Interviews is the best chance to show an employer your qualifications.
Interviews are flexible unlike application forms or tests. Use that
flexibility to your advantage. Reduce your anxiety and improve your
performance by preparing for your interviews ahead of time.
Show that you are highly motivated by learning about the company before
the interview, by dressing appropriately, and by being well
mannered--which means that you greet the interviewer by name, you do not
chew gum or smoke, you listen attentively, and you thank the interviewer
at the end of the session. You also show motivation by expressing interest
in the job at the end of the interview.
Commonly asked Interview Questions.
Here is a list of some of the most commonly asked questions to get you
started.
- Why did you apply for
this job?
- What do you know about
this job or company?
- Why did you choose this
career? Why should I hire you?
- What would you do if...
(usually filled in with a work-related crisis)?
- How would you describe
yourself?
- What would you like to
tell me about yourself?
- What are your major
strengths?
- What are your major
weaknesses?
- What type of work do you
like to do best?
- What are your interests
outside work?
- What type of work do you
like to do least?
- What accomplishment gave
you the greatest satisfaction?
- What was your worst
mistake?
- What would you change in
your past life?
- What courses did you
like most or least in school?
- What did you like most
or least about your last job?
- Why did you leave your
last job?
- Why were you fired?
- How does your education
or experience relate to this job?
- What are your goals?
- How do you plan to reach
them?
- What do you hope to be
doing in 5 years? 10?
- What salary do you
expect?
Strategy when answering Interview Questions.
Essentially, concentrate on the job and your ability to do it no matter
what the question seems to be asking. When asked for a strength, mention
something job related. When asked for a weakness, mention a job-related
strength (you work too hard, you worry too much about details, you always
have to see the big picture). If asked about a disability or a specific
negative factor in your past--a criminal record, a failure in school,
being fired--be prepared to stress what you learned from the experience,
how you have overcome the shortcoming, and how you are now in a position
to do a better job.
Questions for you to ask the interviewer.
Here are some questions for you to ask the interviewer.
- What would a day on this
job be like?
- Whom would I report to?
May I meet this person?
- Would I supervise
anyone? May I meet them?
- How important is this
job to the company?
- What training programs
are offered?
- What advancement
opportunities are offered?
- Why did the last person
leave this job?
- What is that person
doing now?
- What is the greatest
challenge of this position?
- What plans does the
company have with regard to...? (Mention some development of which you
have read or heard)
- Is the company growing?
After you ask such questions, listen to the interviewer's answers and
then, if at all possible, point to something in your education or
experience related to it. Questions about salary and fringe benefits are
not included. Focus at a first interview should be the company and what
you will do for it, not what it will pay you. Once you have been offered a
position, you can negotiate the salary.