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Please note that interview questions vary upon career field.

  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • How does this job fit into your long-term career goals?
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses?
  • Why did you select Cornell University?
  • Why are you pursuing a career in [insert appropriate field]?
  • What do you do to motivate yourself?
  • Describe the environment in which you work best.
  • What skills would you like to improve?
  • Describe your own work ethic.
  • If someone has just met you for the first time, what three words would be used to describe you?
  • What two characteristics separate you from your classmates?
  • Under what style of supervision are you most productive and/or comfortable?
  • Given a list of things to do, how do you prioritize the items?
  • How would your closest friend describe you?
  • Who or what has had the greatest influence on your life?
  • If you could create the perfect job for yourself, what would it be?
  • If you had to choose a career other than [insert appropriate field], what would it be?
  • In ten years, how will you know if you are successful?
  • When you work in a team, what role do you typically take?
  • If you could change one decision that you have made, what would it be?