Interview Questions

Common Interview Questions

1.Tell me about yourself?

• This is designed to break the ice and get you talking. Keep your answer to one or two minutes – don’t ramble

2. What are your long-term career plans?

• Keep them relevant to the job

3. Why should we employ you?

• This is your chance to shine – be positive and confident!
• Highlight the skills and experience  you have that are relevant to the job
• Tell them about the personal qualities that you can bring to the job
• Tell them about your achievements you have had which are relevant to the job
• At the end you could add that you think there is a good fit between you and the job

4. What are your strengths?

• Give at least three and relate them to the job

5. What are your weaknesses?

• Don’t say you haven’t got any. State one ‘positive’ weakness, like ‘I’d like to have more skills and training in XXX area’ or ‘I can use Microsoft Office, but would like more training on how to use it’.
• Tell them about something you found difficult and explain how you overcame this
•  Never give a negative answer such as: ‘I’m no good at English’ or ‘I’m not good at managing my time.’

Find out more about how to answer strengths/weaknesses question here

6. What interests do you have outside work?

• Your hobbies and interests tell an employer about you, whether you are sociable or solitary, or if you can take on ‘leadership’ roles
• Think about which interests paint the right picture for the job you are applying for

7. What do you know about our company?/Why do you want to work for us?

• Research the company
• Mention that the job will give you the chance to do work that interests you
• Emphasise the positive reasons why you want to join their company (for example their good reputation and their training programme)

8. Why do you want this job?

• Think carefully about this question beforehand
• Stress the positive aspects which have attracted you to applying
• Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job
• Enthuse about how your skills are a perfect match

9. What skills/qualities do you think will be required for this job?

• Show you know what’s actually involved in the job. The job advert and job description will help, but you should think of the other qualities that may be required, such as leadership, communication, interpersonal skills and problem solving.

10. When are you available to start?

• As soon as possible

• Did you do any work-experience at school? Where? When?
• What was your favourite subject in school – and why?
• What have you been doing since you left school or college?
• Why have you applied for this position?
• What kinds of equipment can you use?
• Have you had any experience of this kind of work?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• How do you cope with pressure?
• What was your greatest success at school/college/ your last job?
• What can you bring to the job/company?
• How often were you absent from your last job/school/college?

Questions to Ask

Most interviews end with ‘Are there any questions you would  like to ask?’

Make sure you have some prepared – ask two or three questions, such as:

• What sort of training will I get?
• Will I have a chance to gain any qualifications?
• How will I know how I am doing – how will my progress be reviewed
• What are the prospects for progression in the company?
• Will there be the opportunity to take on more responsibility in the future?
• When do you want the person who gets the job to start?

Perhaps finish with – When will I know if I have got the job?

The interviewer will normally tell you what will happen next about offering the job, but if not, ask  politely.