Interview questionnaires: What they are and how you should answer them

Employers use different methods to gauge your qualifications during the hiring process. Some employers go straight for the job interview while others prefer to use an interview questionnaire first. Understanding the purpose of an interview questionnaire will help you answer the next one better.

What is an interview questionnaire?

Interview questionnaires help employers gain additional knowledge about a candidate’s qualifications before meeting them during a job interview. They contain a set of pre-prepared questions that a job seeker must answer before attending the interview. An interview questionnaire serves two purposes; helping a hiring manager decide whether they want to meet the job seeker for an interview, and helping them guide the conversation during an interview.

What kind of questions can you find on an interview questionnaire?

An interview questionnaire typically contains questions that cover four major areas:

• Your background
• Your skills
• Your work experience
• Your work availability

What are some questions you will find on an interview questionnaire?

Now that you know which areas of your career you will be questioned on through your interview questionnaire, it will be helpful to know the kind of questions that will come under each area. Here’s a set of questions our experts think you should prepare for:

Questions about your background

• Where do you live currently?
• What are your plans for the daily commute/relocation for the job?
• List three related coursework for the job you studied for your bachelor’s degree
• What was the focus of your master’s degree?
• Why did you pursue a career in this industry?

Questions about your skills

• What are the technical skills you have that will help you in this role?
• How can you rate your healthcare skills on a scale of 1 to 10?
• What skills of yours must be improved to handle the responsibilities of this role?
• Which of your skills do you plan to improve through this job?
• What is your greatest strength, and how will it help you perform better at this job?

Questions about your work experience

• Where were you employed previously?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Describe a challenge that you had to overcome at your last position.
• What is your greatest career achievement?
• How have you used your PR skills to navigate a difficult business situation?

Questions about your work availability

• When is the earliest date you can start if we hire you?
• Are you open for a virtual interview?
• What is your expected salary and other compensation for this role?
• Are you available to work remotely, fulltime?
• What is your security clearance level?

What should you know before completing your interview questionnaire?

If a hiring manager ever sends you an interview questionnaire to fill out before you attend an interview, the following tips from our career experts will be very helpful for you:

• Read the instructions carefully – Your employer will provide important directions about the number of words to be in your answer or a sentence limit per question. Be sure to abide by the employer’s instructions when you answer your interview questionnaire.
• Take enough time - You will be given the questionnaire with ample time before the due date, so take your time filling it out. Avoid giving half-hearted answers trying to complete your interview questionnaire an hour before the deadline.
• Proofread the questionnaire – Once you are done answering all the questions, take a few minutes to go through your work. An error-free set of answers will tell the hiring manager a lot about your writing skills and attention to detail.
• Align your answers with the resume – Keep your resume nearby when you answer your interview questionnaire. This will help you align your responses with your resume, cover letter, and other job search materials.
• Give concise and complete answers – Your answers should be short, but they should contain all the important information. Give a brief overview of your qualifications when you answer your interview questionnaire.