1. Tell me about yourself.

✔ You have to believe that a 30 second answer will have the greatest impact in the interview.

✔ Keep your answer succinct and to the point

2. Why should we hire you?

✔ Summarize your experiences

✔ Show the hiring manager that you are uniquely suited to filling this position. Be the candidate that solves their "problems".

✔ Don't answer with "why" you want the job. Answer with "why you are the perfect fit" for the job.

3. What are your strengths?

✔ This question really lets you guide the interview where you want it to go.

✔ This is your chance to relate the most remarkable success story, so take advantage.

✔ Don't name a strength that is irrelevant to the job at hand

4. What was your greatest accomplishment?

✔ Talk about an accomplishment that exhibits how you will be a perfect fit for the company and for the position you're interviewing for. Your answer to this one question will create a powerful first impression.

✔ Try and show some genuine passion when you're talking about your accomplishment.

5. "Where Do You See Yourself In 3 or 5 Years?"

✔ You do want to show that you are an ambitious person but you need to show that you don't have your "head in the clouds" and are focused on the job at hand.

✔ Stress your interest in a long-term career at the company

✔ Don't exhibit ambition to the point of seeming like this particular job is just a "brief stepping stone" for you. You need to show commitment.

6. Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job?

✔ If you were let go, be honest and explain the situation and own it. Explain what you learned from the experience.

✔ Words like "downsizing" and "budget cuts" and "bad economy" are good defenses if they are true and are the reasons for departure from the job

✔ Don't bash your last company or boss or anything along those lines.

7. What are your weaknesses?

✔ This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths.

✔ Show that you are aware of your weakness and what you have done to overcome it.

✔ Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits.

✔ Don't highlight a weakness that is related to the core competency of the job

8. Why do you want to work for us?

✔ The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening.

✔ Find out the needs of the company and talk about how you're passionate about "fulfilling those needs".

✔ Show how your strengths perfectly align with the job position and company culture.