Job interviews are a common source of anxiety for many of us. Much of this seems to stem from a concern that we will be “thrown” by a difficult question. In response, many job seekers attempt to memorise answers to possible questions in the hope that one or more of them will be asked. Why is this not a great thing to do? The range and nature of questions you may be asked at interview is vast and it is therefore neither practicable nor desirable to “swot up” on questions in preparation. A far better alternative, and one which involves much less stress and anxiety, is to have assessed what you have to offer an employer and what your career needs are, and to be very clear about both. In this way you will be fully and confidently prepared and able to give natural, authentic responses at interview. The assessment activities in our career coaching programmes are designed explicitly to help you do just that.
Once you are clear about the value you can offer an employer, here are some typical interview questions you might be asked. These should give you an idea of typical questions and an opportunity to check your preparedness. You might try randomly selecting a few questions and answering them.
You may find it helpful to ask a friend or family member to assist you:
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is it about this role that appeals to you?
3. Tell me why we should offer this job to you?
4. Where do you hope/intend to be in the next three years?
5. How would your ex-boss/ex-colleagues describe you?
6. What would you say were your main strengths?
7. What is your biggest weakness?
8. Give me an example of your problem solving skills.
9. Tell me about an occasion where your communication skills made a difference to the situation.
10. Describe a time when you had to persuade a reluctant person to take a particular course of action.
11. Describe a situation when you had to deal with an angry customer.
12. What type of responsibilities do you delegate? Give examples of projects where you made best use of delegation.
13. What would you describe as your greatest achievement?
14. What leadership qualities do you possess?
15. How would you describe your management style?
16. How do you keep up with technical developments in your field?
17. Describe a time when you were faced with unrealistic/unfeasible goals? How did you handle the situation?
18.If we offer you this job what area(s) would you feel most unconfident about?
19. If we offered you this job what would be your first priority on joining?
20. Are you considering other jobs at this time? How does this opportunity compare?
21. What salary are you seeking?
22. How do you motivate your team?
23. Give me an example of when your work has been criticised. How did you respond?
24. Why did you stay so long in your last role?
25. Would you be prepared to relocate?
26. Can you give me an example of your team work and leadership?
27. Do you prefer working on your own or in a team?
28. What do you do when you’re not working?
29. What do you know about us?
30. Do you have any questions for me?
There are no “right” answers to these questions. What is important is that you can answer relevant questions confidently, honestly and in a way which positively promotes your abilities, experience and skills. Good luck!
Once you are clear about the value you can offer an employer, here are some typical interview questions you might be asked. These should give you an idea of typical questions and an opportunity to check your preparedness. You might try randomly selecting a few questions and answering them.
You may find it helpful to ask a friend or family member to assist you:
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is it about this role that appeals to you?
3. Tell me why we should offer this job to you?
4. Where do you hope/intend to be in the next three years?
5. How would your ex-boss/ex-colleagues describe you?
6. What would you say were your main strengths?
7. What is your biggest weakness?
8. Give me an example of your problem solving skills.
9. Tell me about an occasion where your communication skills made a difference to the situation.
10. Describe a time when you had to persuade a reluctant person to take a particular course of action.
11. Describe a situation when you had to deal with an angry customer.
12. What type of responsibilities do you delegate? Give examples of projects where you made best use of delegation.
13. What would you describe as your greatest achievement?
14. What leadership qualities do you possess?
15. How would you describe your management style?
16. How do you keep up with technical developments in your field?
17. Describe a time when you were faced with unrealistic/unfeasible goals? How did you handle the situation?
18.If we offer you this job what area(s) would you feel most unconfident about?
19. If we offered you this job what would be your first priority on joining?
20. Are you considering other jobs at this time? How does this opportunity compare?
21. What salary are you seeking?
22. How do you motivate your team?
23. Give me an example of when your work has been criticised. How did you respond?
24. Why did you stay so long in your last role?
25. Would you be prepared to relocate?
26. Can you give me an example of your team work and leadership?
27. Do you prefer working on your own or in a team?
28. What do you do when you’re not working?
29. What do you know about us?
30. Do you have any questions for me?
There are no “right” answers to these questions. What is important is that you can answer relevant questions confidently, honestly and in a way which positively promotes your abilities, experience and skills. Good luck!
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