Most job seekers are familiar with common interview questions such as “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Where do you see yourself in five years?” However, many candidates are caught off guard when an interviewer asks an open-ended question.
What is an open ended interview question?
An open-ended question cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no” response. These types of questions require the interviewee to elaborate on their answer. Open-ended questions are often used to assess a candidate’s problem-solving skills and ability to think on their feet.
When asked an open-ended question, it is important to take a moment to collect your thoughts before responding. Once you have given your answer, be sure to ask if the interviewer would like more information.
Open-ended questions are a valuable tool during an interview. By asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer, employers can learn more about your qualifications, motivation, and interest in the position.
Here are some examples of open-ended interview questions to prepare for:
10 open ended interview question examples
1. Why do you want to work for our company?
An interview is your chance to sell yourself to a potential employer, so it’s important to be prepared for any questions that come your way. One question you may be asked is “Why do you want to work for our company?” Here’s how to answer this question effectively.
First, do your research on the company. What are their values? What is their mission statement? This will give you a good idea of whether or not the company is a good fit for you.
Next, think about what you can bring to the table. What skills and experience do you have that would benefit the company? Again, this shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re interested in this particular company and what they do.
Finally, express your excitement about the opportunity.
2. What qualifications do you have that make you a good fit for this position?
To answer this question effectively, you should first take a step back and assess what qualifications you have that make you a good fit for the position. Once you have identified your key qualifications, you can then craft a response that highlights why these qualifications make you the best candidate for the job.
Some things to keep in mind when answering this question include: being specific about why your qualifications are relevant to the position, using examples to illustrate how your qualifications have helped you succeed in similar roles in the past, and avoiding generalities.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your response effectively demonstrates why you are the best candidate for the job.
3. What obstacles have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
Answering an open-ended interview question can be difficult, especially if the question is about obstacles you have faced in your career. However, by preparing for this type of question ahead of time, you can give a great answer that will impress the interviewer.
When answering this question, it is important to focus on obstacles that you have faced and overcome in your career. Do not bring up personal issues or problems that you have faced outside of work. Instead, focus on professional challenges and how you were able to overcome them.
Some examples of obstacles you could discuss include: being laid off from a previous job, working in a challenging environment, or having to take on a new role or responsibility. Whatever obstacle you choose to discuss, be sure to explain how you overcame it and what lessons you learned from the experience.
4. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge at work.
One question that you’re likely to encounter is “Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge at work.”
This question can be difficult to answer, but it’s important to take the time to prepare a response. After all, your ability to overcome challenges is one of the qualities that employers are looking for.
When you’re asked about a time when you had to overcome a challenge at work, it’s important to give a specific example. This will show the interviewer that you’re able to identify and solve problems. You should then explain what the challenge was and how you overcame it.
5. Describe a situation where you had to take initiative on a project.
This question assesses a candidate’s ability to take charge and see a project through from start to finish. It’s important to have a clear and concise answer prepared ahead of time.
When answering this question, be sure to describe a situation in which you took the lead on a project and saw it through to completion. Explain what the project was, what your role was, and how you took charge. Be specific about the steps you took and the challenges you faced. Finally, explain what the outcome was and why it was successful.
Your answer should show that you’re capable of taking initiative and seeing projects through to completion. It should also demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to overcome challenges.
6. Can you share an accomplishment you are most proud of?
While this may seem like a simple question, it can be surprisingly difficult to answer. However, with a little thought and preparation, you can give a great answer that will impress your potential employer.
Here are a few tips on how to answer this question:
- Think about an accomplishment that is relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Describe the situation surrounding your accomplishment and what you did to achieve it.
- Be specific and use concrete examples.
- Keep your answer brief and focused.
- Avoid bragging or sounding arrogant.
7. What type of work do you find most fulfilling?
In a job market that increasingly values experience over credentials, the question “What type of work do you find most fulfilling?” can be an open ended question employers ask.
First, take a step back and think about what you value most in a job. Do you enjoy working with people? Do you like being able to see the results of your work? Do you prefer a fast-paced environment or a more relaxed one? Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can start to narrow down your answer.
Next, try to relate your answer to the company’s values or mission statement. You should have an idea of how to answer this question before the interview.
8. Could you describe your ideal work environment?
When you’re asked about your ideal work environment, the interviewer is trying to understand what sort of company cultureand team dynamics you would best fit into. They want to know if you prefer a collaborative or independent working style, and what kind of office culture makes you most productive.
To answer this question, first, think about what kind of work environment you’ve thrived in before. What sort of company culture did they have? Were people working independently or collaboratively? What was the office atmosphere like? Was it fast-paced or more relaxed?
Once you’ve identified the elements of your ideal work environment, use them to describe what sort of company culture and team dynamics you would best fit into.
9. Why did you choose your current or most recent job?
When you’re asked why you chose your current or most recent job in an interview, it’s important to be honest and focus on what drew you to the role. You can mention aspects like the company’s mission or values, the opportunity to learn new things, or the chance to advance in your career.
Whatever you do, avoid giving negative reasons for leaving your previous job or sounding like you’re not entirely committed to your current role. Instead, emphasize what drew you to the position and how it’s helped you grow professionally.
10. What do you think sets your skills and experience apart from other candidates?
When you’re asked what makes you the best candidate for a job, it can be tough to know what to say. But there are some key things you can do to make sure your answer is both confident and convincing.
First, take a step back and assess your qualifications. What skills and experience do you have that align with the job requirements? Highlight these in your response.
Next, think about what makes you unique. Are you particularly passionate about this type of work? Do you have any special insights or abilities that would make you excel in this role? Again, be sure to mention these in your answer.
Finally, don’t be afraid to show some enthusiasm! The hiring manager wants to see that you’re excited about the opportunity and believe you’re the best person for the job.