This document provides guidance on preparing for and answering common tough interview questions. It outlines four tough questions - "Tell me about yourself", "Walk me through your resume", "What is your greatest weakness?", and "What questions do you have for us?". For each question, the document explains the interviewer's perspective, provides tips on how to structure an effective answer, and includes examples. It emphasizes showing your strengths, being concise, and focusing on growth when discussing weaknesses. The document concludes by encouraging students to practice their answers, bring their own questions to the interview, and take advantage of mock interview opportunities.

1. Answering Tough Interview Questions
Undergraduate Business Program Career Services
Kenan-Flagler Business School

2. Introductions & Agenda
• Presenter
– Samara Reynolds, Assistant Director of Career Services
• Students in Attendance
• Plan for Today
– Analyze
– Attack
– Practice

3. What are your least favorite or
most challenging interview
questions to be asked?

4. 4 Tough Questions
• Tell me about yourself.
• Walk me through your resume.
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What questions do you have for us?

5. “Tell Me About Yourself.”
• Sales Pitch
• Be creative, but use simple, direct language
• Display confidence and competence, not
arrogance
• 30-Second Commercial/Elevator Pitch

6. Tell Me About Yourself: Approach
• Focus on value you bring via:
– Interest(s)
– Experience(s)
– Skills
– Personality
– Enthusiasm
For some inspiration, here are some of the
top skills employers value most in new hires,
according to NACE (2015):

7. Elements of TMAY Answer
• Hello, my name is __________ and I am completing a
__________ degree in ___________ at UNC-Chapel
Hill with a minor in _________.
• I am interested in a career in (or position as
a) __________ in the ___________ field (industry).
• I have been involved (during college) in __________
and developed skills in __________. I have also held
an position (employment/student leadership) with
__________ and discovered that I really enjoy
__________.
• I am _______________ (strengths, personality).
• I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about my fit
for _________ (role) today.
Intro/Academics:
Your Interest:
Relevant Experience
&
Skills:
You as a Person:
Statement of Gratitude:

8. Practice
• Design your own answer to the TMAY question,
using the type of internship or job you may be
applying for next to set your framework.
• Read aloud to a peer near you (30 sec. each),
then provide/receive feedback.

9. “Walk Me Through Your Resume.”
• Similar to TMAY
• Telling your story in a succinct and intentional way
– Chronological + Thematic
• Aim for 2-3 minutes max

10. Practice
• Using our Sample Resume, how would you
“walk someone through” to highlight experiences
and relevant skills for a consulting role after
graduation (in 2-3 minutes)?

11. “What is Your Greatest Weakness?”
• Not trying to make you look or feel bad
• Looking for humility, reflection, dedication,
perseverance
• “Area for improvement”
• What to pick
– No deal breakers
– No fake* weaknesses
– Consider knowledge or skill gaps instead of flaws
• Focus: HOW ARE YOU WORKING ON THIS?

12. Practice
• Select one of your weaknesses and describe
how you have been working to improve in that
area.
• Peer practice – 1 minute each + feedback
exchange

13. What Questions Do You Have for Us?
• Shows you:
– A) Did your research
– B) Are thinking seriously about working there
– C) Respect your interviewer
• Come up with 3-5 questions about (any of these):
– Your Interviewer (their experience, opinion)
– The organization (culture, pathways)
– The role (clarifying, expanding)
– The industry (trends, news, insight)
– The process (timeline for decision, start date pref.)

14. Moving Forward
• Test out your answers ahead of time
• Practicing and perfecting [tough] interview
answers sets you up for success for the rest of
the conversation
• Bring questions with you to the interview
• Mock Interview Opportunities – BCC & UCS