Questions commonly asked in an interview

• Tell me something about yourself – Tip – start with the present and give a brief summary of your achievements.
• Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
• What is the most difficult situation you have had to face?
• How did you handle it and what was the outcome?
• How could you add value by joining this company?
• What do you know about this company?
• What would you like to specialise in? (Technology, career path etc)
• Why do you feel you are right for this position?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What were your reasons for leaving your previous company?
• How would your friends describe you?
• How do you handle confrontation?
• What is your motto in life?
• Describe yourself in one word.
• What was your greatest disappointment?
• Do you prefer to work in a team or individually?
• Do you delegate work or do you prefer to handle everything yourself?
• Who has had the most influence in your life and why?

• What specific expertise or skill do you feel is most important for someone to succeed in this position/company?
• What is the most difficult aspect of this position?
• What is the first problem I will be solving (i.e. biggest or most difficult challenge)?
• What exactly am I going to be doing?
• Who will I be reporting to? What interaction will I have with him (i.e. do you see him once per week or 24 hours per day)?
• Any set criteria for promotion, or is it based on merit?
• When asked about salary expectations, remember to be as open and negotiable as possible - Tip - commitment to a figure could overprice you – allow your consultants to negotiate the best salary for you.
• How can I contribute to the team?
• What would your expectations be of me in order to be successful?
• Is your preference a team player or independent worker?
• Do you have performance measures in place (e.g. performance appraisals etc)?
• Do you offer additional training?
• How can I improve on the person who held this position before?
• What exciting projects does the company have planned for the future?
• Company and company history (i.e. competitors, holding company, structure of company)?
• Ask to see the work place (it shows interest)
• What is the company culture and working environment?
• What is the company vision?
• What is your future growth plans for this department?
• What are the company policies?

• Arrive on time. 15 Minutes early is even better
• Introduce yourself in a courteous manner to the Receptionist and the interviewee.
• You should know about the company - Read company materials while you wait or assure the consultant gives you details about the company and the position.
• Have a firm handshake.
• Listen.
• Use body language to show interest.
• Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback to the interviewer.
• Ask about the next step in the process.
• Thank the interviewer.

• Key people in the organization
• Major products or services
• Size in terms of sales and employees
• Locations
• Organizational structure of the company
• Major competitors
• View of the company by clients, suppliers, and competition
• Latest news reports on the company or on local or national news that affects the company

1. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
2. How do you make yourself indispensable to a company?
3. What’s your greatest strength?
4. What’s your greatest weakness?
5. Tell me about a time when your course load was heavy. How did you complete all your work?
6. Tell me about a time when you had to accomplish a task with someone who was particularly difficult to get along with?
7. How do you accept direction and, at the same time, maintain a critical stance regarding your ideas and values?
8. What are some examples of activities and surroundings that motivate you?
9. Tell me how you handled an ethical dilemma?
10. Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a problem with no rules or guidelines in place?