The following are 50 questions most likely to be asked in
interviews with college seniors, according to The Endicott Report
of Northwestern University. Rehearsing answers to sample
questions is one good way to prepare for interviews.
- What are your long-range and short-range goals and
objectives; when and why did you establish these goals;
and how are preparing yourself to achieve them?
- What specific goals, other than those related to your
occupation have you established for yourself in the next
10 years?
- What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
- What do you really want to do in life?
- What are your long-range career objectives?
- How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
- What are the most important rewards you expect in your
business career?
- What do you expect to be earning in five years?
- Why did you choose the career for which you are
preparing?
- Which is more important to you: The money or the type of
job?
- What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and
weaknesses?
- How would you describe yourself?
- How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well
would describe you?
- What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
- How has your college experience prepared you for your
career?
- Why should I hire you?
- What qualifications do you have that make you think that
you will be successful in your career?
- How do you determine or evaluate success?
- What do you think it takes to be successful in a company
such as ours?
- In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to
our company?
- What qualities should a successful manager possess?
- Describe the relationship that exists between a
supervisor and those reporting to him or her.
- What two or three accomplishments have given you the most
satisfaction? Why?
- Describe your most rewarding college experience.
- If you were hiring a graduate for this position, what
qualities would you look for?
- Why did you select your college or university?
- What led you to choose your field of study?
- What college subjects did you like best? Why?
- What college subjects did you like least? Why?
- If you could do so, how would you plan your academic
study differently? Why?
- What changes would you make in your college or
university? Why?
- Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced
degree?
- Do you think that your grades are a good indication of
your academic achievement?
- What have you learned from participation in
extracurricular activities?
- In what kind of work environment are you most
comfortable?
- How do you work under pressure? Handle stress?
- In what part-time or summer jobs have you been most
interested? Why?
- How would you describe the ideal job for you following
graduation?
- Why did you decide to seek a position with this company?
- What do you know about our company?
- What two or three things are most important to you in
your job?
- Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain
size? Why?
- What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for
which you hope to work?
- Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
- Will you relocate? Does relocation bother you?
- Are you willing to travel?
- Are you willing to spend at least six months as a
trainee?
- Why do you think you might like to live in the community
which our company is located?
- What major problem have you encountered and how did you
deal with it?
- What have you learned from your mistakes?
Last updated 98/06/05
Edited and updated, J.A.N. Lee, 99/01/29
Edited and updated, Ryan Richardson, 99/02/13