15 Compatibility Interview Questions & Answers
1. Tell me about your relationship with your previous boss.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know about your relationship with your most recent employer. Be sure to remain positive, even if the experience wasn't. Avoid talking about any previous drama and do not speak poorly of your employer. Keep your answer short and respectful.
Written by Rachelle Enns
1st Answer Example
"I had a very healthy relationship with my previous employer. She was easy to approach, and we would bounce ideas off of each other quite often. I would sum it up as a relationship lead by strong mutual respect."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Admin
"My previous boss and I got along well. We had very different interests, so we did not spend a lot of time chatting, but our work interests were aligned, and we respected each other."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Manager
"My previous boss and I had a great working relationship. We were in sync when it came to accomplishing things we needed to do in our department. We scheduled weekly touch base meetings to stay current on our progress and address any issues that came up along the way. I learned a lot from them on leadership while adding great value to the team."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Marketing
"I have worked for the same boss for the past eight years. We have an incredible working relationship, taking every opportunity to learn together and bounce ideas off of each other. He will provide an excellent reference once we get to that stage."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Retail
"My previous boss spent a lot of time mentoring me when I first started working at the store. She is the regional manager but held my role before her promotion. We get along very well, and she has already agreed to provide a positive reference on my behalf."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Sales
"I have had healthier relationships with previous employers, but my most recent boss and I did the best that we could. Our communication styles were very different which made it challenging at times."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Teacher
"My most recent Principal was an inspiration to me and helped to guide my career in education for the past three years. I have the utmost respect for her."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Community Answer
"I had a good relationship with my previous boss. She was easy to approach and always offered new ideas to me. I feel we had a good working relationship. I have a lot of respect for her."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
The respect that you display for your previous boss comes across as very genuine. Good response.
2. What do you know about our company culture?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you have researched their organization before your interview. Company culture and fit is a critical factor when considering a career move. Assure the interviewer that you have put thought, research, and consideration into how the company culture will work for you.
Written by Rachelle Enns
1st Answer Example
"I have researched your company through your social media channels and on glassdoor.com. Your employees have great things to say, and overall it seems that you have fun while you work. I am looking forward to joining an organization, like yours, that is upbeat and thoughtful with an eye on helping the community at the same time."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Admin
"I know that you have a great reputation with your clients and that you treat your staff very well. I have a friend who worked with your company on a temporary basis last year, and she said it was one of the best administrative positions she had ever held. I look forward to learning more about this role."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Manager
"I read many positive reviews online about your organization and company culture. You offer great incentives to keep people motivated, and it seems to be the type of fast-paced environment that values innovation and performance. My type of place!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Marketing
"Your agency is well known for crafting great brands and fun marketing schemes. It sounds like your team has a great deal of fun, and I look forward to joining!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Retail
"Your stores are well known for encouraging continued education opportunities and offering advanced training, compared to your competitors. I appreciate your focus on employee development and cannot wait to learn more!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Sales
"I only know what I read on your website, and reviews on LinkedIn, Google, etc. Your website information was very appealing, but there were mixed reviews online. I do not put a lot of emphasis on reviews, as I know that most people only take the time to leave a review if they are upset. There was only a handful total, and I see that you have hundreds of employees. Overall, I feel comfortable with your organization and the information you have shared with me here today."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Teacher
"Your district is well known for community involvement and offering unique field trip opportunities, as well as electives, for your students. I look forward to being part of a school that cares so deeply about their students and the experiences they have during their elementary education."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Community Answer
"Your stores are known for encouraging continued education and offers advanced training. The company's core values, which include honesty and integrity, as well as the firm belief in respect for the individual, are values I strive for every day. I also read many employee reviews about how they have fun and love their job."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Kevin Downey Reviewed the Above Answer
It is very apparent that you have done your homework on the company! Great answer. I've enhanced your messaging a bit.
"There was a facility I worked with where I struggled with a few coworkers where they were not answering their e-mails in a timely fashion. If it was one person, that would just require a conversation. But with as many employees who weren’t using their email as an effective communication tool to stay up to date, that makes the problem systemic. So I decided that I would schedule weekly meetings to get everybody on the same page and enhance communication. That seemed to do the trick."
3. Describe your working relationship with your previous or current colleagues.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know more about your relationship with your colleagues. Remain positive, even if the experience wasn't. Avoid talking about any previous drama and do not speak poorly of your colleagues.
Written by Rachelle Enns
1st Answer Example
"I get along well with most personalities. My colleagues were great team players, and we would often meet up after work for drinks or team activities."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Admin
"I get along with just about everyone with whom I work. I respect other people's knowledge, experience, and opinion, even if I don't agree. I think that is why I can work with nearly anyone."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Manager
"Our leadership team is collaborative, and we work well towards our common goal. If we have a difference of opinion, we will talk it out in our management meetings."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Marketing
"All of the colleagues I have worked with have shared a very respectful relationship with me. We have similar goals, and we exchange knowledge to accomplish those things to the best we can. Each of us has a part in the company's success, and we utilize communication to make it happen."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Retail
"Our team is amazing! We support each other when customers are a bit cranky, we help each other reach the store's targets and goals, and we help to cover when someone needs a day off."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Sales
"I have had better relationships in the past, but we did the best that we could. Our communication styles were all very different which made it challenging at times. And, as you know, in sales things can become very competitive! Of course, the competition was friendly most of the time."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Teacher
"As a teacher, it's incredibly important to get along well with your fellow faculty. In my current role, we go to great lengths to support each other in the workplace. I have worked in environments where this is not the case, and those have been incredibly challenging."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Community Answer
"I worked with a great team of co-workers. We supported each other and always helped each other when coverage was low, so customers' needs were taken care of."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Kevin Downey Reviewed the Above Answer
This sounds like a harmonious work environment! Try digging in a bit further on what you did to ensure that this pattern or support continued.
"I worked with a great team of co-workers. Part of what made us a great team was our spirit of collaboration, our rapport, and our camaraderie. We supported each other and always helped each other when coverage was low, so customers’ needs were taken care of. We always touched base with each other, maintaining transparency with our individual progress so that we could mentor or assist in any way possible. Everybody had each other’s back. I consider that the ideal team environment."
4. How would you describe your personality?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how you see yourself. Personality and character are two very different things. The interviewer is looking for more information on your traits vs. your integrity. Your answer should include buzzwords such as extroverted, energetic, and confident.
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 26th, 2019
5. What type of work environment allows you to be the most productive?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how to ensure a healthy level of productivity from you. Are you able to be productive in any environment? Are there particular types of situations that you find distracting? Discuss your preferences with the interviewer. Be sure to research the kind of environment that offered in this position before the interview.
Written by Rachelle Enns on August 11th, 2018
6. What type of work environment do you dislike working in?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know if there is a particular type of environment that you find challenging. Are you pretty flexible in your ability to work in most situations? Have you experienced a position where the atmosphere wasn't conducive to your productivity? Be sure to know the type of environment offered in this position before the interview.
Written by Rachelle Enns
7. What work situations excite and motivate you?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how to motivate you on the job. It is essential, for your success, that the hiring manager knows how to keep you motivated and excited to come to work every day. Share with the interviewer what they could do to ensure that you are happy and productive.
Written by Rachelle Enns
8. How would you describe your relationship with your customers or clients?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know more about your client and customer relationships. Do you value your client and customer relationships? How do you nurture them to ensure that they are happy and continue to come back? Talk to the interviewer about your strategy for creating strong customer and client relationships.
Written by Rachelle Enns
9. How do you believe you will complement our department, if you were hired?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know how you will make an impact on their organization if hired. If you landed the position, what would you bring to the department or organization? Assure the interviewer that you are the right fit for this position. If you have a 90-day plan in mind, come prepared to share that with the interviewer.
Written by Rachelle Enns on August 11th, 2018
10. Considering your background is in an industry different from ours, what skills and characteristics do you have that qualify you for this position in this industry?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know which transferable skills you bring to this position. There are many ways that you can be a fit for a job, even though you do not come with direct industry experience. Think about the variety of skills that you have and how those can benefit another employer, despite the industry. These are your transferable skills, and they can include sales abilities, customer service experience, and software capabilities.
Written by Rachelle Enns
11. Looking at your resume, it seems there are certain skills necessary for this position that do not stand out. How do you think you will be able to compensate for these missing skills?
How to Answer
Most job descriptions will have a long list of requirements. Hiring managers are aware that, to find a candidate that checks ALL of the boxes, can sometimes be impossible. If you are missing some of the 'nice to have' or even the 'must have' skills listed in the job description, do not fret! Be open about your shortcomings and discuss with the interviewer how you plan to compensate for those.
Written by Rachelle Enns
12. When have you worked among a diverse group of people?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you are accustomed to working with a broad range of people. Are you accustomed to working with a very large or diverse team of individuals? Assure the interviewer that you can handle an environment that offers diversity.
Written by Rachelle Enns on August 11th, 2018
13. Tell me why you are the right fit for this company and this position.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you feel confident this position is the right fit for you. A successful hire needs to feel like the right fit for both parties. Express to the interviewer that you think this position is a secure fit for your experience and your career goals.
Written by Rachelle Enns
14. What is the worst thing a previous manager could say about you?
How to Answer
Nobody is a perfect employee! Think about some mistakes you have made at work or any suggestions for improvement received. If a manager were to provide you with feedback or criticism, what might they say? Keep your answer brief and be sure to finish on a positive note by discussing your willingness to improve and take constructive feedback.
Written by Rachelle Enns
15. What type of situation would make you quit your job?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know what type of situation would cause you to quit your job, so they can assess how patient you are and what your threshold for stress may be. If you have ever quit a job before, you can discuss the situation but avoid speaking poorly of any employer in the past. Make sure that your example is one that could be justified easily. You want to avoid appearing dramatic or oversensitive.
Written by Rachelle Enns on August 11th, 2018