Sample Typical Interview Questions

Keep your answers to two minutes.

1. Tell me something about yourself?
   
   Focus here on academic and job related attributes as they apply to the position you are interviewing for. Don't go into a great deal of personal detail.
   
   
2. What is your greatest strength?
   
   Be prepared to discuss one to three strengths that relate to the qualifications they are looking for. Be ready with examples and avoid clichés. ("I'm good with people" is a cliché.)
   
   
3. What is your biggest weakness?
   
   Discuss ways in which you are working to improve in your area(s) of weakness.
   
   
4. Where do you see yourself in five years?
   
   What are your professional goals? Think about your long term goals and how working for this company fits into those plans.
   
   
5. Why are you interested in this company? This position?
   
   This is why you have researched the company. Avoid talking about what the company can do for you.
   
   
6. Tell me why you think we should hire you?
   
   You are not the only person being interviewed for the position. What are the unique contributions you can make and how will you benefit the company.
   
   
7. Why do you think you are the most qualified person for this position?
   
   Can you give a well organized, concise answer to this question?
   
   
8. Sometime in your career you probably had a conflict with a boss or supervisor. Would you please describe it and how you responded to it?
   
   This is your opportunity to show how you define problems and work to resolve them.
   
   
9. Of what accomplishments are you most proud?
   
   This question gives you an opportunity to express how you define success.
   
   
10. What are your reasons for leaving your last (or want to leave your current) job?
    
    What type of work environment do you excel in and what is important to you in a job? Also, did you leave (are you leaving) on good terms, how do you talk about the company to others?
    
    
11. What kind of supervisor do you like to work with? Colleagues?
    
    This question identifies your interpersonal skills and working style.
    
    
12. What else do we need to know about you prior to making a decision?
    
    Here's your chance to highlight a skill or two the employer did not ask about.
    
    
13. What is the worst thing your last supervisor would say about you?
    
    Are you honest with yourself about your weaknesses?
    
    
14. Are you willing to relocate and/or travel on company business?
    
    In more and more companies to advance you will need to travel and be willing to relocate to advance your career.
    
    
15. Do you have any question?
    
    Of course you do!!!