INTERVIEWING

25  TYPICAL  INTERVIEW  QUESTIONS  

 
Because  the  job  interview  is  dynamic  and  individualized,  it  is  not  possible  to  provide  you  with  exact  questions  and  
answers  that  you  might  face  in  the  process.  However,  listed  below  are  some  general  tips,  as   well  as  some  common  
questions  that  most  candidates  face  at  some  point  in  a  traditional  job  interview.  The  list  is  not  exhaustive,  only  a  
general  guide  to  get  you  started.  
 
Tips  To  Think  About:   9.     If   I   were   to   call   your   most   recent   supervisor,  
1.     Speak   in   specifics,   not   generalities.   Think   of     what  would  he  or  she  likely  say  about  you?  
  the   interview   as   a   process   of   storytelling   in   10.     Why   did   you   choose   to   interview   with   our  
  which   your   role   is   the   dissemination   of   specific     organization?  
  information   about   your   personal   qualities   and             11.     How   does   your   college   education   or   work  
  life  experiences.     experience  relate  to  this  position?  
2.     If   you   don’t   understand   a   question,   simply   ask,   12.     Describe  your  ideal  job,  your  ideal  supervisor.  
  “Just   so   I   understand,   what   you’re   asking   is…”   13.     What   interests   you   most   about   this   position?  
  or   paraphrase   the   question   back   to   the     Least?  
  interviewer.   14.     Tell   me   what   you   know   about   our  
3.     Stress   important   skills   that   all   employers   are     organization.  
  looking   for   including   initiative,   honesty,   15.     Why  did  you  choose  this  major?  
  reliability,   teamwork   and   communication   skills.   16.     If   you   were   to   start   over,   what   would   you          
  Use   personal   examples   to   reinforce   these     change  about  your  education?  
  qualities.   17.     Are   you   interested   in   pursuing   a   more        
4.     Be   honest   at   all   times.   Integrity   is   a   highly     advanced  degree?    What  area?  
  valued  quality  in  today’s  world.   18.     Tell   me   about   three   accomplishments   that   you  
5.     Be   yourself.   Beyond   the   professional   skills   and     are  most  proud  of  today.  
  education   you   bring   to   the   interview,   the   19.     Tell   about   a   failure   you   have   experienced   in          
  process   is   a   lot   about   whether   your   personality     your  life.    What  did  you  learn?  
  fits  into  the  culture  of  the  organization.   20.     What   do   you   see   yourself   doing   in   five   to   10  
  years?  
→     HOT   TIP:   Don't   dress   in   anything   other   than   21.     Who   or   what   in   your   life   would   you   say   has  
  your   professional   best,   and   avoid   cologne   or     influenced   you   the   most   with   regard   to   your  
  perfume;  recruiters  are  often  overwhelmed.       career  objective?  
  22.     What  professional  groups  are  you  a  member     of,  
25  Questions  to  Expect  in  a  Traditional  Interview     and  how  active  have  you  been?  
1.     Tell  me  a  little  about  yourself.   23.     What   traits   or   qualities   do   you   have   that   you                          
2.     Why  do  you  want  to  work  as  a  ___?     feel  could  be  strengthened  or  improved?  
3.     What   are   your   greatest   strengths?   24.     With   what   kind   of   people   do   you   find   it   most  
  Development  areas?     difficult   to   work?   What   do   you   do   to   improve          
4.     Why   should   we   hire   you   rather   than   another     the  situation?  
  candidate?   25.     What  appeals  to  you  about  this  position?  
5.     Why  do  you  want  to  work  for  us?  
6.     What   are   your   short-­‐   and   long-­‐term   career                  
  goals?  
7.     What   do   you   think   you   can   bring   to   this  
  company?  
8.     Do  you  consider  yourself  a  team  player?