Basic Interview Questions

These are basic questions the nswers to which may provide you a gateway through follow up questioning to learn about the job applicant.


Tell me about yourself.
Tell me about your experience.
What is your most important accomplishment to date?
How would you describe your ideal job?
Why did you choose this career?
When did you decide on this career?
What goals do you have in your career?
How do you plan to achieve these goals?
How do you personally define success?
Describe a situation in which you were successful.
What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Would you rather work with information or with people?
Are you a team player?
What motivates you?
Why should I hire you?
Are you a goal-oriented person?
Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
What are your short-term goals?
What is your long-range objective?
What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
Where do you want to become ten years from now?
Do you handle conflict well?
Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it?
What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
Do you handle pressure well?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
If I were to ask one of your professors (or a boss) to describe you, what would he or she say?Why did you choose to attend your college?
What changes would you make at your college?
How has your education prepared you for your career?
What were your favorite classes? Why?
Do you enjoy doing independent research?
Why is your GPA not higher?
Do you have any plans for further education?
How much training do you think you’ll need to become a productive \n employee?
What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
What do you know about our company?
Why are you interested in our company?
Do you have any location preferences?
How familiar are you with the community that we’re located in?
Are you willing to relocate? In the future?
Are you willing to travel? How much?
Is money important to you?
How much money do you need to make to be happy?
What kind of salary are you looking for?


Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved. 

Tough Interview Question #7: Where Do You See Yourself 5 Years from Now?

Asked of beginners, veterans and senior staff alike, "Where do you see yourself five years from now," is designed to accomplish several things.

An employer will get

1. A reality check about you
2. Find out if you are settling for a position
3. A sense of whether you are arrogant

You see for years, beginners were coached to say, "Five years from now, I want your job!" Pretty arrogant isn't it.

And frankly, most people aren't sure where they want to be five years from now because the tidal wave of change that has been occurring in the global economy can drown even the strongest swimmer.

Rather than be extremely specific and dotting every "i" and crossing every "t," I believe that you are better served by answering something like this:

" I want to make a long term commitment to my next company and position and, frankly, judging by what you've told me, I can see making a commitment here. Where do I see myself five years from now? I have the idea that I would like to be _____________ (give a solid description of the role you might like; just don't speak in a way that suggests that you are rigid; sound like you are thinking as you speak).

"I also know that if I work hard and deliver excellence to you, that opportunities will open up to me that I may find hard to imagine now because that's the way it has always been for me in my life and in my career (be prepared to offer an example). As a result, I've learned how important it is to be flexible in my thinking and in my planning.



Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Tough Interview Question #6: Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Question. Why do you want to work here?

One of my clients uses this question all the time. In their case they are an internationally known publisher that has a great, well-known brand. Not every company is as well-known as they are

Do I have to remind you that before every interview take the time to do research about the firm you are meeting with.

What is going on at the firm from a business standpoint? What is your understanding about the job? Then, feed it back to them starting with this line:


Why would I want to work here? Who wouldn't want to work here? This is an opportunity to work for an __________ on such and such where I can help _________! Why wouldn't want someone want to do that!
By letting your enthusiasm out and feeding back what you understand the opportunity to be, you will let them know of your interest (something that employers always want to know) and confirm that you understand the job and the opportunity.


Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.