In a job interview, they are looking to learn about your qualifications, of course, but also your “fit”. The questions behind their questions are: Is he lazy? Does she have common sense? Does he have fire in the belly? Is she qualified? Is he lying? Will she fit in? Will he embarrass me?
So in addition to the standard questions asked in an interview:
• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in joining our company?
• What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
• What sort of money are you looking for?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you feel you’re qualified for this job?
• Why did you leave XYZ company?
Expect more questions like:
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
• Ever have a disagreement with a boss? Why? Why not? What did you do about it?
• Have you ever been fired?
• If hired, how long would it take for you to make significant contributions to our company?
• What do you expect from a boss?
• How do you affect people?
• If there was something you could change about yourself, what would it be and why?
• How many hours are in your workday?
• What makes you happy? Unhappy?
• Talk about your failures. Tell me more.
• Tell me about your best friend in high school. What would they say about you?
• What should I know about you that we haven’t already discussed?
They are trying to learn about the person behind the credentials. Many people look good on paper or online but face to face don’t meet the “will she fit it/will he embarrass me” criteria.
