During an interview certain predictable questions will be asked. This is an opportunity for you to strengthen your case and convince the interviewer that you are the person for the job.
We have put together a list of possible interview questions with example answers.
Tell me about yourself?
This is usually the opening question so remember that first impressions count. Talk about your career overview, your interests and your aspirations. Do not go into too much detail, your interviewer will probably take notes and ask for you to expand on any areas where they would like additional information. This question can assist the employer in finding out how you will fit into the organisation and their team so ensure that you are prepared.
What do you know about the Company?
Ensure you have done your homework! Try and recall at least three facts about the company for example, an overview of what they do, when they were established, the number of employees they have or any awards that they have won.
What do you know about the vacancy?
Ensure you can recall the basics about the job description, this will demonstrate your interest in the role and that you genuinely want their job, not just any job!
What attracts you to the job?
This question will provide you with the opportunity to describe how the role matches your experience, knowledge, skills and aspirations.
What are the main responsibilities in your current / last job?
This question provides you with the ideal platform to describe how your experience is relevant to your application and how this experience will add value to the company. Ensure you reread the job advertisement and job description and highlight your relevant skill sets.
What do you enjoy the most and least about your current / last job?
Try not to provide any unconstructive feedback about your current or previous employer/s. Where possible, ensure you turn any negative feelings into positive statements.
What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses?
Try to provide two or three work related strengths with examples. If you are unsure of what to say, refer to the vacancy job description as this will provide you with a list of the candidate requirements that the employer is seeking.
Ensure you turn any weaknesses into positives for example, by demonstrating what you have done to try and rectify the weakness such as undertaking a training course.
How would your last Manager describe you?
How would your best friend describe you?
How do you spend your spare time?
The last three questions are geared towards finding out about your personality and how you will fit into the organisation and the dynamics of the team. Where possible, keep your answers relevant to the job and focus on your strengths. These questions also provide you with the ideal opportunity to boast about yourself through someone else’s words, so ensure you utilise the opportunity!
How do you prioritise your day?
This question is aimed to assess your time management skills and your ability to work in a structured manner. Ensure that you have prepared your answer with a suitable example for example, ‘I write to do list each morning and review it hourly, this ensures that I always deliver what I promise and on time.’
Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years time?
This question is an indirect question aimed to test your longevity for this role and to assess your career aspirations. It could be beneficial to discuss both your short and long term goals, which will highlight your current commitment but also your long term aspirations.
Why should we offer you this role?
In other words, the interviewer is asking you ‘what can you do for us that the other candidate’s can’t?’ With this in mind, discuss your key attributes and experience and how they match the job description. This is an ideal opportunity for you to discuss your best achievements to date and how you could bring this success to the interviewers company.
What salary are you seeking?
Where possible, try not to provide any specific numbers as this will place you in a difficult position to negotiate at a later date. If the salary was disclosed on the job description or on the advertisement, you could refer back to this by saying ‘I am seeking a salary in the region of that which you had advertised.’
Ask yourself ‘what is the worst question I could be asked’ then rehearse a positive answer!
Finally, ensure you have prepared a small selection of questions to ask the interviewer as this will demonstrate your interest in the position and the company. If you feel that the interviewer has answered all of your questions during the interview try using, ‘from our discussions, how do you feel that my knowledge and experience matches the requirements of the role?’
By utilising the opportunity to ask questions you will be provided with additional information about the role and you will gain a deeper understanding of the culture and goals of the company.