Interviewing Questions
The Resume-Based Interview
The best way to ace a resume-based interview is to follow these simple suggestions:
Know your resume inside and out. Be sure that you can confidently speak to each and every point. Numerous students cite various achievements or volunteer work on their resume but, when pressed, cannot expand upon these experiences. Have a short anecdote or explanation for every bullet point and never, ever, list something on your resume that you cannot effectively expand upon.
Practice, Practice, Practice. Many of the questions you will be asked will seem very conversational in nature. Be ready for such ambiguous statements as, “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” Think hard about how you want to approach such questions. Test yourself, are your responses a bit long? Do you go off on tangents? Are you boring even yourself with your response? Have you taken full advantage of these opportunities to sell yourself?
Always remain positive. Even if you had to make a million copies at your last internship, when asked, “Tell me about your previous internship experiences”, turn it into a positive. Be enthusiastic, talk about your past work experience with energy. Resume based interviews are geared toward determining one’s communication skills, attitude, competence and “fit” within the company, as well as one’s skills and abilities.
Ask questions. By thoroughly researching the company in advance and listening well during the interview itself, you should be able to ask some thoughtful, intelligent questions. Don’t wait until the end of the interview. Feel free to raise points or ask questions throughout. A good resume based interview should feel like a dialogue between you and the interviewer.
Sample Resume Questions:
Tell me a little about yourself. (Hint: keep it brief no more than a minute or two)
What do you know about the company, our products or services?
Why are you interested in this job and, conversely, why should we be interested in you?
Why should I hire you?
What are your favorite/least favorite classes? Why? (Hint: remember to always stay positive, even when discussing your least favorite classes)
What motivates you to go the extra mile on a project or job?
Walk me through your work experience. What did you like/dislike about your positions?
What is your GPA? Do you think it reflects your abilities? Why?
What are your three greatest strengths and or weaknesses?
What are your career goals? Two year plan? Five-Year Plan? How do you plan to achieve them?
What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
Do you have any questions for me? (Hint: you should have a minimum of three, see below for some examples)
What are your salary requirements? (Hint: if you don’t know, speak with an advisor in career services prior to the interview)
Questions for you to consider posing in an interview…
What kind of skills attributes are you seeking in a candidate?
What kind of assignments might I expect in the first 6 months on the job?
How is performance measured?
What is the retention rate of people in this position?
What type of training is provided?
What is the culture of the firm?
What do you like best/least about working for the company? or, How did you ultimately decide to work for this firm?
What are the next steps?
What is the greatest challenge facing your office/staff today?
Is travel involved or expected with this position?
What characteristics do the highest achievers in this company seem to share?
What makes your organization different from your competitors?
Questions for you to research prior to any interview…
(Hint: please see our “Researching Employers” handout or speak to your reference librarian for more information on how to find the answers to the questions below.)
Who are the key players in the industry? What role does the company play in this industry?
What is the history of the organization or industry? Where is it heading? What are some recent trends?
What skills are required to succeed in this industry?
What are the organization’s key products? Market share?
What makes this firm different from its competitors?
