                   TOUGH  QUESTIONS  EMPLOYERS  ASK

Interviewers often use the following questions to see how well you
can think and articulate under pressure.  Study the questions and
suggested answers so that you will be prepared.

1.  WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS?  Interviewers like to hear
    abstract qualities - loyalty, determination, willingness to work
    hard.  Give an example of one of your strengths in action.

2.  WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESSES?  Mention a weakness, then
    turn it into a strength.  "I sometimes have a temper, but one of
    my strengths is that I have learned to control it."

3.  TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.  Use this opportunity to give examples
    of your skills and how they would benefit the company.

4.  WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FIVE YEARS?  Don't say "In your job"
    or "President of the company.".  You could say "I expect to be
    promoted commensurate with my production and growth with the
    company."

5.  WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR PREVIOUS EMPLOYER?  Be honest, but never
    badmouth a former employer!  Even if you were fired, you might
    say "My immediate supervisor and I had a difference in opinion
    on how to handle an account, but I learned many things from her
    that I can use effectively in a position here.".

6.  WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR PREVIOUS JOB?  Give an example
    of a skill that you like and how you used the skill to help your
    previous employer.

7.  WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR EMPLOYER'S OBLIGATIONS ARE TO YOU?  "To
    provide support and guidance in helping me do my very best."

8.  WHAT TYPE OF SALARY DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?  Don't give a specific
    figure.  Give a salary range.  If the interview is for a
    professional position, you could answer with: "I would need to
    know more about the job's responsibilities first."

9.  WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR THIS COMPANY?  Research ahead of
    time to be ready for this question.  Be able to give a germane
    answer.

10. WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?  "Because my unique qualities and
    personal goals coincide with the company's needs."  Explain what
    you can bring to the job.

11. WHY ARE YOU THINKING OF LEAVING YOUR PRESENT JOB?  Be honest, be
    brief.  "Internal politics", "dead end", "too much pressure", and
    "too little salary" are all acceptable and reasonable answers.

12. WHAT DIDN'T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR LAST JOB?  Turn a negative to a
    positive.  "I didn't like filing, but my supervisor showed me
    better ways to do filing and now I am very efficient at filing."

13. SILENCE.  If the interviewer is silent don't get nervous and
    start talking.  Remain composed and silent.


                 ADDITIONAL  QUESTIONS  TO  REVIEW

The following additional questions should also be studied so that
you will be prepared with well-thought-out responses.

1.   What courses did you like best in school?
2.   What courses did you least like in school?
3.   What was your class standing?
4.   Did your grades adequately reflect your ability?
5.   Did you earn any academic honors?
6.   Have you had any special training for this job?
7.   Do you have plans to further your education?  Why?
8.   What percentage of college expenses did you earn?
9.   What were your extracurricular activities in school?
10.  How did you spend your summers in college?
11.  How do you think your education qualifies you for this
     position?
12.  How did you get into this field?
13.  What are your long range career goals?
14.  How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
15.  What new skills or capacities have you learned in the past
     year?
16.  What skills do you most enjoy using?
17.  Do you consider yourself successful?  How?
18.  Why do you feel you have management potential?
19.  What are your greatest strengths for this job?
20.  What are your greatest career accomplishments to date?
21.  What is the most rewarding assignment you have had?
22.  Tell me how you solved a difficult supervisory problem?
23.  What equipment can you operate?
24.  What suggestions have you made that your former employers used?
25.  How have you increased earnings for former employers?
26.  Why have you changed jobs so frequently?
27.  Why have you been out of work so long?
28.  What have you been doing all this time?
29.  Why do you want to change jobs?
30.  Is your present employer aware of your interest in changing
     jobs?
31.  What motivates you?
32.  Why do you want to change your field of work?
33.  What are you looking for in a job?
34.  Do you prefer small or large companies?  Why?
35.  Would you rather draw up plans or implement them?
36.  What makes you think you would fit in with us?
37.  Assuming we hire you, what do you see as your future with us?
38.  How do you believe you could contribute to this company?
39.  How long would you stay with this job if it was offered to you?
40.  What other companies or positions are you considering?
41.  What has been the biggest disappointment in your life?
42.  Do you work well with people?
43.  Do you work well under pressure?
44.  Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
45.  Do you consider yourself a competitive person?
46.  Describe your relationship with your former supervisor?
47.  What kind of people seem to rub you the wrong way?
48.  What have you been criticized for most on your last job?
49.  How do you spend your spare time?
50.  What social issues are most important to you?
51.  Why do you believe you merit that amount of pay?


For the next step, select "Questions You Should Ask Employers"
from the submenu.
