Personal Mock Interview
To help you prepare for your job interview, here are 20 interview questions that are partially focused on your personal life.
Get More Information About Our Personal Interview Questions
Question 11 of 20
How to Answer
1st Answer Example
Marketing Example
Admin Example
Retail Example
Manager Example
Sales Example
Marketing Example
Teacher Example
Admin Example
Community Answers
This question is something that you should have an answer ready for at all times. Perhaps you look up to a parent who was a hard worker, or a teacher who encouraged you to become who you are today. Whomever this inspiring person may be, remember that the interviewer is looking for a heartfelt response.
Your life's inspiration can come from a book, a mentor, your family, a celebrity, author - literally anyone! Talk to the interviewer about who has inspired your life and why.
"I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. I would have to say that the person who has most greatly inspired me has been my grandmother. She always had a smile on her face no matter how hard she worked and she loved everyone. She was well respected and always gave more than she received. I try to live like she did, as much as I can."
"My previous manager was a huge inspiration to me. Her passion for this industry was motivating and put the fire in me to climb the ladder in my marketing career."
"My inspiration comes from my grandmother. She has spent every day of her life working hard, and I have never once heard her complain about being tired and overworked. She taught me the value of a good reputation, and I still seek out her opinion when I need inspiration."
"Many industry leaders inspire me, but I would have to say that my greatest inspiration comes from my mother who always taught me to stay focused and goal oriented, no matter the obstacles that come my way. This way of thinking has greatly attributed to my success."
"I am inspired by the workers on the assembly line. Many of them have hectic lives, mouths to feed, and less than impressive education. They overcome their hardships and come to work every day to make life better for themselves and their children."
"While it may sound cliche, my father is inspiring to me. He moved here in his 30s with two kids, a wife, no English, and no transferable education. He worked as a pizza delivery driver to make ends meet while going to school to learn to code. We may have moved a lot when I was little, but it was because he was always trying to find the next better school for us. I learned my work ethic from him and that I'm never too old to learn something new and push out of my comfort zone."
"My friend, Austin inspires me. He started a business at age 14, mowing lawns, and built it from there. This friend of mine took a risk by not going to college, and we all thought he was nuts, but now he has an incredibly successful business with 3 locations, a brand-new home, and an incredibly happy family life with two cute kids. He saw what he wanted from a young age, made a plan to make it happen, and has executed it so well, without sacrificing his happiness or pursuit of family. I think that's inspiring."
"My oldest son inspires me and has been probably my greatest teacher in life. Firstborns are apt to do that for any parent, but my son has autism, so he has taught me an entirely different way to look at life, understand it, and approach it creatively. I am very fortunate that he is relatively typical and can communicate with us, is mostly mainstreamed, and the like, but he is different. It helps me think differently about how to connect with our world, how to see things uniquely, and how everyone's perspective is valid. His passion for life, his creative brain, and his eternally happy spirit inspire me. He teaches me so much every single day, and I try to infuse my classroom with the lessons he gives me, too."
"I work in a volunteer capacity with a family owned business that was founded to give adults with special needs a community and a place to work. What they are doing for the special needs community is so inspiring to me. I have always been taught to give back and "be the change," and they're walking the walk. It inspires me to make sure I make an impact on this world and give back whenever and however possible."
Anonymous Answer
"The person who has inspired me in my life is my grandma. She passed away due to cancer, and during her time of going through chemo, she encouraged me to connect with people as well as being compassionate because we can build each other's self-esteem as well as reinforce the sense of identity."
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a beautiful response, and it seems your grandma was a very wise woman. Well said.
Show More Answers
Anonymous Answer
"¢My mum, no passion no point, is her life motto, and I follow suit.
"¢Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant, whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve it."
Cindy's Feedback
Nice! And important components of success on the job!
Anonymous Answer
"I am inspired by Prof Ian Frazer. He's the Australian researcher who developed Gardasil, the vaccine that prevents HPV and cervical cancer. This type of research is a topic close to my heart, as both of my parents died of cancer. He has inspired me to do pro bono work for cancer researchers."
Marcie's Feedback
Very inspirational and moving. Do you know him personally? Have you seen him lecture, etc.? Did his contribution inspire you to get involved or did he personally encourage you to volunteer? Any additional details you want to share would make your response even more memorable to the interviewer.
Anonymous Answer
"My grandmother has been a colossal figure of inspiration since my childhood. She is the person who laid a foundation in my life upon which I continue to build my life. Her strength to surmount her struggles forbearing and with integrity has always been inspiring. Her actions defined the meaning and underscored the importance of honesty, responsibility, dedication, and humaneness. Her ability to balance the role of a mother, daughter, and physician is something I aspire to follow and achieve."
Marcie's Feedback
Wow! Your grandmother sounds like an amazing person. Your sincerity and admiration for her shine through in your answer, which is wonderful. How will these qualities she's taught and modeled for you help you to excel in dental school? Making this connection will further improve your response. Great job!
11. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
How to Answer
This question is something that you should have an answer ready for at all times. Perhaps you look up to a parent who was a hard worker, or a teacher who encouraged you to become who you are today. Whomever this inspiring person may be, remember that the interviewer is looking for a heartfelt response.
Your life's inspiration can come from a book, a mentor, your family, a celebrity, author - literally anyone! Talk to the interviewer about who has inspired your life and why.
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. I would have to say that the person who has most greatly inspired me has been my grandmother. She always had a smile on her face no matter how hard she worked and she loved everyone. She was well respected and always gave more than she received. I try to live like she did, as much as I can."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Marketing Example
"My previous manager was a huge inspiration to me. Her passion for this industry was motivating and put the fire in me to climb the ladder in my marketing career."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Admin Example
"My inspiration comes from my grandmother. She has spent every day of her life working hard, and I have never once heard her complain about being tired and overworked. She taught me the value of a good reputation, and I still seek out her opinion when I need inspiration."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Retail Example
"Many industry leaders inspire me, but I would have to say that my greatest inspiration comes from my mother who always taught me to stay focused and goal oriented, no matter the obstacles that come my way. This way of thinking has greatly attributed to my success."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Manager Example
"I am inspired by the workers on the assembly line. Many of them have hectic lives, mouths to feed, and less than impressive education. They overcome their hardships and come to work every day to make life better for themselves and their children."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Sales Example
"While it may sound cliche, my father is inspiring to me. He moved here in his 30s with two kids, a wife, no English, and no transferable education. He worked as a pizza delivery driver to make ends meet while going to school to learn to code. We may have moved a lot when I was little, but it was because he was always trying to find the next better school for us. I learned my work ethic from him and that I'm never too old to learn something new and push out of my comfort zone."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Marketing Example
"My friend, Austin inspires me. He started a business at age 14, mowing lawns, and built it from there. This friend of mine took a risk by not going to college, and we all thought he was nuts, but now he has an incredibly successful business with 3 locations, a brand-new home, and an incredibly happy family life with two cute kids. He saw what he wanted from a young age, made a plan to make it happen, and has executed it so well, without sacrificing his happiness or pursuit of family. I think that's inspiring."
Teacher Example
"My oldest son inspires me and has been probably my greatest teacher in life. Firstborns are apt to do that for any parent, but my son has autism, so he has taught me an entirely different way to look at life, understand it, and approach it creatively. I am very fortunate that he is relatively typical and can communicate with us, is mostly mainstreamed, and the like, but he is different. It helps me think differently about how to connect with our world, how to see things uniquely, and how everyone's perspective is valid. His passion for life, his creative brain, and his eternally happy spirit inspire me. He teaches me so much every single day, and I try to infuse my classroom with the lessons he gives me, too."
Admin Example
"I work in a volunteer capacity with a family owned business that was founded to give adults with special needs a community and a place to work. What they are doing for the special needs community is so inspiring to me. I have always been taught to give back and "be the change," and they're walking the walk. It inspires me to make sure I make an impact on this world and give back whenever and however possible."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
"The person who has inspired me in my life is my grandma. She passed away due to cancer, and during her time of going through chemo, she encouraged me to connect with people as well as being compassionate because we can build each other's self-esteem as well as reinforce the sense of identity."
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a beautiful response, and it seems your grandma was a very wise woman. Well said.
Show More Answers
Anonymous Answer
"¢My mum, no passion no point, is her life motto, and I follow suit.
"¢Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant, whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve it."
Cindy's Feedback
Nice! And important components of success on the job!
Anonymous Answer
"I am inspired by Prof Ian Frazer. He's the Australian researcher who developed Gardasil, the vaccine that prevents HPV and cervical cancer. This type of research is a topic close to my heart, as both of my parents died of cancer. He has inspired me to do pro bono work for cancer researchers."
Marcie's Feedback
Very inspirational and moving. Do you know him personally? Have you seen him lecture, etc.? Did his contribution inspire you to get involved or did he personally encourage you to volunteer? Any additional details you want to share would make your response even more memorable to the interviewer.
Anonymous Answer
"My grandmother has been a colossal figure of inspiration since my childhood. She is the person who laid a foundation in my life upon which I continue to build my life. Her strength to surmount her struggles forbearing and with integrity has always been inspiring. Her actions defined the meaning and underscored the importance of honesty, responsibility, dedication, and humaneness. Her ability to balance the role of a mother, daughter, and physician is something I aspire to follow and achieve."
Marcie's Feedback
Wow! Your grandmother sounds like an amazing person. Your sincerity and admiration for her shine through in your answer, which is wonderful. How will these qualities she's taught and modeled for you help you to excel in dental school? Making this connection will further improve your response. Great job!
