Harper College

Can You Answer These Questions?

Your answers to a few key questions may determine if you get a job offer. We strongly recommend that you write out your answers to typical questions and practice your answers out loud so that you will be better prepared and more at ease at the interview. 

Traditional Interview Questions

The interviewer is trying to get to know you with this question. You should provide a brief background (education, work experience, etc.), who you are (skills you possess and what you like to do), career goals, and the nature of the work that you want to do. Remember to focus on professional rather than personal information

This is your opportunity to summarize your specific skills and personality characteristics as they relate to the job.

We all have weaknesses, so be prepared with a weakness that you are working to strengthen.

Prepare a thoughtful answer that shows your dedication and thoughtful consideration of your work and its importance in your life.

The employer is looking for your ability to plan and to what extent your goals match what you can do for the company.

The employer is looking at your ambitions and ways you may get established in the organization as well as your flexibility.

Give an example of how you have worked on teams in the past and demonstrated the interpersonal and communication skills required to be a member of the team.

This questions probes your understanding of the needs or requirements of the position and how they relate to the priorities of the organization. You must have done your homework to be prepared for this question. Sell you skills as they relate to the position.

Avoid saying that you want the company to give you (money, benefits, etc.). You should say what you want in terms of what you can give to your employer.

Have a realistic answer, since all jobs have some level of stress. Give an example of how you have handled pressure in the past and ways to avert future situations.

Behavioral Interview Questions 

Employers ask behavior-based questions to learn about how you have responded to specific situations in the past. Keep in mind that by them asking about your past behavior, they can get a better sense of how you will perform on the job in the future. 

This technique can help you organize responses to behavioral questions.

S = What was the SITUATION?

T = What TASK(S) did you identify that had to be completed?

A = What ACTION did you take?

R = What was the RESULT of your actions?

  • Tell me about a situation in which you demonstrated leadership.
  • Describe a time when you did not succeed and how you handled that situation.
  • Describe a difficult co-worker or customer and how you successfully worked with that person.
  • Tell me how you manage time amid competing responsibilities.

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Last Updated: 12/14/23