Adversity, handling. See also Problem-solving; Strengths, weaknesses, and emotions
How do you handle rejection?, 236–37
How have you benefited from your disappointments/mistakes?, 231
Tell me about a situation that frustrated you at work., 237
Tell me about a time things didn’t work out well., 262
What would you say if I told you your presentation this afternoon was lousy?, 266
Asking interviewer questions, 195, 219–20, 238–39
College grads. See Graduates (recent), questions for
Communication
See this pen I’m holding? Sell it to me., 259–60
Tell me about a time when you put your foot in your mouth., 262–63
Company, knowledge of
What do you know about us/the company?, 224
What is the worst thing you have heard about our company?, 260
Decisions
Have you ever had to make unpopular decisions?, 249
What do you do when there is a decision to be made and no procedure exists?, 249–50
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?, 230, 257
What type of decisions do you make in your work?, 236
Emotions. See Strengths, weaknesses, and emotions
Goals, expectations, and growth
With hindsight, how could you have improved your progress?, 256
How long will it take you to make a contribution?, 235
If I hired you today, what would you accomplish first?, 236
Tell me about an important goal you set recently., 233
What area of your skills/professional development do you want to improve at this time?, 257–58
What are you looking for in your next job?, 231
What do you think determines progress in a good company?, 235
When do you expect a promotion?, 250
Your application shows you have been with one company a long time without any appreciable increase in rank or salary. Tell me about this., 258
Graduates (recent), questions for, 284–89
Are you looking for a permanent or temporary job?, 285–86
Do you like routine tasks/regular hours?, 286–87
Do you think grades should be considered by first employers?, 289
Have you ever had difficulties getting along with others?, 287–88
How did you get your summer jobs?, 284
How did you pay for college?, 286
How do you rank among your peers?, 286
How do you take direction?, 287
I’d be interested to hear about some things you learned in school that could be used on the job., 286
What are your future vocational plans?, 285
What college did you attend, and why did you choose it?, 285
What do you think determines progress in a good company?, 289
What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work?, 287
What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this field?, 288
What’s your idea of how this industry works?, 288
What type of position are you interested in?, 288
Which of the jobs you have held have you liked least?, 284–85
Why do you think this industry will sustain your interest over the long haul?, 289
Why do you think you would like this type of work?, 288
Illegal questions, 269–72
about: guidelines for dealing with, 270, 272
on age, 270
on ethnicity, 270–71
on marital status, 271
on religion, 271–72
on sexual orientation, 272
on your having/planing to have children, 271
Income and advancement
When do you expect a promotion?, 250
Why aren’t you earning more at your age?, 260
Your application shows you have been with one company a long time without any appreciable increase in rank or salary. Tell me about this., 258
Interviewer, evaluating, 265–66
Job history
Have you ever been asked to resign?, 227
How did you get your last job?, 265
Jobs have pluses and minuses. What were some of the minuses on your last job?, 264
Walk me through your job changes. Why did you leave/want to leave this job?, 225
What bothers you most about your job?, 230
What have you learned from jobs you have held?, 250–51
What was there about your last company that you didn’t particularly like or agree with?, 263
Why did you leave _____ company?, 225
Why do you want to come back?, 226
Why have you changed jobs so frequently?, 226
Why were you fired?, 227
Why were you out of work so long/resume gap?, 227–28
Manageability and team spirit, 240–53. See also Decisions; Stress interview
Define cooperation., 251
Describe a situation where your work or an idea of yours was criticized., 242
Do you consider yourself a natural leader or a born follower?, 247
Do you make your opinions known when you disagree with the views of your supervisor?, 246–47
Do you prefer working with others or alone?, 246
Explain your role as a group/team member., 246
Give me an example of a method of working you have used. How did you feel about it?, 254–55
In hindsight, what have you done that was a little harebrained?, 251
How do I get the best out of you/did your boss get the best out of you?, 245
How do you get along with different kinds of people?, 242–43
How do you manage to interview while still employed?, 248
How do you regroup when things haven’t gone as planned?, 249
How do you take direction?, 241
How have your career motivations changed over the years?, 248–49
How interested are you in sports?, 245–46
How well do you feel your boss rated your job performance?, 245
How would you define a motivational work atmosphere?, 246
If you could make one constructive suggestion to management, what would it be?, 244
Rate yourself on a scale of one to ten., 243
Tell me about an event that really challenged you, how you met the challenge; how your approach was different from others., 252
Tell me about a time things went wrong., 230–31
Tell me a story., 250
In what areas do you feel your supervisor could have done a better job?, 244
What are some of the things about which you and your supervisor disagreed?, 244
What are some of the things that bother you? / What are your pet peeves? / Tell about the last time you felt anger on the job., 244
What are some of the things your supervisor did that you disliked?, 245
What bothers you most about your job?, 230
What difficulties do you have tolerating people with backgrounds and interests different from yours?, 251
What do you feel is a satisfactory attendance record?, 263
What do you think of your current/last boss?, 242
What have you done that shows initiative?, 243
What have you learned from jobs you have held?, 250–51
What is your role as a team member?, 230
What kinds of things do you worry about?, 243
What personal characteristics are necessary for success in your field?, 246
What would your coworkers tell me about your attention to detail?, 249
What would your references say about you?, 253
What would you say about a supervisor who was unfair or difficult to work with?, 247
When do you expect a promotion?, 250
Why do you feel you are a better _____ than some of your coworkers?, 244
In working with new people, how do you go about getting an understanding of them?, 253
Would you like to have your boss’s job?, 241–42
You have a doctor’s appointment arranged for noon. You’ve waited two weeks to get in. An urgent meeting is scheduled at the last moment, though. What do you do?, 247–48
You have been given a project that requires you to interact with different levels within the company. How do you do this? What levels are you most comfortable with?, 251–52
Motivation. See also Graduates (recent), questions for; Income and advancement
How do you stay current?, 232–33
How have your career motivations changed over the years?, 248–49
How would you define a motivational work atmosphere?, 246
Your application shows you have been with one company a long time without any appreciable increase in rank or salary. Tell me about this., 258
Personal issues
Have you ever had any financial difficulties?, 261
How should I handle a DWI?, 261
How should I handle a felony?, 262
Tell me about the problems you have living within your means., 257
Problem-solving
about: defining problems, 280–81
Are you willing to take calculated risks when necessary?, 259
How do you go about solving problems in your work?, 256
How many piano tuners are there in Chicago?, 281
What are some of the problems you encounter in doing your job, and what do you do about them?, 235–36
Promotions. See Income and advancement
Qualifications. See Job history; Manageability and team spirit; Suitability for job; Work habits, achievements, and contributions
Sales skills, showing, 259–60
Strengths, weaknesses, and emotions. See also Adversity, handling; Motivation
Are you willing to take calculated risks when necessary?, 259
Rate yourself on a scale of one to ten., 243
Tell me about yourself., 222
What are some of the things that bother you? / What are your pet peeves? / Tell me about the last time you felt anger on the job., 244
What are some of the things you find difficult to do, and why?, 263–64
What is your greatest strength?, 229
What is your greatest weakness?, 230, 255–56
What kinds of things do you worry about?, 243
Stress interview, 255–68
about: sequences of questions, 267–68
Are you willing to take calculated risks when necessary?, 259
Have you ever had any financial difficulties?, 261
With hindsight, how could you have improved your progress?, 256
How did you get your last job?, 265
How do you go about solving problems in your work?, 256
How have you successfully worked with this difficult type of person?, 265
How should I handle a DWI?, 261
How should I handle a felony?, 262
How will you be able to cope with a change in environment after ____ years with your current company?, 260
How would you evaluate me as an interviewer?, 265–66
Jobs have pluses and minuses. What were some of the minuses on your last job?, 264
See this pen I’m holding? Sell it to me., 259–60
Tell me about a time things didn’t work out well., 262
Tell me about a time when you put your foot in your mouth., 262–63
Tell me about the problems you have living within your means., 257
What area of your skills/professional development do you want to improve at this time?, 257–58
What are some of the things you find difficult to do, and why?, 263–64
What do you feel is a satisfactory attendance record?, 263
What is the worst thing you have heard about our company?, 260
What is your general impression of your last company?, 263
What is your greatest weakness?, 255–56
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?, 257
What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with?, 264–65
What kinds of people do you like to work with?, 264
What was there about your last company that you didn’t particularly like or agree with?, 263
What would you say if I told you your presentation this afternoon was lousy?, 266
Why aren’t you earning more at your age?, 260
Why should I hire an outsider when I could fill the job with someone inside the company?, 260–61
Wouldn’t you feel better off in another company?, 266
Your application shows you have been with one company a long time without any appreciable increase in rank or salary. Tell me about this., 258
In your current job, what should you spend more time on and why?, 258–59
Suitability for job. See also Manageability and team spirit
company knowledge and. See Company, knowledge of
How long will it take you to make a contribution?, 235
How will you be able to cope with a change in environment after ____ years with your current company?, 260
I’m not sure you’re suitable for the job (too experienced)., 238
I’m not sure you’re suitable for the job (too inexperienced)., 237–38
What are your qualifications for this job?, 232
What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?, 232
What interests you least about this job?, 237
Why do you want to come back?, 226
Why should I hire an outsider when I could fill the job with someone inside the company?, 260–61
Wouldn’t you feel better off in another company?, 266
Teamwork. See Manageability and team spirit
Unanswerable questions, 273–81
about: general tips for answering, 274-75; questions to determine high analytical skills, 280-81; “What if” questions, 277–80
Describe the color yellow to somebody who is blind., 278
Design a spice rack for the blind., 280
How many children are born every day?, 279–80
How many piano tuners are there in Chicago?, 281
If I came to your house for dinner what would you serve?, 277
If you had a choice between two superpowers (being invisible or able to fly) which would you choose?, 277
If you were asked to unload a Boeing 767 full of jelly beans, what would you do?, 279
If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender, how would you get out?, 278
Name three previous Nobel prize winners., 276–77
What kind of tree would you like to be?, 275–76
What would you do if you were the one survivor in a plane crash?, 279
Who’s your favorite Disney Princess?, 278
Who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Batman?, 278
Why are manhole covers round?, 276
Why are there ridges around a quarter?, 278–79
Work habits, achievements, and contributions. See also Decisions; Manageability and team spirit
Describe how your job contributes to the overall goals of your department and company., 229
How do you feel about your progress to date?, 234
How do you manage your work deadlines?, 229
How do you rank among your peers?, 234
Is it ever necessary to go above and beyond the call of duty in terms of effort or time to get your job done?, 234
Tell me about a time when an emergency caused you to reschedule your workload/projects., 234–35
Tell me about the most difficult project you’ve tackled., 233
What achievements are you most proud of?, 233
What are some of the problems you encounter in doing your job, and what do you do about them?, 235–36
What aspects of your work do you consider most crucial?, 228–29
What do you spent most of your time on, and why?, 231–32
What have you done to become more effective in your job?, 233–34
What is the most difficult situation you have faced?, 235
In your current job, what should you spend more time on and why?, 258–59
In your last job, how did you plan to interview?, 236