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Running head: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Interview Questions

[Student’s Name]

[Institutional Affiliation]
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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Interview Questions

The thought of attending a job interview comes with some amount of stress for most

candidates. It is important to understand that prior practice and proper preparation can help one

ace the interview process. Coming to terms with interview stress enable you to maintain your

stress to a manageable level. Many researchers and counselors support the fact that an

appropriate amount of stress can be positive and could help us perform better. On the other hand,

too much of stress can wear us out physically, mentally and emotionally. Balancing your stress

level and interview performance is very important at all interviews (Guffey, & Loewy, 2015).

This is because it is how you perform during the interview process that will land you the job. Job

interview comes in many forms and interview questions can be specific or general.

Types of Interview

Behavioral Interviewing

Behavioral interview is an interview technique where the employer asks questions

relating to behavior and experience of the candidate in order to determine their suitability to

handle situations that may arise. This form of interview is based on the fact that past

performance is the best indicator of the future (Guffey, & Loewy, 2015). Most of the behavioral

interviews questions would require an applicant to indicate how they would react to a future

situation based on their past experience. Most of the behavioral interview questions are open

ended and the questions are meant to test leadership, integrity, initiative communication skills,

interpersonal skills and problem solving skills.

Telephone Interviewing
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Telephone interview is a form of interview where the employer asks the applicants

questions over the phone as opposed to face to face interview. Most employers use this interview

method at the initial stage of hiring to determine the applicant’s suitability to handle the tasks

that come along with the job. Telephone interview questions are very specific. This form of

interview gives the employer and the applicant a more relaxed environment.

Group Interviewing

Group interview is a form of interview where multiple applicants are interviewed at the

same time by the hiring manger. Interviewing multiple candidates together enables the hiring

manager to determine candidates that work best in a team. This form of interview is commonly

used for jobs that involve high level of stress, high customer interactions or fast paced work.

Panel Interviewing

A panel interviewing is a form of job interview where an applicant answers questions

from a group of hiring managers. The use of panel interviewing helps reduce the risk of making

bad hiring decision since the decision of every member of the panel is crucial to the overall

hiring decision. All the panelist are free to ask probing questions but the predetermined questions

remanding the same for all the applicants.

Task-Oriented Interview

Task oriented interview is a problem solving interview where applicants are required to

demonstrate their technical skills relating to the job. Usually, the candidates are given some job

related exercises to evaluate their creativity and analytical abilities. The hiring company may
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also decide to use written test to evaluate the applicant’s technical skills and knowledge. Other

companies require presentation from the candidates to test their communication skills.

Stress Interview

Stress interview is a form of interview where the employer tries to bait the applicant in

order to see how they would react when under pressure. Hiring managers believe that the way a

candidate would respond under stress and pressure during the interview is the same way they

would handle similar situations when they are on job. Stress interview can take the form of

intimidating questions, constant interruptions, asking the same question many times, weird

silence among other forms.

Individual Interview

Individual interview also known as personal interview is a form of interview in which the

applicant interacts with the hiring manager one on one at the organization’s offices.

General Interview Questions

General interview questions are meant to test the candidate’s personality, mental ability, goals

interest and values. They include;

i. What can you tell us about yourself?

ii. Where do you see yourself in the ten years from now?

iii. Why should we hire you?

iv. Why do you want to work for this organization?

v. What is your greatest strength?

vi. What motivates you?

viii. Tell us about a very difficult decision you have made in the last year?

ix. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

x. Can you explain why you decided to change your career path?

Interview Questions Specific to Supplies and Logistics Position

i. Describe how you coordinate order shipping?

ii. How do you keep track of stock levels?

iii. What are your main daily duties as logistics manager?

iv. If a supplier you have collaborated with for many years informs you that there is going to

be a significant delay in their shipping, how do you deal with it?

v. Describe a situation you dealt with a stubborn customer?

vi. Describe a typical work day for logistics manager position?

vii. How do you stay updated with logistics management trends?

viii. Describe a situation in which you successfully worked on a very challenging project, the

role you played and how you motivated your team to achieve the results?

ix. What is your experience with the automated warehouse system?

x. How can you measure transport cost?

Interview Questions and Answers

i. Tell us about yourself?

I am an honest, team player and a great communicator who is capable of working with and

through others. My fifteen years of experience the logistic field have enabled be develop great

leadership skills while at the same time, I have been able to sharpen my technical skills in
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handling logistics related challenges. I have got a track record of success from my previous jobs.

In my last role as an assistant logistics manager, I introduced the use of automated warehouse

system that improved efficiency and reduced inventory loss and wastage by 99.9%. I am also

open to learning any ideas that could help achieve company’s goal.

ii. Why should we hire you?

I have been a logistics assistant manager for the past seven years. My boss would always say

that without my efforts, the company would fall apart. My academic qualifications speak for

themselves. Besides, I have also been able to dedicate some time to learn some of the logistics

software that are regularly used by most companies. I also grasp new concepts quickly and

believe in achievement through individual’s efforts as well as those of my team members.

iii. What motivates you?

Meeting a tough deadline has always been my greatest motivator. In my last role, the

company achieved 100% timely delivery of products to our customers. I also had to work within

the budget to achieve timely delivery to our customers.

iv. Describe a typical work day for logistics manager position?

The first thing I do in the morning is to check my email and voicemail. This enables me to know

if there are any agent issues that require my immediate attention. I then prioritize my activities

for the day.

v. How do you stay updated with logistics management trends?

official website of logistics professions on a daily basis to keep up with new policies and

procedures.
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References

Guffey, M. E., & Loewy, D. (2015). Business Communication: Process and Product, 8th

Edition . California State University, Fullerton.