Since it is very hard to predict the exact questions that an interviewer will ask, but your recruiter should be able to give you a good idea of the hiring authority’s personality, his or her typical interview demeanor and a few important questions that the employer is likely to ask. To prepare, think about how you would answer the following questions:

"Tell me about yourself."

Keep your answer professional. Review your past positions, your education and any other strengths that pertain to the job.

"What do you know about our organization?"

If you’ve done your research correctly, you should have no problem answering this one. Be positive, never criticize.

"What is your greatest weakness?"

I would say my greatest weakness has been my lack of proper planning in the past. I would over commit myself with too many variant tasks, then not be able to fully accomplish each as I would like. However, since I’ve come to recognize that weakness, I’ve taken steps to correct it. For example, I now carry a planning calendar in my pocket so that I can plan all of my appointments and "to do" items.

"Why are you interested in this position?"

Relate how you feel your qualifications really match the requirements of the job. Also, express your desire to work for that company.

"What have been your most significant career accomplishments?"

Be certain that you are prepared to talk about the accomplishments as well as how you were able to achieve them. Make certain these accomplishments are relevant to the position for which you are interviewing.

"How has your education prepared you for your career?"

As you will note on my resume, I’ve taken not only the required core classes in my field, I’ve also gone above and beyond. I’ve taken every class the college has to offer in the field and also completed an independent study project specifically in this area. But it’s not just taking the classes to gain academic knowledge–I’ve taken each class, both inside and outside of my major, with this profession in mind. In addition, I’ve always tried to keep a practical view of how the information would apply to my job. Not just theory, but how it would actually apply.

"Describe a situation in which your work was criticized."

Focus on how you solved the situation, and let the interviewer know how that situation has further developed your skill sets. By all means, make certain that you don’t say "I’ve never been criticized." We are all imperfect!

"What did you like least about your last position?"

Be certain to remain positive - never criticize your current or former employer.

"Are you a team player?"

Very much so. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in both athletics and academics to develop my skills as a team player. I always try to help others achieve their best. In academics, I’ve worked on several team projects, serving as both a member and team leader. I’ve seen the value of working together as a team to achieve a greater goal than any one of us could have achieved individually.

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