The best interview questions employers use start with "How," "What," and "Why." When employers use those words they give you a chance to explain what you have done and where you did it.

Employers are looking to hire people who can make their company better.

Following are a few questions employers commonly ask. Most of the questions appear simple. As applicants read through the questions their typical reaction is "I know that." It isn't whether you know the answer or not, but whether you can give the answer clearly and concisely the first time you are asked the question.

To find out how well you are prepared answer each of the questions out loud. That will immediately tell you which questions you do know answers to and which of the questions you need to practice answering until you can quickly and clearly answer the question.

Questions:

• What have been your most significant accomplishments the last 12 months? (Quantify your answers whenever possible. Let employers know you know how to make money.)
• What has been the most difficult situation you have had to deal with? How did you deal with it? Based on what you learned, how would you handle the situation differently the next time?
• Have you ever dealt with a life threatening situation? What was your role?
• What are the three things in your career that you are the proudest of?
• Why have you made the career moves you have?
• How have you made your current/last employer more successful?
• Why do you want to change jobs?
• What would make your current job more satisfying?
• How would you restructure your current job to be more effective?
• What management skills would you like to strengthen?
• What skills would you like to acquire to make you a more effective supervisor? Leader? Mentor? Coach? Manager?
• What position would you like to be in 3-4 years from now? What steps are you taking to prepare yourself for that position?
• What is the most recent book you have read?
• How do you stay abreast of your industry?
• What training classes have you attended the last year?
• What outside organizations do you belong to? Why?
• What are your weaknesses? Your strengths?
• What do you like to do with your spare time?
• Who are 3-4 companies you admire, and why do you admire them?
• Who has been your mentor? How did they become your mentor?
• How do you motivate people?
• How would you build a team?
• How do you train employees?
• What experience have you had cross-training employees?
• What types of things frustrate you?
• Are you meeting your budget and/or projections? If not why and what are you doing to get back on track?
• Tell me about difficult guest/customer relations problems you have dealt with?
• Describe the process you go through when a customer is dissatisfied?
• What is your greatest technical strength? Managerial?
• Are you a better manager or leader?
• How would your boss describe you? Your peers? Hourly employees?
• What makes you an effective problem solver?
• How do you react when your ideas get shot down?
• How do you react under stress?
• How would you structure an ideal job to take advantage of the strengths you currently have?
• Do you mind taking a drug test? Honesty test? Diagnostic evaluations? Skills evaluation?
• What is the single most important thing to you?
• Is it more important to increase revenues/sales or to control costs?
• What does guest satisfaction mean to you?