Interview Ready | Pre-test

About 10 minutes. Not graded. 13 questions, plus 3 quick confidence questions.

This is not a test you pass or fail. It is fine not to know these answers. Many people will not, because you have not taken the course yet. Your answers show your starting point, so at the end you can see how far you came.

Why we ask: it shows what you already know and which ideas are new to you. When you finish the course, you will see your before and after for each skill, so you can see where you grew and what to review.

How sure do you feel?

Rate each line from 1 (not at all sure) to 5 (very sure). There is no right answer.

I can answer common interview questions with clear, true stories.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can handle hard questions about weakness, gaps, and pay.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can stay calm in any interview format and follow up well afterward.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

Questions

1. In a practice answer, you spend 90 seconds on background and 10 seconds on what you did. What is the best fix?

A. Keep it, since background helps the interviewer see the full picture. B. Speed up and say the same background faster to save time. C. Shorten the background and spend more time on what you did and the result.

2. Your answer keeps saying we did this and we did that. The interviewer wants your part. What is the fix?

A. Say what you did, using I. B. Keep saying we to sound humble. C. Name everyone on the team.

3. The question is: Tell me about a time you worked under a tight deadline. Which story fits best?

A. A time you stayed late every night because you liked the work. B. A time you trained a new coworker on the inventory system. C. The week you finished inventory two days early after a shipment was late.

4. A posting stresses bilingual customer service and scheduling. Which question should you prepare for?

A. A question about your experience with a cash register. B. A question about helping a customer in two languages, or fixing a schedule problem. C. A question about how you would handle a forklift safety check.

5. For a dispatcher job, which is the best start to Tell me about yourself?

A. I route 20 drivers a day as a shift lead. Before that I tracked parts in the Navy. Now I want to move into dispatch. B. Well, it is all on my resume, but I have had a lot of jobs, so I can walk you through each one. C. I grew up in Ohio, the oldest of four kids. I love fishing, and I have been married for ten years.

6. At an auto shop interview, they ask why you picked their company. Which answer is best?

A. You are certified to work on electric vehicles, and I want to grow in that work. B. I saw you were hiring, and I need a steady job close to home. C. I have heard you are a good shop, and I have always liked cars.

7. The interviewer asks about your greatest weakness. Which answer is strongest?

A. I work too hard. I stay late almost every night, and sometimes I forget to take breaks. B. I cannot think of one. My past bosses have always said I do great work. C. I used to wait too long to ask for help. Now I check in with my lead after an hour of being stuck.

8. An interviewer asks, How old are you? What is a good response?

A. Give a younger age, since being honest about it could hurt your chances here. B. Redirect to the job, like I have the energy and experience this role needs, and write down the question afterward. C. Say, That is illegal to ask, and refuse to go on with the interview.

9. A posting lists $42,000 to $48,000. Your research for the area is similar. You are asked your expectations. What is best?

A. Based on the posted range and my research, I am looking for $45,000 to $48,000. B. Whatever you think is fair. I am just happy to have the chance. C. I would be fine with $40,000, since I do not want to ask for too much.

10. Your video interview is tomorrow. What is the best prep?

A. Skip the test, since video apps usually work the first time. B. Test the link, camera, and light today, and save the interviewer's phone number. C. Test the link five minutes before, so it is fresh in your mind.

11. Your mind goes blank on a question. What is a confident first move?

A. Pause and say, Let me think for a second. B. Say, Next question. C. Start talking about anything to fill the silence.

12. The interview is wrapping up and you get a chance to ask something. Which is best?

A. No, I think you covered everything I wanted to know. Thank you. B. How would you describe a great first year in this role? C. When would I be able to get my first raise or promotion?

13. You get a verbal offer below your research. What is the best response?

A. Say yes right away, before they change their mind about you. B. Turn it down and tell them it is far too low for your skills. C. Thank them, ask for it in writing, and ask respectfully if there is flexibility.

Save my starting point

Next up

Go to Lesson 1: Your story bank and the STAR method.

This self-check is not a grade and does not affect your access.