It would be great if you knew exactly what questions the hiring manager would ask you at your next event.
We’re not able to read minds, but here is the next best thing: a list of 53 of the most common interview questions and how to answer them, along with some tips on how to come up with your own.
You shouldn’t have a ready-made answer for every interview question (please don’t), but you should spend some time getting ready for what you might be asked, what hiring managers really want to hear in your answers, and how to show that you’re the best person for the job.
Consider this list your job interview answer and question study guide. Also, don’t miss our bonus list at the end. It has links to resources on different types of interview questions, like those about diversity and inclusion or emotional intelligence, as well as interview questions by role, like those for accountants, project managers, and teachers. ).
Interviewing for a new job can be nerve-wracking, You want to make a good impression and show the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the role, One way to do that is by being prepared to answer any interview question – including the kind ones!
Kind interview questions allow you to highlight your skills and experience, share a little about your personality, and make a connection with the interviewer While you still need to take them seriously, they give you an opportunity to relax and open up
In this complete guide. we will cover
- What are kind interview questions?
- Why do interviewers ask kind questions?
- How to prepare for kind interview questions
- Examples of common kind interview questions
- Tips for answering kind interview questions
Let’s get started!
What Are Kind Interview Questions?
When someone asks you a kind interview question, they want to get to know you better in a friendly, casual way. Most of the time, they care more about your personality, interests, and values than your work history or hard skills.
Here are some examples of kind interview questions:
- What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- What is your favorite book? Why?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What is one goal you have for yourself in the next 5 years?
- If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
As you can see, these questions allow you to open up and share a bit of yourself with the interviewer. They go beyond just your resume to help the interviewer understand you as a whole person.
Why Do Interviewers Ask Kind Questions?
Interviewers ask kind questions for a few key reasons:
To Build Rapport
Kind questions allow you and the interviewer to establish a rapport. By sharing personal interests or quirks, you become more humanized rather than just another candidate. This rapport can lead to a more relaxed, authentic conversation.
To Assess Culture Fit
Your answers to kind questions offer insights into your personality and values. This helps the interviewer assess whether you would be a good culture fit for the company. They want to make sure your work style and priorities align with the organization’s goals and environment.
To Evaluate Communication Skills
Even lighthearted questions require thoughtful communication. The interviewer will pay attention to how clearly and comfortably you express yourself. This gives them a sense of your people skills.
To See How You Think On Your Feet
There are no right or wrong answers to opinion-based kind questions. The interviewer is interested in seeing your thought process and how you think through an unexpected question. Your ability to come up with a coherent, articulate response is very valuable.
How to Prepare for Kind Interview Questions
While kind questions don’t require technical knowledge, you still need to prepare, or you may be caught off guard. Follow these tips:
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Reflect on your interests and personality. Ask yourself what makes you unique. What do you geek out about? How would your friends describe you? What goals do you have?
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Brush up on the company. Understand the company’s mission, culture and values. That way you can tailor your answers to show your fit.
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Practice responding out loud. Speak your answers aloud to polish your delivery. You want to sound natural, not robotic.
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Prepare 3-5 key stories. Identify anecdotes that show your personality. But keep them concise!
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Plan to follow up. If you blank, ask the interviewer politely if you can take a moment to think. Buys you time to collect yourself.
Examples of Common Kind Interview Questions
Now let’s look at some of the most frequent kind questions asked in interviews and tips for crafting strong answers:
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
This is probably the most common kind question. The interviewer wants to know your personality beyond your resume.
Good answer tips:
- Share 2-3 hobbies/interests max. Don’t overwhelm them.
- Give specific examples rather than generic answers like “spending time with friends.”
- Tie your interests back to strengths or skills that would help you in the role. For example, organizing weekly soccer matches shows project management abilities.
Sample answer:
“In my free time, I enjoy competitive soccer. I play in an adult recreation league and help organize matches and tournaments, which allows me to flex my planning skills in a fun way. I’m also learning calligraphy. The concentration and attention to detail needed really appeals to my meticulous side.”
How do you handle stress?
This reveals your coping strategies and self-awareness.
Good answer tips:
- Share healthy stress management techniques like exercise, listening to music, spending time outdoors.
- If your method is not so healthy (drinking, smoking, venting to coworkers), pivoting to what you know you SHOULD do.
- Emphasize techniques that show maturity and good judgment.
Sample answer:
“I find exercise is key for managing my stress. I build time into my schedule for running or hitting the gym which always helps clear my head and recharge my batteries. I’ve learned over time when I’m feeling frazzled at work, getting out for even a quick walk can really help me resets so I can dive back into my projects with renewed focus.”
How do you prioritize your work?
This demonstrates your time management abilities and work ethic.
Good answer tips:
- Share your systems for staying organized (to-do lists, calendars, project management tools, etc.)
- Explain how you identify the most critical tasks and focus your energy there.
- Give an example of a time you had to assess priorities to meet a tight deadline.
Sample answer:
“I like to keep a running task list and separate my to-dos into what needs immediate attention versus what can wait. When I get assigned multiple projects at once, I touch base with my manager to understand priorities and deadlines. For example, when I was coordinating three holiday campaigns last year with back-to-back deadlines, I had to map out a schedule for what deliverables absolutely had to be done when. This helped ensure I met all the deadlines even with my heavy workload.”
What do you and your friends like to do for fun?
This shows your personal interests and personality outside of work.
Good answer tips:
- Keep it positive! Now’s not the time to complain about annoying friends or vent about how bored you get.
- Share activities that require cooperation and teamwork like playing sports or board games. Shows people skills.
- If your hobbies might be considered controversial, keep your answer benign.
Sample answer:
“My friend group enjoys getting outside when the weather’s nice – going on hikes or having picnics at the park downtown. During the winter we tend to hunker down indoors and have game nights – Pictionary is a favorite. We’re all competitive so we usually have a prize for the winner. It’s a nice, low-key way for us all to catch up and laugh together.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This demonstrates your goals and ambition (but don’t make them seem unrealistic.)
Good answer tips:
- Align your 5-year plan with the typical career progression for this role.
- Focus on growing your skills and responsibilities rather than getting promotions or titles.
- If this role is a pivot, explain why you changed paths and how this position fits your revised goals.
Sample answer:
“My goal in the next five years is to really grow as an account manager. I hope to take on more responsibility and ownership over my book of business. I want to become an expert in my industry so I can better advise my clients. If I am able to excel and achieve great results for my portfolio of accounts, I would love to move into a senior account manager position. Most importantly though, I want to learn as much as I can.”
What do you like to do to relax?
Again, looking for healthy stress relief strategies here.
Good answer tips:
- Be honest but keep it tasteful! Now’s not the time to overshare your wild partying or risky hobbies.
- Show you know the value of work-life balance.
- Share relaxing activities that help you recharge like reading, yoga, hiking, or painting.
Sample answer:
“After a stressful day, I really enjoy unwinding with a good book or some soft music. I also make a point to clear my head with activities like taking my dog to the park or doing an at-home yoga routine. Having that time to detach from work and recharge makes me much more focused and productive the next day.”
Tips for Answering Kind Interview Questions
Mastering kind interview questions takes practice. Keep these tips in mind:
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Listen carefully before responding so you answer the actual question asked. Don’t get thrown off if the wording seems unusual.
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Take a moment to gather your thoughts if you need to. It’s totally fine to say “Hmm, let
Possible answer to “Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.”
“A good leader is someone who can make choices while also listening to others and being ready to admit when they’re wrong and change their plans.” In my last job, it was up to my team and me to give a big presentation to a possible client. I quickly assigned different tasks to members of my team, but the project never really got moving. Everyone had a chance to say what they thought and how they felt, and it turned out that they were having trouble in the roles I had given them. I ended up switching a few people around. At the same time, the employee I chose to give the presentation was nervous but still wanted to do it. I worked with them to make sure they were ready, and I even set up a practice session so they could do it in a more relaxed setting. When it came time for the real deal, they nailed it! We got the client, and the business still has the account today. And that employee became a go-to person for important client presentations. It was important for me to hear everyone’s concerns so I could change how I do things and help my team be the best it can be. ”.
5 Sell me this pen.
The person interviewing you for a sales job might ask you to sell them something on the spot, like a pen, a legal pad, a water bottle, or anything else. The main thing they’re testing you for? How you handle a high-pressure situation. Stay calm and sure of yourself, and show that you can handle this by making eye contact, sitting up straight, and other body language. Make sure you listen and understand what your “customer” wants. Be clear about the product’s features and benefits, and end on a strong note, as if you were really closing a deal.
TOP 21 QUICK ANSWERS TO JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS!
FAQ
What are interview questions about kindness?
What questions should you ask a job interviewer?
Tell me about yourself This is one of the most common interview questions, and it trips a lot of job seekers up because of how open-ended it is. Here’s what the best answers include, and how to impress when the interviewer asks this question: First, keep your answer work-related when answering, “ Tell me about yourself.
What is a good answer to the interview question?
There are a lot of good answers to this interview question. There isn’t just one “right” answer. Here are some guidelines: If you chose to leave on your own terms, stay positive and focus on what you wanted to gain from the decision, rather than bad-mouthing or focusing on negatives you wanted to avoid.
How many interview questions are there?
Well, you’re in luck! You just landed on a page filled with over 100 interview questions and answers. And not just basic interview questions, but all sorts; including behavioral, technical, leadership, cultural fit, problem solving, and career-focused sample interview questions and answers.
How do you answer a job interview question?
In your answer, you’ll want to reassure them you’d have things under control (both in what you say and how you say it), describe a specific system or method you’ve used (bonus points if you can tie it to the role you’re interviewing for), and explain how it benefited you and your team. Just make sure your answer is succinct and, well, organized.
