MISSRESUME - COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. “Tell me about yourself.”

This is a fantastic opportunity to tell the interviewer about your hobbies, family
life, and personal goals. Answering this question can really help you connect with
your interviewer on a personal level and make you feel more comfortable.

2. “Why did you decide to apply for this position?”

Don’t tell them it was because you really needed a job or felt obligated to. Have
an answer ready to express why the company and their business really interested
you. It could be because you really enjoy their product, culture, or the
opportunities they give to people and their employees.

3. “What are your strongest skills?”

You should answer with skills here that can be used in the job you are applying
for. If you’re applying to be a creative designer, then express that you have
amazing computer proficiency and have mastered Adobe CC and/or WordPress.
Avoid talking about your basketball skills…they won’t help you in your position
and should have been expressed during question 1.

4. “What are some of your weakest skills?”

Focus on being honest and dedicated to improvement during this question. If you
have 5 remarkable skills and 1 weakness, it will not cost you the job. Express what
your fault is, how you work past it, and how you are trying to improve.

5. “What are you looking for with our company?”

Is it a new opportunities? A calm work environment? Great amenities? Convey
what it is that attracted you to their company. Have an answer for this one
because it makes it apparent that you did your research before applying for the
opening.

6. “What are your greatest accomplishments?”

You could answer this one by voicing an award you may have received, a course
you have completed with an incredible grade, your college education, or an
amazing job achievement. This question has room for many different answers.
Decide what you believe is one of your most significant accomplishments.

7. “What is your biggest professional achievement?”

Did you save your last company $10,000 in annual income? Were you able to save
the company 2 weeks’ worth of work on a project? Think back to anytime you
were able to save your company money, time, or pain. Or a time you conceived a
groundbreaking idea or innovation. These are all incredibly professional
achievements.

8. “What are your career goals?”

This question can be answered by expressing what position you would love to
work in one day, what kind of experience you hope to earn, or an
accomplishment you look forward to achieving. Try to align this with the position
you are applying for and the company’s long-term goals.

9. “What led you to this field of work?”

This question is personal to you. Answer it honestly but avoid making it seem like
the job you are applying for isn’t the job you want.

10. “What motivates you?”

DON’T state here that you are just motivated by wealth and fame. Sure, some
people are.. I’m not judging, but your interviewer might. Instead, answer by
saying that you are motivated by success, helping others, taking care of your
family, or experience and growth.

11. “How do you handle tricky situations?”

The interviewer is looking for an answer that portrays you as calm, cool, and
collected during hard or demanding circumstances. In the workforce we are all
going to experience tough times, and a company needs employees or executives
who can handle these situations and stay coherent.

12. “What is something kind or caring you did this year?”

These questions allow you an opportunity to open up about yourself personally.
Maybe you made cookies for your coworkers/family or helped someone out of a
really nasty situation. Think about this one.

13. “How do you handle problematic customers/clients?”

There are always going to be clients that are hard to handle, but that is exactly
why companies need employees who know how to manage angry or distraught
clients. A decent answer to this question might be that you would first figure out
the client’s problem, ask the client what the best solution for them would be, fix
the problem, and thank them for their time.

14. “What are your salary requirements?” or “How much pay are you
looking for?”
Be honest. Don’t ask for a ridiculous amount but ask for the pay you are truly
looking for. Salary is usually up for negotiation, so have a sincere discussion about
it.

15. “What atmosphere are you looking for in the workplace?”

Find out what work environment the company currently has and show them why
you are a great fit for it. Express what you enjoy about the sort of environment
the company has and NOT what you don’t like.

16. “How many hours will you work a week?”

Figure out what the position is looking for. Are they looking for full-time or part-
time? Don’t apply for a job looking for full-time if you can only work 20 hours a
week. Based on what the job description was looking for answer the employer by
telling them you are open for the hours.

17. “Describe the job of your dreams.”

Your dream job doesn’t have to be an exact position like “business development”
or “graphic design.” It can instead be certain responsibilities, work environments,
or opportunities. Tell the employer what you like about the position you are
applying for and why you chose to work for their company.

18. “How did you hear about this job opening?”

Tell them honestly if you found them through their website, LinkedIn, a friend,
ect… Employers use this information to find out what is working best for them.
70% of people get hired for their current position, thanks to networking. So, if you
did get a recommendation from someone already in the company, be sure to
share that.

19. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

This question is asked by employers because they want to know if your long-term
career goals align with the company. You want to give the hiring manager the
sense that you are content with the position as is and you see yourself with the
company for a long time. Express why your career goals are a perfect fit for the
company.

20. “Out of all of our other candidates, why should we hire you?”
Go back over your most impressive skills, dedication, achievements, and
everything you have to offer to the company. They should hire you because you
are an expert who is going to help their company strive. Convey that your goals
align with the company’s goals. You have a lot to offer the company and if they
hire you it is only going to make their lives easier.

21. “What questions do you have for me?”

ASKING QUESTIONS:
Asking questions gives you a chance to:

• Demonstrate you are an appropriate fit for the company.

• Prove you’re interested in the position and have done your homework!
• Ask questions that are important to you.
• Decide if you really want to take the job.

QUESTIONS TO AVOID ASKING:

1. “I don’t have any questions…”
Yes. You. Do. Think of something to ask because it makes it look like you really are
interested in the company and position.
2. “What are your requirements for this position?”
You should have already looked over the requirements when you applied for the
job.
3. “When will I get a promotion?”
You don’t even have the position yet. Don’t ask for more until you have been
hired.
4. “Do you do background checks (or reference checks) before hiring?”
This makes it seem like you might have something to hide…
5. “What does this company do?”
You should have already researched the company before the interview. If you have
to ask this question, the interviewer probably already knows you don’t have a
clue what the company does.
6. “Can I work from home?”
Don’t ask for extra benefits until you already have the job. If you are looking for a
job where you can work from home, try applying for remote positions online.
7. “Why did the company lay people off last year/why are you looking for
someone for this position?”
This question is far too forward. It is understandable that you would be curious,
but this isn’t something you should be asking during an interview.
8. “How often do reviews occur?”
It should not matter when reviews occur. If you plan to do the job exactly how it
should be done, you should be able to pass an inspection at any time. Asking this
question may give the interviewer the feeling you might slack off.
9. “Do I have to be on time, as long as I get my hours in?”
YES. For now, while you are trying to prove you are the perfect fit for the
company, assume you have to be on time.
10. “Did I get the job?”
The interviewer has not decided yet. They may still have more interviews to
attend and need time to consider all their options. Even if they really like you that
may change. I always recommend sending a thank you letter and calling/emailing
the company a few days after the interview. This way you make it clear you really
want the position and stay fresh in the interviewer’s mind.

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

1. “What are the biggest opportunities facing the company right now?”
This expresses that you are interested in where the company is headed, and you
want to be a part of it. Not only will you get to learn even more about the
company’s goals, but the interviewer will see this as sincere interest.
2. “What haven’t I asked that most candidates ask?”
This can give you an idea of other common question the interviewer is asked and
show that you genuinely are interested in learning more.
3. “What are the next steps in the interview process?”
This conveys that you are expecting to move forward after the interview and are
interested in the position. It is always nice to know what you can expect.
4. “What are the prospects for growth and advancement?”
Asking this means you are interested in advancement opportunities, and likely
very interested in moving forward in your career. This is a good sign for the
interviewer. It usually means you are planning to spend an extended period of
time with the company.
5. “Do you have a policy for helping new members of the team get on board?”
This question is not only helpful, but it also makes you appear interested in
helping the company expand. You can figure out what type of training you will be
looking forward to and can communicate this to others who are interested in
applying for the company.
6. “What are the biggest challenges of this job?”
Every job is unique. This means it has its pros and cons. Try asking the interviewer
what they find the most difficult about the position.
7. “What is the best part of working for this company?”
Remember the interviewer also works for the company! Ask them what they like
best about the company so you can get an impression of what to expect once you
are hired.
8. “If I were hired for the position, what would be the ideal starting date?
It is good for you and the interviewer to decide on a date that works best for both
of you. You don’t have the job yet, but just assume you do when you ask this
question.
9. “Would I need to travel for the position?”
Traveling can be very exhausting and is not for everyone. Some people are more
family-oriented and/or homebodies. So, they might not do the best in a position
that requires constant travel. Decide whether it is right for you.
10. “What kind of leadership/management style do you promote in the
company?”
It’s nice to know if the company promotes a more open, creative style of
management or if they encourage micromanagement. No one wants to work
under a micromanager and this question may change your mind about whether
you should accept the opening or not.
11. “What does the company’s holiday policy look like?”
This question is expected. Everyone enjoys being with their family on the holidays
and it is nice to know what you can expect from the company before accepting
the job. You may be able to find this information on their website beforehand.