Interview Questions and Answers
An interview is a conversation. Your interviewer(s) will ask you questions about your background, experience, and goals. You should also be prepared to ask questions of the interviewer.
What You May Be Asked
The exact questions you will be asked in any interview depend on the type of employer, job, and interview. However, the following questions are commonly asked across industries and position types.
Can you tell me about yourself?
The employer is looking for general information about your academic history and interests that ultimately led you to choose your major and career path. Avoid answering this question by providing personal details about where you grew up, likes/dislikes, etc.
What do you know about us and why do you want to work for us?
Has the employer been in the news lately? Who are the key people in the organization? Make sure you have done your homework! Emphasize the strengths and experience that you would bring to the table rather than talk about what the employer would do for you.
Why should I hire you?
Present at least three examples of your strongest personal qualities or skills that would be relevant to the position, e.g., "I have excellent organizational skills; I developed the business model for our student project, assigned 12 group members to tasks, and followed up on training with each person."
How would you describe your ideal working environment?
The interviewer wants to know what type of workplace is most comfortable for you—noisy, quiet, formal, casual—to figure out whether or not you'd fit in. Be honest! It's as important to be happy with your workplace as it is to be happy with the work itself.
Can you tell me about your three greatest strengths?
Be positive and focus on examples of at least three strengths that would be valued in almost any workplace—you work well under pressure, you motivate others, you have outstanding attention to detail, etc. Additional personal qualities that most employers look for include honesty, collegiality, reliability, integrity, common sense, and enthusiasm.
Can you talk about your weaknesses?
Be careful with the weaknesses you choose to discuss. For example, don't say that you're not a morning person or that you are always late. If possible, focus on one work-related weakness and talk about how you are working to improve.
How would someone who knows you well describe you?
Think of how a former boss or colleague—rather than a friend, family member, or significant other—would describe you. Focus on attributes that would be useful in the workplace, e.g., "When I was a work-study student, my supervisor always appreciated my creativity on projects and the attention to detail I showed in my work."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Emphasize any involvement with student or volunteer organizations, especially those that relate to engineering. If you don't participate in extracurricular activities, emphasize positive personal interests that contribute to your own health or well-being, such as reading, working out, playing sports, or playing a musical instrument.
How did you choose your university?
Your response should focus on Penn State's good academic reputation and strong engineering program. It's also okay to say that your parents and/or grandparents attended Penn State and it's a family tradition.
Can you describe a challenging situation that you have faced during your college years, and how you resolved it?
This a behavioral question designed to see how you approach and solve problems. Choose a fairly benign situation, such as a conflict with a roommate, and focus on how you worked collaboratively to find a solution.
What are your salary requirements?
Although the topic of salary doesn't usually come up in an initial interview, some recruiters will want to know whether or not you are aware of the average pay rates for students or recent graduates in your major. Try not to give a specific salary figure; if you are pressed to do so, give a range. See our average starting salary information for guidelines.
What You Should Ask
As your interview comes to an end, the interviewer will likely ask if you have any questions. Always have at least three questions ready. Good questions to ask include those about the working environment and on-the-job training.
Here are some examples:
- How would you describe the workplace culture?
- What might a typical day be like for me if I were to obtain this position?
- Is the work structured in this position, or can I generally work at my own pace?
- What personal qualities would you consider ideal in the candidate you choose to fill this position?
- What have past employees/interns who have held this position liked best and least about it?
- How much travel is required for this position?
- How often are performance reviews given?
- If I were to be offered this position, how long should it take for me to learn the basic duties to be productive and make a contribution to the organization?
- What is the typical career path here for this position?
- When do you expect to make a hiring decision?
Topics To Avoid
Be careful not to ask questions that inadvertently send the wrong message about your personal motivations or your level of interest in the employer or the job.
Don't ask about:
- Basic information that is covered on the company website—especially on the home page!—or in promotional literature
- The interviewer's educational background or extracurricular interests
- Salary, vacation, or other benefits. Asking about these topics before you have received an offer can give the impression that you are more concerned about benefits than about the job itself
- How much overtime you might have to put in or how often you might have to work on weekends
Finally, don't be pushy! Asking about your chances of getting the job, for example, puts the interviewer on the spot, especially if there are still additional candidates to interview.
Learn More: Interview Questions and Answers
Common Questions Asked in an Interview and How to Answer Them
