Interactive Mock Interview Tool

Use this spreadsheet tool to practice for an initial HR job interview. Work at your own pace.

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It provides twelve of the most common interview questions.

The second page provides you with instructions for utilizing this interactive tool.

Each question comes with insight into what the interviewer likely seeks with each question.

Click the arrow at the left to see that item's insight and tip into that interview item.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Key insight into this question

Your self-introduction serves as an icebreaker. It's also a good opportunity to create a strong first impression that you really are the best fit for what they seek.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

The interviewer gets to see if your personality is a good fit for the role, for the team, and for the company. The interviewer typically determines in the first 90 seconds if you will be a good candidate to forward onto the next step in the process.

2. What is your greatest strength?

Key insight into this question

What soft skill implied in the job description can you demonsrate in an example? That just became your greatest strength to qualify for this job.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

Are they asking for only one or for several strengths? Typically just one. Look for a soft skill that exemplifies what the job description requires. Then give a brief example of you expressing that soft skill as applied to the job description qualification.

3. What is your greatest weakness?

Key insight into this question

This question is asking you to humbly be honest and admit to something you are still improving. Quickly state the shortcoming then focus more on your progress in this area.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

The interviewer assumes that we all have many imperfections, but choose the one that can demonstrate how you are actively improving yourself. This can demonstrate your problem-solving and other skills. Just be sure not to pick something critical to the job description.

4. What do you know about our company?

Key insight into this question

The less you know about their product and services, the less reason they have to hire you. Find out as much as you can beforehand.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

They will not be impressed if citing only the basic facts about them. Tell not only what you know but what you like about them. Do you use any of their offerings? Do you love what they are about? Let your passion for them shine through.

5. Where do you see yourself in 3 to 5 years?

Key insight into this question

This looks at how strong and clear is your vision for your career. The better your career vision, the more likely you will be a good fit for this team.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

Avoid overpromising them your commitment to a future no one can know. Of course, you don't want to say you expect to be working elsewhere in five years, or starting your own business, even if that is likely. Assure them they are central to your current career trajectory.

6. Tell me about your greatest career success.

Key insight into this question

Share something you have accomplished that the job description particularly seeks. Prioritize what is important to them over what you are most proud of achieving.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

What is something in the job description you have achieved? Share it as a short story. What was the workplace challenge you met? How did you succeed in resolving it? How does it make you a perfect candidate for this position?

7. Tell me about a mistake you made at work and what you learned.

Key insight into this question

When you learn from your mistakes, you become a better team member. Like a healed bone getting stronger than before, show your strengths through recovering from a mistake.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

The more you drop your guard and show you humanly make mistakes, you build more trust. The more valuable what you learn from the mistake, the better your fit for this new team. Remember to end your example on a positive note.

8. Tell me about a disagreement you had with a colleague and how you handled it.

Key insight into this question

This looks for your teamwork skills. Everyone has a different opinion sometime, so how do you contribute your unique perspective to the team?

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

This doesn't assume you argued with a coworker. Tell about how you get along with your teammates even when you have a different point of view. Hopefully you are not so "harmonious" that you never contribute your unique perspective.

9. How would your coworkers describe you?

Key insight into this question

This puts in the third person paraphrasing or quoting your teammates' views of you. It can sound less partial and not risk sounding like you're boasting.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

TIP: Ask your current coworkers for feedback to your current work, then use it to answer this question. They never have to know you are seeking another job. You will sound more certain when quoting their actual words than trying to paraphrase what you think they might say.

10. Why should we hire you?

Key insight into this question

If you are equally qualified as all the other candidates, what sets you apart as the best pick? What can you offer the others likely cannot?

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

Think about what you offer that other candidates can unlikely offer. What particular experience or qualifications others are not likely to have. Emphasize these qualities with your passion for the opportunity to join this team, this company. You're almost there!

11. Tell me something we should know about you that we didn't think to ask.

Key insight into this question

Before the interview ends, the interviewer wants you to suggest anything they may have overlooked. Here is your opportunity to shine.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

Standard HR questions could overlook something that makes you especially qualified for this job. HR recognizes it may miss this, so this is an open-ended question for you to share some unique story that can help them decide you are just right for the job.

12. Do you have any questions for me?

Key insight into this question

Good questions demonstrate how interested you are in the job. You never want to say you have no questions. Let the time run out on the questions you could ask.

What the interviewer typically looks for in your answer to this question

Prepare at least 3 to 4 questions to ask the interviewer to show your interest. If you only prepare one or two and they answer each in the course of the interview, you do not want to say you have no more questions. Go back to the top and select "Qs to ask interviewer" for some ideas.

You then practice your answers in the provided space. Then rate the quality of your answer.

• First by relevance to the job description. Speak to their needs.

• Second by authenticity of your answer. Avoid embellishing.

• Third by how specific is your answer. Generalizations don't sell yourself.

Select from the dropdown list to get feedback to the quality of your response.

1. Best: Feedback to an excellent response to this question.

2. Good: Feedback to an acceptable response to this question.

3. Okay: Feedback to a minimal response to this question.

4. Poor: Feedback to an unacceptable response to this question.

See this unfold for question 4:

Then it provides examples of different quality level response you select from a dropdown list.

1. Best: What an excellent response would look like for that question.

2. Good: What an acceptable response would look like for that question.

3. Okay: What a minimal response would look like for that question.

4. Poor: What an unacceptable response would look like for that question.

See here all four example quality levels to a response to question 4:

The tool also comes with many other useful tips. This tool features how to use the CAR method for answer behavioral interview questions. You likely are familiar with the STAR method: Situation, Task, Actions, Results.

The CAR method keeps it simpler.

Every story has a beginning (Challenge to set up the story),

middle (Actions where you're the hero), and

satisfying conclusion (Results you created).

Your short stories can be more compelling when focusing on that middle part, instead of getting bogged down an unnecessary details in the beginning.

See an example CAR story on page 6 for each of these 12 in-demand soft skills:

• leadership skills

• teamwork skills

• problem-solving skills

• customer service skills

• communication skills

• interpersonal skills

• emotional intelligence

• adaptability skills

• organizational skills

• creativity

• attention to detail

• work ethic

I help my student-clients practice their CAR stories to demonstrate their potential value to the interviewer. The more you practice and finetune your CAR stories, the more you can emotionally impact the interviewer to trust you as the best candidate.

You can practice with me in person if you have a Cambly account.

I have served hundreds of interviewees on Cambly. Here are some of their testimonials, vouching for how this tool and its emphasis on using their CAR stories has helped them.

Perhaps I can help you sell your qualifications to an employer of your choice. Download this tool and see for yourself how you can improve your job interviewing skills.

Download your own copy of this interactive interviewing tool

When you cannot find someone to help you practice, this could be your next best thing.