Appendix
150 Frequently Asked Questions
Opening Remarks and Comments
Interviewers often engage in small talk to try to relax job candidates. When they sense you are ready to proceed, the real interview will commence. Start your engines. These examples signal that the interview has officially started.
1. “We are here today to gather more information about your work experiences, to learn about the skills you will bring to the position, and to gain insight about you as a person. We will share this information with our selection committee to determine if this position is a good fit for you and for us. We will have about 30 minutes together. At the end of the interview, I will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. Here is my first question….”
2. “I am going to ask you questions that will help us evaluate your credentials for this job and help you elaborate on what you submitted in your application. We will try to do this in the next 20 minutes.”
3. “In the next 30 minutes, I will ask you a series of questions, so we can get to know each other better. Do you have any questions before we begin?”
4. “During the next 10 minutes, we will talk, so I can get to know you better, and you can get to know me. I will pass along this information to the HR Director in the coming days. Do you mind if I take notes? Here is your first question….”
5. “Let's get started. In the next 40 minutes, we are going to talk about your past work experiences, your motivation for pursuing ...