Past Experience

• Did you enjoy your major area of study in school? What did you like/dislike about it? What led you to choose your major or field of study?
• Describe the best and worst bosses you ever had. 
• How has your education prepared you for your career?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Why did you decide to go back to school/switch careers?
• Which job have you enjoyed the most, why?
• Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job

Specific Examples

• Tell me about a time when you exceeded expectations?
• Tell me about a time when you assumed a leadership role?
• Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of, and why? 
• Tell me about your ability to work under pressure/deadlines.
• Describe your working style.
• What have you done that you are proud of?
• What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
• How do you determine or evaluate success?
• How would you describe your ideal job?

Big Picture

• Why should we hire you?
• Tell me a little bit about yourself.
• What motivates you to do a great job?
• What is more important to you: money or type of work?
• Name a few of your strengths.
• Tell me about your weaknesses.
• How do you learn from mistakes?
• What do you consider your greatest failure in life?
• Give me five adjectives that you would use to describe yourself.
• How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
• What do you expect to be earning in five years?  

• Why are you applying for this job, at this company?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• How long would you expect to work for us?
• Are you willing to work overtime or on weekends?
• Are you willing to travel? How much?
• Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
• What type of salary do you need?

• What are the top three things it would take to make you happy or satisfied on the job in your career?
• Which is most important to you, the money or the type of job?
• Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size?
• What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work? 

Working with Others  

• Are you a team player?
• What position do you prefer on a team project?
• How do you handle conflict?
• What irritates you about co-workers?
• Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.
• What qualities do you look for in a boss?
• What would your last employer/co-workers say about you?
• What kind of work environment are you most comfortable in?
• What causes stress or pressure for you? How do you react to it?
• Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her?
• How do you annoy people?
• What types of people or traits irritate you?  

• I read in the x paper that your company accomplished x. Can you tell me a little more about that?
• I read on the website that your company wants to do x in the next year. Can you tell me about the steps the company is taking to accomplish that?
• How was your company affected by the recent recession?
• How will my role in the company contribute to your team?
• Tell me about the kinds of projects I'd be working on. 
•  Will I be working mostly with a team or on my own?
• Tell me about the typical relationship between a supervisor and an employee.
• What are the opportunities for personal growth?
• Identify typical career paths based on past records. What is the realistic time frame for advancement?
• How regularly do performance evaluations occur? What model do they follow?
• What are the company’s initial and future training programs?

• What are the challenging facets of the job?
• What are the company’s plans for future growth?
• What industry trends will affect this company?
• What makes your firm different from its competitors?
• In your opinion, what are the company’s strengths and weaknesses?
• How would you describe your corporation’s personality and management style?
• Is it the company’s policy to promote from within? Tell me the work history of your top management.
• What kinds of career opportunities are currently available for my degree and skills?
• How would you describe the work environment?
• What is the overall structure of the department where the position is located?
• Why do you enjoy working for this firm?
• What characteristics does a successful person have at your company?