1. What do you see yourself doing five years
from now?
2. What are your long-range career objectives?
3. What do you really want to do in life?
4. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
5. Which is most important to you, the money or the type of job?
6. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
7. How would you describe yourself?
8. How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would
describe you?
9. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
10. How has your college experience prepared you for a career?
11. Why should I hire you?
12. What qualifications do you have that would make you successful in
this position?
13. How do you determine or evaluate success?
14. What do you think it takes to be successful in an organization like
ours?
15. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our
organization?
16. Tell me about yourself.
17. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and
those reporting to him or her.
18. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most
satisfaction?
19. If you were hiring a new college graduate for this position, what
would you look for?
20. Why did you attend Western?
21. What led you to choose your field of study?
22. Do you have plans for further study? An advanced degree?
23. What do you know about our organization?
24. How well do you work under pressure?
25. Do you have any questions you would like to ask? (See below for
suggested questions.)
For additional preparation, sign up for our Mock Interviews and our
Interview Techniques Workshop
QUESTIONS TO ASK EMPLOYERS
During the interview process, there will be
opportunities for both parties (the employer and the applicant) to ask
questions. Employers expect you to have questions so be prepared to ask
some. This will be your opportunity to clarify issues not previously
addressed.
Good general questions
1. Please describe the duties of the job for me. (You should already
know this - but if not, ask for a formal job description)
2. What qualities are you looking for in the candidate that fills this
position?
3. What skills are especially important for someone in this position?
4. Is this a new position, or am I replacing someone?
5. How long has the position been open?
6. What training would I receive if hired?
7. What characteristics do the achievers in this company seem to share?
8. Where does this position fit into the organizational structure?
9. What is the largest single issue facing your staff (department) now?
10. How does the company plan to market its new (line of ______,
product, service, etc.)?
11. I noted in your annual report that ……….. Has this strategy been
successful?
12. How much travel, if any, is involved in this position?
13. Do you fill positions from the outside or promote from within first?
14. What is the usual promotion timeframe?
15. What are your growth projections for next year?
16. Is your company environmentally conscious? In what ways?
17. What is the relationship of this organization to the local
community?
18. How often are performance reviews given?
19. In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your
competitors?
20. What kind of assignments might I expect during the first six months
on the job?
Questions for the Employer/Interviewer
1. What do you (the interviewer) like best about your job/company?
2. Why do you continue to work for this
company/organization/corporation?
Good closing questions
1. What is the next step in the selection process?
2. When should I expect to hear from you, or should I contact you?
3. When would you want me to start in this position?
Questions to ask after you are offered a position
1. Once the probation period is completed, how much authority will I
have over decisions?
2. Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects?
3. Are salary adjustments geared to the cost of living or job
performance?
4. What do you wish you had known about the company before you started?
5. Is the last person who held this position still on staff?
6. Does your company provide any financial assistance for further
education?
7. Do you have a standard benefits package or can I choose from a
variety of options?
8. Has there been much turnover in this job area?
9. Do you offer flextime?