General Questions FOR INTERVIEWS

(1) Tell me about you!
Keep your answer to one or two minutes; don't ramble. Use your resume summary
as a base to start.

(2) What do you know about our company?
Do your homework before the interview! Spend some time online or at the
library researching the company. Find out as much as you can, including
products, size, income, reputation, image, management talent, people, skills,
history and philosophy. Project an informed interest; let the interviewer
tell you about the company.

(3) Why do you want to work for us?
Don't talk about what you want; first, talk about their needs: You would like
to be part of a specific company project; you would like to solve a company
problem; you can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.

(4) What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Relate past experiences that show you've had success in solving previous
employer problem(s) that may be similar to those of the prospective employer.

(5) What about the job offered do you find the most attractive? Least
attractive?
List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive factor.

(6) Why should we hire you?
Because of your knowledge, experience, abilities and skills.

(7) What do you look for in a job?
An opportunity to use your skills, to perform and be recognized.

(8) Please give me your definition of a .... (the position for which you are
being interviewed).
Keep it brief -- give an actions- and results-oriented definition.

(9) How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
Not long at all -- you expect only a brief period of adjustment to the
learning curve.

(10) How long would you stay with us?
As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving, growing, etc.

A Crash Course in Interview Preparation

Everyone loves to get this phone call: "This is Jane Doe. I'm calling to see if you would like to come in for a job interview."
Your pulse races: A job interview!
It isn't until the night before the interview that your stomach drops, a feeling of slight dread sets in and you ask yourself, "What am I gonna wear?" "What am I gonna say?"
You've got a case of the pre-interview jitters: A good sign that you haven't spent enough time preparing.
Getting ready for an interview should begin at least three days before the interview is scheduled to take place. This week, we'll run down the top things you should do before the big day arrives.
The Clothes Make the Job Seeker
Make sure your interview clothes are clean and pressed a few days beforehand.
The last thing you want to worry about the night before an interview is pleading with your drycleaner or getting burned by a hot iron.
Also, make sure you have a neutral colored umbrella on-hand in case of rain.
Don't Forget Your Resumes!
Make good-quality copies of your resume on a nice grade of paper. Take more copies than you will possibly need -- just in case. Store the copies in a folder where they will stay clean and unwrinkled.
Organize your portfolio, tear sheets, professional reference lists or any other papers you think your prospective employer would like to see.
Make sure your purse or briefcase is stocked with everything else you'll need: A working pen (no pencils!), a notebook, breath mints, a comb, the umbrella I mentioned and some tissues.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like most things, people get better at interviewing with a little practice.
Dedicate one night prior to the interview to a mock QandA. You can set this up with a friend or conduct the interview yourself with a list of frequently-asked interview questions and a mirror.
Don't panic if, during the actual interview, you are not asked any of the questions you practiced. The point of practicing is to "warm up" to the process of answering questions on the fly.
Do Your Homework
Spend at least two days before the interview researching the company. Take notes. Memorize important facts.
A little preparation goes a long way. A couple of hours researching the company and practicing answers to interview questions can give you that extra bit of confidence you need to ace the interview.

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

These are the most commonly asked questions.
Think about your answers and practice them prior to your interview



!

What are the responsibilities of your current or previous position?
What do you know about this industry?
What do you know about our company?
How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution?
What is your most significant accomplishment?
Why did you leave your last job?
Why do you think you would like to work for our company?
If it were your first day, what would you say to the associates you will be working with?
What have you done to overcome major obstacles in your life?
Are you willing to relocate?
How would you describe your work style?
Tell me about yourself?
Why do you think we should hire you for this job?
How do you define success?
What was the last book you read?
What area of this job would you find most difficult?
What leadership/supervisory roles have your held?
What is your weakness?
What is your strength?
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
What has been your greatest crisis, how did you solve it?
What person has had the greatest influence on you, why?
What do you like best about your job/school..what do you like least?
How has college prepared you for this career?
Describe your ideal job.
Why did you choose this particular field of work?
What have you done that shows initiative?
In what areas of the job would you expect to be most successful....least?
What do you see yourself doing in 5 or 10 years?
What are your salary requirements?
What frustrates you?
Describe a situation with an irate customer and how you handled it?
What aspect of this job do you consider most crucial ?
What are your long range career objectives and how do you plan to achieve them?
How do think a friend would describe you?
What motivates you?
How many hours a week do you need to work to get the job done?
How do you work under pressure?
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
Tell me about other jobs you've had. In hindsight, how could you have improved your performance?
What makes a good supervisor?
What skills do you want to improve?