Typical Questions 
Asked by Employers

Personal

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What are your greatest strengths?

3. What are some of your weaknesses?  What have you done to improve your weaknesses? 

4. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

5. What are your long-range and short-range career goals?

6. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

7. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?

8. How would you describe the ideal job for you following graduation?

9. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

10. What are your biggest accomplishments?

11. What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work?

12. In what kind of a work environment are you most comfortable?

13. What kind of boss/supervision do you prefer?

14. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and subordinates.

15. How would you describe yourself?  How would a friend/faculty member describe you?

16. What motivates you?

17. How do you work under pressure?  Give me an example where you dealt with pressure.

18. How do you manage stress?  

19. What are some things you find difficult to do?  Why?

20. How do you determine or evaluate success?

Position and Organization

1. Why do you want to work for our organization?

2. What do know about our organization?

3. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?

4. In what type of position are you most interested?  Why?

5. What do you think it takes to be successful in this job/field/career?

6. What starting salary do you expect for this job?

7. Why should I hire you?

Education and College Activities

1. Why did you choose Whittier College?

2. How did you choose your college major?

3. What college subjects did you like best and least?

4. Describe your most rewarding college experience and tell me why it was so rewarding.

5. How has your college experience prepared you for your chosen career?

6. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?

7. Do you have plans for continued study?  An advanced degree?

8. How will you prepare for the transition from college to the workplace?

Work Experience

1. What have you learned from your previous jobs?

Additional Questions Asked by Employers

Personal

1. What sets you apart form other people who may be interviewing for this job?

2. In what ways have you been a leader?

3. What have you learned from your mistakes?

4. What are some aspects of your work style in which you can improve?

5. What is your energy level like?  Describe a typical day.

6. Describe a situation in which you had to use your creativity to the fullest to complete a project.

7. How do you go about influencing someone to accept your ideas?

8. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?

9. What would you do when a team member of yours does not get along with you?

10. How do you handle criticism?

11. What are your outside interests?  What do you like to do in your free time?

Position and Organization

1. What is your greatest strength and weakness, and how will these affect your job performance?

2. What would you do when a decision has to be made and no procedure exists?

3. What qualities should a successful manager possess?

4. Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?

5. What criteria are you using to evaluate the organization for which you hope to work?

6. How long would you stay with our company?

7. Are you willing to relocate?  Are you willing to travel?

8. Explain why the job and you are an excellent fit.

Education and College Activities

1. If you could do so, how would you plan your academic study differently?  Why?

2. Explain your academic grade performance levels.

Work Experience

1. Give an example of a work-related problem you encountered and how you solved it.

2. How have you prepared for the world of work

3. What was your most significant accomplishment in a job?