Below we’ve put together 15 public sector and 15 private sector questions that most commonly arise in interviews.

Public Sector Interview Questions

1. Can you explain how your background and experience align with the mission of our agency?
2. Describe a time when you had to comply with a policy or regulation that you did not agree with. How did you handle it?
3. How do you handle working on multiple projects with tight deadlines?
4. What experience do you have with handling confidential information?
5. Can you provide an example of a complex problem you solved and the steps you took to solve it?
6. Why do you want to work for this government agency?
7. What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing public sector agencies today?
8. How would you handle a situation where you are asked to perform duties outside your job description?
9. Have you ever had to work with a difficult colleague or client? How did you manage the relationship?
10. Can you describe a project where you had to use data analysis to make decisions?
11. What skills do you bring to our team that are unique and valuable?
12. Describe a time when you had to learn a new skill or program quickly. How did you approach it?
13. How do you ensure compliance with policies and laws in your work?
14. What strategies do you use to ensure clear and effective communication in a bureaucratic environment?
15. Can you talk about a time when you had to advocate for change in your organization? What approach did you take?

Private Sector Interview Questions

1. Can you describe a project that you led and what the outcome was?
2. What strategies do you use to stay organized and prioritize tasks?
3. Tell us about a time when you had a conflict with a team member. How was it resolved?
4. How do you keep yourself motivated in high-pressure situations?
5. What are your career aspirations and how does this role fit into your plans?
6. What innovations or improvements have you introduced at your previous job?
7. How do you handle receiving constructive criticism?
8. What is your approach to understanding and meeting customer expectations?
9. Can you describe a situation where you had to analyze data to make a business decision? What tools did you use?
10. What do you think is the key to successful teamwork?
11. Describe a time when you failed in a project. What did you learn from it?
12. How do you adapt to rapidly changing technology and environments?
13. What experience do you have in driving sales or meeting financial targets?
14. How do you approach managing remote teams or working remotely?
15. Can you provide an example of how you’ve contributed to your company’s growth or stability?