Preparation is the key to any successful interview. While it is impossible to guess exactly what you will be asked during an interview, you can prepare yourself by developing answers to the most common interview questions. This kind of preparation will not only help you remain calm during the interview, it will help you control the results.

Sample General Interview Questions

* Tell me about yourself.
* Why you are a good fit?
* Relate your studies and/or experience to this job.
* What do you want out of your career?
* Why are you interested in working for __________?
* Why do you think you would like this type of work?
* How do you feel you will add value to our company?
* Why should I hire you? What do you know about my organization?
* As described to you, what about this position appeals to you?
* What are your 5 and 10-year career goals?
* Name three of your strengths and three of your weaknesses?

Q. Tell me about yourself.
A. This is not an autobiographical question. Focus on why you would like this job and how you have prepared yourself experientially and academically.

Q. Why should we hire you?
A. Similar to #1. Focus on what your particular contribution will be to company success: hard work, dedication, humor. We all bring something unique.

Q. How have your education and employment prepared you for this position?
A. See #1.

Q. Do you think your grades are an accurate indication of what you have learned in college?
A. If you don't, give examples to illustrate your answer

Q. Tell me about one of your failures and what you learned from it.
A. Be honest but don't bare your soul: this is not a counseling session! Demonstrate that you can use failure to achieve future success.

Q. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?
A. Reading the company's job announcement or web page should help answer this question. If you can talk to an employee of the company beforehand, that would be a wonderful way to find out. Career fairs are excellent for this reason.

Q. What qualifications should a successful manager (sales person, engineer, etc.) possess?
A. Read an occupational description then tie that to your own skills.

Q. Which one of your jobs did you like the best? least? Why?
A. For the best, use examples you know relate to the job for which you are applying. For the least, focus on job tasks that you knew were necessary and performed well, but were routine, unpleasant, or required little involvement. Don't criticize your supervisor or employer.

Q. Describe your strongest communication skills.
A. Describe means give an example. Remember, listening is a communication skill also.

Q. Think about a large task you organized. Describe the steps you followed. Remember, listening is a communication skill also.

Q. Think about a large task you organized. Describe the steps you followed.
A. You can use either a work or school-related project to illustrate. Be specific.

Q. Do you consider yourself a leader? Why?
A. Give an example from your participation in group projects, volunteer situations, clubs, athletics, or your work situation.

Q. Describe your managerial (sales, engineering, etc.) skills.
A. Refer to question #8.

Q. Are you creative?
A. Again, give an example. Creativity is not just drawing, dancing, acting, or playing music. It is also your ability to look at things in a new way and be innovative in solving things.

Q. What are your greatest strengths?
A. Tailor your answer to the job. For instance, if one of your strengths is leadership and rship and you are applying for a sales job, show how your motivational skills work in both situations, or how you hope to reach a regional manager's spot in a few years.

Q. What is your greatest weakness?
A. Everyone has weaknesses, but avoid red flags and show how you have turned your weakness into a positive. Anger, for instance, is a red flag. Remember weaknesses are the flip side of strengths. Faulty time management may be the flip side of concentration and dedication. Procrastination may be the result of wanting to consider all the information and make an informed decision. Downplay the negative and play up the positive.

Q. Tell me about your customer service experience.
A. Tell how and where you acquired the experience and give an example to show your dedication and success.

Q. Do you enjoy routine? Why? Why not?
A. Some routine is fine and necessary, like eating, going to work, etc. After that, it depends on you. Choose a job that fits your needs. If you pretty much hate routine, don't apply for a job that has a lot, like inside claims adjustinjusting.

Q. How do you prioritize your work to meet deadlines?
A. Give an example to demonstrate how you have done this. Pulling an all-nighter is not a good answer. Planning ahead, keeping lists are good.

Q. If you have a customer in front of you, a client on the phone, and a boss who wants to see you, what do you do?
A. To answer this well, you need to know the company's policy. If you don't know how that company would do it, say that you would find out, but give an example from a past experience to demonstrate your ability to stay calm, juggle tasks, and set priorities.

Q. Tell me about your computer experience.
A. If you don't have much, focus on what you have and the steps you are taking to gain more. Enthusiasm and willingness to learn are key.

Q. Why did you leave your last job?
A. Opportunity for advancement, finding work to fit your skills, moving, downsizing, changing careers are all legitimate answers. If you were fired or hated your job, do not bad-mouth the job, the company, or your supervisor. Talk about the positive first, then the lack of communication and what you learned from it that has improved your performance and outlook. Great people fail often, but they use failure to learn and improve their performance