Sample Interview Questions

Tell us about yourself.
What is it about this position that interests you?
Why did you decide to seek a position with our organization? What is it about our organization that interests you?
How do you feel your academic background and work experiences have prepared you for this position? Your career?
What would you say is your greatest strength and why?
What do you feel is your biggest weakness or a quality that needs improvement and why?
In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
What would you say is unique about you that sets you apart from any other candidate? What can you offer that other candidates might not be able to? Why should we hire you?
How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would describe you?
Describe a situation in which you had to work with a difficult person (another student, coworker, customer, supervisor, etc.). How did you handle the situation? Is there anything you would have done differently in hindsight?
Can you describe a time you took initiative to improve upon an existing system or developed and implemented or new idea to increase/improve work flow or for a university project?
What are your long-range goals and objectives for the next seven to ten years?
What are your short-range goals and objectives for the next one to three years?
How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort? Describe a situation.
How do you determine or evaluate success? • Describe a contribution you have made to a project on which you worked.
What qualities should a successful manager/leader/supervisor/etc. possess?
Was there an occasion when you disagreed with a supervisor’s decision or company policy? Describe how you handled the situation
What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
Describe your most rewarding college experience.
What interests you about our product or service?
Why did you select your college or university? • What led you to choose your major or field of study? • What college subjects did you like best? Why?
What college subjects did you like least? Why?
Do you think your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?
What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?
In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
How do you work under pressure?
Describe a situation in which you worked as part of a team. What role did you take on? What went well and what didn’t?
In what part-time, co-op, or summer jobs have you been most interested? Why?
How would you describe the ideal job for you following graduation?
What two or three things would be most important to you in your job?
What criteria are you using to evaluate the organization for which you hope to work?
How would you view needing to relocate for the job? Do you have any constraints on relocation?
Are you comfortable with the amount of travel this job requires?
Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?
Do you have any questions for us? (You should always have questions for them – prepare ahead of time by doing your research and taking notes during the interview)

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