Resources/Resumes
The Springfield Employment & Training Center

Providing employment guidance, training
and placement services to Illinois job seekers.

    The Springfield Employment & Training Center (SETC) Network is an innovative, customer-driven system designed to provide employment and training services to job seekers and employers, in cooperation with local educatinal institutions. The SETC Network is a one-stop source where the public can easily access a broad array of employment, training, educational and related services.
     Job seekers or workers looking to improve their skills or locate employment can rely on SETC resources and services to help them realize their employment potential. Services available at SETC typically include:

   Personal assessments and job referral assistance
   Education and training program enrollment
   Job-specific training
   Computer training
   Multimedia resource centers
   Unemployment Insurance
   Employers can rely on SETC services for help with personal
        requirements including:

       Recruitment and referral of job applicants
       On-line talent bank and job postings
       Education and training program listings
       Comprehensive labor market and economic information
       Information on available tax credits

Interview Questions

The following is a sample list of common interview questions asked candidates for entry level positions.

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your three main priorities in life?
3. What has been your greatest challenge?
4. What has been your greatest failure?
5. Name four traits that you think would be important for an effective leader. Why did you chose these?
6. In a particular leadership role you held, what was your greatest challenge?
7. In a particular leadership role you held, what was your greatest defeat?
8. How would others describe you as a leader?
9. Give me an example of an idea that has come to you and what you did with it?
10.Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used?
11.What work experiences have been most valuable to you and why?
12.Tell me about a project you initiated.
13.What is the most difficult decision you have had to make? 14.What type of situations put you under pressure?
15.How do you cope with pressure?
16.Why are you interested in our company?
17.What would be the ideal job for you?
18.What type of position are you seeking?
19.Where do you see yourself in three years, five years?
20.What do you know about our company?
21.What interests you about this job?
22.What can you contribute to our company?
23.Why should we be interested in you?
24.What goals have you set for yourself? How do you plan to achieve them?
25.What is your most significant accomplishment to date?
26.To what do you owe your success?
27.What motivates you?
28.What would be the main reason why I would not hire you?
29.When tackling a project, do you like to work in a group or individually?
30.Describe the ideal manager.
31.Describe the type of manager for whom you would like to work.
32.Give me examples of your team player qualities.
33.Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who was difficult and how you handled the situation.
34.What type of work environment most appeals to you?
35.We are looking at a number of very talented candidates. Why should we hire you over them?
36.What will you do if you are not the person chosen for this position?

Once you have read these questions, prepare answers for all that might apply to your interview situation. Remember, employers can ask just about any question they want so, be prepared, and don't let an "off the wall" question throw you. Don't brag, be truthful, be positive, never berate a former co-worker or past manager.

Interviews can be conducted by a single individual or a team. If you are interviewed by a team the odds are that only one of them will be a HR person trained in interviewing and the rest are just people who work there with no interviewing experience.

Every interview is beneficial, so even if you are not offered the position, you have gained valuable experience and information to help you with the next interview.

You never get a second chance to make a
" Good First Impression".

Illinois workNet Center: 1300 S. Ninth Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 782-3846 -- TTY Service (217) 558-3530

For Other Centers:
1-888-FOR-IETC ©2008 workNet