Common Questions Asked in an Interview

I. Questions About College Experiences

• Tell me about your educational background
• How long have you been in school?
• What's your GPA?
• How do you find time to study?
• What kinds of extracurricular activities have you been involved in?
• Have you had courses in ______?
• What is your proficiency in _______?
• Why are you majoring in ________?
• What classes have you most enjoyed?
• Is there any class you have completely disliked?
• How have you changed since you started college?
• Is there anything you've been involved in at college that you are really proud of?

II. Questions About Work Experience

• What type of position do you have now?
• How did you find your current job?
• How many hours do you work per week?
• What did you like best about your ____ job?
• How were you evaluated in _______ position?
• Why don't you want to stay in _________ business?
• Tell me about your past sales experience
• Is there any one thing you feel you learned as a ______?
• What would your past supervisors tell me about you?
• Tell me about your last situation with an unhappy customer. What did you do?
• Did you ever have a customer get mad at something that wasn't your fault?
• Give me an example about a conflict with an employee and how you handled it?
• What has been the most difficult situation you've had to deal with? How did you handle it?

III. Open Inquiries

• Do you have any questions? (There was little variability in the form of this question.)

IV. Questions About Abilities, Aptitudes, Strengths, or Weaknesses

• What are your strengths? (or, Tell me something about your skills.)
• Why would you be an asset to our company? (or, What skills, or strengths, would you bring to our company?)
• What is your best quality?
• What has been your greatest accomplishment? Your greatest disappointment?
• Tell me about your leadership skills.
• What do you perceive as an area that could use some improvement?
• If you could start Monday on a self-improvement course, what one area you'd like to improve?
• How do you handle people who are critical? (or, How do you handle rejection?)

V. Biographical Questions

• Why don't you give me a brief, verbal resume?
• Give me a little bit of your background.
• Do you think you have the personality to be a manager?
• What motivates you?
• Give me three words that best describe you.
• What are your interests? (or, What types of activities do you like the best?)
• How do you think your friends would describe you?

VI. Questions About Career Aspirations

• What type of career are you looking for?
• Tell me your career goals.
• Where do you see yourself in five (or 10 to 15 years?)
• Why do you want to be a _______?
• Would you describe yourself as motivated more by your goals or by money?