CAREER TOOLBOX

Be Prepared To Answer
Submitted by Elizabeth Buckeridge, President
Fortune Personnel Consultants

Once you are successful in landing an interview, you must go into it prepared.  Listed below are the types of questions you can expect to hear.   How well prepared you are with a well-thought answer will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. 

• What are your goals?

• Why are you considering a job change?

• What do you know about our company?

• What attracted you to this position?

• What would you and your background bring to this position?

• What contributions could you make on this specific job?

• What parts of your current job do you find most/least satisfying?

• Do you prefer working by yourself, or with others?

• What would you say has been your proudest accomplishment(s) so far?

• What has been your greatest disappointment?

• What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?

• What have you learned from your mistakes?

• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

• What qualifications do you have that makes you think you will be successful in this position?  (Be prepared to mention the qualifications even if not directly asked.)

• In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?

• How do you work with deadlines?

• How do you handle stress?

• What have you done on the job that shows initiative and willingness to work?

• What are your short- and long-range goals?

• Why should we hire you instead of someone else? 

Naturally every interview will be different.  But if you are prepared to answer these questions fluently, you will be pleased with the impression you leave.

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