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Untitled Document
Common Job Interview
Questions
By rehearsing interview questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications
and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Some
examples:
- "Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements
and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the
job and the contributions you could make to the organization.
- "Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests
you?"
Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer
them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the
company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry
through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit
the company. Unless you work in sales, your answer should never be simply:
"money." The interviewer will wonder if you really care about the job.
- "Why did you leave your last job?"
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job.
If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated
away from job; company went out of business; laid off; temporary job; no possibility
of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills.
If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility
and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or
still have) with an employer, but don't describe that employer in negative
terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect
your future work.
- "What are your best skills?"
If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to
imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples where
you have demonstrated these skills.
- "What is your major weakness?"
Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say:
"I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the
job is done well."
- "Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"
The ideal answer is one of flexibility.
However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.
- "What are your career goals?"
or "What are your future plans?"
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible.
Let him know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your
desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible
about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.
- "What are your hobbies?"
and "Do you play any sports?"
The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of
your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge
demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are creative hobbies.
Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities
may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team.
Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life
outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their
stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.
- "What have I forgotten to ask?"
Use this as a chance to summarize your good characteristics and attributes
and how they may be used to benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer
that you understand the job requirements and that you can succeed.
Here are some other job interview questions
you might want to rehearse.
Your Qualifications
- What can you do for us that someone
else can't do?
- What qualifications do you have
that relate to the position?
- What new skills or capabilities
have you developed recently?
- Give me an example from a previous
job where you've shown initiative.
- What have been your greatest accomplishments
recently?
- What is important to you in a job?
- What motivates you in your work?
- What have you been doing since your
last job?
- What qualities do you find important
in a coworker?
Your Career Goals
- What would you like to being doing
five years from now?
- How will you judge yourself successful?
How will you achieve success?
- What type of position are you interested
in?
- How will this job fit in your career
plans?
- What do you expect from this job?
- Do you have a location preference?
- Can you travel?
- What hours can you work?
- When could you start?
Your Work Experience
- What have you learned from your
past jobs?
- What were your biggest responsibilities?
- What specific skills acquired or
used in previous jobs relate to this position?
- How does your previous experience
relate to this position?
- What did you like most/least about
your last job?
- Whom may we contact for references?
Your Education
- How do you think your education
has prepared you for this position?
- What were your favorite classes/activities
at school?
- Why did you choose your major?
- Do you plan to continue your education?
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Interview
Behavior
Top
10 issues
Networking
Common
questions
General
Opening questions
Quirky
questions
Closing
questions
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