Preparing For Interview Questions
Interviewing Skills | Office of Career Services

Unfortunately, you will never be able to anticipate all of the potential questions that an employer will ask during the interview. However, you can prepare your answers for some of the most commonly asked questions, which are listed below. Preparing for these questions ahead of time will reduce the number of questions that you will need to answer spontaneously and will likely enable you to make a better impression.

Tell me about yourself.
This is a very popular question that an interviewer may use to begin the question/answer stage of the interview. The employer does not want your life history but rather wants to know what parts of your background you view as important in reference to the position. Prepare a statement including information about your work history and education that highlights your accomplishments. In addition, you may include attributes that may be relevant to your success in this industry. Personal information is not appropriate in an interview.

Do you work well under pressure?
Today’s work world is both fast-paced and high-pressured. Be confident in your ability to work well under pressure through citing examples of how you have performed in similar, work or school-related situations in the past. Being able to adapt in a constantly changing work environment is a quality sought after by most of today’s employers.

Why are you looking to change jobs?
With this question, the employer is usually trying to determine what direction you see your career headed in. You may want to relate that although you enjoy your current job, your opportunity for growth is limited, and you are seeking a greater challenge. Never tell a potential employer that you want to leave your current job for negative reasons, such as you don’t like your boss, the company or organization isn’t managed well, low pay, work load is unreasonable, etc. Answers such as these only suggest to the interviewer that you may be a difficult employee.

What is your salary requirement?
The employer should always be the one to bring up the issue of salary during an interview. Remember that salary requirements can be used as a reason to eliminate you from the interviewing process, so you want to avoid being specific, if possible. It is likely that an employer has a range that the position pays, but if you become the preferred candidate during the interview process, the employer may be able to increase the salary to meet your expectations. However, if you tell the employer your requirements early on in the process, you are more likely to be eliminated, as you will not have had the time to impress the employer.

Before the interview, in addition to researching the organization, research the salary ranges for the position you are interviewing for. The Office of Career Services has salary surveys that are compiled quarterly and include the salary ranges in most professional areas of graduates from colleges and universities across the country at both the bachelor’s and master’s level. Another excellent resource for salaries is www.salary.com.

When the issue of salary arises, you may want to begin with a vague statement like, "My salary expectation is open based on learning more about the position, its responsibilities and other benefits." Or, you may want to answer the question with a question and ask,

"What is your salary range for this position?" Sometimes an employer will push for a more specific answer, in which case you should provide a realistic range. You might say, "My salary expectation is in the thirties but is negotiable."

What are your future educational plans?
This question can be tricky. An employer may be trying to determine your interest and willingness to supplement your education with additional instructional training if it is necessary to effectively do the job. On the other hand, the employer may be trying to determine if you plan to use this job as a training ground while you continue your education and then plan to move out of the organization shortly thereafter. Listen carefully to any cues that may be given throughout the interview that may help you to discern which of these areas the employer is concerned with.

How would you have changed or managed your previous company differently?
Essentially, the potential employer is asking you to criticize your superiors and/or the company or organization itself. This is generally not a good idea. You may make one or two comments about more insignificant areas that could be improved to demonstrate that you took an interest and have the ability to think critically. However, you should realize that anything you say could be used as a reason why you might not be a good match for this company.

For example, you may answer, "My past employer was not very concerned with protecting the environment and did not have any initiatives in place that made it easy for employees to recycle." If the company you are interviewing with is environmentally friendly, this may be a perfect answer as it demonstrates that you share some of the same values and concerns. However, if this company does not have a strong commitment in this area, it may suggest to the employer that you might not be a good match. After all, this employer may not want someone coming in and trying to change the way things are currently done.

What are your strengths? Your weaknesses?
When asked about your strengths, this is your opportunity to summarize your specific skills and personality characteristics as they relate to the job. Then, provide an example of a time when you demonstrated the use of these skills and characteristics. Regarding your weaknesses, we suggest that you attack this question in one of two ways. First, you may list something you do well but are constantly improving upon. For instance you might say, “I have very good organizational skills but I have found that those are the types of skills that I am constantly improving upon. It’s a life long process.” The other plan of attack would be to state a weakness that the employer is already aware of or may have anticipated based on having read your resume. For example, you might say, “I do not have experience working with direct mail campaigns.” Then suggest how you might counteract this weakness, such as taking a course or cross training with another employee.

What do you know about this company?
This is an opportunity to demonstrate your interest in working for this particular company rather than simply being interested in securing employment. Do your homework and impress the employer with knowledge of the company’s product or service, its history, competitors, etc. (more information on researching a company).

What experience do you have?
Highlight your skills and work history as they relate to the position. If you have directly related experience through a co-op, internship or previous employment, demonstrate that correlation. If you do not have direct experience, you should show how the skills that you have gained through your education and past employment will be an asset to you in this position.

Why did you leave (or are you leaving) your current company?
It is important here not to send up any red flags for the prospective employer by providing a reason that may have an effect on your ability to be a good employee now or in the future. If you have been fired or "allowed to quit" due to personality or other conflicts, you should really keep this information to yourself as it will only stir up controversy. If you left as a result of a medical condition, you should not make it known unless it will affect your ability to perform in the position for which you are currently applying. Whatever your circumstances, you might simply answer that you left to seek new challenges or gain full-time professional experience in your field now that you’ve graduated.

What would you want to accomplish during the first year that suggests I should hire you?
Here an employer really wants to know how you would "attack" this position if it were offered to you. Based on the knowledge you have about the position, you should be able to make some basic determinations about what your first year activities might entail under these circumstances. Be as specific as possible. The answer is part of what the employer is evaluating, but he/she is also evaluating your ability to assess a given situation and develop creative solutions.

How do you deal with someone who disagrees with you?
Employers ask this or some version of this question often, as it assists them in determining how you manage conflict in the workplace. We are all likely to experience some level of conflict with those that we work with from time to time, and your answer to this question can be a clear indicator to the employer as to how well you will work with a diverse work force under sometimes stressful conditions. You may want to provide an example of a time that you managed conflict well to assist the potential employer with understanding your style.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishments?
This is your opportunity to show what a great employee you will make. Go ahead; tell them about what you accomplished while employed at your current and/or previous companies (or in school). But, be sure to keep the information professional, as what the employer is truly concerned with is how productive you will be if you are hired.

What would your former boss or employer say about you?
This is a time in the interview where you can slip in information about the type of employee you are. It is natural that we want a potential employer to know what we consider to be our best qualities. These qualities may include things like "hard-working", "honest", "creative", "dependable", "detail-oriented", etc. and are often abstract in nature. To add meaning to your answer, you might consider providing examples of instances when you demonstrated these qualities in the workplace.

How long do you expect to work for us?
Here an employer is simply trying to assess whether or not you are a good investment. While companies don’t usually offer lifetime career growth, they are concerned with employee turnover and the costs associated with training new staff. The process of hiring and training employees at any level is quite expensive; so most companies like to determine, if possible, whether you are using them as a training ground and/or whether you intend to provide some longevity in return.

What are your expectations from our company during the first year?
It is important to focus more on what you want to do for the company than what you want the company to do for you. Placing too many restrictions on the company in reference to opportunity, salary, promotions, etc. may cause the company to take caution that your expectations might be higher than what they can provide. It is not unreasonable, however, to expect some level of training and support from a company along with honesty in reference to the other potential benefits listed above.

What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
An employer never wants to feel as if they were chosen by default. Employers go to great lengths in many cases to create a working environment that is desirable along with a compensation and benefits package that is suitable for its employees. Be sure to indicate what it is that you are looking for in a company or organization by selecting things that you know or suspect are present for the company at which you are interviewing. But, again be careful not to place too much emphasis on what you want the company to do for you or you may risk the job opportunity.

What do you do with your spare time?
Sometimes an employer will use this question to determine whether potential employees enjoy participating in team versus individual activities. Teamwork is an unwritten but often large part of many job descriptions. Consequently, your interest in working in teams can be an important hiring consideration. In addition, this is an opportunity for the employer to assess your leadership aptitude as a result of your response.

For example, you might respond that you are president of the Parent Teacher Association, and during the past year, you and the board have raised enough funds for new playground equipment, additional security staff and a scholarship for disadvantaged students. In this capacity, you have demonstrated both strong leadership abilities as well as emphasized your interest in teamwork. In contrast, however, employers who are offering positions which require extensive overtime, may be looking to see if your personal commitments will interfere with your willingness and ability to work overtime.

What is it that you like about working in the ____________ field?
Studies show that people who have a true liking and/or passion for the work that they do are much more productive and successful than those who are indifferent. This is an opportunity to tell the employer specifically what aspects of the job will motivate you to put forth your greatest effort. And, if you are not enthusiastic about the field of employment, the employer is sure to notice.

What type of management style do you prefer to work under?
Some employees desire a lot of direction from management while others prefer to work more autonomously. Your answer to this question will likely determine how successful the relationship will be between you and the person to whom you would report. Some people work well in either circumstance and if that is the case, state your flexibility on this issue. However, if your preference swings strongly to one type of style or the other you will want to answer honestly, as the likelihood of you being happy in a position contrary to your style is small.

There are other sample questions listed on the following pages. Please read them carefully and discuss any problematic questions with a professional from the Office of Career Services.

Sample Questions

Traditional Interview Type

• Tell me a little about yourself.
• What are your strengths as an employee?
• Why should I consider you a strong candidate for this position?
• What are your biggest weaknesses as an employee and what are you doing to correct them?
• Tell me about the best/worst boss you ever had.
• How do you go about making important decisions?
• What interests you most (least) about this position? This company?
• What do you want to be doing five years from now?
• How do you generally handle conflict?
• What led you to choose your major?
• What did you learn from the co-op, internship, or job you listed on your resume?
• What is the most significant contribution you made at your co-op, internship, or job site?
• What are you bad at? What is the biggest mistake you ever made?
• What motivates you?
• Why do you want to work here?
• Are you willing to work overtime?
• How long would you stay with our company?
• What have you done that shows initiative?
• Do you prefer working with others or alone?
• What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this field?
• What do you know about our company?
• Why did you choose this field?
• What have you learned from participating in extra-curricular activities in college?
• How do you work under pressure?
• Why should I hire you?
• What do you know about our company?
• Why did you choose our company?
• What are your career goals?
• Where do you expect to be in your career within five years? Ten years?
• What are your educational goals?
• What future training do you plan in connection with your career goals?
• What are your lifetime goals?
• What do you know about this position?
• What skills, experience and training do you have that will make you qualified for the job?
• What other positions have you had that qualify you for the position?
• What have you contributed to your past employers that saved the company time, money, or enhanced its image?
• How many promotions did you receive at your last or present company? Your next-to-last position? The one before that?
• Why were you given these promotions at your present or last company? Your next-to-last position? The one before that?
• How many raises were you given at your last position?
• Why were you given them?
• What did you learn in your previous positions?
• Do you like your job? Why?
• During your career, which position did you like best?
• What are you particularly good at in your present position? Why?
• What qualities have you exhibited in your present position? Your next-to-last position? The one before that?
• What were some of the shortcomings that you exhibited in your last position?
• Why do you want to change careers?
• What major strength do you feel you have that will make you a great manager?
• Have you any supervisory or administrative experience? Please tell me about it.
• What is your management style?
• How are your people-management skills? Can you give me one or two examples?
• How well do you communicate in writing and orally? Give me some examples of this.
• Can you meet deadlines? If so, give me an example.
• What would your boss say about you?
• If the people who work with you were to evaluate you, what would they say?
• What motivates you?
• What professional associations do you belong to?
• What civic organizations do you belong to?
• What clubs do you belong to?
• What volunteer work do you do or have you done in the past?
• What awards or honors have you received?
• Have you ever received any fellowships? When? Why? What did you do?
• Have you written any articles for a professional journal, magazine or newspaper? When?
• What were they about?
• Have you ever done consulting work? If so, why and for whom?
• What are your hobbies?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• Have you ever traveled? If so, where?
• Do you travel for your present or a past position? How much travel do you or did you do?
• Are you willing to travel for this position?
• If your career demanded it, would you be willing to relocate for advancement?
• Do you know about other countries and cultures? If so, which ones?
• What is your salary requirement?
• What do you dislike the most about your current (or last) job?

Behavioral Based Interview Type

• Give me a specific example of something you did that helped build enthusiasm in others.
• Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What did you do?
• Give me an example of a time when you had to make an important decision. How did you make the decision? How does it affect you today?
• Give me an example of a time when you had to persuade other people to take action. Were you successful?
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person. How did you handle the situation?
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle multiple responsibilities. How did you organize the work you needed to do?
• Describe a time when you were working in a team or group setting and one member wouldn’t hold up his/her share of the work.
• Give me an example of a decision you made that benefited your company.
• Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision but didn’t have all the information you needed.
• What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
• Give me a specific example of a time when you had to sell one of your ideas to a professor or supervisor.
• Describe a time when you solved a specific problem. What was your role and the outcome?
• Tell me about a time when you missed an important deadline. What happened and what did you learn?
• Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.
• Give a specific example of a time when you used good judgement and logic in solving a problem.
• By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.
• Describe a time on any job that you held in which you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.
• Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.
• Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communications skills in order to get an important point across.
• Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.
• Given an example of an important goal, which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
• Tell me about a time when you did something at work that was necessary but you knew it was not what your supervisor would approve of. What was the result and if you had it to do over again, would you handle it the same way?
• Describe a situation where you dealt with an irate customer or client. What was the result?