Answering Interview Questions
Whilst you will never be able to anticipate every question you might be asked during an interview, you can certainly prepare yourself by developing strong and concise answers to commonly used questions. When responding to a question, keep your answers brief and to the point and, even if faced with a difficult question, stay calm, don't get defensive, and take a moment or two to consider your response before you answer.
Below you will find some commonly used interview questions which you might find useful as a starting point for your interview preparation.
Question: Tell me about yourself.
This is often the opening question in an interview and calls for a quick summary of your experience, skills and personality in the context of the job for which you are interviewing.
Question: What do you consider to be your key achievements to date?
Select achievements that are work related and recent. When explaining the achievement, identify the skills you used and also the benefit it had to the company.
Question: Why have you applied for this job / why should we hire you?
Be specific. Give real examples that demonstrate why you are best-suited to the job and pinpoint personal qualities that you have that would be truly valuable to the company.
Question: Why do you want to work here?
This is effectively asking ‘What do you know about our company?' and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate what you know about the company and how you would fit in.
Question: What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it?
The purpose of this question is to find out what your definition of difficult is and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving. In order to show yourself in a positive light, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.
Question: What do you dislike about your present job?
Be honest but keep your answer short and where possible, relevant to the role you are applying for. It may be that you do not like being restricted to one area of operation and the job you are applying for would give you the opportunity to broaden your experience in this respect.
Question: What are your strengths?
Concentrate on discussing your main strengths and provide three or four proficiencies e.g. your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people etc. and be prepared to support these statements with examples.
Question: What is your greatest weakness?
Do not say you have none – none of us is without a fault or two! The secret to answering this question is using your weaknesses to your advantage. Describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered to be a strength and the steps you have taken to combat it.
Question: Why do you want to leave your current job/employer?
Don't be negative in your reason and bear in mind that it is usually inappropriate to cite salary as your primary motivator. State how you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, experience and a change of environment.
Other common interview questions to consider:
- What do you enjoy about this industry?
- Give an example of when you have worked under pressure.
- Give me an example of when your work was criticised.
- What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with?
- Give me an example of when you have had to face a conflict of interest at work.
- Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss.
- Give me an example of when you haven't got on with others.
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Why?
- This organisation is very different to your current employer - how do you think you are going to fit in?
- What are you looking for in a company?
- How do you measure your own performance?
- What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
- How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
- Give me an example of when you have been out of your depth.
- What have you failed to achieve to date?
Remember, preparation is critical if you want to give yourself the best chance of a great interview. Research possible questions, prepare your answers in advance and don't forget to research the company you are interviewing with (see our Researching Tips).
