Typical Interview Questions

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). Quickly summarize your job skills or volunteer experiences.

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.

Why are you leaving your current job? I am looking to increase my responsibilities. With this economy I needed more hours than they were able to supply. Business is closing. 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.

Why do you want to work for us? 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 believe my skills and abilities are a good match. It would fit with my long-range career goals. I have always wanted to work here.

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

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.

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.

What are your strengths? 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 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.

Sample legal/illegal questions Employers cannot directly ask you or discriminate against you because of any of the following areas. Race Birthplace Sex Age Religion Disability National Origin Marital/family status Here are legal/illegal questions they use to get that information.

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

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

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

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

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

Personal Legal 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?

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

Military Legal 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?

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?