List of Possible Interviewers’ Questions
Background/Educational Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- Tell me about your liberal arts education.
- How did you decide on your career path?
- Describe the key events that led to your decision to get a BA degree.
- How did you decide to go to Lewis & Clark College?
- Why did you pick your major?
- What courses did you like best/least and why?
- How does your education in _______________ relate specifically to this position?
Previous Experience or Employment
- Describe your best job and your worst.
- If I were to call your last employer what would they tell me?
- What is the most rewarding assignment you have completed?
- How have you motivated others to work with or for you?
- How did your position at _______________ prepare you for this position?
- What did you learn in your last position that will help you in this job?
Skills
- Describe three skills you have that would benefit our organization.
- Give an example that demonstrates your ability to organize.
- Give an example of a time when you were the leader of a group.
Work Goals
- Where do you plan to be in three to five years?
- What are your short-term goals?
- What are your long-term goals?
Aspects of the Position
- Would you relocate?
- Are you able to work nights?
- Is travel a problem for you?
- What qualifies you for this position?
- If I’d never heard of this organization, what could you tell me about it?
- Why should I hire you?
- Why are you interested in joining us?
- How would you use your skill in sports on this job?
- What do you find most compelling about this position? Least compelling?
- In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
- What can you do for us that another candidate can’t?
Communication Skills
- What kind of communication are you best at: formal presentation, informal presentation, written or interpersonal? Give an example. Which is your weakest area?
- What have you done to enhance your communication skills?
- Describe the correspondence you are experienced producing.
Working in Groups
- When working in a group, what factors do you think must be present for a group to accomplish its goal?
- Can you describe for me a group situation that you thought worked very well? Why did it work well?
- What role did you play?
- Can you describe a group situation that you thought did not work well? Why was it not successful?
- What was your role in the group? What did you do to try to keep the group on track? What would you do today in a similar situation?
Personal Traits, Character, Values
- At this time in your life, what do you value most?
- What characteristics or qualities do you value most in people?
- What is the most important lesson you have learned in life?
- Describe your personality to me.
- Give me an example that demonstrates your assertiveness.
- What one characteristic best describes you?
- How do you motivate people? Give me an example.
- Give me an example of a time that you demonstrated creativity.
- What motivates you?
- How do you handle pressure? Criticism?
Outside Interests, Hobbies
- How do you relax? What do you do in your leisure time?
- Are you active in any outside groups or organizations? What is your role in the group? What have you contributed to the organization?
Challenges, Strengths, Weaknesses
- Describe the most difficult situation you have been in and how you coped.
- Describe a goal you set for yourself and what you did to meet it.
- Can you give me an example where you successfully dealt with conflict?
- What has been your greatest accomplishment?
- Cite an example of a situation where you had to convince someone to do something.
- Tell me what you consider to be your greatest assets. Weaknesses?
- Can you describe for me a situation in which you failed to accomplish your objective? Why do you think you failed? What did you learn about yourself, or the situation, from this failure? Would you do anything differently?
- What was the biggest mistake you made?
- How will your major strengths help you in this position?
- What was your most satisfying success?
Questions for Teaching Candidates
- What is your philosophy of education?
- Describe your student teaching experiences.
- What are the qualities of an excellent teacher? Which of these qualities do you have?
- Describe your style of teaching.
- What three words would your students use to describe you as a teacher?
- How and when do you discipline a student?