• Tell me about yourself.
• What are the most important rewards you expect in your business career?
• How would a close friend/co-worker describe you?
• What was the most difficult situation you have faced? How did you react?
• Give an example of a time when you took initiative in a work situation.
• Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
• How has your college experience prepared you for a professional career?
• Of the jobs you've held, which one did you enjoy the most? The least?
• How would you describe your organizational skills?
• What is not on your resume that you would like to tell me?
• Why did you decide to attend Manhattan College?
• If you had the chance to repeat your college career, what would you do differently?
• Which of your accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
• What do you think would be the most demanding aspects of this job for you?
• Where do you expect to be in one year, three years and ten years? How will you achieve your goals?
• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING

Questions by the interviewer to predict how the applicant would perform by evaluating the applicants behavior in similar conditions in the past.

When employers ask you for information about your life and/or work experiences it may be because how you handled a situation in the past can tell a lot about how you will behave in the future. Of course, the interviewer’s questions about your past behavior should be related to the skills required for the position for which you are being considered. This approach to interviewing is called “behavioral interviewing,” and it is very popular among employers who believe it enables them to more accurately choose the right person for the job.

The following are examples of questions you may be asked that probe your past behavior in a job, in a classroom, in a group project, in extracurricular activities, or even with a roommate.

• Give me a specific example of something you did that helped build enthusiasm in others?
• Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What did you do?
• Give me an example of a time you had to make an important decision. How did you make the decision? How does it affect you today?
• Give me an example of a time you had to persuade other people to take action. Were you successful?
• Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult person. How did you handle the situation?
• Tell me about a time you had to handle multiple responsibilities. How did you organize the work you needed to do?
 

No experience example

If they ask you to describe a situation of which you have no experience, you can say:

"I haven't had an experience like that or with that, but if I did I would….." 

QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER

• What is the typical career path that an entry-level individual pursues?
• What is the pace of your organization's training program?
• Following a successful tenure in an entry-level position, what type of mobility is available within the organization?
• What is the typical daily routine of an individual in the position for which I am applying?
• Is it your policy to promote from within or are positions filled by experienced people from the outside?
• What type of compensation package is offered to your employees?
• What type of professional development is encouraged and offered by your organization?
• What do you like about working for this company?
• How would you describe the corporate culture?
• How does technology impact your business and work culture?
• Where is the company strong and where does it need to be strengthened?

Tip: Important to know current events and trends regarding specific areas of interest. (e.g. how government regulations are impacting the budgets of non-profit organizations.) Ask questions regarding these current events. This shows you did your homework!

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