Sample Questions Employers May Ask During An Interview

College Experience

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you choose your major?
• Which course or courses did you like the best? Which did you like the least?
• What is your GPA? Does it reflect your abilities? Why or why not?
• Tell me about one of your proudest accomplishments since you have been in college.
• How have you changed personally while attending college?
• What has been your greatest challenge in college?
• Why did you choose Malone University and how did you arrive at this decision?

Character and Commitment to Excellence

• What do you consider to be your major strengths and weaknesses?
• Describe how you make decisions. Give me two examples of decisions you have made and how you made them.
• Give me a situation in which you failed, and how you worked to overcome the failure.
• What accomplishment has given you the most satisfaction? Why?
• Give me a situation in which you disagreed with a superior and how you worked it out.
• How did you get along with your former boss and co-workers?
• Tell me about someone you admire and why?
• How would your family describe you? Your professors?
• Describe something you wish you could do over and why?
• What motivates you and why?

Work Experience

• How did you like your last job and why did you leave?
• What job have you enjoyed the most? Why?
• What was your least favorite job? Why?
• Describe the supervisor and/or manager you appreciated most with explanations.
• What kind of work environment do you prefer?
• How has your educational and work experience prepared you for this position?
• If hired, how long do you think it would take for you to start making contributions to this organization?
• How long do you see yourself working here?

Position or Employer

• Why are you interested in our organization?
• Tell me what you know about our organization
• Are you willing to relocate?
• What are you looking for in a supervisor? Give me 3 traits you think are important for an effective supervisor.
• Why are you interested in this position? What expectations do you have regarding this position?
• Give me two examples of situations demonstrating how you have worked under pressure.
• How do you evaluate success?
• Describe your team-player qualities. Give examples.

Miscellaneous

• Give me five factors you think set highly effective people apart from those content with mediocrity
• Why are you the best person for this position?

Sample Questions Applicants Might Ask During An Interview

When appropriate, ask prudent, well-formulated and intelligent questions throughout the interview process. It demonstrates your knowledge, maturity and interest in the organization. Do not ask questions that can be obtained in the company's literature. Also, never ask questions about salary, vacations, holiday with pay, or sick days. Don't ask about what they can do for you; ask about what you can do for them. You are an applicant until the employer has extended a solid job offer to you. Prepare a list ahead of time of 8 questions to ask when you are given the opportunity. The following is a sample list.

• Is there a written job description for this position?
• What are your expectations for someone in this position?
• Describe the day-to-day responsibilities of the person in this position? Are there any special projects needed at this time?
• Who does this person report to and what type of working relationship will he or she have?
• Please identify the success factors you deem important for the person in this position.
• Why did you join this organization? How long have you been here? What is it about the organization that keeps you here?
• Please describe the evaluation process. When and how often are evaluations done? Are the evaluations formal or informal?
• What types of opportunities are available for increased or advanced responsibilities?
• What skills and attributes have you identified as characteristic of your most successful employees in this organization?
• Please describe any orientation and/or training involved.
• What percentage of the time will be engaged in traveling per month?
• How involved will I be in decision making for the department? The organization?
• In what ways does the organization encourage new ideas?
• How would you describe the organization's management style?
• What are the organization's goals for the upcoming year (mention a related item from your research)?
• Where has the organization been the most successful in terms of products and services (mention related information from your research)?
• Is the organization anticipating any major changes in the next six months, one year or five years?
• Please describe the next steps in the interview process. Do you anticipate conducting second or third interviews? Will you be involved in the future interviews? Will there be a group or panel interview? Will I have an opportunity to meet others in the organization and tour the facility? Will there be any testing involved? What is the anticipated starting date for this position? When do you expect to make your hiring decision?

Note: Take the burden on yourself to contact them. Example: "If I don't hear from you by, (when they said they expect to make their decision), I will contact you to see if there is anything I can do to help you in this process." Make sure you begin and end with a firm handshake and maintain good eye contact. If you sense this is an organization where you would like to work let them know you would welcome the opportunity to work for them.