Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself.

I just graduated from University of Mindanao with a degree in AB Political Science and
my major opened my eyes to public service which I began to grow a deep passion for. During
my internship, I worked at CHR and that experience provided me knowledge about how the
government office operates in reality and which really solidified my clerical and interpersonal
skills. And at all times, I put my heart in everything I do.

1. How and why did you select UM?

Since my Tita is living here in Davao, my parents want me to pursue my college
education here. We have chosen UM because it is known for providing good education at the
same time it is affordable, and it also offered flexible schedule of classes in which you can
choose whether you want to go to school in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening.

2. What led you to this major and what courses did you like most/least?
I had plans to take up law and my family suggested me to pursue Political Science
because it can offer me good preparations for it. And at the same time, I want also to become a
public servant in the future. I do believe that my education can prepare me best in that field.

3. How has your education prepared you for this job? In which respects are you best prepared or
most knowledgeable?
We as Political Science graduates developed a broad range of skills that prepared us for
careers in areas such as government, ngo or even in business.

4. What is your GPA and how does it reflect your academic abilities?
I consider myself as an average person who is eager to learn and determined to excel in
everything I do. Having this grade, it reflects my perseverance and how responsible I am when it
comes to my responsibilities when I was a student and even as a worker.

5. Why should I hire you?

My qualifications and experience gives me the necessary skills and abilities to make a
meaningful contribution to your office. I realize that there are likely other candidates who also
have the ability to do the job. Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for
the job—my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to produce the best output in
everything I do. For example, in our research class. Though, I was solely the one who worked for
our group research because my group mates are not capable enough to do their part, still I was
able to finish our research before the deadline of submission and all my efforts and sacrifices
were paid off because our group research is considered as the best research in our thesis batch.

6. What are your Strengths and weakness?

I feel uncomfortable when work is not completed on right time.
I've learned to make my perfectionism work to my advantage at work. I am excellent at meeting
deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct.

I have an extremely strong work ethic. When I'm working on a certain task, I don't want just to
meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.

7. How do you think you professor who knows you would describe you?
“I am friendly and like meeting and working with people and expect to give anything I
can, I’m also hardworking, conscientious, truthful, organized and thorough.”

8. What is the toughest challenge you have faced? Why?

 Among all challenges that I’ve been through, I consider doing our thesis is the toughest
challenge I had ever since because for 5 months, I’m the solely one who work hard for it but
despite the pressures and hardships I’ve been throughout the making, I’m very happy and
satisfied that I was able to successfully finish the research and among 10 groups, ours was
chosen to represent Political science program during the research conference in our school and it
is about to be published by our adviser in American publication this year and for that, I consider
it as my greatest achievement in my college years.

9. As we make our decision about your fit for this position, what do you want us to remember
about you?
I always see to it that in everything I do, I always give the very best I can. I’m
responsible enough and trustworthy person. I’m also passionate kind of person and have a strong
determination to succeed in all areas of my life.

10. Can you work under pressure?

Yes, I actually find it stimulating. However, I believe in planning and proper time
management to reduce panic deadlines within my area of responsibility.

11. What have you learned from your work / internship / co-op experiences?
I’ve learned how to communicate well with different people in a busy working
environment. My experience in CHR also developed my administrative and clerical skills in
managing files and records, word processing and gave me more knowledge in clerical
procedures. My stay there gave me an opportunity to have knowledge on the actual practices of a
government office.

12. How have your extracurricular activities provided experience applicable to the workplace?

13. Tell me about your favorite supervisor – your least favorite supervisor.
Describe what you think would be an ideal relationship between a supervisor and a subordinate.
What qualities does a successful manager possess?
"The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership—the ability to be the
visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and
direction for subordinates, keeping them focused on what is most important for delivering the
highest priority results. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest
of their abilities

14. Tell me about a time:*

When you had a major problem and explain how you dealt with it.
A good follow up question to this might be How would you handle the same situation differently
now?
When you made a poor decision and how you corrected it.
When you had to adapt to a difficult work situation.
When you worked with someone you disliked and how you handled the situation
15. In what type of work environment are you most comfortable?

I'm most comfortable in a work environment where people are given the opportunity to
excel, that let people to grow to their fullest potential and allows people to do what they do best.

How do you work under pressure?*

I always do not practice procrastination even before I was a student. I always do my
work ahead of time to avoid deadline panics so that I can still have time to check if my work is
good enough or it requires more effort to have quality.

16. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?

I'm motivated by the word of God and prayer. It encourages my heart and keeps me on
the right track.

17. How do you determine and evaluate success?

I try to set goals that meet or beat expectations, and work as hard as I can to complete
those goals. If I make mistakes along the way, then I know I can improve and still have work to
do, but if I reach those goals and achieve my desired outcome, I consider that a success.”

18. What are your salary expectations?

I’m looking for a job and office to call home. The most important thing to me will be the
job itself and the agency. If I’m the right person for your office, I’m sure you’ll make a fair offer
appropriate to my job responsibilities and ability to do the job successfully.

19. What are your long and short-range goals and objectives?
My immediate goal is to obtain a position, which is challenging and will offer me the
opportunity to continue to learn and advance to more responsible and challenging tasks.” OR

“My immediate goal is to find the right position which will offer a challenge and afford the
opportunity to reach my full potential.

20. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In 5 years time, I see myself progressing in (the field) and in (the company), learning new
skills to the benefit of office. I find any job here is extremely interesting and motivating. I can
see many challenges lying ahead of me, which I am eager to experience. And therefore, I am
willing to invest my 5 years time learning all aspects of the job towards professional
advancement.

21. Why are you seeking a position with our company?

I understand your office is interested in employees who want to work hard and make a
meaningful contribution. And I sincerely want to join your office where every employee is
valued and
22. Tell me what you know about our organization?

23. Do you consider yourself to be organized? Do you manage your time well?
Yes. I consider myself as an organized person and proper time management.

24. Do you consider yourself to be a risk-taker?

It depends upon the situation. I’m analytical kind of person. I always think carefully
before I’ll make any move. If there is a circumstance that requires me to be a risk-taker, I’m
willing to do so also as long as I know my move it’s for my benefit and for the benefit of others
as well.

25. How do you resolve disputes with co-workers? How do you handle conflicts in the
workplace?

26. What book are you currently reading (or what was the last book you read)?

27. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle in your life.

28. What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?

Hardworking, honest and courteous

29. What do you really want to do in life?

Since then, I want to be work as a public servant. That is my ultimate goal in life.

30. What are your long range career objectives?

31. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

32. Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?
Job is more important to me because what matters to me most is a job that can offer me the
opportunity to grow to my fullest potential and excel in my profession. And I do believe
money follows.

33. If you are hiring a graduate for this position, what are you looking for?

34. What do you know about our company?

35. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
I can learn more to achieve my fullest potential, friendly-working environment and
recognizes job well done.

36. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal it?
37. What have you learned from your mistakes?

38. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?

39. Describe your ideal working environment. If you had your choice of companies and jobs,
where would you go? What qualities do you look for in a job?
I would describe the ideal job as a job that makes the most of my qualifications and
abilities, and gives me a chance to constantly challenge myself. I look for a stable job with
quality supervision, a positive work culture at a successful office that will encourage me to work
at my best and a workplace where there is respect for individual’s ideas and always appreciate
good work as well as knowledge.

40. What new goals have you established recently?

“To continue to gain as much as possible from each new experience and opportunity.”

41. If hired, what do you see in your future?

An opportunity to contribute towards increased efficiency which in turn will provide me
with a challenge to continue to excel. I want to grow professionally by making meaningful
contributions and gaining added responsibility. I feel promotions will come as a result of hard
work.

42. Define cooperation.

Cooperation is the important thing to have quality when working with other people.
Without this essential thing, the team cannot attain its goals and achieve excellence.

What are the primary reasons given when past employees have left this position?