This is another dangerous question. Any serious weaknesses that you admit to, in the interests of honest objectivity, will only be used to aid the interviewer in deciding not to hire you. However, you cannot avoid this question without creating suspicion in the inter viewer's mind. Therefore, you must tell the interviewer not your actual and probably disqualifying weaknesses, but one or two mild drawbacks that either are inconsequential or that actually can be considered strengths, such as, "I need to increase my reading speed," or, I’ve been told that I push myself too hard." Then, be prepared for the follow-up question, "What are you doing to improve these weaknesses?"
2. "What are your plans for self-improvement?"
This is another version of the aforementioned follow-up question. This version may be used if the interviewer forgot to ask you about your weaknesses or plans to ask that question next. So be prepared for these two questions about weaknesses and self-improvement in either order, and make sure the answers to both are coordinated.
Another objective of this question is to see how seriously you take your career and the job for which you are interviewing. Consequently, it is usually desirable to have self-improvement plans that will also improve your job performance, such as a graduate level course or a seminar in a professional discipline or skill included in your job: marketing, effective writing, salesmanship, speed reading, or public speaking, for example.
Do not, however, reveal any plans you have that might indicate that your next job will be only a temporary stepping stone to another job or career. For example, do not volunteer the fact that you are currently attending, or planning to attend, law school or medical school at night while interviewing for a job in an unrelated area, like sales or engineering.
3. "What is important to you in a job?"
This is simply your hierarchy of Critical Criteria with some possible modifications. If you are interviewing for a sales position where money is a strong incentive, then it is acceptable, if not required, to list the dollar sign at the top of your list. However, for all other positions, you should not admit to it being any higher than third or fourth. To do otherwise may suggest to the interviewer that you will never be satisfied with your salary, and therefore your job, or that you are simply tacky.
4. "What are your hobbies?"
Answering this question is your chance to make yourself memorable if you have an unusual hobby. A hobby like computer chess or long distance roller skating will make you a more interesting person than reading or fishing. One danger to avoid is mentioning a weird hobby. I remember one employer who rejected one young woman whose hobby was karate in which she had earned a black belt I am sure he felt threatened by her. Another danger is to discuss your hobby with such passion as to suggest that your job will be a distraction from your recreation and that you constantly will be leaving work early for weekend ski trips, calling in sick to attend art shows, or arriving late because of political meetings. The best hobby to have, of course, is the same one as the interviewer.
5. "What part of the job interests you most?"
This question is primarily a set-up for the next question. Your response, no matter what the job description, should explain how the entire job matches up well with your strengths and your Special Ingredients, being careful not to imply your weaknesses or any parts of the job that do not interest you.
6. "What part of the job interests you least?"
This question is a parallel to ''What are your weaknesses?" in that your response will be used against you. This question provides the interviewer with additional data in deciding who not to hire. Your answer should be along the lines of, while some parts of the job are more exciting than others, you are not aware of any portion of the job that does not interest you or that you would not enjoy doing.
7. "Why should I hire you?"
This is an open invitation to sell yourself to the interviewer. You open with a crisp, concise, and enthusiastic re-summary of your experience, strengths, and Special Ingredient. You close with a statement similar to this: "Mr. Interviewer, more important than my background is the fact that, even though you may find someone with more experience than I, I guarantee you that you never will find anyone who wall work harder than I, nor anyone with more enthusiasm and loyalty. I want this job. I want this company. I want to work for you. When do you want me to start'
8. "Do you have any questions?"
The worst possible response to this question is, "No, I think you have answered them all.'' You must demonstrate an interest in the job, the company, and the interviewer by asking questions. Remember, a person who does not talk freely and ask questions is generally viewed as being uninterested and having a dull mind. This is the moment for which you have researched the company and the inter viewer before the interview. Ask those questions that you have not been able to ask up to this point in the interview and demonstrate that you have done your homework. If you have somehow managed to exhaust your entire list of questions, rephrase a previous question for more detail. Or ask for the job! After each question you ask, look for clues from the interviewer that the interview is nearing its end. When you feel that it is, ask your closing questions about what happens next, when, by whom, and state your confidence in yourself and your interest in the job.
