It is recommended that you spend approximately half an hour looking over each résumé before an interview. This time allows you get acquainted with the individual you are about to meet, and to write down any key questions you may wish to ask about their résumé.

There are thousands of possible questions that you may wish to ask in an interview. Here is a list of questions commonly asked by interviewers. Using this list as a database, you may select any questions that are pertinent to your organization.

1. What do you consider to be your strong points?

2. What do you consider to be your weak points?

3. What motivates you?

4. What is your definition of success?

5. What did you enjoy most about your last job?

6. What did you least enjoy about your last job?

7. What would you like from your career in 5 years?

8. What are your short-term career goals?

9. Do you prefer to work alone, or as part of a team?

10. How do you get along with your peers?

11. How good are you at motivating people?

12. What were the last three books that you read?

13. Why do you want to change jobs?

14. Why are you unemployed?

15. Why do you feel that you will be an asset to the company?

16. How well do you work under pressure?

17. How do you feel about working overtime?

18. Would you be willing to relocate to find work? Are you willing to travel?

19. What did you learn in your last position?

20. Why do you want to work for this company?

21. What do you consider to be your most outstanding achievements?

22. What kinds of problems do you enjoy solving?

23. Have you ever been fired? If yes, why?

24. How ambitious are you?

25. What was your last salary? What are your minimum salary requirements at this time?

QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK

It is important to know that there are a number of subject areas that an employer may not ask about. These areas are defined by law and are designed to prevent discrimination in hiring on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, ethnic background or handicap. While it is illegal for you as an employer to ask these questions, it is not illegal for the person being interviewed to supply this information. Here are some subjects that you should avoid asking about:

1. Questions regarding race, religion or ethnic origin
2. Questions about age
3. Questions about marital status or children
4. Questions about height, weight, health or handicaps that are not related to the requirements of the job
5. Any question that you perceive to be inappropriate (e.g. questions about one's personal life, living arrangements, friends)