How would you describe yourself? Mention attributes that substantiate your qualifications for the position. Also state the important role that your work plays in your life plans.
What does "success" mean to you? What does "failure" mean to you? What do you want to accomplish in your life? and What are your long-term goals? Part of your response should be career-oriented. For example, "I want to hold a senior management position where I can impact a company's profitability and growth, as well as be an excellent provider for my family and play a key role in my community."
Have you recently established any new objectives or goals? What are they? This is an opportunity to demonstrate your motivation, desire to grow, and interest in improving yourself, professionally as well as personally. Be sure you have new objectives and goals to discuss. Include some that pertain to your work life.
What are your personal strengths? and What are your biggest personal accomplishments? Why were you able to attain them? Mention some strengths and accomplishments that convey your qualifications for the position.
What's your best friend like? What kind of work does he do? How are you similar and dissimilar to him? Because people often resemble their close friends, the first two questions probe "what you're really like." The last question is a disguised version of How would you describe yourself? It'll be beneficial if the discussion about this friend, especially your comparison to him, depicts you as the type of person the company is looking to hire.
Are you involved in any community activities? Which ones? Why these? How do you spend your spare time?; and What kind of books do you read? What's the last book you read? These questions are opportunities to build rapport with an interviewer by relating interests you have in common. If no mutual interests have surfaced during the course of conversation, make note of the pictures on the office walls and any personal objects on the inter viewer's desk. They might reveal hobbies the two of you enjoy. Throughout the interview you'll have chances to initiate discussions along these lines.
What type of personality is the most difficult for you to get along with? and What types of people have the most difficulty getting along with you? Aside from examining personal qualities, these questions investigate how compatible you'll be with the manager and how well you'll fit into his department and the company. Use your judgment, and respond in a way that will advance your candidacy.
What do you think of me? This is a difficult question. It's often designed to see how direct or diplomatic you are. Never say anything that might offend an interviewer.
Is there anything you don't want me to know about you? Don't fall for this question! Never volunteer a weakness or negative point. You have no "skeletons in the closet."
Tell me about yourself. This question, which appears as a request and is often asked at the beginning of an interview, gives many job-seekers considerable difficulty It's perhaps the best opportunity to instantly establish your qualifications. Briefly summarize your work experience, and conclude with a discussion about your most important strengths and accomplishments.
How do you rate yourself in your job? Highly! Then explain why by describing your key accomplishments.
How long do you plan on staying in your next position? Why that amount of time? What do you see yourself doing next?; What kind of position do you want to have in 1 year? In 5 years? In 10 years? Do you think you'll attain these goals? Why? How?; and How long do you plan on staying with your next employer? Why that amount of time? These questions explore your motivation and career plans. Be sure you have a well-defined goal and its timetable is realistic. If your expectations for growth are unreasonable, an interviewer might feel that you'll leave the company after a short period of time. He could eliminate you as a candidate.
After having been with the same company for so many years, don't you think it would be difficult to adjust to another? No! The transition would be easy for you because you've worked with many different kinds of people, have had managers with diverse styles, and have worked under a variety of conditions.
After having had so many jobs in such a short period of time, why should we expect you to stay with us for any length of time? This is another difficult question. Your reply could be that you've just defined your career goal and believe it could be realized at this company Another possibility is that each change was for greater responsibility and because this company appears to reward performance with promotion, you won't have to change jobs in order to advance your career.
What salary are you looking for? How much do you want to be earning in 5 years? In 10 years? These questions, especially the last two, probe the importance you place on compensation and your level of motivation. Be sure your salary objectives are realistic and won't preclude your being made the offer.
How do you feel about travel? About relocation? These questions examine your commitment to your job and career. Unless you have personal responsibilities that would prevent you from traveling or relocating, you're amenable to it. Don't discourage the offer before you know how much travel is required and what the likelihood is of having to relocate. You'll have ample opportunity to find out after you've been made the offer.
What did you like the most about your previous positions? About your previous companies? Your reply should address your responsibilities, the work you performed, and how you were able to develop professionally.
What did you like the least about your previous positions? About your previous companies? Always state unimportant aspects of the position and the company. Also, mention something you don't expect to find at the position and company with which you're interviewing.
Why should we hire you? Because of your strengths and accomplishments, which demonstrate your ability to excel at the job and grow into positions of greater responsibility.