Job interviews can be so frightening. They may even be worse on the nerves than public speaking, which is also a huge fear for most people. How can a person overcome some of the fears of interviewing?

The most important thing you can do to feel more comfortable in a job interview setting is to prepare for the situation. Being prepared for an interview is essential not only for your success in finding a great job, but also in keeping your nervous system from going crazy.

When you are able to answer many of the expected questions asked in a job interview, you will be far more confident and successful.

Here are some questions to help you prepare for your next job interview. Either recite your answers, write them down or both. Go over them until you feel you can answer them without hesitation.

1. Why did you leave your last job?
2. Why should I hire you?
3. What are your strongest abilities?
4. How do your skills relate to our needs?
5. How would a good friend describe you?
6. Describe the best job you've ever had.
7. What would your last boss say about your work performance?
8. Name two things that you would like to accomplish while working here.
9. What makes you qualified for this position?
10. What are you looking for?
11. Would you accept part time or temporary work?
12. Are you willing to work overtime?
13. What would you like to know about our firm?
14. Tell me something about yourself?
15. What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
16. Where do you want to be in 5 years?
17. Why do you want to work for us?
18. What motivates you to go the extra mile on a project or job?
19. What kinds of people do you enjoy working with?
20. What kinds of people frustrate you?
21. Do you consider yourself a leader?
22. What do you see yourself doing five years from now? Ten years from now?
23. What are your long range career objectives?
24. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
25. Why did you choose this career?
26. Have you ever had difficulty with a supervisor? How did you resolve the conflict?
27. What have you learned from your activities?
28. Were your extracurricular activities worth the time you put into them?
29. What interests you about our company?
30. How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
31. How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?
32. Are you willing to submit to a background check?
33. What concerns you about our company?
34. Describe the most rewarding experience of your career thus far.
35. If you were hiring a job-seeker for this position, what qualities would you look for?
36. Do you have plans for continued study? An advanced degree?
37. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be successful in this job?
38. In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
39. How do you work under pressure?
40. What's one of the hardest decisions you've ever had to make?
41. How well do you adapt to new situations?
42. How many hours per week do you expect to work?
43. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
44. What do you look for in a job?
45. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
46. Why did you decide to apply for this position?
47. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
48. What is more important to you: integrity or success?
49. What kind of work environment do you prefer?
50. How would you characterize your work ethic?
51. What else besides your school and job experience qualifies you for this job?
52. How do you determine or evaluate success?
53. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?
54. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?
55. Have you ever been fired or forced to resign?
56. How do you work in groups, and what experience have you had working in groups?
57. Are you easy to get along with?
58. What does "failure" mean to you?
59. What questions didn't I ask that you expected?
60. What do you know about our competitors?
61. How will you fit in with the corporate culture here?
62. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
63. Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size? Why?
64. What are your expectations regarding promotions and salary increases?
65. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
66. Are you willing to relocate?
67. How do you deal with competition?
68. If a background check were performed on you, what would it show?
69. What are some things you would like to avoid in a job? Why?
70. What are some of the things about your last job that you found difficult to do?
71. Do you have your reference list with you?
72. How has your present job developed you to take on even greater responsibilities?
73. What do you have going for you that might make you successful in such a job?
74. Would you like my job?
75. What do you do when people disagree with your ideas?
76. What plan of action do you take when facing a problem?
77. What is the most boring job you have ever done?

Interviewing is never going to be easy, but it can be EASIER if you are well prepared. Show your confidence the next time you are in a job interview setting and the employer will definitely take notice.

Good luck.

For additional information on interviewing, follow this link to: Interview Mistakes.