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It is not enough to have solid answers for only the above questions. You need to be prepared for the full spectrum of questions that may be presented. For further practice, make sure you go through the required mock interview (see the Competitive Interview Prep chapter); and for further review, look at some of the following questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Tell me about your experience.
- What is your most important accomplishment to date?
- How would you describe your ideal job?
- Why did you choose this career?
- When did you decide on this career?
- What goals do you have in your career?
- How do you plan to achieve these goals?
- How do you personally define success?
- Describe a situation in which you were successful.
- What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
- What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
- If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
- Would you rather work with information or with people?
- Are you a team player?
- What motivates you?
- Why should I hire you?
- Are you a goal-oriented person?
- Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
- What are your short-term goals?
- What is your long-range objective?
- What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
- Where do you want to become ten years from now?
- Do you handle conflict well?
- Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it?
- What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
- Do you handle pressure well?
- What is your greatest strength?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- If I were to ask one of your professors (or a boss) to describe you, what would he or she say?
- Why did you choose to attend your college?
- What changes would you make at your college?
- How has your education prepared you for your career?
- What were your favorite classes? Why?
- Do you enjoy doing independent research?
- Who were your favorite professors? Why?
- Why is your GPA not higher?
- Do you have any plans for further education?
- How much training do you think you’ll need to become a productive employee?
- What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
- Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
- What do you know about our company?
- Why are you interested in our company?
- Do you have any location preferences?
- How familiar are you with the community that we’re located in?
- Are you willing to relocate? In the future?
- Are you willing to travel? How much?
- Is money important to you?
- How much money do you need to make to be happy?
- What kind of salary are you looking for?
Don’t just read these questions—practice and rehearse the answers. Don’t let the employer interview be the first time you actually formulate an answer in spoken words. It is not enough to think about them in your head—practice! Sit down with a friend, a significant other, or your roommate (an especially effective critic, given the amount of preparation to date) and go through all of the questions. If you have not yet completed a mock interview, do it now. Make the most of every single interview opportunity by being fully prepared!
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