Questions Recruiters Frequently Ask College Seniors
Job interviews allow both the employer and the candidate to evaluate each other and to raise questions so that each may make a better employment decision. There are many lists of the kinds of questions asked by employers, and smart candidates study these lists and think ahead of time how they might answer the questions.
- What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives; when and why did you establish these goals; and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
- What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for 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 from your chosen 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 would describe you?
- What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
- How has your college experience prepared you for this particular career?
- Why should I hire you?
- What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful in this job?
- How do you determine or evaluate success?
- What do you think it takes to be successful in an organization like ours?
- In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
- What qualities should a successful manager (supervisor) possess?
- Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and subordinate.
- What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
- 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 or major 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 form participation in extra-curricular activities?
- In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
- How do you work under pressure?
- 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 our organization?
- What do you know about our organization?
- What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
- Are you seeking employment with an organization of a certain size? Why?
- What criteria are you using to evaluate the organization for which you hope to work?
- Do you have a geographical preference? Why?
- Are you willing to travel?
- Will you relocate? Does relocation bother you?
- Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?
- Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our organization is located?
- What major problems have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
- What have you learned from your mistakes?
- How do your skills relate to your needs?
- What would you like to know about us?
- Why are your grades low?