Questions that might be asked in an interview

  • 1. Tell me about yourself.
  • 2. Why do you want to work here?
  • 3. How do you handle stress (or pressure)?
  • 4. What are your salary requirements?
  • 5. What are your future career goals?
  • 6. How would your past/current supervisor describe you?
  • 7. What are your greatest strengths?
  • 8. What is your primary weakness?
  • 9. What did you like and dislike about your past position?
  • 10. Do you have any questions?
  • 11. Why did you choose this field?
  • 12. Why should I hire you?
  • 13. What qualifications do you have that make you think you would be successful in this job?
  • 14. How/what do you think you can contribute to this company?
  • 15. What qualities should a successful worker possess?

Goal-directed questions

  • 1. What are your short-range and long-range career goals and objectives? How do you plan to achieve them?
  • 2. What do you see yourself doing two years from now? 5 years? 10 years? 25 years?
  • 3. What do you expect your salary to be 5 years from now?
  • 4. How long do you plan on working?
  • 5. How long do you plan on working here?
  • 6. What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself?

Education-related questions

  • 1. Do you have plans for continued studies? An advanced degree?
  • 2. What did you like/dislike about school?
  • 3. You never received your degree. Why is that?
  • 4. Describe your educational background.
  • 5. Describe your most rewarding educational experience.
  • 6. Which school subjects did/do you like the best/least? Why?
  • 7. Which extracurricular school activities did/do you participate in? What did you learn through your participation?
  • 8. What led you to choose your major field of study? Your college?
  • 9. How was your education financed?
  • 10. How did you spend your vacations while in school?
  • 11. Do you feel your education was worthwhile? Why?

Work experience/employment status questions

  • 1. Give me a specific example of a problem you encountered at work and how you dealt with it.
  • 2. You've been out of work for a while. What have you been doing between jobs?
  • 3. What kinds of machines, tools, or equipment can you operate?
  • 4. Why did you leave your last job?
  • 5. What did you like/dislike about your prior jobs?
  • 6. Why do you want to change careers?
  • 7. Have you ever been fired? Why?
  • 8. Why have you changed jobs so often?
  • 9. Give me an example of a time when your employer's policy didn't agree with your own. How did you deal with the situation?
  • 10. What did you like about your boss? Dislike?
  • 11. What are some issues which you and your supervisor disagree?
  • 12. This position offers less responsibility and pay than your most recent position. Why are you interested in this position?
  • 13. Your work application states that you've been laid off. If your former employer were to recall you, what would you do?
  • 14. Tell me about a typical day at the last company you worked.
  • 15. What have you learned from some of the jobs you've held?

Management and supervisory questions

  • 1. What is your management philosophy? Style?
  • 2. Describe the process you've used to hire employees. Have you had any hiring surprises or disappointments? Explain.
  • 3. What experience have you had with major expansions or reductions in workforce?
  • 4. How many employees have you fired? For what reason? Give me an example of how you went about firing an employee.
  • 5. How would your employees describe you?
  • 6. Do you maintain close checks or loose reins on your staff? Why?
  • 7. What are your feelings about an open door policy?
  • 8. Define total quality management.
  • 9. What things do you think contribute to your success as a supervisor/manager?
  • 10. What things do you think might interfere with your effectiveness as a supervisor/manager?
  • 11. In what ways to you feel you have improved as a supervisor/manager during the last few years?
  • 12. How do you motivate staff?
  • 13. Define participative management. Explain any experience you've had using this management.
  • 14. Define a difficult employee. How do you deal with such an employee? Give me a specific example.

Unlawful Questions

Under Federal laws, there can be no job discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or age. This applies to employers as well as unions and employment agencies.

There are also many state laws governing employment practices. You will want to check the laws in your state.

  • Inquiry into previous name when it has been changed by court order, or otherwise
  • Specific inquiry into foreign addresses that would indicate national origin
  • Request proof of age in form of work permit issued by school authorities
  • Require proof of age by birth certificate after being hired
  • Require birth certificate or baptismal records as condition of hiring
  • Any inquiry into place of birth
  • Any inquiry into place of birth of parents, grandparents, or spouse
  • Any other inquiry into national origin
  • Any inquiry that would indicate race or color
  • Request photograph
  • Any inquiry to indicate or identify religious denomination or customs
  • May not be told this is a (Catholic or Jewish) organization
  • Request pastor's recommendation or reference
  • If native-born or naturalized
  • Date citizenship received
  • Proof of citizenship
  • Whether parents or spouse are native-born or nationalized
  • Any inquiry asking specifically the nationality, racial, or religious affiliation of a school
  • Inquiry as to what is mother tongue or how foreign-language ability was acquired
  • Any inquiry about a relative that is unlawful to ask an applicant
  • Inquiry into clubs and organizations in which membership is held

Samples of questions you may want to ask in job interviews

  • 1. What strengths or abilities would the ideal candidate possess for this position?
  • 2. Would you describe the duties of this job?
  • 3. What kinds of equipment, machines, and tools will I be working with?
  • 4. Is there anything I can do or study to get a head start on learning this job?
  • 5. What hours will I be working if hired?
  • 6. Is training provided? If so, what types of programs do you offer?
  • 7. Will I work alone or with other people?
  • 8. Who do I report to. directly and indirectly?
  • 9. What are the chances of moving up in this company?
  • 10. What are the key tasks and responsibilities for this position?
  • 11. How does your company plan to grow/expand in the next few years?
  • 12. May I see the area where I would be working?
  • 13. Why is this company a good place to work?
  • 14. Do you have any company literature I could take with me?
  • 15. How will my performance be evaluated?