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Prepare your interview answers

Be ready to answer common interview questions such as these:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why did you leave your last position, or why are you leaving your current position?
  • What do you know about this company?
  • What are your goals?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Why do you want to work here?
  • What has been your most significant achievement?
  • How would your last boss and colleagues describe you?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • What are your salary expectations?

DO

  • Research the company and the position you’re applying for.
  • Research common interview questions and practice your answers.
  • Dress appropriately for the job you want, be neatly groomed, and dress relatively conservatively. Bring breath mints.
  • Map out how to get to the location before the interview, and plan to arrive 10 minutes early.
  • Bring all requested paperwork with you to the interview including your resume, an application, references, identification, etc. Extra copies of your resume and a portfolio (if applicable) are also good to bring.
  • Be polite and cordial to everyone you meet; you never know whose opinion will count.
  • Offer a firm handshake and make eye contact when meeting someone.
  • Give detailed answers to questions with examples. Explain how you would go about tackling the assignments and challenges of the position.
  • Take time to think about how to answer an unexpected question. You can repeat the question to give yourself a little extra time.
  • Ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry. It pays to prepare a few before the interview.
  • Write down some notes after your interview so that you don’t forget any details of what was discussed.

DON'T

  • Dress too casually, too flamboyantly or in revealing clothing.
  • Be late to your interview if you can possibly avoid it.
  • Be aggressive.
  • Be self-aggrandizing, insinuating that you are perfect and have zero flaws.
  • Be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.
  • Answer every question with a simple “yes” or “no” answer.
  • Bring up personal or family problems.
  • Ask personal questions of your interviewer.
  • Answer your cell phone, check messages, or text during an interview.
  • Act as though you’re just shopping around or interviewing for practice.
  • Call immediately after the interview to find out if you got the job, or make repeated phone calls.