Page 22 "Thought" questions: What goals do you have in your career? What motivates you? What changes would you make at your college? What were your favorite classes? Why? Who were your favorite professors? Why? These questions require: Thoughtful responses Responses that are not self-serving Responses that are specific to the job, if possible Questions that target your decision-making skills:? Why did you choose this career? How do you plan to achieve your goals? Be sure your responses demonstrate sound decision-making processes. Why did you choose to attend this college? Tell what makes your college experience worthwhile from the employer's point of view? How will the employer benefit from your specific education at your college? Show thoughtful decision-making skills. Do you have any actual work experience -- in this field? Discuss the key skills you have gained from your work experiences -- and how these skills will help the employer. This question also gives a good opportunity to talk about your transferable skills if you have minimal experience. Questions about technical expertise that you lack "With my experience and background, I feel certain I'll have no problems getting up to speed." Illegal Questions: It's illegal to ask about age, marital status, children, childcare arrangements, and the like, but employers still do -- or come up with subtle ways to ask, such as by inquiring about when you graduated from high school/college. It's best to address the concern behind the question rather than the question itself by saying something like: "There is nothing about my personal status that would get in the way of my doing a great job for your company." While it may also be tempting to point out the illegality of the question, doing so likely won't endear you to the interviewer. Salary Questions: As a screening device, interviewers often ask early in the interview what salary you are looking for. If you ask for more than the employer is willing to pay (or occasionally, on the flip side, undervalue yourself), the interviewer can eliminate you before spending a lot of time with you. That's why the best tactic for salary questions is to delay responding to them as long as possible -- ideally until after the employer makes an offer. Try to deflect salary questions with a response like this: "I applied for this position because I am very interested in the job and your company, and I know I can make an immediate impact once on the job, but I'd like to table salary discussions until we are both sure I'm right for the job." Read more in our Salary Negotiation and Job Offer Tools and Resources, especially our Salary Negotiation and Job Offer Tutorial Previous Page Next Page Back to Job-Interview-Preparation Index Page