To help you gain a better understanding of successful approaches to interviewing, Rick Johnson, founder of CEO Strategist, LLC, recommends a list of eight major interview areas and provides example questions for each:
Level and Complexity of Work
- “What did your job at XYZ Company consist of?”
- “Could you describe a typical day at work?”
- “What sort of things took up most of your time on this job?”
- “What kind of decisions did you typically make on this job?”
Extent of Job Responsibilities
- “Explain how you fit into that organization.”
- “Tell me a little bit about your former boss.”
- “What were his/her responsibilities?”
- “How much contact did you typically have with your boss?”
- “Describe some of your interactions with your boss.”
- “Were you empowered to get your job done? How?”
- “What kind of decisions did your boss expect you to make?”
Job Effectiveness
- “Did you receive any awards or commendations?”
- “To what extent were you able to increase your earnings?”
- “What aspects of the job challenged you the most?”
- “What did your boss say during your last performance review with regard to job specifics?”
- “Did you agree with your boss’s assessment of your performance?”
Motivation
- “How did you get into that field originally?”
- “What attracts you to this industry?”
- “When did you first think of leaving your former job?”
- “Why did you decide to make a change?”
- “What were some of the things that you really liked about that job?”
- “What were some of the things that you liked about that employer?”
- “Describe the best boss you have ever worked for.”
- “Describe the worst boss you ever worked for.”
- “What is the worst thing a former boss ever did to you?”
- “What is the best thing a former boss ever did?
Attitudes and Feelings
- “What did you like best about your last job?”
- “What kinds of things did you dislike?”
- “What was most satisfying about your last job?”
- “Did you like your boss?”
- “How did you feel about the employer as a whole?”
- “What was the one thing you really liked about the employer?”
- If you could have changed one thing – what is it?”
- “How would you describe the culture of the workplace?”
- “How much of a challenge was your former job? How?”
- “Do you feel you met your personal goals at your job?”
Personal Goals & Objectives
- “Could you explain exactly what you are looking for in a job change at this time?”
- “If you had the opportunity, how would you write the job description for this job?”
- “What values/standards would you desire in the workplace at which you would like to end your career?”
- “If you had to start all over again would you still be doing this type of work?
Academic Achievements
- “How well did you do in school – GPA?”
- “What were the courses you did the best in?” Why?”
- “What courses did you have trouble with? Why?”
- “What courses did you get the most out of?”
- “How have you applied any of the academics to your real world job performance?”
- “How do you feel about the school you attended?”
- “What did you like the most about school?”
Outside Activities
- “Tell me about how you spend your free time.”
- “What sorts of things interest you outside of work?”
- “What takes up most of your free time?”
- “What kind of things do you like to do best?”
- “What activities outside of work give you the most satisfaction?”
- “How did you get interested in X activity?”
- “Do you participate in any type of sports?”
- “Did you play organized sports in school? Intramural?”
Source: www.4hoteliers.com, October 17, 2011