JOB INTERVIEW

Common questions you need to prepare answers to

Here is a list of common questions in a job interview. Many of these will be
asked during the job interview examination, but they are also common in real job
interviews. To increase your chances of getting a job (and doing well in the Eng7
job interview), you should practice answering these questions. Your goal should be
to be able to give a 1 minute answer without too much rambling.

1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - TIP: Bring up something personal that the interviewer
can connect with, but the emphasis of your answer should be on your professional
background, not your entire life story (even if it is interesting)!

2. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT LIKE TO WORK AS A __________? - TIP:

Include not just why you are interested, but also why you’d make a good fit for
this position (how are you qualified and why would you be good at it)

3. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE THAT MAKE YOU FEEL YOU WILL
BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR FIELD? - TIP: Think of personality traits, experiences,
or details that will make you STAND OUT compared to your peers.

4. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS? - TIP: ALWAYS state a REAL weakness

(being humble is important). However, make sure you can turn the weakness into
a positive. For example, “___ can at times be a challenge for me, but I handle it
by ___”

5. HOW DO YOU WORK UNDER PRESSURE? - TIP: Always use examples if you’re
asked this question. Think of a stressful situation and explain how you
persevered!

6. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE MIGHT BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB? - TIP: Reference a common situation that can
occur in this role. Give an example of how you would handle it.

7. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THAT SHOWS INITIATIVE AND WILLINGNESS TO

WORK? - TIP: Now is the time to brag about your work ethic. Provide examples
(think of group projects, lab work, sports, etc).

8. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? - TIP: This is a VERY important
question. Going into an interview, ALWAYS have at least 3 questions prepared. It
shows that you did your research and are interested in the company.

9. IF I CALLED YOUR REFERENCES, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY ABOUT YOU?

TIP: Who are you as a colleague and worker, and what do your colleagues and/or
 manager value about you? Try to make the information you present as relevant
as possible to the job you are applying for.

10. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH? - TIP: Don’t forget to choose a strength
that applies to the job you’re interviewing for (that way you can explain how it
would benefit the company to hire you).

11. TELL ME OF A TIME YOU EXPERIENCED A FAILURE - TIP: Your employer will
want to know you can overcome problems that will inevitably arise in the
workplace. Be humble, tell a good story but put the emphasis on how you
overcome the challenge, or what lesson you learnt.

12. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN A GOOD EMPLOYER? TIP: What sort of
working conditions do you thrive under? Conversely, in what situations would
you feel uncomfortable or unable to perform fully?

13. WHAT CONTROLS YOUR DECISION MAKING, YOUR HEAD OR YOUR

HEART? TIP: Your heart would be your values, and your head would be cold and
calculated logic.

14. WHO ARE YOU AS A COLLEAGUE? TIP: Social conflicts are unwelcome in the
workplace. You won’t be hired if they think you might cause trouble.

15. ARE YOU A FAST LEARNER? TIP: Hiring new people is costly; it takes training
and practice before you can be depended upon to do a good job. Give an
example of a time you have shown this.

16. DEFINE COOPERATION AND EXPLAIN WHY IT IS IMPORTANT IN THE

WORKFORCE. - TIP: If you’re stuck, think of a time when you demonstrated
cooperation and use it as an example.

17. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON IMPROVING WITH YOURSELF RIGHT NOW?
TIP: The question is essentially asking you whether you have goals for your
personal development. It does not have to relate to the position you are applying
for. It is perhaps not critical, but it might be a way to stand out.