Common Job Interview Questions...
By reviewing 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 salary are you expecting?"
You probably don't want to answer this one directly.
Instead, deflect the question back to the
interviewer by saying something like: "I don't
know. What are you planning on paying the best
candidate?" Let the employer make the first
offer.
However, it is still important to know what the
current salary range is for the profession. Find
salary surveys at the library or on the Internet,
and check the classifieds to see what comparable
jobs in your area are paying. This information can
help you negotiate compensation once the employer
makes an offer.
"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.
The Interview is often
called a conversation with a purpose.
Although being good in an interview really
has little to do with how a good an employee
you would be --most hiring manager base much
of there hiring decisions on the basis of
the interview.
An exhaustive list of
interviewer questions (organized by type) is
available at Mississippi State University's
Cooperative Education Program.
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?
