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Interview questions for small businesses
Ready-to-use questions for 78 common roles, each with a follow-up and a 1 to 5 scoring guide. Pick a role to see its questions, or turn any of them into a free interview guide.
Office
Office administratorKeeps the office running: phones, email, scheduling, records and supplies.ReceptionistFirst point of contact by phone and in person; bookings, messages and a calm front desk.BookkeeperKeeps the books accurate: payables, receivables, reconciliations and remittances.Customer service representativeAnswers customers by phone, email or chat and solves their problems.Administrative assistantSupports the team with documents, calendars, mail, invoices and supplies so the office runs smoothly.Office managerRuns the office day to day: facilities, vendors, supplies, invoices, records and basic HR admin.Executive assistantSupports a senior leader with their calendar, correspondence, meetings, travel and confidential work.
Retail
Retail sales associateHelps customers find what they need, keeps the floor stocked, and rings in sales.CashierHandles payments accurately and quickly, keeping lines moving and customers happy.Retail store managerRuns the store: sales, staff and schedules, inventory, cash, and a safe, tidy shop floor.
Food service
Line cookPreps and cooks to spec, keeps the station clean, and handles the rush.ServerLooks after guests from greeting to payment, working closely with the kitchen.DishwasherKeeps dishes, pots and the back of house clean and moving so the kitchen can cook.BaristaMakes drinks to standard, keeps the bar clean, and makes regulars feel at home.Executive chefLeads the kitchen: menu, food cost, food safety, staffing and the quality of every plate.BartenderMakes and serves drinks quickly and responsibly, and looks after guests at the bar.Restaurant managerRuns the restaurant day to day: staff, service, food safety, cash and costs.
Trades and labour
Warehouse associateReceives, picks, packs and ships stock accurately and safely.Delivery driverDelivers orders on time and safely, and represents the business at the door.General labourerSupports the crew on site: moving materials, clean-up, and hands-on help.CarpenterFrames, finishes and builds to plan, accurately and safely.LandscaperMaintains and builds outdoor spaces with care for equipment and clients' property.Automotive service technicianDiagnoses and repairs vehicles accurately, safely and honestly.MillwrightInstalls, aligns, maintains and repairs industrial machinery to keep production running.Industrial electricianInstalls, maintains and troubleshoots plant electrical systems, motors, drives and controls.PlumberInstalls, repairs and maintains water, drain and vent systems to code, often in customers' homes.WelderCuts, fits and welds metal to drawings, with sound, clean welds that pass inspection.Construction labourerPreps the site, moves materials and supports the trades, safely and in all weather.Site supervisorRuns the job site day to day: crews, trades, safety, quality and the daily log.EstimatorPrices jobs from the drawings: takeoffs, supplier and subtrade quotes, and bid packages.
Services
CleanerCleans homes or businesses thoroughly, safely and with respect for clients' spaces.HousekeeperCleans and turns over rooms and common areas to a clean, safe and consistent standard.Front desk agentChecks guests in and out, handles bookings and payments, and keeps the front desk running.CustodianKeeps a building clean, sanitary and safe, including floors, washrooms, waste and minor upkeep.GroundskeeperKeeps outdoor grounds safe, tidy and well kept, from mowing and planting to snow and ice clearing.Security guardProtects people and property through access control, patrols, alarm response and clear reporting.
Care
Personal support workerSupports clients with daily living with dignity, safety and good communication.Continuing care assistantHelps residents or clients with personal care, mobility and meals, with dignity and safety.Licensed practical nurseGives hands-on nursing care, medications and monitoring to residents or patients with stable needs.Registered nurseAssesses patients, plans and gives nursing care, and coordinates with the wider care team.Care coordinatorPlans, schedules and monitors clients' care, linking families, providers and front-line staff.Recreation programmerPlans and runs recreation, sport and leisure programs, and leads the staff and volunteers who deliver them.Early childhood educatorPlans and leads play-based learning for young children and keeps them safe, healthy and supported.Educational assistantSupports students with diverse needs in the classroom, with learning, behaviour and personal care.Volunteer coordinatorRecruits, trains, schedules and looks after the volunteers who help deliver our programs.
Sales
Sales representativeFinds and closes new business and looks after existing accounts.Outside sales representativeTravels a sales territory to find new customers, quote profitable deals and grow accounts.Account managerLooks after existing clients: renewals, growth, problem solving and a steady working relationship.
Leadership
Shift supervisorRuns the shift: people, standards, customers and problems as they come up.Construction project managerDelivers building projects on time and on budget, from planning and trades to handover.Operations managerRuns day-to-day operations: people, schedules, safety, inventory, quality and costs.General managerLeads the whole operation: people, budget, safety, customers and day-to-day results.Health and safety coordinatorRuns the safety program: inspections, training, incident investigations and the safety committee.Program managerPlans and runs a group of related projects so they land on time, on budget and actually get used.Executive directorLeads the whole organization: operations, finances, staff and funders, reporting to the board or owner.
Finance and HR
Accounting clerkHandles payables, receivables, bank reconciliations and month-end support accurately and on time.Payroll administratorRuns accurate, on-time payroll, including source deductions, CRA remittances, ROEs and T4s.HR generalistHandles hiring, onboarding, employee relations, policies, benefits and HR records for the whole team.HR coordinatorKeeps HR admin moving: job postings, interviews, onboarding, records, benefits and training tracking.RecruiterFinds, screens and interviews candidates, and manages hiring from job posting to signed offer.ControllerOwns the books: month-end close, cash, remittances, controls and year-end with the accountants.Procurement officerSources and buys goods and services, negotiates with suppliers, and checks invoices match what arrived.
Transport and warehouse
Shipping and receiving clerkReceives and checks incoming freight, packs and ships orders, and keeps dock records accurate.Forklift operatorMoves, stacks and loads stock with forklifts and reach trucks, accurately and safely.Long-haul truck driverDrives a tractor-trailer on multi-day routes, delivering freight safely, legally and on time.DispatcherPlans routes, assigns loads and keeps drivers, customers and the office in sync all shift.Inventory clerkReceives, counts and tracks stock so the records match what's actually on the shelves.Fleet managerKeeps the company's vehicles safe, legal, maintained and on the road at a sensible cost.
Manufacturing
Production workerRuns, feeds and assembles on the production line, keeping quality and pace up safely.Machine operatorSets up, runs and monitors production machines, checking parts against spec.Maintenance technicianKeeps equipment and the building running through preventive maintenance, repairs and troubleshooting.Quality assurance inspectorInspects materials and finished products against spec and holds back anything that doesn't pass.
Technology and marketing
Marketing coordinatorRuns day-to-day marketing: social media, email, website updates, content, events and reporting.Graphic designerCreates print and digital designs that stay on brand, on spec and on deadline.Web developerBuilds and looks after the website so it's fast, secure, accessible and connected to business tools.IT support technicianKeeps staff computers, accounts, phones and the network working, and helps people fix problems.Systems administratorRuns the servers, network, backups and security that keep the business online.Data analystTurns business data into accurate reports and dashboards that help managers make decisions.
Questions by skill
Every role above draws from the same 16 skill areas. Here's one sample question from each.
Reliability and follow-through
Tell me about a time you committed to something at work and it became hard to follow through. What did you do?
Follow-up: What was the result, and what would you do the same next time?
1 WeakLet it slide without telling anyone.
3 SolidFollowed through, but only after reminders or with a late heads-up.
5 StrongFlagged the risk early, adjusted the plan, and delivered or arranged cover.
Customer service
Tell me about a time a customer was upset with you or your business. What did you do?
Follow-up: How did the conversation end?
1 WeakArgued, passed them off, or avoided the customer.
3 SolidStayed polite and followed the rules, but the customer left unhappy.
5 StrongListened, owned what they could, fixed it or offered a real option, and stayed calm.
Teamwork
Tell me about a time you helped a coworker who was falling behind.
Follow-up: How did it affect your own work?
1 WeakNever has, or sees it as not their job.
3 SolidHelped when asked.
5 StrongNoticed, offered help, and balanced it with their own work.
Communication
Tell me about a time you had to explain something complicated to someone who was new to it.
Follow-up: How did you know they understood?
1 WeakCan't explain clearly, even in the interview.
3 SolidExplained it but didn't check understanding.
5 StrongUsed plain words or examples and checked they got it.
Problem solving
Tell me about a problem at work that you solved without being told how.
Follow-up: How did you work out what was wrong?
1 WeakWaited to be told what to do.
3 SolidSolved it with a common fix.
5 StrongFound the cause and fixed it so it stayed fixed.
Adaptability
Tell me about a time your plans or duties changed at the last minute.
Follow-up: How did you feel about it at the time?
1 WeakComplained or resisted.
3 SolidAdjusted, but grudgingly.
5 StrongAdjusted quickly and helped others adjust too.
Safety and care
Tell me about a time you noticed something unsafe at work. What did you do?
Follow-up: What happened after you reported it?
1 WeakIgnored it, or has never noticed anything.
3 SolidMentioned it to someone.
5 StrongMade it safe if they could, reported it, and followed up.
Attention to detail
Tell me about a time you caught a mistake before it caused a problem.
Follow-up: How did you spot it?
1 WeakNo example.
3 SolidCaught one by chance.
5 StrongCaught it because of a habit or check they always do.
Initiative
Tell me about something you did at work that wasn't part of your job but needed doing.
Follow-up: How did you notice it?
1 WeakNothing comes to mind.
3 SolidHelped when it was obvious.
5 StrongSpotted the need and handled it without being asked.
Working under pressure
Tell me about your busiest shift or tightest deadline. How did you handle it?
Follow-up: What did you do first?
1 WeakFell apart or can't describe one.
3 SolidGot through it.
5 StrongPrioritized, stayed calm, and kept quality up.
Handling conflict
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker. How was it resolved?
Follow-up: How is that working relationship now?
1 WeakBlames the other person; still unresolved.
3 SolidResolved when a manager stepped in.
5 StrongRaised it directly and privately and fixed the working relationship.
Learning and coachability
Tell me about a time a manager gave you feedback on how to do something better.
Follow-up: What changed after that?
1 WeakCan't recall any, or dismisses it.
3 SolidAccepted it.
5 StrongApplied it and can say what changed.
Leading others
Tell me about a time you had to get a group to finish a job on time.
Follow-up: How did you split the work?
1 WeakDid it all themselves, or it failed.
3 SolidGave instructions.
5 StrongSet clear roles, checked progress, and supported people.
Honesty and integrity
Tell me about a time you were asked to do something at work that you felt wasn't right.
Follow-up: What happened afterwards?
1 WeakDid it without question.
3 SolidDid it but felt uneasy.
5 StrongRaised it respectfully and did the right thing.
Organizing and time management
Walk me through how you plan a typical work day.
Follow-up: What do you do when the plan falls apart?
1 WeakNo plan.
3 SolidA loose plan.
5 StrongA clear system, such as a list or calendar, and how they adjust it.
Sales and persuasion
Tell me about a sale you're proud of.
Follow-up: What made it work?
1 WeakNo example.
3 SolidTook an order.
5 StrongFound the customer's need and matched it.
All 357 questions, ready to use
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