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Job Seeker Services
Career Resource Center
Tips
10 of the Most Often Asked Interview Questions
Tips on How to Answer
Answer this question as positively as possible while always being honest. If you were discharged for some reason, practice stating the reason in the most positive way you can. Example: "I left my last job for a more responsible and challenging position."
What salary are you looking for?
Go to the interview knowing the salary range for the position. You might respond, "What would you be willing to offer for a person with my skills, experience, and education?"
Tell me something about yourself?
Keep your answer on a professional level. In other words, discuss only those traits that relate to the job. Mention your educational background, work experience, and skills that would make you the best choice for the position.
Why should I hire you?
This is your chance to really sell yourself! You might respond, "I can bring to the job the following: excellent accounting skills, accurate typing at 60 wpm, etc."
What are your major strengths?
Discuss your skill strengths showing confidence and a positive attitude. Emphasize skills that are required for the position you are interviewing for. Sell yourself and back up your statements with examples and specifics.
What are your weaknesses?
Keep your weaknesses to a minimum and select a weakness that you can follow-up with a positive and proactive response. For example: "I tend to be impatient to get things done, however, I try to deal with this by motivating those around me to work at a speed that matches mine."
What are your long-term goals?
Always relate your goal to the job you are applying for. A safe long-term goal answer might be, "My goal is to become a true professional and team member as a Medical Office Assistant." You might also want to emphasize that you hope to work for a company that offers you growth opportunities and increased responsibilities.
Why do you want to work for our company?
An excellent opportunity to state some of the information you discovered in your research of the company. Know information about their services, working conditions, work environment, growth over the last few years, industry changes, and employment opportunities. Relate your skills, experiences and goals toward these areas.
What will your former employer say about you?
Know what your former employer will say. You can find this out by calling them directly or calling their personnel department to see what your personnel file says. Emphasize accomplishments from your previous position which would parallel the position being interviewed for.
Do you have any questions?
It is important to have a least three questions prepared that you can ask your interviewer. You could use this opportunity to display your knowledge of the industry by asking industry related questions. Or, you might ask, "Please describe a typical day," or "How did this position become available," or "What are your expectations for employees." This is NOT the time to ask about salary or company benefits.
Remember to practice your response to these questions out loud; either by yourself or with someone else. The more you practice, the more confident you will sound.
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