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General/Open Ended Questions
“Tell me about yourself.”
- Present a few of your strong points including why you want to work for the organization.
- Speak of your professional and academic qualities. Do not include personal information such as your age or family background.
- Be concise. Let the interviewer ask for further detail as desired.
“Why are you interested in working for us?”
- To answer this question, you must have done your research on the organization.
- Express your knowledge of the organization’s attributes and how you and your goals fit it.
“Why have you chosen this particular field?”
- Express your interest in the field and the preparation you have made towards working in it through academics, internships, part-time jobs, and/or volunteer work.
- Mention any of your hobbies or outside interests that relate to the field.
- Emphasize your feelings for and knowledge of the work itself and the positive qualities that you possess.
“What are your long-range goals?”
- Express your commitment to the profession, maturity, foresight, and realistic outlook.
“What is your greatest strength?”
- After you have stated your strength, support your claim with past achievements.
“What is your greatest weakness?”
- The interviewer is looking for any red flags that might signal your inability to perform the job or to be managed. Always end your answer on a positive. Some options:
- Use a minor part of the job at hand where you lack knowledge (but would learn with experience).
- Use a weakness that could be seen as a positive characteristic.
- Use a weakness from your past and show how you overcame it.
“Why should we hire you?
- Your answer should be short and to the point, highlighting areas from your background that relate to the company’s current needs/problems.
- Recap the job description, meeting it point by point with your skills.
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