Always try to be as positive as possible. If it isn't possible to be positive, strive for emotional neutrality. Don't let some of the negative phraseology employers like to use deter you from the main event of selling yourself and learning more about the position. However, a preponderance of negative questions may tell you something important about the employer that can't be ignored. Since you should expect all people to treat you with respect, don't allow a job interviewer to be the exception.
Finally, although experts all argue strongly for the value of preparation- which obviously includes developing and rehearsing your responses to many of the typical questions employers expect to ask-no one believes that interviewees should turn themselves into parrots.
Try to maintain the integrity of the interview situation by responding as one human being to another. While this may not guarantee that you'll finesse every interview and, therefore, get every offer, you'll feel better about your involvement in the process. Ultimately, you'll find a better job match if you manage your side of the task with common sense and honesty.
Many other standard or typical questions may arise during interviews. Look over the following list and develop a response for each question. Use the space given to complete your answers, or make a photocopy of these pages to use as a worksheet before each interview.
Have you done the best work you are capable of?
What have you learned from each of your jobs?
Which of your jobs was the least interesting? Why?
Which job did you like the most?
What kind of an employee are you?
Describe your personality.
On your last performance evaluation, what did your supervisor criticize you for?
How do you normally handle criticism? Give an example.
Describe a situation when you feel you were unfairly criticized. What did you do?
What are your weaknesses?
What have you done to correct those weaknesses?
Have you ever failed?
How do you normally handle failure?
What did you like most about your last job?
What did you dislike the most about your last job?
What are you looking for in your next job?
Commonly Asked Questions
Have you ever been fired or asked to resign? Why?
Why have you held so many jobs?
Why did you stay with one company so long?
Do you consider yourself a loyal employee?
What are your career goals/objectives?
How does this job fit in with your career goals?
How do you feel about further training?
How do you normally handle change?
Would you like to have your boss's job?
Why haven't you progressed more in your career?
Do you consider yourself a success?
Have you ever been turned down for a raise?
Why aren't you earning more money at your age?
Do you consider yourself promotable?
What is the hardest thing you ever had to do in your job?
How would you describe your boss's style?
How would your boss describe your style?
How would you describe your relationship with your boss?
What have you learned from your boss?
When you are supervising people, how do you motivate them?
Describe a time when you resolved a conflict between two of your subordinates.
What would your subordinates say about you?
What do you look for in an employee?
How do you normally relate to "office politics"?
Describe a time when you got caught up in office politics unfairly.
Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
Do you consider yourself a team player?
Describe your style as a team player.
Do you consider yourself self-motivated? Describe a time when you took the initiative to accomplish something.
Name three personal characteristics that best describe you.
What motivates you?
Describe your relationship with peers.
How do you handle conflict with peers?
What kind of people do you prefer to work with?
What kind of people do you dislike the most?
What were the people like at your last company?
What did you like least about your last employer?
What did you like the most about your last employer?
If you could change one thing about your last employer, what would it be?
Were you satisfied with your performance at your last company?
Where they satisfied with you?
Tell me about a time when you failed personally.
How do you handle failures or weaknesses in others?
How would you describe your attitude toward risk?
Do you consider yourself a risk taker?
Typical Questions
How do you normally handle crises?
Tell me about a time when you were under a great deal of pressure.
What kind of decisions is most difficult for you?
Why has it taken you so long to find a new job?
Why does this job interest you?
How is this job different from the other positions you have interviewed for?
What kind of contribution do you think you could make to our organization?
What part of this job interests you the most?
What part of this job interests you the least?
How long do you plan to stay?
What makes you different from other candidates?
Where else are you interviewing?
Is there anything that I have forgotten to ask you?
