Questions You May Be Asked

During interviews, you will be asked questions about yourself, experiences you have had, goals you have for the future, and decisions you would make in certain situations. Feel free to contact the Career Planning Center to schedule a mock interview, an opportunity for you to practice responding to interview questions. If you are unable to come to the Career Center for a mock interview, sit down with a friend or family member and practice answering these sample interview questions. Taking time to practice interviewing will prepare you to answer the interviewer’s questions with confidence and poise.

• Tell me about yourself. (Keep your answer career-oriented. Briefly discuss your education, work experience, and the qualities you possess that make you a successful employee.)
• Why did you decide to attend Waldorf University?
• What led you toward your decision to major in (your academic major)?
• How have the activities that you have been involved with during college influenced you?
• What do you know about our company?
• What attracted you to this company?
• What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
• What motivates you to do a good job?
• What work experience has been the most valuable to you? Why?
• What were your responsibilities with (company/organization)?
• What was your toughest challenge while working at (company/organization)?
• What has made you stand out among your peers in your past work experience?
• What are your team player qualities? Please give examples.
• Describe a time when you were a team leader. Who did the team consist of, and what did you do to help your team be successful?
• Are you at your best when working alone or in a group?
• Would you rather be in charge of a project or work as part of the team?
• Tell me about how you keep yourself organized so you can meet deadlines and goals.
• How do you prioritize multiple projects?
• How would your co-workers/supervisors describe you?
• Tell me about a change that occurred in your last workplace. How did you handle it?
• Tell me about a time when you were successful because you paid close attention to detail.
• What was the most useful criticism you ever received and who was it from?
• Walk me through a time when you had to persuade a group of people that you were right about something or that your way was the correct way of doing it.
• What is excellent customer service?
• What causes you stress and how do you handle it?
• Give an example of a time you worked well under pressure.
• What do you like most about yourself? Least?
• Tell me about your proudest achievement.
• Tell me about a time when you failed.
• Have you ever had a conflict with a boss, coworker or professor? How did you resolve it?
• How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
• What goals do you have for your career? How do you plan to achieve these goals?
• Where do you expect to be five years from now?
• Okay, you’ve got one minute to convince me that you’re the best candidate for this job. Begin.
• Is there anything else you want me to know about you before we end?

Questions To Ask

The interviewer will expect you to have questions for him/her. If you have no questions about the position or company, the employer assumes that you lack interest in the company and/or position.

• Why has this position become available?
• What qualities are you seeking in a new employee?
• Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position?
• What do you consider the three most important day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
• What is the nature of the training program and supervision given in the early years of employment?
• What are some of the skills and abilities you see as necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
• What would the new employee be expected to have accomplished in the first six months on the job? …the first year?
• What are some examples of the best results produced by people in this position?
• Does the (fill in the blank) department work in teams or individually?
• What kind of opportunities are there for professional and personal development?
• What could be done if an employee doesn't feel challenged?
• How would you characterize the management philosophy of your organization?
• What do you see as the strengths of the department? …weaknesses?