The most frequently asked questions ... and what employers are trying to find out ...

Questions: Tell me about yourself... or I’m listening…

• Goals :

  •  To see if you make the connection between your skills and training and the job offer.

  •  To find out why they should hire you.

  •  To find out if you did this type of work before.

Questions: Talk to me about your experience in this type of work.

• Goals :

  • To make sure you actually know what job you’re applying for.

  • To see if you have the training and knowledge to carry out the work.

Questions: What do you know about our company / organization?

• Goals :

  • To see what you know about the company and how interested you are in it.

  • Establish what your motives are.

  • To see if you took the time to do some research on the company.

Questions: What impression do you keep of your last employer?

• Goals :

  • To judge your attitude toward employers.

  • To uncover any problems which would mean they shouldn’t hire you.

Questions: How do you motivate yourself at work?

• Goals :

  • To determine your dynamism.

  • To determine what keeps you productive and interested in your work.
    
    Questions: What is your biggest accomplishment?

• Goals :

  • To discover your ambition.

  • To discover your talents.

Questions: What are your strengths?

• Goals :

  •  To determine your strengths and your personal characteristics.

  •  To see if you believe in yourself and if you’re confident that you’re the right person for the job.

Questions: What are the weaknesses you have to improve on?

• Goals :

  • To verify if the job wouldn’t suit you for any reasons - for example: poor attitude, immaturity, refusal to follow orders, laziness, etc...

Questions: How do you accept criticism?

• Goals :

  • To find out how you react to negative or positive comments.

Questions: What are your short, medium, and long-term goals?

• Goals :

  • To see whether you plan to stay with the company.

  • To find out about your career plan and see whether it matches the company’s goals.

Questions: What do you expect to be paid?

• Goals :

  • To see if you know the market value of you professional skills.

  • To find out if your expectations correspond to the company’s salary scale.

Questions: Why should we hire you?

• Goals :

  • To determine why in fact they should hire you.

  •  To judge your ability to talk about yourself and highlight your skills and abilities.

Questions: Do you have any questions?

• Goals :

  • To indicate that the interview is nearly over.

  • To offer the possibility of clearing up any small points you might not have understood.
     

Source : Martine Lemonde et Nathalie Fortin, career counsellors with Brisson, Legris et associés.
Bibliography :
The Gazette, Focus on Jobs , Montréal, Wednesday, October 6th, 1999