Common Job Interview Questions

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 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.

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?