| Sample interview questions of the common type | | | | |
| are listed below. Answers are included. But | | | | Briefly describe one to three work projects |
| perhaps suggestions for tailoring your | | | | that made you proud or earned you pats on the |
| responses is a better way to put it, since | | | | back, promotions, raises, etc. Focus more on |
| specific answers are impossible to provide. | | | | achievement than reward. |
| Practice answering these sample interview | | | | |
| questions out loud to yourself or ask a | | | | Q. |
| friend or relative to help you. | | | | |
| | | | What makes you want to work hard? |
| Don't feel that you have to answer right | | | | |
| away. Interviewers know that you're nervous | | | | A. |
| and expect you to think a bit, so do think | | | | |
| carefully before you answer. But don't | | | | Naturally, material rewards such as perks, |
| hesitate too long or it'll appear that you're | | | | salary and benefits come into play. But |
| stalling. Interviewers will ask open-ended | | | | again, focus more on achievement and the |
| questions to see where you'll go with them, | | | | satisfaction you derive from it. |
| so try not to ramble while you're thinking of | | | | |
| a real answer. | | | | Q. |
| | | | |
| Q. | | | | What type of work environment do you like |
| | | | best? |
| Tell me about yourself. | | | | |
| | | | A. |
| A. | | | | |
| | | | Tailor your answer to the job. For example, |
| This is the dreaded, classic, open-ended | | | | if in doing your job you're required to lock |
| interview question and likely to be among the | | | | the lab doors and work alone, then indicate |
| first. It's your chance to introduce your | | | | that you enjoy being a team player when |
| qualifications, good work habits, etc. Keep | | | | needed, but also enjoy working independently. |
| it mostly work and career related. | | | | If you're required to attend regular project |
| | | | planning and status meetings, then indicate |
| Q. | | | | that you're a strong team player and like |
| | | | being part of a team. |
| Why do you want to leave your current job? | | | | |
| (Why did you leave your last job?) | | | | Q. |
| | | | |
| A. | | | | Why do you want this job? |
| | | | |
| Be careful with this. Avoid trashing other | | | | A. |
| employers and making statements like, "I need | | | | |
| more money." Instead, make generic statements | | | | To help you answer this and related |
| such as, "It's a career move." | | | | questions, study the job ad in advance. But a |
| | | | job ad alone may not be enough, so it's okay |
| Q. | | | | to ask questions about the job while you're |
| | | | answering. Say what attracts you to the job. |
| What are your strengths? | | | | Avoid the obvious and meaningless, such as, |
| | | | "I need a job." |
| A. | | | | |
| | | | Q. |
| Point out your positive attributes related to | | | | |
| the job. | | | | How do you handle pressure and stress? |
| | | | |
| Q. | | | | A. |
| | | | |
| What are your weaknesses? | | | | This is sort of a double whammy, because |
| | | | you're likely already stressed from the |
| A. | | | | interview and the interviewer can see if |
| | | | you're handling it well or not. Everybody |
| Everybody has weaknesses, but don't spend too | | | | feels stress, but the degree varies. Saying |
| much time on this one and keep it work | | | | that you whine to your shrink, kick your dog |
| related. Along with a minor weakness or two, | | | | or slam down a fifth of Jack Daniels are not |
| try to point out a couple of weaknesses that | | | | good answers. Exercising, relaxing with a |
| the interviewer might see as strengths, such | | | | good book, socializing with friends or |
| as sometimes being a little too meticulous | | | | turning stress into productive energy are |
| about the quality of your work. (Avoid saying | | | | more along the lines of the "correct" |
| "I work too hard." It's a predictable, common | | | | answers. |
| answer.) For every weakness, offer a strength | | | | |
| that compensates for it. | | | | Q. |
| | | | |
| Q. | | | | Explain how you overcame a major obstacle. |
| | | | |
| Which adjectives would you use to describe | | | | A. |
| yourself? | | | | |
| | | | The interviewer is likely looking for a |
| A. | | | | particular example of your problem-solving |
| | | | skills and the pride you show for solving it. |
| Answer with positive, work-oriented | | | | |
| adjectives, such as conscientious, | | | | Q. |
| hard-working, honest and courteous, plus a | | | | |
| brief description or example of why each fits | | | | Where do you see yourself five (ten or |
| you well. | | | | fifteen) years from now? |
| | | | |
| Q. | | | | A. |
| | | | |
| What do you know about our company? | | | | Explain your career-advancement goals that |
| | | | are in line with the job for which you are |
| A. | | | | interviewing. Your interviewer is likely more |
| | | | interested in how he, she or the company will |
| To answer this one, research the company | | | | benefit from you achieving your goals than |
| before you interview. | | | | what you'll get from it, but it goes hand in |
| | | | hand to a large degree. It's not a good idea |
| Q. | | | | to tell your potential new boss that you'll |
| | | | be going after his or her job, but it's okay |
| Why do you want to work for us? | | | | to mention that you'd like to earn a senior |
| | | | or management position. |
| A. | | | | |
| | | | Q. |
| Same as above. Research the company before | | | | |
| you interview. Avoid the predictable, such | | | | What qualifies you for this job? |
| as, "Because it's a great company." Say why | | | | |
| you think it's a great company. | | | | A. |
| | | | |
| Q. | | | | Tout your skills, experience, education and |
| | | | other qualifications, especially those that |
| Why should I hire you? | | | | match the job description well. Avoid just |
| | | | regurgitating your resume. Explain why. |
| A. | | | | |
| | | | Q. |
| Point out your positive attributes related to | | | | |
| the job, and the good job you've done in the | | | | Why did you choose your college major? |
| past. Include any compliments you've received | | | | |
| from management. | | | | A. |
| | | | |
| Q. | | | | The interviewer is likely fishing to see if |
| | | | you are interested in your field of work or |
| What past accomplishments gave you | | | | just doing a job to get paid. Explain why you |
| satisfaction? | | | | like it. Besides your personal interests, |
| | | | include some rock-solid business reasons that |
| A. | | | | show you have vision and business sense. |