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Below you will find twenty-two examples of common questions asked
during interviews. You should practice responding to these questions as
part of your interview preparations.
1. "Tell me about the work you have been doing or describe your job
history."
Talk about your current job if you have one-duties, responsibilities,
accomplishments-mention if you deal with the public.
2. "Why do you want to work as a __________?"
Talk about the interesting details of the job and why they fascinate
you.
3. "How did you learn about this company?"
Friend, relative, newspaper story, advertisements, reputation.
4. "What is your strongest asset? How have you used it?"
Don't be afraid to talk about your strengths-the interviewer will not
know your strengths unless you tell him/her.
5. "Why did you leave your last job?"
Job stagnation (no room for advancement), changing home location,
want new challenges.
6. "Did you ever have a disagreement with a boss? Why? Why not?"
Answer "yes" and they may think you are a troublemaker, "no" and you
are a wimp. Find the middle ground: "Sure we disagreed. But we worked
well together. For example…"
7. "Tell me about your training."
Explain your program and all the skills that you learned. This may be
a good time to introduce your portfolio. Talk specifically about
projects, production jobs, equipment, etc.
8. "Did you enjoy school? Why/why not?"
The manager may want to know if you enjoy learning or whether you
might benefit from a training program.
9. "Which course did you find most difficult? Why?"
The manager wants to know if you have perseverance: "I earned a 'D'
for the first marking period in Algebra. My study skills were weak. But
I joined a study group and raised my grade to a 'B' by the third marking
period." The key to answering this question is to follow up the weakness
you reveal with concrete evidence of how you have improved or are
currently taking steps toward improving this weakness.
10. "Did you join any school activities? Why or why not?"
School activities show that you are sociable; that you enjoy being a
part of a group; and that you can work with other people. This is
important in the workplace. Be honest. This would be another opening to
show your portfolio.
11. "Do you plan to continue your education?"
Continuing education courses suggest growth, ambition, "promotability"
and may qualify you for tuition assistance.
12. "What salary or pay rate do you expect?"
Avoid salary questions by stating, "A fair salary equal to my work
contribution." Try to force the interviewer to offer the first figure.
13. "Give an example of any major problem you faced and how you solved
it."
Think of something related to work, school, community, or leisure
activities. Tell it as a story. Give details. The manager wants to see
how you define problems, identify options, decide on a solution, handle
obstacles, and solve problems.
14." In your lifetime so far, what is your greatest accomplishment?"
A personal touch works well for this question, such as helping
someone in need or something you have done for your family.
15. "What was your greatest failure? What did you learn from it?"
Confessing a failure shows maturity. Avoid examples that might
reflect on your ability to do the job.
16. "Last year, how many days of work (or school) did you miss? How
many days were you late?"
This will tell the manager whether you are going to show up for work
and whether you will show up on time. If you have missed more than a
couple of days, have good explanations ready.
17. "What motivates you to do a good job?"
Money is not a good answer. A good answer is something like, "having
responsibilities and being noticed when the job is done right."
18. "Are you at your best when working alone or in a group?"
"Both. I enjoy working as part of a team, and I can work
independently to get my share of the work done." Your answer should
reflect that you are capable of either situation.
19. "What did you do to earn money through your school years?"
Babysitting, corn detasseling, newspaper routes, shoveling snow,
mowing lawns and other jobs show early signs of ambition and a respect
for work.
20. "What is your greatest weakness?"
Focus on work, not character weaknesses. Turn it into a positive, "I
am accused of being a workaholic. I like to stay and get caught up on
the odds and ends before I leave."
21. "Have you ever been fired from a job? Why?"
Explain that you usually get along really well with everyone. But,
you and your ex-manager just couldn't seem to work things out. Have a
simple, reasonable response that demonstrates that you tried to work
things out.
22. "Do you have any questions for me?"
"Yes, thank you, just a few questions"-then ask at least two or three
questions.
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