1. Common Job Interview Questions
ELL 3044

2. Warmup Questions
1. What advice would you give for someone who has a job interview?
2. How should the interviewee act? What kind of behavior do you expect?
3. What kind of questions should they expect to answer?

3. Interview Questions 1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. What do you know about our company?
4. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
5. Why did you leave your last job?
6. Why do you want to work here?
7. Why should we recruit you?
8. Do you have any questions for us?

4. 2. What are your weaknesses?
6. You can answer this question honestly but try to discuss non-essential skills for the job. For example, if you are a nurse, might say you are not good at doing group presentations. You would not say, ‘My weakness is talking with patients.’

5. 3. What do you know about our company?
2. It’s important to have some information about the company you are applying to. In particular if you can say something that highlights your ability and how you can fit in the company. For example, if you could tell them about about a project that you may be suited.

6. 4. Where do you see yourself in 5 to10 years?
4. Employers want to know you won’t be moving on to another job right away. Don’t discuss your goals for returning to school or having a family. A good example may be, “Once I gain additional experience I would like to move on to management.” Be realistic about your goals.

7. 5. Why did you leave your last job?
1. Don’t badmouth your last employer, regardless of why you left. Instead change your answer to something like, “I found myself bored with work and looking for more challenges” or “I’m re-locating to this area due to family circumstances”.

8. 6. Why do you want to work here?
5. Interviewers will be listening for answers that show your knowledge about their company. Your answer should stress what you can add to their company. Even if it’s true, do not mention salary, hours, or commute as the main reasons you want the job.

9. 7. Why should we recruit (hire) you?
3. The best way to answer is to give examples why your skills and accomplishments make you the best candidate for the job. Look at the job advertisement and match your skills with what it’s asking.

10. 8. Do you have any questions for us?
7. Use this as an opportunity to talk about the company and ask questions about the company or your future position. It looks like you are interested and want to learn more. You should not say ‘no’ and end the interview. Think of questions you can ask to the interviewees.

11. Choose the best answer to the questions below
Choose the best answer to the questions below. Which one would you choose?

12. What are some other questions you heard in the video?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Describe a difficult work situation and
what you did to overcome it?

13. Role Play
How would you answer those questions? With a partner, have a Q & A (question and answer) with your partner and take turns asking and answering the above 7 questions. Create a company and a position that you are each applying to/for.