These are some commonly asked interview questions. Review them and have an answer prepared (but not memorized) for each.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want to work here?
- What did you like/dislike about your last job?
- What would you like to be doing five years from now?
- What are your biggest accomplishments?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Do you work well under pressure?
- Why should I hire you?
- How do you take direction?
- What is the most difficult situation you have faced?
- Do you prefer working with others or alone?
- What would you do in a situation like [fill in the blank]?
This information is taken from Knock ’em Dead, The Ultimate Job Seeker’s Handbook by Martin Yate, published by Adams Media Corporation. To get some advice answering these common questions, come check out the book from the Career Center.
Behavior-Based Interview Questions
Many interviews include at least a few behavioral-based questions. These types of questions often start with, “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of…” The theory is that past behavior is a predictor of future behavior.
Answer these questions using the STAR technique.
SITUATION – Briefly describe the situation. Set the state and describe the circumstances.
TASK – Describe the task you were called upon to accomplish.
ACTION – Describe the actions you took to accomplish this task.
RESULT – Describe the result. Be prepared to provide examples of occasions when results were not as expected. The skilled interviewer will probe your skill in handling failure and success. Be prepared for questions asking for more detail than you’ve already given. Always choose an example which has a positive outcome.