The following are some frequently asked questions and answers in an interview. They are just suggestions feel free to adjust them to your personality and qualifications.

You should have a prepared response to the frequently asked question Tell me about yourself. Your ability to recite your background in a brief 120-second format is vital to the interview process. The two-minute bio offers a quick peek into your background, strengths, and career direction.

While every personal bio is unique, the traditional format looks something like this:

1. Begin with a brief remark about your background, such as your schooling, hometown, or other items of interest.

2. State your most recent employer, job title, and years with the company.

3. Offer one or two sentences about your job responsibilities.

4. Mention one or two special accomplishments in your most recent positions, including skill strengths.

5. Refer to prior positions to indicate career progression.

6. Indicate career goals.

Rehearse your 2-minute bio until it flows naturally according to the guidelines above.

WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?

The employer wants to hear your interpretation of the important aspects of the job. If you spend your interview for a retail sales position extolling your virtues as a computer expert you aren't likely to convince the interviewer that you have the skills needed to sell merchandise.

This is an opportunity question: an opportunity to tell how well your skills match the company's needs. If the search is for a super salesperson, tell how well you have honed your skills in persuasion, communication, and perseverance. Give an example of a time that you made a successful sale, or that you convinced someone to do something, or when tenacity paid off.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR OUR COMPANY?

This is where your research of the company comes in. In today's world of instant information, we can no longer get away with going into an interview without first having researched the company. The company in turn wants to know if you have done your homework.

This question allows you to show off the research you have done on the organization. Tell the interviewer you like the company's size, location, aggressive market stance, competitive thinking and creative business policies. It is perfectly acceptable to admit that you looked up the company on the Internet or in the reference section of the library. This shows that you know how to find answers to questions and arm yourself with information.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?

Occasionally an interviewer unearths some important information regarding a potential employee's longevity by asking this question. If you plan to go to graduate school, take a vacation tour, or move to a distant state, do not mention these plans to the interviewer under any circumstances. You will be considered a hiring risk no matter how strong your skills.

Remember that the main concern throughout the interview is to fill the open position with someone who will be successful in it. Say something like, First, I'd like to gain a solid foundation in the position you are considering me for, so that I am effective and successful in it. I'm sure that as I continue to grow, there will be opportunities within the company to offer me upward professional growth and new challenges.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESSES?

It is unlikely that most interviewers are straining their ears to hear your list of weaknesses. They simply want to see how you handle the question.

Some job candidates can get away with an answer like, While I certainly have weaknesses, I don't believe I have any that are significant to the position. As you've described the position to me, I think it would allow me to call upon my strengths.

If you don't feel you could pull that off, name a weakness that is first, not closely related to the position for which you are interviewing, and second, a technical skill that you can easily learn rather than a shortcoming in your personality, which is very difficult to change. Then tell the interviewer how you are working to improve your weak spot.

TELL ME ABOUT A PROBLEM YOU'VE FACED AND HOW YOU HANDLED IT

They want to assess your analytical skills as well as your ability to relate a delicate situation with tact and diplomacy.

To prevent yourself from stumbling and fumbling for a good response, prepare one before you set foot in the interview. Your answer should involve a clear presentation of the problem, the steps you took to correct the problem, and the results of your actions. Remember to keep it to less than two minutes.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS?

The interviewer is hoping to hear that your strengths match the needs of the job. He or she also wants to know how you present yourself and will watch warily for overconfidence, boastfulness, dishonesty, and lack of assertiveness.

This is an opportunity to highlight your strong points, so make the most of it. Speak of one or two strengths and then offer examples of how you have used these strengths.

WHAT INTERESTS YOU MOST ABOUT THIS JOB?

The interviewer is looking for your areas of enthusiasm “ where you will put the most energy into the job. Make sure your strong areas match the needs of the company's needs.

Answer this question with a question. Ask the interviewer to clarify the position for you before you answer, so that I can be sure not miss any key aspects of the job. Then match your interest areas with the key components of the job.