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