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Interviewers: Questions to ask in an interview

Research has shown these to be some of the most frequently asked questions of people applying for jobs. You may find them useful when drawing up a list of questions to ask an interviewee. Don’t forget, the real skill of asking questions is the way they are asked and how relaxed an interviewee is in answering them.

1. What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives? When and why did you establish these goals? How are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
2. What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for the next ten years?
3. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
4. What do you really want to do in life?
5. What are your long-range career objectives?
6. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
7. What are the most important rewards you expect in your business career?
8. What do you expect to be earning in five years?
9. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
10. Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?
11. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
12. How would you describe yourself?
13. How do you think a friend or teacher who knows you well would describe you?
14. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
15. How has your school or college experience prepared you for a business career?
16. Why should I hire you?
17. What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful in business?
18. How do you determine or evaluate success?
19. What do you think it takes to be successful in an organisation like ours?
20. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organisation?
21. What qualities should a successful manager possess?
22. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her.
23. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
24. Describe your most rewarding college experience.
25. If you were hiring someone for this position, what qualities would you look for?
26. Why did you select your college or university?
27. What led you to choose your university subject?
28. What college subjects did you like best? Why?
29. What college subjects did you like least? Why?
30. If you could do so, how would you plan your academic study differently? Why?
31. What changes would you make in your college or university? Why?
32. Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?
33. Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?
34. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?
35. In what kind of a work environment are you most comfortable?
36. How do you work under pressure?
37. In what part-time or summer jobs have you been most interested?
38. How would you describe the ideal job for you following graduation?
39. Why did you decide to seek a position with this organisation?
40. What do you know about our organisation?
41. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
42. Are you seeking employment in an organisation of a certain size? Why?
43. What criteria are you using to evaluate the organisation for which you hope to work?
44. Are you willing to travel?
45. Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?
46. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
47. What have you learned from your mistakes?
48. What were your biggest learning experiences at school?
49. What kind of boss do you prefer? Why?
50. Describe a typical day at the company for which you worked?
51. What are some important lessons you have learned from jobs you have held?
52. What type of books do you read? What was the last one you read?
53. What kinds of things cause you to lose your temper?
54. Are you a leader? Give an example.
55. What examples of initiative have you shown in your previous jobs?
56. Give me an example of how you turned around a bad result?
57. How have you dealt with an angry customer or a difficult colleague?
58. Are you a creative person? Give an example.
59. Are you analytical? Give an example.
60. What are the most important books in your field?