Personal Interview
Preparing for the Interview:
• Do your homework!
o Understand what employers are looking for—read the announcement carefully.
o Learn as much about the company or individual as possible.
Questions to Consider: www.companysleuth.com
• What does the company do? www.redherring.com
• What type of business are they in?
• Who are their competitors? www.fortune.com
• What size is the company? www.nasdaq.com
• Where are they located geographically?
• What are the different divisions? www.hoovers.com
• Does the company perform any kind of www.yahoo.com
special service?
www.bloomberg.com
• Is it expanding or downsizing?
• What training programs are used? www.altavista.com
• Are they making money? www.northernlight.com
• How strong is management?
• What is their growth rate? www.companiesonline.com
www.syndico.com
Websites to Consider:
www.dogpile.com www.salarysource.com
Questions you may want to ask…
• Please describe the typical first year assignments.
• What type of training program do you offer new employees?
• What do you see as the greatest challenge in this position?
• What opportunities exist for professional growth and development?
• What are the company's plans for future growth?
• What makes your firm different from its competitors?
• Describe the work environment.
• Is it the company's policy to promote from within?
• What is the overall structure of the department where the position is located?
• What characteristics does a successful person have at your company?
• Please describe a typical day on the job.
• How are employees evaluated and promoted?
• What are the typical career paths? What are realistic time frames?
• How has working at this company influenced your personal and professional growth?
Questions you may be asked….
• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
• What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• How has your college experience prepared you for a career?
• Why should I hire you? Why do you want this position?
• What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful?
• In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
• What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
• Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
• In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
• How would you describe the ideal job for your following graduation?
• What do you know about our organization?
• Do you have a geographical preference? Will your relocate?
• Describe a major problem you have encountered and how you dealt with it.
• What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
• Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?
• Do you think your grades are a good indication of your academic achievements?
• What non-career related goals have you established for yourself in the next 5 years?
Contestant Name
Possible Points Points
Received
Appearance and courtesy 45
Greetings and introduction 45
• Provided business card
• Introduce self
Speech 45
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Volume
• Enunciation
Attitude and personality 45
• Forcefulness
• Poise
• Temperament
• Sincerity
Ability to convince or impress interviewer 45
• Persuasiveness
• Self-Confidence
Knowledge and presentation of abilities 45
• Educational experience
• Occupational experience
Reliability 45
• Frankness
• Consistency
• Accuracy
Poise 45
• Tact
• Discretion
• Questions asked of interviewer
Career Objective 45
• Degree to which the contestant had determined career
objective
Conclusion of interview 45
Total possible points 450
