• What are the  top 13 questions  interviewers love to ask?
• How prepared are you to answer the following 20 question?
  • Career & Experience Related
  • Personality Related
  • Specific Company Questions
• Teaching Strategies:
• What does your body language say about you at the interview?

1. What can you tell me about yourself? Describe a typical day at work.
2. Why do you want to work here?
3. What training and experience have trained you for this position?
4. What can you bring to this company?
5. What are you planning on doing 5 years from now? (Donald Trump question)
6. How well do you work with other people?
7. How well do you work under pressure or stress ?
8. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
9. What are your hobbies?
10. Why are you leaving your present employment? (What type of experiences are you looking for?)
11. What would your  professors/ boss/ peers say about you? How have you gained their respect?
12. What would you like to ask?
13. Why should I hire you? (This is where you close the sale - skills, experience, drive, determination, self-motivation, enthusiasm...)

Career & Experience  Related

1. What do you see yourself doing six years from now? 
   (Are you a focused individual with goals and plans, or are you wandering aimlessly?)
2. How has your college experience prepared you for this career?
     (I have the specific skills you need  plus...critical thinking skills, adaptability, specific skills, confidence, practical applications and experience...)
3. What skills have you learned in college that will contribute to this position? Do you think your grades are a good indicator of your academic achievement?
   (organization, critical thinking, prioritizing, communication, computer, writing, persuasion, specific courses & job-related skills)
4. What two or three things are most important to you in your job? 
   (Are you only out for the money or are you an enthusiastic worker who looks forward to contributing to the company?)
5. What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives.   When and why did you establish these goals and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
   (Are you a go-getter who will continue to educate and improve himself - or are you passive? Do you have a plan, a focus, a goal, or are you as clueless as a blowing leaf in the wind?)
6. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
   (This isn't a good time to talk about our pet or children; rather discuss , experiences, qualities,  activities and hobbies  which tap into skills that complement the position you re applying for.)

Personality Related

1. What are your strengths? 
   (Innovative, creative, a leader, a motivator, fast learner...)
2. What are your weaknesses? 
   (Are you an over-achiever, a stickler for deadlines,  a perfectionist who will stay late until the job is done? Or will you say you're always late?)
3. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
   (Self-motivate, the intrinsic delight of a job well done, driven to complete tasks to perfection...)  
4. Why do you feel  you are a prefect candidate for this position?
   (Knowledge, skills, experience, talent, ability, desire, enthusiasm plus something special about the company)
5. How do your handle stress and pressure?
    (Does it bring out the best in you?)
6. How would your co-workers describe you? 
   (Hard-working, responsible, great communicator, great delegator, one who motivates & inspires, trustworthy, one who sees the best in others, resourceful,  professional??? Or would you say, "Easy-going"?)
7. What are your hobbies? (What activities do you do that demonstrate an interest in the position for which you are applying? Do you tinker on cars & strive to be an engineer; do you spend time with kids and hope to be a teacher?)
8. What are two accomplishments that have given you great pride?
   (Accomplishments at previous position or at school
9. What major problems have you encountered and how did you over it?
     (Do you repeat the same mistakes, or to you learn and grow from each opportunity?)
10. What have you learned from your mistakes?
    (Have you welcomed each challenge as an opportunity for growth and development. do you relish a challenge?)

Specific Company Questions

1. Why do you think you would enjoy working for our particular institution?
   (Your proven track record for....   Your stellar reputation in terms of being forward thinking , innovative... a sincere interest in your mission which is...)
2. What do you know  regarding our company? (In other words, why is our company appealing to you? Have you done your homework?)
3. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
4. In what ways do you think you an contribute to our institution?

My Personal Advice:

Place yourself in the employer's shoes.
Ask yourself, "What are his standards? What is he looking for?"
Then BE the standard by which all others are measured.
Walk in enthusiastically,  with a high energy level and with confidence.
Look your employer in the eye when you give him a firm handshake, and say, "I'm so pleased to met you Mr. X...." Let your clothing, demeanor and voice indicate that you are determined to do your best. You are a professional at heart in all that you do.

Show that you don't plan on getting stuck in your own little personal comfort zone. Clearly state that you enjoy going the extra mile, that you enjoy new challenges, and that you continually want to take on more responsibility - for your own personal growth, as well as for the growth and well-being of the company.

Portray confidence. Don't just "think that, feel that, maybe in in opinion there might be a possibility that a probability that..."   Rather, be  an "I will, I can, I plan to, I would, I'm confident that, I know that, In my experience..."   Show what you know and that you have a track record of professionalism, commitment, confidence and leadership abilities.

Speak well of others, and your interviewer will know you'll eventually speak well of them.  Praise teams you have worked with for their diligence, ability to communicate, collaborate, set goals, meet goals.  Demonstrate enthusiasm for what you have and will do.  Be positive, upbeat and honest.

____________________

No No's  that could cost you a job:

Appearance
Inappropriate attire for the position desired (you should be dressed for the position for which you are applying - when applicable)
Carelessly dressed, indicating a lack of care and concern
Your clothes is your packaging; it should not take away from the product

Communication
Inability to express self and desires. Inability to sell himself.  Poor speech
Nonverbal communication like slouching when sitting or standing say you have no confidence.

Enthusiasm
Lacking - shows no drive , no energy, not motivation, no desire, no promise to work hard.
Shows no particular enthusiasm or interest for the job being offered or for the business in particular.

Personality
Timid, no self-confidence, inadequate, not poised

Preparedness
Lack of preparation for interview: lacking information regarding the position and company to which one is applying
Inadequate preparation for and skills for desired position

Salary
Unrealistic demands
More concerned with salary than with personal contributions to the position
Excessive concern with benefits

Silence
If the interviewer remains silent after you answer a question, don't get stressed and just ramble on to fill the void.  Rather, ask, "Is there anything else I can add to fill in on that point?" (Scarafile)

Did you remember to send a thank you note after the interview?????

Have each student pull an interview question for a hat.
Next, students come up to the front of the room and  do a mock interview.

The opening line may be from the interviewer::

'Hello, my name is X.  I am pleased to meet you." Hand is extended for a professional handshake.

The student provides the next line. "Hello Mr./Mrs. X.  I'm  very pleased to be here...."

Afterward the student is asked his particular question.

The class then comments on  the interview and offers suggestions

Alternatives:

Students may be asked their pre-selected question plus an additional pop question.

Students may go through an entire interview

Interviews:  Know How to Answer These Problem Questions

1. What can you tell me about yourself?

2. Why do you want to work here
3. What training and experience have you had to prepare you for this position?

4. What are your major strengths and weaknesses?

5. What can you bring to this company (that someone else might not)?

6. What do you plan to be doing 5 years from now?

7. How well do you work with other people?

8. How well do you work under pressure?

9. What are your hobbies?

10. Why are you leaving your present employer

11. What would your boss have to say about you?

12. Any questions for me?

13. Why should I hire you?

14. Why this type of job?

15. What qualifies you for this job?

16. Why do you want to work for this company?

17. Take me through a time when you took a project or product from start to finish?

18. How do you manage stress?

19. Describe how you work under tight pressure?

20. What kinds of opportunities have you created for yourself in your current position?

21. In a team environment, are you a motivator, player, leader, or enthusiast?

22. In the past three years, what part of your professional skill set have you improved the most?

23. If you were a new employee, what would you do to gain respect from peers in 30, 60, or 90 days?

24. Describe a typical day at work.