Sample Questions

Although there is no way to prepare for all questions that might be asked during an interview, it is helpful to understand that questions generally fall in certain lines of inquiry. Use the following to help you get started in your preparation.

General Questions - These are the types of questions that can be asked in nearly any interview situation. Questions might include:

Tell me a little about yourself.
What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?

Behavioral Based Questions - These questions ask for you to share a specific example or time when you were in a certain situation. Questions might include:

Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team.
Give me an example of a time that you had to work with a very difficult person.
Give me an example of how you balance and prioritize numerous responsibilities

When responding to these questions, consider using the STAR technique. Provide details on each of these four steps in your response.

Situation- Describe the background/specifics of the situation.
Task-What task did you have to complete? What was the problem or challenge?
Actions-What specific actions did you take to address this task?   Focus on skills and keep the focus on your actions.
Result- What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?

Job Specific - These questions will ask specifically about skills, training, education and experience related to the position.

Oddball Questions -These include questions like, "If you were a tree, what type of tree would you be and why?" Remember there are no right and wrong answers! The employer is interested in your thought process and ability to think on your feet.

For a more comprehensive list of interview questions, please refer to the Job Search Handbook.