Common Interview Questions

1. 1.

   How would you describe your work ethic?

   When the interviewer asks about your work ethic, they are looking for specific wording to which they can relate. When you read the company job, posting, or job description, do they refer to particular company ethics? Talk about the company's values and how those align well with your work values.
   
   To solidify your answer, consider adding in a story example that showcases these qualities in action.
   
   

   

   Rachelle's Answer

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on the company website that value those who are honest, transparent, and go the extra mile for clients. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and ready to work hard for my employer every day. For instance, in my current role, I am often the last to leave because I am committed to returning every clients' voicemail and email before I leave for the day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Admin interview

   "I am very proud of my reputation as a reliable Executive Assistant. I base my work ethic on being reliable, honest, and consistent. Just last week, I found a discrepancy in my pay that I alerted our payroll department to right away. I know that this instance would have gone unnoticed; however, it would never sit well with me to act in a way that hurt my employer, no matter how small."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Manager interview

   "I am a motivating person who brings a lot of enthusiasm to the workplace. I am sure that any of my coworkers would agree! As a Manager, I take opportunities to huddle with my team, review our greatest wins for the week, and I make the time to encourage others when I see their efforts making a difference."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Marketing interview

   "I describe myself as excited to learn, driven by growth opportunities, and someone who executes. For example, I am constantly listening to audiobooks and podcasts geared to growing my knowledge of digital marketing and content creation. I quickly take these lessons and apply them, to ensure that I put my new knowledge to work. I am certain my previous bosses and clients would concur, and I'd happily provide them as references."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Retail interview

   "I am driven, dependable, and loyal. I always have my eye on the prize, and I know what I want to achieve. I am ready to jump into action whenever someone needs me. I stick with a company for the long term and love to grow with one organization. I am confident that my managers would describe me as loyal and dependable, as well."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Sales interview

   "I'd describe myself as driven and goal-oriented. I am driven by the competition that comes with working in a sales environment. That said, I am also a dedicated team player. I never want to disappoint my employer or co-workers. I will always go the extra mile to reach my personal goals and the goals of my team."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Teacher interview

   "I count myself among the most dedicated teachers, not only to my students but also to my school. I am hardworking, humble, kind, and passionate. I wake up every single day happy to go to work, excited about my job, and ready to impact my students and the school community. I want my passion and drive to light up a room."

   

   Heather's Answer

    for a Allergist interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your facility as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your patients. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my patients every day."

   

   Heather's Answer

    for a Health Information Technician interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your company as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your clients. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Kitchen Manager interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your company as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your customers. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Academic Advisor interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your school's culture as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your students. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my students every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Lineman interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your company as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile when it comes to safety. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Truck Driver interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your company as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your clients, quite literally. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Animal Shelter Worker interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your organization as honest, transparent with your funding, and you go the extra mile for your adoption clients. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Bus Driver interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal person in both my personal and work life. Your organization is based on going the extra mile for your clients, and with a smile! My work ethic is the same. I am friendly, compassionate, and come ready to work hard for my valued passengers every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Animal Control Workers interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your organization as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your community. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a ABE Teacher interview

   "Teachers are always under close watch when it comes to work ethic and overall effort. I am honest, dependable, and hard working. I am sure that any of my coworkers would agree."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Nurse Practitioner interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your hospital culture as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your patients. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my patients every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Maintenance interview

   "I would describe my work ethic as 'old school.' My previous supervisors have often commented on my strong ethics and old-fashioned values. When it comes to a work motto, I often say 'Work Smart, Have Fun.' "

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Bailiff interview

   "My supervisor would describe my work ethic as excellent. I am a hard worker who thrives on challenges and who works tireless to get the job done. I am also a committed and reliable individual who remains highly respectful and professional at all times."

   

   Nisha's Answer

    for a Forester interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your company as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your employees. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Nuclear Medicine Technologist interview

   "When I arrive to work every day, I check patient charts and check in with the Nuclear Medicine Pharmacist and Physician to see what the status is on some of our long-term patients. I am consistent and thoughtful about the care I provide my patients. I am also very strict about details and maintaining patient records."

   

   Elisabeth's Answer

    for a Court Clerk interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your vision as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your clients. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Dishwasher interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your company as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your patrons. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Model interview

   "I am a very dedicated and loyal model. I saw on your website that you describe your agency as honest, transparent and you go the extra mile for your clients and models. My work ethic is the same. I am honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for every client."

   

   Ryan's Answer

    for a Veterinarian School interview

   "I think if you were to ask my previous employer to describe my work ethic she would say that I was motivated and keen to learn and progress my skills and experience. I was always asking for additional learning and development, not because I was struggling, but because I like to enrich my knowledge and learn and grow within my role."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Warehouse Clerk interview

   "When a product is labeled in our system as back ordered, the first thing I do is call the vendor to ensure that the coding is correct. I will ask them to triple check and then give me a firm date when the item is back in stock. I will also call our other locations to see if they have any remaining product they could ship to my location. If the item is truly out, I will work with my customer on finding a comparable product."

   

   Rachelle's Answer

    for a Transportation Manager interview

   "My supervisor would describe my work ethic as excellent. I am a hard worker who thrives on challenges and who works tireless to get the job done. I am also a committed and reliable professional who remains highly respectful and professional at all times."

   Anonymous Answer
   "I am honest, dependable, and hard-working. I am sure that any of my coworkers would agree. As a manager, these are the qualities that I expect from my team in return."
   
   Lauren's Answer
   I really like your personal and mutual accountability.
   "My work ethic is honest, dependable, and hard-working. I believe in mutual respect and accountability. I never expect anything from coworkers that I am not willing to do myself. I take a lot of pride in my work, and I think my coworkers would agree."
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   Anonymous Answer
   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I have always gone the extra mile to help any employee and work towards assisting the company in advancing towards fulfilling long term goals."
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   You come across as dedicated and loyal, indeed! Between your responses, employer reviews, results, and accolades, it sounds like you're a great bet for any hiring company.
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   Anonymous Answer
   "I would describe my work ethic as dependable and smart. I work hard to solve problems and answer the call of my responsibilities. However, I have learned it's best to put together a sound plan of attack before just hammering away. This has saved me time and energy."
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   This answer is nicely detailed and interesting. Good work!
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   Anonymous Answer
   "I am honest, flexible and team playing. I come ready to work hard for my employer every day."
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   Short, sweet, and well said :)
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   Anonymous Answer
   "Hard-working. During the first release of our new product, I put in approximately 350-400 hours in one month to help assist our end users. If something wasn't working, and it was my time to go home, I would stay and get it working for our end users. This is where I began to improve on my project management skills as well as delegating tasks, but I do believe in hard work, growing and not staying stagnant in your position — always wanting to achieve more for yourself."
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   10/10. Nice answer!
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   Anonymous Answer
   "I describe my work ethic as dependable, loyal, and consistent. I present the most helpful simple solutions to my team at all times. I will address the situation right away, with a collaborative mindset."
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   You are very descriptive in your response, which will be a big bonus for the interviewer.
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   Anonymous Answer
   "Accountable, driven, determined, respectful"
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   These are all excellent descriptors! Next, try giving the interviewer an idea of the ways that you apply these qualities in the workplace.
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   Anonymous Answer
   "I see myself as driven, dependable, and loyal. I am always happy to help anyone that needs and stay loyal to the company that I work for many years"
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   Excellent! Loyalty is an important factor that many people miss. Expressing your tenure is a great approach.
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   Anonymous Answer
   "I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on your website that you describe your company as honest, transparent, and you go the extra mile for your customer. My work ethic is the same; I am reliable, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   It's great that you responded using a tie-in from the company's job description. Nice answer!
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   Anonymous Answer
   "I consider myself to be ambitious and thoughtful. In my last position, with little training or guidance, I created a training manual for my role, knowing that it would help my successor to adapt. I continually look for new challenges by learning more than what is expected of me. For example, on the weekends, I sometimes watch tutorials that will strengthen my accounting knowledge base. I do this because I believe in delivering exceptional results to my employer every day."
   
   Rachelle's Answer
   This question is a big one for the hiring authority when determining fit. Again, think of the factors that make you very unique. This answer sounds a bit rehearsed and could use more genuine details specific to you and your situation. You could add in examples from past behavior to really impress the interviewer. I've offered a revision below. (*Great way to implement the previous feedback.)
   "I consider myself to be ambitious and thoughtful. In my last position, with little training or guidance, I created a training manual for my role, knowing that it would help my successor to adapt. I continually look for new challenges by learning more than what is expected of me. For example, on the weekends, I often take online coursework and watch tutorials to strengthen my knowledge base in accounting. I do this because I believe in delivering exceptional results to my employer every day."
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