

I am a really good listener, and I think that makes me easy to talk to.
People tell me that I'm easy to talk to. I like listening to what people have to say.
I think I am, and I think it's important to be easy to approach.

3. How do you handle stress and pressure?

 Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to
deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I
need good stress to stay motivated and productive.
 I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't
become stressful.
 I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging
environment.
 From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym every evening. It's a great
stress reducer.
 If the people I am managing are contributing to my stress level, I discuss options for better
handling difficult situations with them.
 I find that when I'm under the pressure of a deadline, I can do some of my most creative
work.
 I'm not a person who has a difficult time with stress. When I'm under pressure, I focus, and
get the job done.
 I'm the kind of person who stays calm under pressure, and handles stress fairly

4. What motivates you?

I've always been motivated by the desire to do a good job at whatever position I'm in. I want to
excel and to be successful in my job, both for my own personal satisfaction and for my employer.
5. How do you evaluate success?
 "I evaluate success based on not only my work, but the work of my team. In order for me to
be considered successful, the team needs to achieve both our individual and our team goals."
 "I evaluate success based on outcomes. It's not always the path you take to achieve success
that matters. Rather, it's quantifiable results."
 "To me, success is when I am performing well and satisfied with my position, knowing that
my work is adding value to my company but also to my overall life and the lives of other
people."

6. What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?

I have had many disappointments, like most people, but I believe that we learn from all the experiences
we have in life, and that the disappointments as well as the accomplishments make us stronger and
better able to deal with many different situations.

7.  What are you passionate about?

 One of my greatest passions is helping others. When I was younger, I've enjoyed helping
mom with household repairs. As I grew older, that habit grew and I desired to help others as
well. I like helping people find solutions that meet their specific needs.
  I'm passionate about painting. I take an evening art class once a week and try to find time
each weekend to paint. Painting is a good way for me to relax and even though I don't have much
talent, I do it enjoy it.

8. What are your pet peeves?

I do not have a pet peeve. If something is bothering me, I step back, analyze "why" and find a
good solution. If you asked my teenage daughter she would tell you my pet peeve is the volume
of her music and the mess in her room.
9. What do people most often criticize about you?

10. When was the last time you were angry? What happened?

Anger to me means loss of control. I do not lose control. When I get stressed, I step back, take a
deep breath, thoughtfully think through the situation and then begin to formulate a plan of action.

I try to look at every situation from an analytical perspective, and not let my emotions dictate my
actions. I have had employees in the past whose professionalism has been questionable, and who
have not met the requirements of the job. In those situations, I have found that the best policy is
to be honest about the issues in question, and perhaps reassign the person to a more appropriate
position.

I don’t think anger is an appropriate workplace emotion. I have dealt with situations that I found
frustrating; for example, I had a boss who was very confrontational in her management style. I
felt like I was constantly being criticized for things beyond my control. I sat down with her and
talked about ways that we could improve our communication. In the long run, after having that
conversation, I found that I learned a lot of things from her that I would probably have missed
out on if I had allowed my frustration to incapacitate me.

11. If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently?
12. If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?
13. What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
14. What is your greatest weakness?

15. What is your greatest strength?

My time management skills are excellent and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride in excelling at my
work.
16. Describe a typical work week?

17. Do you take work home with you?

When I need to, no problem. I realize the importance of meeting deadlines and getting work done on
time.
18. How many hours do you normally work? –
everyone might work 50 or 60 hours a week.
19. How would you describe the pace at which you work?

- I am equally comfortable working as a member of a team and independently. In researching the

LMN company, your mission statement and the job description, I could see similarities to my
previous position where there were some assignments that required a great deal of independent
work and research and others where the team effort was most effective. As I said, I'm
comfortable with both.

In high school, I enjoyed playing soccer and performing with the marching band. Each required a
different kind of team play, but the overall goal of learning to be a member of a group was
invaluable. I continued to grow as team member while on my sorority's debate team and through
my advanced marketing class where we had numerous team assignments. I'm very comfortably
working on a team, but I can also work independently, as well.

20. Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?

21.Give some examples of teamwork.

22.What type of work environment do you prefer?

I can be flexible when it comes to my work environment. What is the environment in the Engineering
department here at RRS, Inc? (Once they've described the work environment, include key phrases
they've used when you describe your preferred work environment).

23. If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it?
24.Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it?
25. Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it?
26. More job interview questions about your abilities?
27. More job interview questions about you?