Okay, so there's no way to predict exactly what your
interviewer is going to ask once you get there. But what takes
place during an interview is not entirely out of your control.
You're the one who decides how to answer the questions you're
asked. So it's a good idea to have some answers ready in your
head before you go into the interview. But before you answer
anything, stop and think for a minute. Unless you deliver an
answer with enthusiasm and honesty, you'll come off as canned and
insincere.
That said, here's a list of questions that come up time and
time again, and they're often the hardest to answer right on the
spot. Be prepared for these tough ones with genuine, natural
responses, and you're guaranteed to be ahead of the game.
Examples:
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now? In 10
years?
3. What do you consider your greatest strengths and
weaknesses?
4. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like
ours?
5. How do you determine or evaluate success?
6. How do you work under pressure?
7. In what kind of work environment are you most
comfortable?
8. What qualities should a successful manager possess?
9. What have you disliked in your past jobs?
10. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most
satisfaction? Why?
11. What are the most important rewards you expect in your
career?
12. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
13. Why should I hire you?
14. Describe the relationship that should exist between the
supervisor and those reporting to her or him.
15. What stocks do you recommend? Why?
16. Where are the interest rates going in the next three
months?
17. What have you learned from participating in extracurricular
activities?
18. In the past year, what have you been dissatisfied with in
your performance?
19. What have you done that your consider creative?
20. What kinds of people frustrate you?
21. Describe to me a recent marketing campaign / finance deal you
liked?
22. What major problems have you encountered and how did you deal
with them?
23. What two or three things are most important to you in your
jobs?
24. Whom do you admire? Why?
25. What criteria are you using to evaluate companies?
What they shouldn't ask
There are some questions that are illegal to be asked during an
interview. It is illegal to be asked:
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Your age |
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Your marital status |
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Your religion |
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Your national origin |
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Your financial status |
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The number of children you have or even your
plans to have children
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Questions concerning the status of your health are also
illegal to be asked during an interview. If these questions come
up, remain calm and professional. Feel free to answer the
questions if you're comfortable with them, but know that you're
not obligated to discuss them. You may reply in an indirect
fashion by saying "My personal life will not interfere with
fulfilling the responsibilities for this job."
