1. What type of job are you seeking?
Response - Give information related to the industry, company or type of job to show that you have definite objectives and well thought out short range plans. never say that you need a good paying job or that you just need a job.
2. Why do you think you might like to work for us?
Response - Indicate that you know the company and its reputation, that you have long range goals, and that there is a match between you and the organization. Show that you make logical decisions and that you plan your future. Do not use simple generalizations - good company, treat employees well, valuable experience, etc. - without indicating a more positive response. never say your firm has the highest salaries in the area.
3. Why do you plan to leave your present job?
Response - You want an opportunity to perform, learn, and to develop. More responsibility and higher salary potential is desired. Avoid responses that tend to indicate your shortcomings. never use personal or emotional problems to answer this question. These answers are negative to an interviewer as he/she will expect you to transfer your problems to your new employer.
4. Tell me about yourself?
Response - Indicate only your experience and skills relevant to the job you are seeking. Stress your job related accomplishments. Then ask if the interviewer wants more detailed information about specific items in your background. Do not make the mistake of giving your entire life history in response to this question.
5. What kind of salary do you expect to get?
Response - Until you have a clear understanding of the job do not offer a figure. Ask for time to mutually explore the position and your qualifications. Quoting a low figure means many years of Work to reach the proper salary level if hired; or having the firm say they want a person with a little more experience. Give too high a figure and you will not be considered. A good salesman doesn't quote a price until the buyer is sold. At a library, locate salary ranges for the position you want before the interview. Indicate that you would consider a reasonable offer consistent with the area cost of living (if the job involves a move) and your responsibility and authority. You could indicate that you have the natural human desire to earn money but an opportunity to grow on the job, advance, and contribute is very important to you. Focus on take home pay and your standard of living.
6. What is your opinion of your present boss and co-workers?
Response - Indicate the nature and difficulty of the work. Answer objectively and avoid personal opinion - be positive. Do not knock others. Never say the boss is lazy, a poor manager, a slave driver, or you were not appreciated.
7. What are your greatest strengths?
Response - Give an answer useful and related to the job. Provide work related strengths and give examples of your success in previous work, school or community activities. Focus on job related strengths. Broad general statements - hard worker, good education, willingness to learn, good rapport with people, etc. - add little to salesmanship.
8. What are your chief liabilities?
Response - Everyone has at least one liability; you may have several. Be aware of your weaknesses, mention a few but definitely follow each weakness with a positive statement about what you have done or plan to do to overcome the liability. You may want to mention a liability you had several years ago but have successfully corrected. Avoid unsolved weaknesses which do not pertain to the interview or the potential job.
9. What other companies do you plan to interview?
Response - This appears to be an innocent question but it is really a probing and loaded question. If you have definite job objectives and future plans this is an easy question to answer. Related companies have similar products or services and similar interests. Thus they need people of similar skills. Avoid mentioning firms in unrelated industries unless the job duties and requirements are closely related.
10. What are your future plans?
Response - Try to show logically that the job you are seeking is related to your future objectives. Companies try to hire employees who will stay with them in order to reduce turnover and hiring/ training costs. Never give the idea that this job is a short term job or you are just passing through the area.
Depending upon the job you are seeking, company needs, and interviewer skills many other questions may be asked in an interview.
- Your Personal Background and Human Relations
- Tell me about yourself?
- How would you describe yourself?
- How do you get along with people?
- Please tell me about your personal background.
Describe any interests you have outside of work which are related to your job? If you were a supervisor, how would you handle people? What have you recently done to improve yourself? What type of relationship did you have with your supervisors or teachers? How do you feel about your job progress to date?
What conditions of personal business, health, or family exist that limit your flexibility in this potential job?
Work Background
Why do you think you would like to work for our firm? Tell me about the types of work you have done? How were the jobs obtained? Have you ever worked shift work? How do you like working on nights, weekends, and holidays? What types of equipment have you operated? How did you obtain your past jobs?
What did you like best about the jobs you have had? What did you dislike? What do you believe are your strongest qualities? Your weak points?
What kinds of work demands have you had in terms of precision, accuracy, quantity, reaction to emergencies, closeness of supervision, and dealing with others? How have you handled work responsibility? Under what kinds of supervisors do you work best?
To what do you attribute the little difficulties you experienced with your supervisor? Describe a few situations in which your work was criticized? How long would it take you to make a contribution to the company? What problems have you identified in a previous job that had been overlooked? Were your solutions to these problems implemented successfully? Explain. Why have you changed jobs so often? Explain your gaps in employment? Discuss your military service record? Why are you considering changing jobs now? Under what conditions would you remain in your present job? What do you hope to find here that you don't have in your present job? What are the important things you learned on your previous job? What are your most important skills? How can they be used here? Are you - creative, a good manager, a leader? Give examples. How was your second job an advancement over the first job? Describe how this potential job will be an advancement for you? How many people have you hired (fired)? Why? Explain exactly how you increased profits and sales. How have you helped to reduce costs?
- Accident - Safety - Health
- How active were you in sports - team or individual? Any accidents?
- What types of accidents have you had - industrial, personal?
- Have you had any accidents or illnesses that prevented you from working?
- Have you ever been under a doctor's care regarding the type of work you can do?
- Any health problems due to working conditions?
- Have you encountered any health problems?
- Education - Training
- Describe what you know about our industry?
- Have you had any special training or continued your education?
- How will your schooling help you to be successful in this potential position?
- Have you taken courses in school related to industry or business?
- What were your best/poorest subjects in school?
- What type of courses would you take in school today, if you could go back?
- Objectives
- What do you look for in a job?
- If you had your choice of jobs and companies, where would you work?
- What interest do you have in advancement?
- What do you see yourself doing in several years?
- How long would you stay with us?
- Have you had experience in supervising? Do you want to be a supervisor?
- Describe some leadership positions in which you have played an active part.
- Explain why you feel you have management potential.
- Why do you prefer staff (line) work?
