List of Common Group Interview Questions

by Audra Bianca

Group interview questions can take many forms. You might be asked to do a task with a group of strangers, and not just take your turn in the group to answer a job interview question. This is where the phrase "the sky is the limit" factors in because questions and tasks may not be related to the job for which you've applied. Employers may be interested in how you interact with a group, and fellow interviewees may be interviewing for different positions within the same organization.

Solve a Problem

If you're not comfortable in unfamiliar settings and interviewing side-by-side with strangers, it can be difficult to participate in a group interview. Prepare for the reality that you've been included in a group for a reason, and having weak interactions with other applicants won't cut it. The interviewer or panel may begin the session with an informational presentation and an opportunity to ask questions. Soon the focus shifts to you and your fellow applicants. You might have to solve a problem that is or is not related to the job vacancy. For example, a company might show you a new prototype and ask the group to find a solution for a flaw in the prototype's design.

Perform a Task

In a manner similar to the problem-solving question, your group might be asked to perform a task. You won't know the personalities or strengths and weaknesses of the people in the group going into this interview session. It will be important for someone to quickly assume leadership of the group and focus attention on the task. Take the lead, or focus on contributing ideas and drawing others into the meeting. It's also best to clarify directions by asking questions, to treat everyone with respect and to listen to others in the group. You might be put into a group based on personality type, such as a group of all introverts or all extroverts, if you were asked to take a personality test before the interview. A task might be to take 10 plastic straws and a roll of tape and design a vehicle that will stop a raw egg from cracking after being dropped from a height of 20 feet.

Research the Organization

Another reason that hiring managers might use group interviews is to save time on interviews.This approach weeds out people who aren't serious about the job. You could get generic questions, such as "Why do you want to work for this company?" or "What do you think is the most important value for an employee working with patients?" Some questions will require that candidates have already done a lot of research about the organization. Research the business model and ethical rules and values of an organization, then you'll be ready to give answers that show you have the same values, such as "risk-taking" or "teamwork."


A question might be selected to generate a discussion or even a debate. You and your interviewees might be asked to watch a video and then discuss what you've viewed. Interviewers want to see your interactions, including body language, but also what ideas you can contribute. If you get a controversial question, such as -- "What is your opinion on the latest Supreme Court ruling that a person's DNA can't be patented?" -- don't give answers that reveal your religious or political affiliation, which is good advice for all types of interview questions. Sharing these personal attributes could affect you negatively, including triggering a personal bias from one or more interviewers.

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