While there are scores of questions that you may be asked in an interview, the six on this sheet illustrate some key types. "Good" answers will vary considerably according to the individual. The information following each question will help you to anticipate your responses and prepare effectively for these and related questions.

This is a very basic and important interview question. It can be phrased in many ways, e.g.: "Why should we hire you?" or "What could you bring to this position?" Regardless of the phrasing, you must do well in answering this question. You need to provide the interviewer with the three or four main reasons for your being a great candidate. Further, you need to state these reasons clearly and confidently, and you need to back each with concise but strong evidence. This may sound difficult, but it really isn't if you do the following critical homework prior to the interview:

List at least a dozen of your strongest skills/ qualities (for this position and employer). You will find it helpful to refer to the "Skills Exercise" in this packet. After each skill/ quality, give a strong, specific piece of evidence. For example, "Strong basic laboratory skills. Completed 14 credits of lab-related coursework at UC and worked a whole summer in a research laboratory."

Re-write your list: recording the most important skill/quality first, second most important next, etc. Once you have prepared this list, you are all set to answer any version of question #1. You will find, too, that while you use only the top three or four items from your list to answer this question, you will use most of the others as the interview progresses.

This question is probably more difficult than the previous one. You'll look pretty silly if you say you have none, but you can damage your position by describing a "biggie". Some writers suggest that you present a strength as a weakness, e.g., ''I guess a major weakness is the fact that I'm such a hard worker I often forget all about quitting time:" The problem with that approach is that it smacks of insincerity; few employers would be impressed with a candidate who didn't come across as sincere and honest. The best answer is one that presents a true weakness but one of modest size. Also, it is wise to show that you compensate for the weakness. There could be scores of good answers to this question, e.g., ''I don't like computers and I guess that's a weakness these days. However, I can use a PC for basic work such as word processing." It is a good idea to go into an interview with a couple such examples since the interviewer will sometimes ask you to relate a second weakness.

In order to provide a strong answer to this question, you should obviously have a good handle on your experience as well as some basic knowledge of what the organization "does". Your answer should be framed within the context of what you think needs to be done, how you think it should be done, and why you would be able to do it well and enthusiastically. As with most interview questions, preparation is key. The first part of that preparation is the same as for Question #1, i.e., you need to inventory your strongest skills and qualities and decide which ones relate most directly to the position and organization. The second part the preparation, gathering some information about the employer and/ or position, can be much more challenging. Information on large businesses is generally easy to find, especially in career offices and libraries. Information on public sector employers and businesses that are not publicly held (95% of U.S. businesses are not) is usually more difficult to find. Information interviews are often very productive. A phone call to the organization can result in a helpful clerical person mailing you some good information. Keep in mind that if you are having a tough time finding information, your competition probably is too! Some creativity and extra effort on your part, even if it yields only a small quantity of information, can give you a competitive edge as you answer this question (and other).

If your grade point average is above a 3.0, you will have little or no trouble with this question - simply give them the number. If your grades are more modest, the question will be more challenging. You have to tell the absolute truth, of course, but rather than answer this question by saying, "2.2", consider some means of damage control. For example, your GPA in your major or specialization may be considerably higher than your overall GPA. It may be that you have worked a considerable number of hours per week while carrying a full course load, or have been very active in athletics or a campus organization. It may also be that you changed colleges or majors and are doing much better since the switch.

The best approach if your grades are low, then, is to state your GPA without sounding defensive or apologetic and follow the number with some additional information that, at the least, helps to neutralize a potentially negative exchange. Many employers will not be concerned about grades, by the way.

If you are, "yes" is a good answer. The interviewer may follow by asking you, "which ones?" You are under no obligation to provide this information and may choose a response such as, "I'd rather not say".

Revealing the fact that you're interviewing with an organization markedly different from the one the interviewer represents could be damaging, e.g., it could imply that your career goals are scattered and unclear.

On the other hand, you may choose to reveal the fact that your are being considered by the competition. There are two basic lessons here: 1) choose your response to this and other questions by considering what is in your best interest; and 2) don't feel that you need to answer every question an interviewer asks you.

This question is strictly illegal, as are questions related to your race, religion, sexual preference, or ancestry. Employers can legally ask only those questions that are job-related or necessary for determining your eligibility for employment. If, therefore, you are asked a question such as #6, you have several options: you can answer the question; you can politely point out that the question is illegal; or you can take a "middle ground" approach, e.g., "I'm not sure why you're asking me that question. My marital status would not affect my ability to perform well in this position." The latter tactic is generally the best, especially when stated in a controlled, courteous manner. You can always take a firmer stance if the interviewer fails to get your message.