15 Self Esteem Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to job interviews, your self-esteem can be just as important as your qualifications. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else?

That’s why it’s important to be prepared to answer questions about your self-esteem during a job interview. Here are some sample questions and answers to help you get started.

1. What is self-esteem?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of self-esteem and how it affects people. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you understand what self-esteem is, but more importantly, how it can help others.

Example: “Self-esteem is a person’s overall evaluation of their own worth or value as a human being. It is important because it helps us feel good about ourselves and our abilities. When we have high self-esteem, we are more likely to be confident in ourselves and our actions. We may even take on challenges that we might not normally do if we didn’t have such a positive outlook.”

2. Why does self-esteem matter so much in the workplace?

Employers want to know that you understand the importance of self-esteem in your work. They may ask this question to see if you have a personal experience with low self-esteem and how it affected your performance at work. In your answer, explain why self-esteem is important for both employees and employers.

Example: “I believe that self-esteem matters because it affects our productivity at work. When we feel good about ourselves, we are more likely to be productive and creative. We also tend to treat others better when we feel confident in ourselves. I’ve seen this firsthand as an employee. When I was younger, I had very low self-esteem. It made me feel like I wasn’t smart enough or talented enough to succeed in my job. This led to me feeling unmotivated and distracted at work.”

3. Can you explain what assertiveness is and why it’s important for increasing self-esteem?

Assertiveness is a skill that helps you communicate your needs and opinions in an appropriate way. It’s important to show the interviewer that you can be assertive when needed, but also know how to use tact and respect for others’ feelings.

Example: “Assertiveness is the ability to express yourself clearly while maintaining self-respect and respecting other people’s rights. I believe it’s essential to develop this skill because it allows us to get what we need without hurting others or feeling guilty about it. For example, if my boss asks me to work overtime, I would tell them that I’m already working late today and ask if they could find someone else to cover my shift tomorrow. This shows assertiveness by expressing myself clearly and respectfully.”

4. Can you give me some examples of how you would use assertiveness to improve your level of self-esteem?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you know how to use assertiveness in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of specific examples from previous jobs where you used assertiveness to improve your self-esteem and overall confidence level.

Example: “In my last job as an administrative assistant, I was working with a manager who would often make me feel like I wasn’t doing enough work or being productive enough. After several weeks of feeling unconfident about my work performance, I decided to speak up to my manager about how his comments were making me feel. He apologized for his behavior and explained that he didn’t mean to make me feel bad about myself. From then on, we worked together to create a more positive work environment.”

5. How do you avoid becoming too aggressive when displaying assertive behavior?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you react to challenging situations. It can also show them that you’re aware of the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and avoiding aggressive behavior. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take to ensure you don’t become too assertive or aggressive in any situation.

Example: “I avoid becoming overly aggressive by remaining calm during all interactions. I know that if I get upset or angry, it’s likely that others will respond in kind. Instead, I focus on keeping my voice low and steady when speaking with someone who is being aggressive. This helps me remain composed and shows the other person that I’m not going to be easily provoked.”

6. What are some ways that high self-esteem can help you at work?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about how you can use your self-esteem skills in the workplace. They want to know that you have a positive outlook and are willing to help others develop their own self-confidence. In your answer, try to explain how high self-esteem can benefit both yourself and your coworkers.

Example: “I believe that having high self-esteem is beneficial for everyone at work because it helps us feel confident in our abilities and encourages us to be kind to ourselves and others. When I see my coworkers feeling down or struggling with something, I am able to offer them encouragement and support. Having high self-esteem also makes me more likely to speak up when I notice something needs improvement.”

7. What kinds of things could cause an individual to have low self-esteem?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you might handle a situation where someone in your care has low self-esteem. It’s important to show that you’re empathetic and compassionate when working with people who have challenges, so it’s helpful if you include examples of how you would help someone overcome their feelings of inadequacy.

Example: “I’ve worked with many individuals who struggle with low self-esteem. Some common reasons for this are childhood trauma, bullying or abuse. I try to be as understanding as possible when helping these individuals because I know they may not feel comfortable talking about what happened to them. Instead, I listen carefully and provide support by letting them know that I’m there for them.”

8. What are some common signs of a person who has low self-esteem?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you can recognize the signs of low self-esteem in others. They want to know that you can help someone who is struggling with their self-confidence and self-worth. In your answer, try to identify some specific behaviors or attitudes that indicate a person has low self-esteem.

Example: “I’ve worked with many people who have low self-esteem. Some common signs I’ve noticed are avoiding eye contact, not speaking up in group settings and being overly critical of themselves. People with low self-esteem often feel like they don’t deserve anything good in life, so they might avoid opportunities where they could succeed.”

9. If you were helping someone with their self-esteem, what would be the first thing you’d recommend they do?

This question is a great way to assess how you would help someone with low self-esteem. It also shows the interviewer that you have experience helping others and are willing to do so in your new role. When answering this question, try to think of an example of when you helped someone with their self-esteem.

Example: “The first thing I’d recommend for anyone struggling with their self-esteem is to find something they’re good at and practice it until they get better. For example, if someone was having trouble finding something they were good at, I’d encourage them to take up a hobby or learn a new skill. This can be a great way to build confidence and feel more comfortable in their own skin.”

10. What kinds of people usually have very high levels of self-esteem?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to recognize and understand different types of people. It also helps them determine whether you have high self-esteem yourself, which can be an important quality in someone who will work with clients or students. In your answer, try to identify several types of people that may have high self-esteem and explain why they do.

Example: “People who are confident, outgoing and compassionate tend to have very high levels of self-esteem. These individuals know how to treat themselves well and care about others as much as they care about themselves. They’re usually good at communicating their needs and wants and feel comfortable asking for help when they need it.”

11. Have you ever had to take on a task or responsibility that made you feel uncomfortable? How did you react?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you react to challenges and adapt to new situations. Use your answer to highlight a time when you had to take on a task or responsibility that was outside of your comfort zone, but still managed to succeed.

Example: “When I first started working as a receptionist at my current company, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of calls I would receive in one day. However, I knew that if I wanted to advance in my career, I needed to learn how to handle all those calls. So, I practiced taking deep breaths whenever I got nervous about answering so many calls. Eventually, I became more comfortable with handling multiple phone calls per day.”

12. What are some common methods used by employers to increase employee self-esteem?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your self-esteem skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering, consider what methods have helped you develop a positive sense of self-worth. You can also mention any other techniques that you’ve seen used by employers or others.

Example: “I think one of the most effective ways for employers to increase their employees’ self-esteem is through praise and recognition. I know from experience that when my managers acknowledge my hard work and accomplishments, it makes me feel good about myself and motivated to continue working hard. Another method I’ve seen is having fun activities at work like team building exercises or games where everyone gets to know each other better.”

13. Is there anything about yourself that you wish was different?

This question can be tricky because you want to show that you are self-aware and have the ability to change, but also that you’re confident in who you are. It’s important to answer honestly, but try not to focus on negative aspects of yourself. Instead, talk about something you wish was different that is positive or a skill you’d like to develop.

Example: “I wish I had more time to exercise regularly. I know it would help me feel better both physically and mentally, but with my current schedule, it’s hard to find the time. I’m working on finding ways to make it work, such as going for walks during my lunch break or getting up 15 minutes earlier each morning.”

14. Do you consider yourself to be confident? In what area(s) of your life?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your self-esteem and how you view yourself. They want to know if you have a positive outlook on life, but they also want to see that you are realistic in your assessment of yourself. When answering this question, be honest about your confidence level and explain why you feel the way you do.

Example: “I consider myself to be confident overall, although I am aware that there is always room for improvement. I believe that everyone has unique talents and skills, and I try my best to use mine to their full potential. I think it’s important to acknowledge our strengths while working on our weaknesses.”

15. What are some good tips for improving one’s self-esteem?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any experience helping others improve their self-esteem. They want to know that you can help someone feel better about themselves and develop a positive outlook on life. In your answer, try to share some tips or strategies for improving one’s self-esteem.

Example: “I think the most important thing is to be kind to yourself. If you’re constantly putting yourself down or criticizing yourself, it’s hard to feel good about yourself. I always encourage my clients to stop being so hard on themselves. Instead, they should focus on all of their strengths and what they do well. Another tip I give them is to surround themselves with positive people. It’s easy to get caught up in negativity, but surrounding yourself with positive people will make you feel more confident.”