1. Typical Interview Questions

2. Tell about yourself Tell them how long you have lived in the area (if it has been several years or why you have recently moved here). Tell them how long you have lived in the area (if it has been several years or why you have recently moved here). Quickly summarize your job skills or volunteer experiences. Quickly summarize your job skills or volunteer experiences.

3. What did you like best about school? Tell them you especially liked working on team projects, any time you were in charge of a project, or organized any activity. Tell them you especially liked working on team projects, any time you were in charge of a project, or organized any activity. If you are/were in a ROP class share some of the skills and abilities you obtained through that opportunity. If you are/were in a ROP class share some of the skills and abilities you obtained through that opportunity.

4. Why are you leaving your current job? I am looking to increase my responsibilities. I am looking to increase my responsibilities. With this economy I needed more hours than they were able to supply. With this economy I needed more hours than they were able to supply. Business is closing. Business is closing. It is a career area I would like to explore. It is a career area I would like to explore. I have been at my present job for quite a while and would like more experience. I have been at my present job for quite a while and would like more experience.

5. Why do you want to work for us? I have enjoyed my past experience with this company as a customer, client etc. I have enjoyed my past experience with this company as a customer, client etc. I have been told it is a great place to work. I have been told it is a great place to work. I believe my skills and abilities are a good match. I believe my skills and abilities are a good match. It would fit with my long-range career goals. It would fit with my long-range career goals. I have always wanted to work here. I have always wanted to work here.

6. Have you ever been asked to leave a position. If… No (answer is complete) If… No (answer is complete) If….Yes If….Yes My position changed and my available hours no longer matched those of the position My position changed and my available hours no longer matched those of the position If other reasons- try and keep it positive If other reasons- try and keep it positive

7. Why should we hire you? I am reliable and will work hard. If you hire me, you will get someone who is not afraid to learn and is willing to go the extra mile. I am reliable and will work hard. If you hire me, you will get someone who is not afraid to learn and is willing to go the extra mile.

8. Tell me about your weaknesses. Probably my greatest weakness is my inexperience, but I am a quick learner, I want to work and you can teach me how you would like the job done. Probably my greatest weakness is my inexperience, but I am a quick learner, I want to work and you can teach me how you would like the job done.

9. What are your strengths? If you have any strengths that fit the job, share those, if not… If you have any strengths that fit the job, share those, if not… Tell them you want to work, to learn and do the best possible job you can. Tell them you want to work, to learn and do the best possible job you can.

10. Tell me about a problem you had and how you solved it. Think of a situation at school, on a team, on the job and how you handled it. Talk about communication, getting help from someone else, etc. Think of a situation at school, on a team, on the job and how you handled it. Talk about communication, getting help from someone else, etc.

11. Sample legal/illegal questions Employers cannot directly ask you or discriminate against you because of any of the following areas. Employers cannot directly ask you or discriminate against you because of any of the following areas. RaceBirthplace Sex RaceBirthplace Sex AgeReligionDisability AgeReligionDisability National OriginMarital/family status National OriginMarital/family status Here are legal/illegal questions they use to get that information. Here are legal/illegal questions they use to get that information.

12. Religion Legal Can you work weekends?Can you work weekends? Do you belong to any professional or trade groups?Do you belong to any professional or trade groups?Illegal What church do you belong?

13. National Origin Legal Legal Are you authorized to work in the United States?Are you authorized to work in the United States? What languages do you speak, read, or write fluently?What languages do you speak, read, or write fluently?Illegal Are you a United States citizen?

14. Age Legal Legal Are you over the age of 18?Are you over the age of 18?Illegal How old are you?

15. Disability Legal Legal Can you perform the specific duties of the job?Can you perform the specific duties of the job?Illegal Do you have any disabilities? Tell me about your medical history.

16. Marital/family status Legal Legal Can you work overtime?Can you work overtime? Is there any reason you cannot start at 7:30 am?Is there any reason you cannot start at 7:30 am?Illegal Are you married? How many children do you have? Are you pregnant?

17. Personal Legal Legal Are you able to lift a 50 lb weight and carry it 100 yards as part of the job?Are you able to lift a 50 lb weight and carry it 100 yards as part of the job?Illegal How tall are you? How much do you weigh?

18. Criminal record Legal Legal Have you ever been convicted of a crime?Have you ever been convicted of a crime?Illegal Have you ever been arrested? Have you ever spent the night in jail?

19. Military Legal Legal What type of training or education did you receive in the military?What type of training or education did you receive in the military?Illegal Were you honorably discharged? In what branch of the military did you serve?

20. Questions to ask the interviewer Describe your ideal employee. How does an employee succeed on your team? What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?