10 Illegal Job Interview Questions

You are always taught as a job seeker to answer every question the hiring manager throws at you during a job interview. Sometimes, however, there are questions you are under no obligation to answer.

Employers' job interview questions are designed to gather as much information about you as possible so they can make an informed decision. The majority of the time these questions are simple and appropriate but there are some, rare, occasions where you will be asked a question that is simply illegal.

State and federal laws forbid discrimination based on certain protected categories, such as national origin, citizenship, or age. Below are 10 examples of questions that, should they come up, you are under no obligation to answer; all you have to do is politely decline to respond.

• Have you ever been arrested?
• Are you married?
• Do you practice any religious customs?
• How many children do you have?
• Were you born in this country?
• How long have you been working?
• Do you have any outstanding debt or any other financial problems?
• Do you have a history of using any illegal drugs?
• Do you like to drink socially?
• Is English your first language?

8 Hiring Tips For Managers

Job seekers sometimes feel that all the pressure is on them during an interview, but hiring managers also feel their fair share of stress. Below are eight hiring tips that will help make the interview process work for employers:

1. Let Them Speak: Some hiring managers make the mistake of talking too much about themselves, leaving little time for the candidate to talk. It is important to let the interviewee know as much as possible about your role and the job, you also need to know as much as possible about him so you can make the most informed hiring decision.
2. Involve Other Staff Members: Having other employers interview with the candidate will educate him about your nonprofit’s culture. Even more useful for your purposes, it will also give you multiple perspectives on the candidate.
3. Prepare Questions: The only way you will get the most information about your perspective hire is to ask him questions. Prepare a list of questions that you absolutely must have the answers to know if the individual will be a good fit at the organization.
4. Impress: Remember that the interview is not just about whether you like the candidate; it’s also about whether he likes you.
5. Offer a Competitive Salary: If you encounter a truly worthy candidate, don’t be afraid to offer a salary that is a little higher than market value. Money does talk, after all.
6. Do Your Homework: Do a little digging into the applicant’s past to see how they performed at previous employers.
7. Pay Attention to Details: Sometimes the small things can be the biggest indicator of how a candidate will perform? Was he dressed appropriately? How was his body language? These are all things you need to observe.
8. Trust Your Instincts: If your gut tells you an applicant is too good to be true, you should probably listen to it. Don’t proceed with hiring until your concerns are alleviated.

3 Ways To Land A Job Interview

Landing a job interview is hard work, and sometimes it can seem like it's all luck. The reality is, however, that there is an art to getting the call from an employer. Below are three tips you can follow that will improve your chances.

Show confidence

Everyone knows that being unemployed is not fun, and it can be even worse if you have been out of work for a long period of time. Frustration is a powerful emotion and, when writing your resume and cover letter, it can impact the words you choose. The key to fighting this negativity is to prove to the employer that you are confident, knowledgeable, and that you will be an important addition to the organization.

Prove you are up-to-date

If you are counted among the long-term unemployed, you will have to show hiring managers that you are not rusty. If you want to impress them, review all the tools you used in past jobs, and make sure you're familiar with all the relevant industry language. Another way to prove your worth is to connect with former co-workers on LinkedIn to get endorsements and/or referrals.

Explain long-term unemployment

Whether you like it or not, gaps in employment are a red flag to employers. You can help to ease their concerns by honestly addressing the issue in your cover letter. You should also be sure to mention any volunteer work you have done while looking for jobs as this will show that you have at least been staying busy.

6 Things That Will Kill Your Job Interview

There are certain things you should never say or do during a job interview, whether it's in person, on the phone, or on Skype. No matter how skillfully you answered other questions, making one huge mistake could be the difference between getting hired or not.

According to Bruce A. Hurwitz, vice president of New York City-based Joel H. Paul & Associates, Inc., an interview will get you in the door but your behavior and appearance can get you quickly kicked out again.

Hurwitz explained how to prepare for the big interview at a recent Fundraising Day in New York held by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater New York Chapter. He mentioned that candidates should not do any of the following things:

• Be late.
• Bring coffee. Take care of your java fix before the interview.
  
• Speak ill of your previous or current employers.
• Bring up salary or benefits. If the employer does, be honest about what you’ve made and what you need to make.
• Be modest. This is your time to shine. Emphasize what you personally have done and what you’ve done in a team setting. Tell them how you would fix their problems.
• Bring notes. Prepare beforehand for questions but try not to sound rehearsed.

6 Ways To Ace A Video Job Interview

Video job interviews are an increasingly popular way for employers to talk with prospective employees. If you are not prepared for the intricacies of video chatting programs, you could find yourself left in the dust.

While having an interview on a program like Skype can save you time, it can take some time to get used to talking through a video camera. There are other hurdles to get past once you get over the initial awkwardness. One of those potential problems is not knowing the full capabilities of the technology. For example, did you know you can enable screens sharing so that you can show the hiring manager your resume or other important documents?

Here are some other tips to ensure that your Skype interview goes smoothly:

• It can be tempting to look at the screen during the whole interview, but you should really be looking directly at the camera. It's the same principle as making eye contact during an in-person interview: You want the person on the other side to feel you are paying attention to what they are saying.
• Be sure to get rid of all potential distractions. That means closing the door to your room, turning your cell phone off, and telling your family or roommates not to bother you for the next hour.
• One of the more jarring things about a video interview is being able to see yourself while you talk. In order to better prepare for this experience, talk in front of a mirror beforehand so you are familiar with your own facial expressions.
• Conduct the interview behind a plain background. You don't want the interviewer to be distracted by any "colorful" posters or objects.
• Just because you are at home doesn't mean you can wear shorts and a t-shirt. Dress the same way you would if you were going into the employer's office.
• Do a dry run with one of your friends to iron out any technical issues with your connection or computer. Disconnections are going to happen occasionally but you can still ensure your mic and audio are working properly.

7 Things To Do After Your Job Interview

What do you do after you complete a job interview? Do you go home, relax, and just wait for something to happen? Or, do you take the initiative and continue to make and impression on the hiring manager?

Even though it might seem like your work is done, there are plenty of things you can do to give yourself the best shot at being selected. Below are seven of the best steps you can take:

• Continue to express your interest: Assuming you are legitimately interested in working at the organization by the end of the interview, you should conclude by saying something along the lines of "I am really excited about the opportunity to contribute to your organization." There should be no doubt in the interviewers mind that you are a serious candidate. 
• Don't remain silent: You don't want to be pest but complete radio silence can be a problem, as it can imply that you are indifferent. Find out before you lead the office what the hiring manager prefers in terms of contact. 
• Be punctual: Keeping your word and being reliable will speak volumes about the kind of employee you will be. 
• Be patient: If you are told to wait a week before following up, you should do just that. Calling the day after the interview can come across as pushy or desperate. 
• Send a "thank you" note: There's only one instance where you should send a message to the employer almost immediately: The thank you note. It might not seem like much, but expressing your gratitude can go a long way towards proving you are a quality individual. 
• Personalize your follow-up message: When it comes time to check on your application, make sure that your follow-up message is personalized. It should contain specific references to conversations you had during the interview. This will show that you were paying attention and that you actually took the time to craft a message from scratch. 
• Accept rejection: Keep your emotions in check if you are informed that you were passed over for the position. It's possible the candidate they chose doesn't work out and, if that happens, you don't want to be remembered as someone who burned bridges.

4 Job Interview Don'ts

Job interviews are stressful enough without adding self-inflicted wounds into the equation. When you are being peppered with seemingly endless questions about your qualifications and work history, the last thing you want to do is make easily avoidable mistakes.

Not all mistakes are created equal. If you flub a word it is unlikely that you will be disqualified for the job. Other errors, however, can be much more costly. Here are four "don'ts" that you should avoid at all costs if you hope to have a fighting chance at being hired:

• Don't act unprofessionally: You might think you are being honest by calling your last manager a jerk, but the hiring manager will see this more as a personality red flag. A good way to avoid this error is to conduct mock interviews before the big day. Your "interviewer" will be able to alert you to anything you say that could be interpreted as an unprofessional remark or behavior.
• Don't be selfish: Job interviews are ultimately a way for the employer to determine whether you fit their needs. While it is appropriate to ask the hiring manager detailed questions about the position, you could come across as self-centered if you only ask about salary or how much vacation time you will receive.
• Don't dress casually: Coming to the interview dressed in casual attire will give the impression that you are not a serious candidate. Striking the right balance between over-dressed and casual is the key to success.
• Don't lie: Think your white lie about how much you accomplished at your previous job won't be discovered? Think again. All employers conduct thorough background checks of candidates so it's likely you will be caught. Even if you're not, you could be setting yourself up for failure by claiming you can do things for which you are not qualified.

4 Ways To Ease Job Interview Anxieties

Job interviews are one of those things that can strike fear into the hearts of even the bravest person. While it's normal to feel this type of anxiety, it's imperative to find ways to control your fears so you can make the best possible impression on the hiring manager.

There is no better way to calm your interview jitters than to prepare. While there are many different forms of preparation, you will find that the best thing for your nerves is to roleplay with a friend or family member. This will allow you develop answers to typical interview questions and will make you feel more comfortable with the process.

Here are three other tips that will help you feel more relaxed and confident when the day of the interview arrives:

• Plan your day around the interview. There's no better way to raise your stress level than running late because you overbooked your day.
• Practice stress relieving exercises. While you are waiting in the receptionist's office for your name to be called, do some simple relaxation exercises, such as closing your eyes and paying attention to your breathing. These techniques are very good at lowering your stress levels.
• Prepare your own questions. Don't say "no" when the interviewer asks if you have any questions. This is a good opportunity for you to show that you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in the job. 

4 Job Interview Problems And Solutions

Originally Posted on the NPT Jobs Career Center

Here’s a nightmare scenario: You’ve done countless hours of preparation for your job interview, to the point where you are very confident about your chances. So naturally, you forget all of your talking points when it comes time to talk to the hiring manager.

This scenario is one that is all too common these days and it’s all the more frustrating because of all the preparation that job seekers do. Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can’t stop the simple fact that mistakes can happen. The key is to have a plan when disaster strikes so you can quickly recover without damaging your chances of getting the job. Below are four of the most common interview disasters along with solutions on how to recover from them:

Problem: Whether it’s because you overslept or misread the train schedules, you’re running late for the interview.
Solution: Call the office once you have determined you are going to be late and let them know when they can expect you to arrive.

Problem: You forgot to bring copies of your resume and/or portfolio.
Solution: Make sure to have a copy somewhere online, whether it’s in your e-mail or on your LinkedIn profile, that you can print out when you get to the interview.

Problem: Something happens to your suit/dress on the way to the interview, making it look far less nice than it did before.
Solution: This is one of the worst-case scenarios simply because there’s not much you can do other than replacing the damaged part of your outfit. The best course of action is to continue as planned to the interview and explaining what happened to the hiring manager.

Problem: In your anxiety, you forget the name of the interviewer.

Solution: Assuming you don’t see a nameplate on his desk, you should find a good time to ask for a business card. That will refresh your memory when it comes time to write a follow-up note.

11 Sample Phone Interview Questions

It can be useful to narrow the job search by steps. Step 1 is to search for the right nonprofit job; step 2 is applying for that job; and, step 3 is going for an in-person interview. There are some variations to these steps and one of those is the phone interview.

In the book "Nonprofit Management 101," James Weinberg and Cassie Scarano of Commongood Careers write that many employers use telephone screens to narrow the candidate pool before moving on to traditional interviews. Hiring managers will develop a series of open-ended questions specific to the role and will use these to evaluate whether they want to hear more from you.

Weinberg and Scarano listed 11 sample interview questions for a director of development position. You can adjust these questions based on the job you are applying for and create well-thought out answers should you get chosen for a phone screen:

• Please tell me about why you are interested in the director of development position with our organization.
• In what type of organizational culture do you thrive? In what kind of culture do you feel less successful?
• Why are you leaving your current position?
• What skills and experience do you have that make you particularly qualified for this position?
• Tell me about the successes you have had raising money for organizations.
• Can you give me some examples of partnerships you created that led to increased revenue or opportunity for your organization? How did you create them? What were the results?
• Have you ever done a successful major ask? If so, please tell me about it.
• Please describe your experience working in partnership with a board of directors. What strategies did you implement to ensure an effective and productive partnership?
• To what extent have you been a part of a start-up organization, new initiative or high-growth environment? What was the situation and what roles did you play?
• What is your salary history? What are your current salary requirements?
• How soon would you be able to start a new position?

Should You Fake It Until You Make It?

Originally Posted on the NPT Jobs Career Center


You’ve probably heard the expression “fake it until you make it” at least once in relation to job interviews. The idea is that you need to adjust your personality in order to be attractive to potential employers. Is this the right approach or should you just be yourself?

The majority of the time the answer is to be yourself. It’s pretty hard to be a completely different person for half of the day unless you are a professional actor, so it’s better to show the hiring manager your true personality. There’s no sense faking a persona just to fit into an environment that doesn’t suit your style. This will only end up making you miserable and you’ll be looking for a new job before you know it.

So yes, it’s best to be yourself during an interview but there are some exceptions. You have to remember that you are in a professional environment which means you shouldn’t talk exactly how you would with your best friends. That means cutting out the slang and coming into the office looking like you just rolled out of bed. If any of these things describe your true personality then you probably should tone those behaviors down if you want to make a good impression.

Here are some behavioral dos and don’ts for your next nonprofit job interview:

DO:

• Come to the interview dressed professionally.
• Act professionally, exhibiting good manners (saying “thank you,” making eye contact).
• Conceal any tattoos or piercings you have. For men, make sure you are cleanly shaved.
• Turn your cell phone off.

DON’T:

• Wear t-shirts or sneakers.
• Act like you are above the interviewer.
• Pretend you know more than you do.
• Lie on your resume or cover letter.

Interviewing The Hiring Manager

Who's really in charge during a job interview? The obvious answer would be the hiring manager and, for the most part, that is correct. There is some room for questioning of your own, however.

Your primary goal during an interview should be to make sure the you impress the interviewer with your skills and knowledge, but you should also take the time to evaluate the organization. It's one of the best ways to determine whether the work environment is right for you.

Consider the following four questions the next time you have an interview:

• How stable is the organization?: Review the employer's Form 990s and/or annual reports to get a sense of whether the organization is on the right track. You'll want to reconsider the job if you find that there are considerable financial difficulties.
• Is the hiring manager prepared?: Were you made to wait way past the scheduled start time of the interview? Do you get the sense that the hiring manager didn't even read your resume? If you get the sense this person is totally unprepared for the interview, you should try to imagine what it would be like working for the organization.
• Are my questions being answered?: Pay close attention to the hiring manager's answers to your questions. Are you getting honest, well-thought out responses, or just generic corporate-speak? Are you getting a sense that this individual has a true passion for the organization?
• Is this the right work environment for me?: Take a look around the office and observe employees' interactions with each other. Do people seem friendly or distant? Do you think you would enjoy working there or would it be a daily struggle to even come to the office each day?

4 Common Job Interview Questions And How To Answer Them

No two job interviews are exactly the same but there are some similarities. This is especially true when it comes to the questions an employer will ask you.

Along with questions tailored specifically for the job, hiring managers will often ask a series of questions to get a sense of your personality. These questions are designed to be deceptively simple, and can often trip up job seekers as a result, causing them to give an answer that makes them look bad.

This is obviously something you will want to avoid so you should make it a point to thoroughly prepare your answers to these questions. Below are four of the most common "personality questions" you will be asked by employers and how you should go about answering them:

• "Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?" This is not an invitation to give the interviewer your life story. You should prepare a two- or three-minute summary of your work history and your future goals to answer this question.
• "Why do you want to leave your current job?" This is arguably one of the hardest questions to answer. If you say you are looking for a new opportunity, the hiring manager might take that to meant that you get bored easily and if you say you just want a bigger paycheck, it will give the impression that you are all about money. The best way to approach this question is to be as specific as possible: The goals of the company changed and they didn't align with your beliefs, you felt that your current job wasn't giving you a good opportunity to grow as a professional and that you think this job would better suit those needs, etc.
• "What are your biggest strengths? Weaknesses?" For your strengths, say something that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. For weaknesses, avoid contrite phrases ("I'm too much of a perfectionist) in favor of something more realistic and mention what steps you are taking to improve in that area.
• "What are your salary expectations?" It's best to avoid discussing salary and benefits until the end of the hiring process but if it is bought up earlier, give a salary range rather than a specific number. Your lowest number should represent what will allow you to live your lifestyle comfortably.

4 Ways To Recover From An Interview Mistake

Preparing for a job interview is the best way to avoid making mistakes but it's not a fool-proof method. Even if you practice for hours on end, you can still end up putting your foot in your mouth.

Interview mistakes are embarrassing and can also be costly if you don't recover from them. Since there is no way to turn back time, your only option is to go into damage control mode. Consider the following the tips when you are attempting to recover from a big mistake during your job interview:

• Apologize: To quote Elton John, sorry seems to be the hardest word to say but, if you are going to have a shot at the job, you're going to need to say it anyway. Hiring managers can be very forgiving so long as you come across as genuine when you ask for forgiveness.
• Don't be too hard on yourself: You need to move on from your mistake once you apologize. Don't spend the rest of the interview beating yourself up, as this will only distract you and make it clear to the interviewer that he does not have your undivided attention.
• Think fast: Are you sensing you are going to be late to the interview? Get ahead of the situation and phone the office to tell them you are running late and when they should expect you to arrive. Whatever the situation, remaining calm in the face of potential disaster is the best way to handle mistakes.
• It's never too late: Sometimes you don't realize you've made an error until you have left the interview. You might think it's too late to correct your mistakes, but this couldn't be further from the truth. When you send your follow-up e-mail later in the day, make a note of your mistake and correct it.

Job Interview Dos And Don'ts

Getting a job interview can sometimes make you feel so excited that you would be excused for thinking the next step is a job offer. Unfortunately, your work has just begun.

As Bruce A. Hurwitz, vice president of New York City-based Joel H. Paul & Associates, Inc., explained at a recent Fundraising Day in New York, an interview is merely a step inside the door. You can get kicked out just as quickly as you got in if you put on a poor performance. In order to better prepare job seekers for the interview, Hurwitz made a list of things they should and should not do when preparing for the big day:

Do:

• Research the employer. You better have an answer if the interviewer asks, “So, what do you know about our company?” You don’t have to memorize the mission statement, but at least know key facts about the organization.
• Prepare for multiple interviews. Some employers want to know how you would fit in the organization as a whole.
• Dress professionally. Err on the side of conservative. Don’t wear perfume or aftershave. You want the interviewer to hear you, not smell you.
• Ask for business cards. That will remind you whom you spoke with and make it easier to follow up.
• Make eye contact. Be friendly without forcing chumminess.
• Immediately send a thank-you letter. The letter can get you or cost you the job.
• Be aware of what’s on the Internet about you.

Don't

• Be late.
• Bring coffee. Take care of your java fix before the interview.
• Speak ill of your previous or current employers.
• Bring up salary or benefits. If the employer does, be honest about what you’ve made and what you need to make.
• Be modest. This is your time to shine. Emphasize what you personally have done and what you’ve done in a team setting. Tell them how you would fix their problems.
• Bring notes. Prepare before hand for questions but try not to sound rehearsed.

8 Sample Employee Interview Questions

What's the key to hiring the best employees for your nonprofit? There are many answers to that question, but one could arguably be asking probing questions during an employee interview; questions that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no."

According to Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem in "The Big Book of HR," employers will have a better chance of receiving in-depth answers with these types of questions, which will help them make more informed decisions before hiring. The two authors listed eight sample questions that will give the interviewer a better idea of the behavioral characteristics of the interviewee:

• How would you describe your communication style?
• Tell me about a time when you had to make an unplanned presentation. How did you organize your thoughts? How did you feel about this?
• Describe a situation in which effective interpersonal communication skills contributed to your success.
• Give me an example of a time when you worked on a project with little supervision. How did you get started? Describe the results.
• How would your last employer describe your work habits and ethics?
• As a leader, what do you do when people on your team aren’t pulling their weight?
• What is one of the greatest leadership challenges you have ever faced? What did you do? What was the result?
• How do you handle situations with people who don’t agree with you?

15 Legal Employee Interview Questions

There are likely a lot of questions you want to ask of a potential employee during an interview to determine whether he is the right fit for your organization. However, because of the many laws restricting what information you can ask of candidates, this is not always possible. Assuming you don't want to get in trouble with authorities, it’s important to know the questions that you can and should ask.

Gary M. Grobman, in his book “The Nonprofit Handbook, Third Edition,” created a list of 15 interview questions that you are legally allowed to ask applicants. You should be sure to include some variation of these questions during your next interview:

• What background and experience make you feel you would be suitable for this position?
• What is your educational background, and how has that prepared you for this job?
• What attracted you to apply for a position with this organization?
• What separates you from other applicants?
• Which former employers or teachers may be consulted concerning your abilities?
• What are your long-term professional goals?
• What are the two or three things that are most important to you in a new professional setting?
• What motivates you to perform?
• What are some of your most important accomplishments in your previous position, and what did you do that was special to achieve them?
• Describe a situation in which you had a conflict with another individual, and explain what you did to resolve it.
• Are you more comfortable working with a team on a group assignment, or by yourself?
• What are your significant strengths and weaknesses?
• Why are you shifting direction in employment?
• Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?
• How do you feel about your current/previous employer(s)?

3 Body Language Tips For Your Job Interview

While the phone interview can be limiting by its nature, there is one good thing about it: You don't have to worry about poor body language hindering your chances of getting the job.

There's simply no way to avoid it: Having poor body language during a job interview will make a hiring manager think twice about offering you the job. It's not all about folded arms, either; eye contact, weak handshakes, and posture also reflect poorly on your personality. Adjusting your non-verbal communications to present a more welcoming vibe will make you more likable and, as a result, more hireable.

Here are three of the most important body language errors you need to stop:

• The "Dead Fish" Handshake: Handshakes can tell a lot about a person. Someone with a weak handshake comes across as having no confidence, while a firm -- but not bonecrushing -- handshake reflects strength and confidence. Remember to smile while shaking the hand of the hiring manager.
• Too Much or Too Little Eye Contact: Appropriate eye contact is all about balance. You want to look into the other person's eyes while they are talking, but you also don't want to stare. A general rule of thumb is to make eye contact 60 percent of the time. More than this risks appearing too intense, while any less will make you appear uninterested.
• Slouching: The more straight your posture is during the interview, the better your confidence will be. Slouching also makes you seem lazy, something you want to avoid at all costs.

How To Make Bad Interviews Successful

You think you are having job interview anxiety? Believe it or not, hiring managers are likely having the same jitters as you, which can ultimately lead to a less than stellar interview process. Yet even in these situations, there is still a way to make the interview a success.

It can come as a bit of a shock for job seekers when they encounter an interviewer who comes across as nervous, inexperienced, unfocused, or unprepared. It would seem like a lost cause if you entered this situation, but that's far from the truth. Below are five types of bad interviewers, and ways you can turn a bad situation into a positive.

• The First-Time Interviewer: First-time interviewers, because of their anxiety, are likely to be extremely organized and will have a list of questions that they want answered in a specific order. To give you the best chance of highlighting the information that you think is important -- while still making the interviewer feel in charge -- it's a good idea to ask if you can talk about a few of your accomplishments after he is done with the items on his list.
• The Quiet Type: Are all of your attempts to get more information from the interviewer falling on deaf ears? Since you don't want to force the information out of the individual, your best approach is to do your own research after the interview. This could include looking at the organization's website or getting in touch with networking contacts at the nonprofit.
• The Talker: This can be the most difficult type of interviewer. Not only will you be forced to set in place for what seems like an eternity, you will find it hard to even say anything at all. Your only choice in this situation is to remain patient and resist the urge to let your frustration come out through your body language. Listening carefully is also important as you might be able to learn important information about what the kind of person the organization wants to hire, allowing to better emphasize your skills in a follow-up note.
• The Distracted Interviewer: Whether he is taking phone calls during the interview or constantly answering questions from employees, this type of interviewer will frustrate to no end. If the distractions are extreme enough, you should consider asking (diplomatically, of course) if it would be better for you to come in at a different time.
• The Intimidator: This is the kind of interviewer who will throw every little detail about the job at you, including information that makes the job much less attractive than you originally thought. Assuming it's still good enough for you to be interested, your best approach is to try and focus on what you are being told rather than how overwhelming it seems. If the job is not for you, however, you should be honest and let him know that while you appreciate his time, you have discovered that you simply aren't the best fit for the job.

Job Interview Questions For Yourself

There are multiple questions to consider when you have a job interview. Most of them will be coming to you from the interviewer, but have you considered asking yourself some questions?

In order to help you prepare for the big day, Bruce A. Hurwitz, vice president of New York City-based Joel H. Paul & Associates, Inc., suggested preparing for potential interview questions by asking them of yourself. During a recent Fundraising Day in New York City, Hurwitz said that job seekers should consider the answers to six questions by looking back on their own experiences.

The questions are:

• Why do you want to work here?
• How do you cope with multiple assignments?
• What experience do you have with deadlines?
• How do you deal with criticism?
• How do you deal with a bad supervisor?
• What was your greatest success/failure? And what did you learn from that experience.