The following are common interview questions and suggestions on how you can best answer them:
1. What can you tell me about yourself?
Stress your skills and accomplishments. Avoid talking about your family, hobbies, or topics not relevant to your ability to do the job.
2. Why have you chosen to pursue your current career path?
Give specific reasons and examples.
3. In your personal or professional life, what has been your greatest failure? What did you learn from that experience?
Be open and honest. Everyone has had some type of failure. Focus on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you to grow as a person.
4. Why did you leave your previous job?
Try to put a positive spin on your answer, especially if you were fired for negative reasons. The company downsizing, going out of business, or some other reason that was out of your control is a perfectly acceptable answer. Remember, your answer will probably be verified.
5. What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments at your last job?
Talk about what made you a productive employee and a valuable asset to your previous employer. Stress that teamwork was involved in achieving your success, and that you work well with others.
6. In college, I see you were a (insert subject) major. Why did you choose (insert subject) as your major? Explain your interest in the subject matter, where that interest comes from, and how it relates to your current career-related goals.
7. What are your long-term goals?
Talk about how you have been following a career path, and where you think this planned career path will take you in the future. Describe how you believe the job you’re applying for is a logical step forward.
8. Why do you think you’re the most qualified person to fill this job?
Focus on the positive things that set you apart from the competition. What’s unique about you, your skill set and past experiences? What work-related experience do you have that relates directly to this job?
9. What have you heard about this company that was of interest to you? Focus on the company’s reputation. Refer to positive publicity, media attention or published information that caught your attention. This shows you’ve done your research.
10. What else can you tell me about yourself that isn’t listed in your resume?
This is yet another opportunity for you to sell.
As you answer all of the interviewer’s questions:
• Use complete sentences and proper English. Avoid using fillers such as “like,” “umm,” “you know,” etc.
• Don’t be evasive, especially if you’re asked about negative aspects of your employment history.
• Never imply that a question is “stupid.”
• Don’t lie or stretch the truth.
• Be prepared to answer the same question multiple times. Make sure your answers are consistent, and never reply, “You already asked me that.”
• Never apologize for negative information regarding your past.
• Avoid talking down to an interviewer, or making them feel less intelligent than you are.
