No matter what kind of job you are applying for, there are
certain interview questions that will probably come up, and our
advice on how to answer them can give you a big advantage when you
go for your interview.
Tell me about yourself?
You should answer this question by giving a brief introduction
about yourself and then go on to provide the basic details about
your previous positions and any significant achievements. Keep your
answer quite brief.
What are your strengths?
Try to think of a few strengths you have which are relevant to
the job you are applying for. What the employer wants to find out
by asking this question is whether you have strengths they consider
to be important to do the job.
What are your weaknesses?
This is a very common question to be asked at interview. The
interview doesn't expect you to be good at everything, but the
important thing is not to pick a skill that is essential for the
job. For instance, if the job you are applying for needs a high
level of accuracy, do not say that you have a poor level of
attention to detail. Whatever weakness you say you have, it is
important to demonstrate what you have done to overcome the
weakness, or at least appear willing to overcome it.
What experience do you have in this industry?
If you have experience of the kind of work you are applying for,
pick a positive contribution or achievement from a previous job to
talk about. If you do not have experience in the industry, try to
find some experience or skills you do have which could be
relevant.
What do you know about this company/organisation?
This question offers you the opportunity to impress the
interviewer by showing them how much you know about the company you
are applying to work for. The more you know, the better you will
look to the employer. It is important to find out as much as
possible about the company you are applying to a job with before
the interview so you can give a good answer to this question.
Why do you want to work for this organisation?
This question is very closely related to the one listed above.
It is designed to find out what attracted you to the job you are
applying for, as well as why you think you would be good at the
job. Try to pick one area the company is involved in and show how
this matches something you are interested in or are good at. Try to
be enthusiastic when answering this question!
Why did you leave your last job?
Try to give the interviewer a positive reason about why you left
your last job instead of a negative one. A good example of a
positive reason to leave would be to say that you are looking for a
job that offers you more opportunities for career progression or
training.
Are you a team player?
Employers want to hear you say: "Yes, I am a team player". This
question is really asking you if you are comfortable working with
other people. This is a requirement for almost every job. Try to
give an example of something about working in a team of people that
you like. If you like, you may also say that you can also work on
your own and use initiative when you need to, but that should be
something to mention after you have shown you can work with other
people.
Why should we hire you?
This is another question that gives you the opportunity to match
up the skills you have to what the needs of the job are. Pick a
couple of things that you would be required to do a lot if you were
offered the job, and then say why you are good at those things. Any
experience you have at doing these things in previous jobs will
look good when answering this question.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
This is a common question but the answer you give isn't very
important. Be honest about what you like to do, but try to show how
whatever it is says something positive about you.
Have you got any questions for me?
This will be one of the last questions you are asked in the
interview. The reason the interviewer will ask you this is to see
if you have any initiative, as well as testing your knowledge about
the job/company again. Try to ask something that does not relate to
the amount of holidays you will get or how much you will be paid. A
better question to ask would be to ask what opportunities for
career progression or training the job offers.