COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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TIPS FOR ANSWER

1. WHY DON’T YOU TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF? This is your opportunity to set the tone for the interview and to share with the employer how you fit into his company and the strengths that make you a valuable asset. Good place to use your 30 second summary

2. WHY ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR PRESENT JOB? WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR LAST POSITION? Always have a positive answer. Keep it short. Don’t change your answer in the middle of the interview. Examples: “The company was downsizing” or “I’ve enjoyed my company, but I’m looking for opportunities to increase my experience and skills.”

3. WHO WILL GIVE YOU A GOOD REFERENCE? Prepare in advance a list of three personal and three business/professional references. Check with all references to be sure that they will give you a good reference. Suggest to your references some strengths or experiences you would like them to emphasize if they are called.

4. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS COMPANY OR JOB? You must do your homework. Research the company prior to the interview, using the Internet, the public library, or people who have worked for the company. You should know as a minimum the company’s products and stated objectives.

5. HOW WOULD YOU EVALUATE YOUR PRESENT/LAST FIRM OR BOSS? Always give a positive answer. Tell what you have learned from working there. Never “bad mouth” your last company or boss.

6. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO BE DOING IN 5 YEARS? Keep your stated expectations reasonable. Examples: “I’d like to be working for you in a position of responsibility.” “What would be the normal career progression for this position?”

7. IF WE CALLED YOUR LAST EMPLOYER WHAT WOULD HE/SHE SAY ABOUT YOU? This is a great opportunity to list all of your achievements, even if your boss hates you. Example: “Well, I hope he would tell you about the time I did….” Most companies have a strict policy not to comment on negative performance by a present or past employee.

8. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS? This is the perfect opportunity to reiterate to the employer why he should hire you. List all of your strengths that would be valuable to him and the position you are applying for. Be sure to give specific examples of each strength.

9. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS? Never admit a weakness! Turn a strength into a weakness and then reverse it into a strength. Example: “I am very meticulous in my work. I recognize that others are not. However, I have learned how to work effectively with people who are not so meticulous to insure that we have the best product possible.” Another example would be: “Some people might think my age is a problem or that I’m over qualified, but I feel that I bring a lot of maturity and experience to the position and I’m anxious to learn new things.”

10.I’VE INTERVIEWED A NUMBER OF VERY QUALIFIED PEOPLE. WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU? List again your strengths and how it will benefit the company. Also stress your desire to work for the company and your belief that you will be able to make a serious positive impact to company operations.

11.WHAT DO YOU EXPECT AS A STARTING SALARY? Never talk salary until after you have received a job offer. Deflect the question by assuring the employer that the real issue is do you feel the company is a good fit for you and does he feel that you are the right person for the job. If the answer is yes, then fair compensation can be negotiated. If he insists on knowing your salary requirements, you can ask “What do you normally pay someone with my experience?” or “What did you pay the last person to fill this position?”

12. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? An interview is also a time for you to evaluate the company. Look for opportunities to ask appropriate questions. SEE Questions to ask Interviewers.

15-Popular Behavior Based Questions.doc