Tell me about yourself.
Why did you choose Rensselaer and the career for which you are preparing?
What do you see as your developmental needs? What specific actions are you taking to address them?
How do you think a friend or a professor who knows you well would describe you?
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
Why should I hire you?
Why are you interested in the position?
How can you add value to our team?
What specific steps did you take to prepare yourself for this interview?
How would you compare your academic achievement to your expected employment success?
What have you learned from participation in extra-curricular activities?
In what ways are your education and experience a good fit with this job and our company?
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
Describe for me something that you’re really proud of.
What one thing would you change about yourself today, and why?
Of the jobs that you have held, which one was most satisfying, and why?
Based upon what you currently know about our company, what do you perceive as our three greatest
strengths?
What course have you had that will best prepare you to work for our company?
What are the three most important attributes of a good leader?
What makes you stand out from others?
What do you hope to gain from participation in an internship with our company?
What skills or attributes do you feel you possess that qualify you for this position?
Tell me about your best experience working with a team?

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Provide me with two instances in which you were innovative or introduced major change.
Describe a specific problem you have encountered and how you dealt with it.
Tell me about a recent team project that you were involved with.
Give me an example of a time that you had to establish a working relationship with someone
whose culture and background were difficult form yours.
Describe a situation in which you were under pressure to meet a deadline. How did you react?
Give me an example of a technical problem that you faced, and tell me how you analyzed and solved
the problem.
Sometimes we have to make tough decisions. Tell me about a time that you had to make a difficult
decision even though it was unpopular.
Think about a group project where you were asked to compromise in order to meet team goals. How
did that affect you? What did you do?
Tell me about a difficult problem that you faced in the last year. How did you handle it?
Describe a recent project, which required extensive research. How did you go about it?
Tell me about an event when you had to work with someone who was difficult to work with.
Describe a situation where you had to coordinate the activities of other people.
Give me an example of a goal you set and how you reached it.
Think about a time when your plans or priorities changed by circumstances outside of your control.
How did it affect you? What did you do?
Tell me about a time when you didn’t understand how something worked, and you took it apart.
Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?

QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK EMPLOYERS

What traits do you consider critical to success in this job or in your company?
What do you consider the five most important day-to-day responsibilities?
Will I be working with a team or on my own? What will my responsibilities be as a team member?
What opportunities are there in your company where I can build my leadership skills?
How does this department contribute to the overall goals of the company?
What are the major projects I will be working with, in the first sixth months/year?
What are the biggest challenges facing the department? What do you see as weaknesses that you are
looking to turn into strengths?
What is the timetable for filling this position?
How do you like working here? What do you like best? What do you like least?
How will my performance be evaluated, and when?
What are three things that set your company apart from the competition?

For additional information about interviewing, read How to Handle the Interview. Information provided includes: what to do before the interview, basic interview structure, how to dress, the best way to answer interview questions, and a description of the different types of interviews. Would you like to practice your interviewing skills in an informal setting, in preparation for an actual interview. The CDC offers Video Tape Mock Interviews. Stop by the CDC in DCC 209 and sign up for a convenient time.

You may also check the CDC Café for references and resources that list information about interviewing.