Interviewing
10 Tough Questions
1. Tell me about yourself?
• It seems like an easy open-ended question.
• However, what the interviewer wants is a quick, two- to threeminute snapshot about who you are and why you’re the best
candidate for the position
• As you answer the question, talk about what you’ve done to
prepare yourself for this position and use an example or two to
back it up.
• Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, then keep
giving them examples
• “Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell them everything,
just tell them what makes you the best
10 Tough Questions
2. Why should I hire you?
• The easy answer is “Because I’m the best person for the job,”
and don’t be afraid to say so but back it up with facts!
• Example: “I believe I’m the best person – or a strong candidate for the job because:
• I have…
• Facts - results
• Facts – results
• Facts - reslts
10 Tough Questions
3. What is your long-range objective?
• The key here is to focus on your achievable objectives and what
you are doing to reach those objectives
• Example: “Within five years, I would like to become a senior
accountant in your company. I want to work toward becoming a
true expert that others rely on and go to for direction. In doing
so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater
responsibilities which might be presented in the future”
10 Tough Questions
4. How has your education prepared you for your
career?
• This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral
examples in your educational background which specifically align
to the required competencies for the career
• Example: “My education has focused on not only learning the
fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the
information…”
• Give them practical examples through projects you’ve worked
on, various assignments, etc.
10 Tough Questions
5. Are you a team player?
• Almost everyone says ‘yes’ to this question but it is not simply a
‘yes/no’ response
• You need to provide behavioral examples
• Example: “Yes, I’m very much a team player. In fact, I’ve had
several opportunities in my work to further develop my team
working skills. Such as…”
10 Tough Questions
6. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or
professor? How was it resolved?
• If you say ‘no,’ most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find
a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to the conflict
and what you did to resolve it
• Example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never big ones,
but disagreements have taken place. I’ve found that when
conflicts occur, it’s helpful to try to understand the other
person’s perspective. Then, try and work on a collaborative
solution”
• Emphasize working collaboratively to resolve the conflict
10 Tough Questions
7. What is your greatest weakness?
• Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it has
a weakness. I.e. “I work too much” or “I’m too much of a
perfectionist”
• This is WRONG – interviewers hear this all the time and also,
presenting a strength as a weakness is deceiving. It also misses
the point of the question
• You should select a weakness that you have been actively
working towards overcoming.
• Example: “I’m not as assertive as I’d like to be when it comes to
communicating with my superiors”
10 Tough Questions
8. If I were to ask your professors to describe you,
what would they say?
• This is a threat of a reference question so do not wait until the
interview to know the answer
• Ask professors in advance if they would be willing to write a
letter of recommendation
• Example: “I believe he would say that I’m a very enthusiastic
person, that I’m results oriented and one of the most reliable
people that he has ever worked with”
10 Tough Questions
9. What qualities do you feel a successful manager
should have?
• Focus on two words: Leadership and Vision
• Example: “The key quality in a successful manager should be
leadership, the ability to be a visionary for the people who are
working under them. The highest quality would therefore be
being able to truly inspire people in order to get their best
possible performance…”
10 Tough Questions
10. If you had to live your life over again, what one
thing would you change?
• Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity.
Yet, also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make
that change
• Example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in
my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be
focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship
this past year and look forward to more experience in the field, I
simply wish I would have focused on this point earlier…”
• Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with
examples
Asking The Interviewer
Interview Questions to Ask
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How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?
What is the company’s management style?
What are the prospects for growth and development within the
company/department?
What is your favorite thing about the culture of this company?
What can I tell you about my qualifications?
When can I expect to hear from you?
Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
Asking The Interviewer
Interview Questions NOT to Ask
• What does this company do?
• Do your research ahead of time!
• If I get the job, when can I take time off for vacation?
• Wait until you get the offer to mention prior commitments or to request
time off
• Can I change my schedule if I get the job?
• If you need to figure out the logistics of getting to work, don’t mention it
here
• Did I get the job?
• Don’t be impatient, they’ll let you know