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There are many kinds of questions that are commonly asked in interviews. Interviewers will ask questions to find out about your personality and demeanor. They want to determine whether you will fit into the existing group. They will ask questions to determine your overall interest in interior design and the specialty area that you are interested in pursuing. If you are a recent graduate, the interviewer probably will ask you about your educational background and the classes you took.

Typically, an employer will ask you to discuss your strengths and weaknesses. Whenever possible, discuss your strengths related to specific examples. Perhaps CAD is a particular strength, so consider mentioning grades in those classes or extra workshops you have taken. Weaknesses are harder to discuss. Deal with any of these in a straightforward manner, focusing on how you are trying to overcome the weakness.

Questions are likely to come up to find out about your ambitions in the field and, to some degree, your future plans with regard to your career. Interviewers may even ask questions to find out if you have any “skeletons in the closet,” to discover whether you left a prior job under bad circumstances. It is important that you prepare yourself for these questions in advance. The questions shown in Table 6‐4 are typical of ones asked in an interior design interview.

TABLE 6‐4. Common interview questions

General Questions for Any Candidate

Why did you decide to become an interior designer?

What do you know about our company?

How did you hear about our company?

Why do you wish to work for us?

Have you applied to any other companies?

Tell me about the qualifications you have for this position.

Are you willing to do the traveling out of town that is necessary for this position?

Tell me about yourself.

How long have you lived in this city?

How much compensation are you expecting?

What will you add to our company?

Describe what you consider to be your weaknesses.

How do you plan to overcome those weaknesses?

Could you name a coworker we could contact who could tell us something about you?

Do you have any objections to taking a psychological test?

Questions Common for Entry‐Level Positions

Why did you select the college or school you attended?

Why did you select a major in interior design?

Did you have any leadership experience in college?

How do you think your colleagues in your major would describe you?

How do you view this job in relationship to your long‐term goals?

Describe your reactions when your work was criticized.

What are your ambitions for the future?

How long would you expect to stay with our company?

Did you find it comfortable to work in the classroom studio?

How long do you think it will take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Common Questions for Candidates with Prior Professional Experience

Tell me about your previous experience and how those positions relate to this position.

How do you think you can best contribute to this firm?

Why are you looking for another position?

Are you a leader?

What are your ambitions for the future?

You appear to be overqualified for this job. Why are you applying for this position?

If you are offered a position with this company, tell me what you would do during the first month on the job.

How much are you worth?

How would you describe your supervisory (management) style?

How have you increased sales or profits at your present employer?

How do you think your present boss would describe you?

May we contact your present employer?

Please tell me how many days of work you missed last year.