The key to any successful interview is preparation. Read and practice strong responses to the questions below and consider yourself prepared for the top most frequently heard interview questions.
“Tell me about yourself”
Keep your answer brief, just a couple minutes. Use your resume as a starting point. Use some action verbs that relate your experience to the position.
“What do you know about our company?”
This is one of the most important questions in an interview. It shows if you are serious about the opportunity or not. Do your homework before the interview and spend some time online or at the library researching the company. Find out as much as you can, including products, size, income, reputation, image, management talent, people, skills, history, and philosophy. You want the interviewer to be confident that you know about the company but let the interviewer tell you about the company.
“Why do you want to work for us?”
This question can be a rough one if you are not prepared. Try and focus on what you can do for the company and how you can contribute to a certain team/project or the company as a whole.
“What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can’t?”
Give examples of past experience that shows you’ve had success in solving a past employer’s problem(s) that may be similar to those of the prospective employer. Keep everything positive and do not say anything negative about your previous employer.
“What about this job offered do you find the MOST attractive and the LEAST attractive?”
List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive factor.
“Why should we hire you?”
The company should hire you because of your knowledge, abilities, experience and skills.
“What do you look for in a job?”
An opportunity to utilize your skills, contribute to the team/project and to be recognized.
“Give me your definition of the position for which you are being interviewed.”
Keep it brief. Use a definition that lists actions and expected results.
“How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our company?”
Not very long — you expect only a brief grace period of adjustment to the learning curve and then you are off and running.
“How long do you plan to stay in your next job?”
As long as we both feel I’m contributing, achieving, and growing.
