Practice answering the tough questions.

  • Tell me about yourself.
    (Practice one- and two-minute versions—this is your sales pitch!)
  • What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
    (Any weakness must have a solution in progress)
  • Why are you interested in this position?
    (You had better know what the position entails)
  • What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
    (This may show your perseverance)
  • What career goals have you set? Where do you see yourself in five years?
    (Not just using us, are you?)
  • What do you know about our organization, and why did you choose it?
    (Research before the interview to answer this!)
  • If you could begin college again, what would you do differently?
    (Show new insights and growth)
  • What experiences have prepared you for this position?
    (Give very specific examples)
  • What do you value most in your working experience?
    (Every job has taught you something valuable)
  • What is your philosophy of business
    (or teaching, nursing, management, etc.)?
  • Are you interviewing with other employers?
    (Only with employers like this one for jobs like this one)
  • Why did you choose to get your degree at Adelphi?
    (Answer should relate to programs and opportunities, not the location)
  • What future training do you plan to have that will further your career?
    (Some employers value this, some don’t)
  • What was your most significant contribution during your last job or internship?
    (Better think about this)
  • What do you do in your spare time?
    (You are an interesting person, right?)
  • What activities did you pursue in college?
    (Mention sports, jobs, volunteering, good grades, etc.)
  • Do you belong to any community organizations?
    (Good ways to acquire related skills)
  • What is your management style?
    (Think about your own experiences and do some research)
  • Are you willing to travel as part of your job?
    (Be flexible, but don’t say yes if you absolutely won’t)
  • Would you be willing to relocate if your employer required it?
    (It might be necessary in your field)
  • Do you speak any foreign languages?
    (This would make you valuable to most employers)
  • Tell me about your computer skills.
    (You should have some; but if not, start learning now!)
  • Tell me about reports you have writtenand how they were received by your
    supervisor or professor.
  • How did you choose this as a career?
    (Personal story is OK here—”Don’t know” won’t do)
  • Which of your previous jobs have you liked the best? The least?
    (Never disliked any job or person)
  • What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?
    (Other than choosing a college?)
  • How would you value a company or a stock?
    (Yes, practice the technical questions also)
  • If a clock says 3:15, what is the angle between hour and minute hands?
    (A brainteaser or stress question)

Sample questions you might want to ask the interviewer:

  • Could you describe the typical career path for this position?
  • What would you consider the most important aspects of this job?
  • To whom will I report?
  • What are the skills and attributes you value most for someone who is hired for this position?
  • If hired, how would I get feedback on my performance?
  • Where have successful employees who previously held this position progressed to within the company?
  • Could you describe a typical day or week in this position? The typical client or customer?
  • What are the major responsibilities of this position?
  • What do you see as the key challenges facing a person in this position?
  • What are the current major goals of the organization?
  • What is your timeline for filling this vacancy?
  • This organization recently _______ (use your research here). How is this affecting the organization?
  • What are the greatest strengths of this organization or company?
Terms of Use: The Center for Career and Professional Development at Adelphi University acts only as an information service. The office does not endorse any individual employer and cautions you to ask appropriate questions to be sure that the position is right for you. The center makes no recommendations or guarantees about the positions or employers listed through our office or about those who visit campus to meet students or alumni. Students and/or alumni are responsible for verifying the credentials and integrity of the employer. Adelphi’s Center for Career and Professional Development is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions or other aspects of off-campus employment. Jobs and internships posted on Handshake may not be reviewed before posting. Site users are urged to validate job postings and use caution and common sense when applying. Do not disclose security numbers, credit card information or bank account numbers to unknown employers. This website also contains links to other websites that are not under control of the University or the Center for Career and Professional Development. The University and the Center for Career and Professional Development are not responsible for any error or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Site users who discover any misuse or abuse of this service are encouraged to report the matter as soon as possible.
The Center for Career and Professional Development does not guarantee a student or alumnus will obtain an internship or job opportunity.
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Hours
  • Regular Semester Hours Mon-Fri: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
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