Interviewing

What questions will the interviewer ask you?

The Career Services Center has lists of possible interview questions from employers, as well as questions you can ask them. The counselors will also set up a mock interview for SCC students and alumni in order to practice interview skills and receive feedback at the same time. Call 636-922-8241 for an appointment.

Sample Interview Questions

Below are some sample interview questions which you can use as you prepare for an interview:

1. Describe a situation in which you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read? (Targets your research ability.)
2. Give me a specific example of a time when a co-worker or a classmate criticized your work in front of others. How did you respond? How has that event shaped the way you communicate with others? (Targets your communication skills.)
3. Describe a situation in which you recognized a potential problem as an opportunity. What did you do? (Targets your initiative.)
4. Give me a specific example of a time when you sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept. How did you proceed? What was the result? (Targets your assertiveness.)
5. Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? (Targets your organizational skills and commitment to completing tasks.)
6. Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing. What was the challenge? What roles did others play? (Targets your creativity and imagination.)
7. What, in your opinion, are the key ingredients in building and maintaining successful business relationships? Give me examples of how you have made these work for you. (Targets your relationship building ability.)
8. Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who disliked each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome? (Targets your teamwork skills and awareness of others.)
9. Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn? (Targets your time management skills and ability to learn from mistakes.)
10. Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome? (Targets your decision making ability.)

“ The Art of Interviewing Well.” Planning Job Choices 2001, 4th Edition. National Association of Colleges and Employers., p. 67.