Vocabulary

skill	highlight (2)	qualification
values	structure (2)	mission statement
boss	previous	prospective
avoid	research	make sure
specific	strengths	related (2)
achieve	accomplish	in-line (2)
focus	apply (2)	demonstrate (2)
honest	overcome	situation
key (2)	handle (2)	bring up (2)
let go	tackle (3)	seek/sought/sought
fired	laid off	made redundant
goal (2)	redundant	as a result
similar	emphasis	contribute
hire	admire	benefit (2)
CEO	aspect	expectation
overdo	ambitious	negotiation
medium	fair (2)	happy-medium
range	thorough	opportunity
thrive	pertinent	extensive

 
 
 

Here are some questions that interviewers may ask during an interview. Practice answering them.

You should highlight your qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience, and structure them with the needs of the company you are interviewing for. The same applies for mission statements, values, and the future.

Avoid talking about your personal life, unless it related to the job. Don’t say anything about a previous job, company, or boss in a negative manner.

And always make sure you research the company you are applying for.

 

Top 11 Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

Don’t talk about your personal life. Highlight your strengths related to previous work experiences.

2. Could you tell me your strengths?

Be specific and include a work-related example in line with what your prospective company is looking for.

3. What is your greatest achievement or accomplishment?

Similar to above. For this question, give a specific event or project that demonstrates your value for what you are applying for.

4. Could you please tell me your weaknesses?

There are three rules in answering this question: 1) be honest. 2) don’t mention a character or habit weakness; instead focus on a technical skill 3) show how you are improving or overcoming this.

5. What was your most difficult work situation and how did you overcome it?

I’d like to know what your worst problem at work was. What was your worst problem at work?

Again the key is to be specific. Bring up a past problem or work situation that you handled well, choose an example that you tackled well that could arise at the new company that you are applying for that will show your value.

6. Why did you leave your last job? Why do you want to leave your present job?

Describe the features which your previous company didn’t have, and that you are seeking them in the company you are interviewing for.

However if you were let go (fired, laid off, made redundant), be honest and open about it. Explain that as a result, you learned your lesson, and that you will do a better job this time.

7. Why should we hire you? How can you contribute to this company? How can our company benefit from your services?

Be specific and match it with what the company needs. It’s similar to “Tell me your strengths.”

8. Why do you want to work for this company? Why do you want to work here?

This question is similar to number five, but with more emphasis on your goals and development. Be specific and mention aspects of the company that you admire. Show how your skills and experience will benefit both you and the firm.

9. Where do you see yourself in five years?

You should say something ambitious. State your goals. It should show yourself advancing and thriving in the company or organization that you are interviewing for. But don’t overdo it. Don’t say you want to be CEO or take the interviewer’s position.

10. What are your salary expectations?

You must do research on this. Find out a happy-medium. You might say, “I believe that a person with my experience should get between __ and __, but I am open to negotiation.”

Or “I’m open to that. What’s really important to me is the opportunity in this company. What range do you feel is fair?

11. Do you any questions for us? Do you have any questions about this company?

Always say “yes”. You should have done extensive and thorough research on the company, and ask pertinent questions. This shows that you are already “trained”, “knowledgeable” and “experienced” to work there.

 

Other Commonly Asked Questions

Education, Skills, Qualifications

12. Could you tell me about your education? What’s your educational background?

13. Please tell me any skills or qualifications you have. What special skills or qualifications do you have?

14. Have you taken up any classes, workshops or courses? What classes, courses, or training programs have you taken?

15. Do you know any foreign languages? What languages can you speak? Are you fluent in any languages?

Personal

16. How do you commute to work? How do you come to work? Is commuting a problem?

17. Which is more important to you, money or job satisfaction? Why?

18. What is most important in your career?

19. What are your career goals? What are your ambitions?

20. What do you do in your free time? What do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?

21. What are some of your biggest mistakes?

Work Experience

22. Can you tell me your work experience?

23. Could you tell me about your last job? What did you do in your last job?

24. What was the best thing about your last job? What did you like the most about your last job?

25. Was there anything that you disliked about your last job? What did you dislike about your last job?

26. How would you describe your relationship with your employer?
Did you get on well with your boss? Your coworkers?

27. How do you think your previous experience can serve this role?

Work Related

28. I’d like to know if you find it difficult to express yourself. Can you express yourself clearly?

29. Are you a team player? Can you work in a team?

30. Can you work with minimal supervision?

31. Do you work well under pressure?

32. What kind of written correspondence do you have to deal with? What kind of writing do you do? Did you write reports?

33. Do you have leadership potential? Are you a leader?

This Company. Our Organization.

34. What do you know about this company?

35. How did you find out about this position?

36. Do you know anyone in this company? Do you have any friends or relatives working in this company?

37. What do know about this job? What do you know about this position?

Other Questions

38. If you didn’t agree with your boss about something important, what would you do?

39. If you noticed something wrong in the company, what would you do?

40. Are you willing to work evenings, weekends and overtime if necessary?

41. Can you meet deadlines?

42. Could you give us three references we can contact? Could you provide us with three people who can serve as references.
 
 
 
 

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