1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.

This needs to be a brief summary of your resume. Include your experience, accomplishments, and qualifications for the job-NOT your childhood, family, or hobbies.

2. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS COMPANY?

Research the company before you go in for an interview by looking at their website or going to sites such as www.okcchamber.com. Get information on the company’s size, its key products or services, the market where it competes, and its overall reputation.

3. HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS COMPANY?

Be specific. Don’t let the interviewer think they were a random choice. Cite any contact you have had with employees, customers, or products etc. Talk about any conversations you may have had with career services or recruiters or information you may have researched.

4. WHY ARE YOU QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION?

Have a mental list prepared and count them off one by one. Name the qualification, how it relates to the position, and move on to the next skill.

5. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LAST JOB?

List your duties and responsibilities. Explain your accomplishments as they relate to the position you’re interviewing for.

6. WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THAT JOB?

Talk about your responsibilities, challenges, accomplishments, and the people.
An example, “It’s an excellent organization which has given me a lot of good experience and opportunities such as…”

7. WHAT DID YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT THE JOB?

Never bad mouth a job or employer and keep this answer brief.

8. GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF ANY MAJOR PROBLEM YOU FACED AT WORK, A CO-WORKER, OR WITH A SUPERVISOR?

The manager wants to see how you define problems, identify options, decide on a solution, handle obstacles, and solve the problem…don’t be negative.

9. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS(S)?

Focus on work, not character weaknesses. Turn it into a positive.
Ex: “I’m accused of being a workaholic. I like to stay and get caught up on the odds and ends before I go home at night.”

10. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH(S)?

List three and make them relative to the position.

11. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO A GOOD JOB?

A good answer is something like, “being challenged in a variety of ways and acknowledged when the job is done right.” If money is your answer, make sure you add additional information such as, “Money is definantly a motivator, but I enjoy the challenges that come with making it.”

12. DO YOU WORK BETTER IN A GROUP OR WORKING ALONE?

A good answer would be, “I enjoy being a part of team, and I can work independently to get my share of the work done.”

13. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ONE SUPERVISOR TOLD YOU TO DO SOMETHING NOW AND ANOTHER SUPERVISOR TOLD YOU TO DO IT LATER?

The interviewer wants to know how you would handle pressure distributed by employers. Give an answer that is objective and fair.

14. TELL ME WHY I SHOULD HIRE YOU?

Otherwise, “What can you do for me?” List all your skills and how they not only relate, but will contribute to the company.

15. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE RUB YOU THE WRONG WAY?

Be careful with this question. Don’t elaborate. Say something like, “People who loudly claim they are going to do something, then they fail to produce” or “people that believe that there is only one way to complete a task.”

16. DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB? IDEAL SUPERVISOR?

Keep your answer opportunity-oriented. List attributes that motivate you to do well in a job. Be honest and realistic.

17. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF A TIME WHEN_________.

This is a behavioral question. The interviewer wants to know how you handle certain situations in the workplace by looking at previous behavior. Explain a situation, how you handled it, and what the result was. Try to pick a situation that is job related.

18. WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? WHO WAS THE AUTHOR?

These “brainteaser” questions are becoming more popular with interviewers. They want to see how you handle yourself when caught off guard and in some cases, have you analyze certain situations and solve them.

19. WHAT KIND OF SALARY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Research a fair rate for the position before the interview. Never quote a figure, and if you have to, quote a salary range. A good answer would be, “Even though I have no set salary range, my expectations are in the _____ to_____ range.”

20. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?

Always have questions prepared for the interviewer. Write them down.