36 Personality Interview Questions you Must Prepare to Answer in 2021

Candidates, when preparing for a role often pay more attention to preparing for questions relating to knowledge and experience, hence paying little or no attention to whether their personality traits fit into the job role.

Personality traits are as important as knowledge and experience when preparing for a job interview. Nowadays, companies especially multinationals use personality tests to screen out candidates for a job position.

Personality interview questions are often asked in job interviews to gauge a candidate’s soft skills which are not evident in his/her resume. These questions provide an insight into the candidate’s personality, skills and abilities such as flexibility, openness, teamwork, aspiration, work ethics, problem-solving, ability to work under pressure, etc. In answering personality interview questions, it is best if a candidate can share an experience highlighting how these personality traits come into view.

Therefore, candidates must prepare for personality questions alongside questions testing knowledge and experience.

List of Personality Interview Questions you Must Prepare to Answer in 2021

Here mentioned below are thirty-six personality questions that you must prepare to answer:

Problem Solving Questions:

Problem-solving questions are asked to identify, measure, and test your approach to difficult and unusual situations. It shows your approach and understanding of an unusual situation and complex issues. Recruiters often seek out candidates who are analytical and spherical thinkers with the potential for using innovative and creative skills to resolve problems. When answering this question, demonstrate how you would recognize, identify and prevent such a problem from occurring again.

Samples of personality interview questions to evaluate problem-solving skills are as follows:

• Describe a problem you had to solve a problem without managerial input. How did you resolve it and what was the result?
• Give an example of a time you identified and fixed a problem before it became urgent?
• Describe a situation where you faced serious challenges in doing your job efficiently. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?
• How do you know when to solve a problem on your own or to ask for help?
• How do you approach problems?
• What is your process?

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Time Management

Time management skills are important for the effective running of daily activities in the business environment. Recruiters often ask time management interview questions to gain insight into your ability to multitask, prioritize, manage distractions, and delegate tasks to meet deadlines. In answering personality questions relating to time management, candidates should highlight examples of how they prioritize tasks effectively at the same time highlighting their organizational skills. Recruiters often seek candidates who demonstrate the ability to manage time effectively, as this would ensure the continuity of the business. Samples of personality interview questions relating to time management are mentioned below:

• How do you plan your work when you have multiple and conflicting tasks?
• If you are expected to report to several managers, how would you prioritize your work?
• How do you manage deadlines?
• What productive tools do you use?
• How do you manage stress?

Adaptability and Flexibility

Adaptability and flexibility personality interview questions are often asked to identify if the candidates can adapt to new working conditions and changing team environments. It also helps identifies the candidate’s reactions to unpredictable work situations, taking up new and changing responsibilities.

Recruiters often ask adaptability personality interview questions during interviews. These questions focus on past behaviour in professional work settings. In answering interview questions bordering on adaptability cite past experiences where you anticipated and responded effectively to such situations. Also, emphasize how effective you adapted to such transition.

Here are certain examples of personality questions bordering on adaptability and flexibility:

• Are you able to adequately respond to an unforeseen situation that occurs during work?
• Are you able to adjust to changing work environments?
• Can you assist your co-workers in embracing changes?
• Tell me about a time you had to learn quickly?
• Tell me about a time when you had to be creative to solve a problem?

Overcoming Challenges:

Recruiters often ask questions about a candidate’s attitude towards challenges to determine if the candidate’s personality fits with challenging tasks that he/she might encounter during the job. Additionally, and most importantly to test the candidate’s level of perseverance when handling responsibilities associated with the job position. In answering questions bordering on overcoming challenges narrate a concise and personal story about a specific situation. Furthermore, identify the lesson learned from the experience to avoid sounding too generic.

Here are examples of personality interview questions bordering on overcoming challenges:

• Tell me about a time when you handled a challenging situation?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake and what you did to rectify it?
• Give me a situation when you made an unpopular decision and how you implemented it?
• Tell me a goal you failed to achieve?
• Can you tell me about a time you felt you went above and went?

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Communication

Communication is an important personality interview questions that is often if not always asked during interviews. This is because communication skills are important for workplace success. Moreover, recruiters/hiring managers often seek employees who can get along with other employees and can communicate verbally or non-verbally. In evaluating communication skills, recruiters often look out for the candidate’s ability to listen, empathy, manners, clarity when communicating, and body language for non-verbal communication. Here are common personality interview questions evaluating a candidate’s ability to communicate:

• Do you work well with other people?
• Tell me about a time when you had to say ‘no’?
•  Tell me about a time you had to build rapport with a co-worker or client whose personality was different than yours?
• Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex topic to people?
• How do you respond to criticism? 

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Teamwork

Personality interview questions on teamwork are frequently asked during interviews. These to identify the candidate’s personality or behaviour towards authority, leadership, and teamwork or whether the candidate prefers to work independently. Additionally, it identifies the candidate’s personality towards building or fostering relationships between his co-workers. In answering questions bordering on teamwork is best to be sincere and positive with specific examples. Here are common personality interview questions on teamwork:

• How do you feel about working on a team?
• Do you prefer teamwork or working independently?
• Can you tell me about an experience when you contributed to a team or your role in a team?
• Tell me about a time when you collaborated with others who were different than you?
• Tell me about a time you felt like a good leader?

Motivation and Values

Questions bordering on motivation and values seek to identify the candidate’s interests, principles, work ethics, and work style. Here the candidate’s behavioural traits are evaluated in line with the company’s core values and ethics. The candidate’s answers would determine if he/she is a good match with the company’s mission and work style.

In answering these questions, it is best to be sincere, genuine, and candid. Here are common personality interview questions on motivation and values:

• What have you enjoyed while working at previous positions?
• What types of tasks are you best at?
• Can you tell me about the proudest moment in your professional career and why it was important to you?
• Can you tell me about a time when you felt dissatisfied with your work?
• Can you tell me about a contribution you made in your company that was most impactful?

Personality interview questions are important when preparing for an interview as they determine if you fit into the corporate culture of the company or if your personality would be of impact in achieving the mission and vision of the company.