60 common interview questions

17. 60 common interview questions

  1. What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives, when and why did you establish these goals, and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
  2. What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for the next ten years?
  3. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
  4. What do you really want to do in life?
  5. What are your long-range career objectives?
  6. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
  7. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
  8. What do you expect to be earning in five years?
  9. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
  10. Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?
  11. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
  12. How would you describe yourself?
  13. How do you think a friend or colleague who knows you would describe you?
  14. What motivates you to put forth your greatest efforts?
  15. How has your school experience prepared you for a career?
  16. Why should I hire you?
  17. What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful?
  18. How do you determine or evaluate success?
  19. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?
  20. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?
  21. What qualities should a successful manager possess?
  22. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her.
  23. Describe your best / worst boss.
  24. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
  25. Describe your most rewarding school experience.
  26. If you were hiring for this position, what qualities would you look for?
  27. Why did you select your school or university?
  28. What led you to choose your field of study?
  29. What school subjects did you like most? Why?
  30. What school subjects did you like least? Why?
  31. If you could do so, how would you plan your academic study differently? Why?
  32. What changes would you make in your school or university? Why?
  33. Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?
  34. Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?
  35. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?
  36. In what kind of a work environment are you most comfortable?
  37. How do you work under pressure?
  38. In what part-time or summer jobs have you been most interested? Why?
  39. How would you describe the ideal job for you following graduation?
  40. Why did you decide to seek a position with this company?
  41. What do you know about our company?
  42. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
  43. Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size? Why?
  44. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
  45. Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
  46. Will you relocate? Does relocation bother you?
  47. Are you willing to travel?
  48. Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?
  49. Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our company is located?
  50. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
  51. What have you learned from your mistakes?
  52. Tell me about yourself.
  53. Why do you want to work in this field?
  54. Give me an example of a problem you have solved.
  55. What areas of this job would be the most challenging for you?
  56. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
  57. Tell me about the most challenging person you've ever worked with. What was the situation? What did you do? What happened?
  58. Think of a time when you had to contact a stranger and persuade him/her to do something. What was the situation? What did you do? What happened?
  59. Think of when someone was angry with you or there was conflict. What was the situation? What did you do? What were the results?
  60. Why are you leaving your current job?

To get started in your job search, have a look at the Workways Jobkit:

1.Deciding on the right job 8. Letter writing 15. After the interview
2.Finding the right job 9. Example covering letter 16. Types of interview
3.Useful websites 10. Example speculative letter 17. 60 common interview questions
4.What is a CV? 11. Completing an application form 18. Questions to ask
5.Your personal profile 12. Online job applications 19. Starting your new job
6.Example CV 13. Interview preparation  
7.Telephone Contacts 14. At the interview