Here we list many of the most commonly asked questions you'll face in a typical interview. Take a moment to run down these lists and think about what you would say. There's no need to rehearse your answers—you just don't want to be caught unprepared or stumped by a question.

College Experience Questions

1. How has your college prepared you for a career?
2. Describe your most rewarding college experience.
3. Why did you select Sarah Lawrence? Why did you choose a liberal arts college?
4. What led you to choose your major (concentration)?
5. What college subjects did you like best/least? Why?
6. If you could do so, how would you plan your academic study differently? Why?
7. What changes would you make in your college? Why?
8. Do you have plans for graduate school?
9. Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?
10. What have you learned from participating in extracurricular activities?
11. Tell me about one of your papers.

Questions About You

1. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
2. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
3. Tell me about yourself.
4. How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would describe you?
5. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
6. How do you determine or evaluate success?
7. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
8. If you were hiring a graduate for this position, what qualities would you look for?
9. In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
10. How do you work under pressure?
11. How would you describe the ideal job for you following graduation?
12. What two or three things are most important to you in a job?
13. Do you have a geographical preference? Will you relocate? Are you willing to travel?
14. What major problem have you encountered, and how did you deal with it?
15. What have you learned from your mistakes?
16. How would you handle this situation...?
17. If you did not have to work, what would you do?
18. What else do you think I should know about you?

Questions About Your Experience

1. Why should I hire you?
2. What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful in the field?
3. What part-time jobs, summer jobs, or internships have you most enjoyed? Why?
4. How did your liberal arts background prepare you for the work world/this field?

Question About Your Goals & Objectives

1. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
2. What do you really want to do in life?
3. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
4. Why do you want to work here?
5. What do you think about the future of this field?
6. What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives? When and why did you establish these goals, and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?

Questions to Determine What You Know About the Position/Field/Organization

1. What do you know about our organization?
2. What do you think it takes to be successful in our organization?
3. In what ways do you think that you can make a contribution to our organization?
4. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
5. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and subordinates.

Questions You May Ask

You should have questions formulated to ask an interviewer, which will demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in the interview and the job opportunity. Be sure to ask questions that focus on the job, its responsibilities and opportunities. Questions about benefits, vacation, etc. are better asked after a job has been offered.

Questions to Ask Interviewers

1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the position?
2. Do you have a formal training program? If yes, could you describe it?
3. How will my performance be evaluated, and how often?
4. What is a typical career path for an employee entering your organization?
5. What are your plans for expansion in terms of products, services, new branches, etc.?
6. How would you differentiate your organization from your major competitors?
7. What do you consider to be the major problems facing your industry/field today?