Common Interview Questions

Q: “So, tell me about yourself”

This question can be used to assess your personality, communication skills and your ability to think on your feet when put on the spot. Preparation is the key – prepare a list of what you believe to be your strengths (job related) what you are doing in your current role (or your last position), and give a brief summary of your career history whilst linking your experience to the position available.

Q: “Why do you want to leave your current (or last) position?”

Always try and respond in a positive manner, for example “… career prospects, promotion opportunities, additional responsibilities, company moving or centralising……” Try and avoid expanding on personal thoughts such as, “poor management”, “personality clashes”, “catty or negative” environment etc.

Q: “What do you know about the company”?

This is your chance to show your interest in not only the advertised position, but also your understanding of the organisation and/or industry. Usually a search on the web will provide company background and you could discuss this research citing the company’s key areas of interest, its size or strategies for the future (if listed) and make reference to your source of information.

Q: “What is it that interests you about the position available / working for this company?”

Another or alternative opportunity to demonstrate your company knowledge and re-emphasise your suitability for the position.

Q: “What do you think you have to offer this company?”

This your opportunity to “sing your own praises” — concentrate on skills you have that are required for the position and of course if you believe you have additional experience that could add value to the role.

Q: “What do you think this position involves?”

This question is designed to show your understanding of the position available. It can be used to demonstrate if you have thought about the position, completed research and listened to the interviewer’s description, as well as your ability to summarise all of this information clearly.

Q: “Do you have any questions you would like to ask?”

You should always be prepared to have questions to ask the interviewer. Ask about the position, if unsure of something, request clarification about the company or position. If they have already answered your questions tell them so (be specific) so they know that you have thought about the position and prepared for the interview. You can also use this time to summarise your understanding of the position and request confirmation of same.
For example:

• “You have discussed various aspects required for the position, what do you see as being the main focus of this role?”
• “Am I correct in saying that the position involves mediating between A and B departments and monitoring and developing new approaches to…?”
• “I’d like to ask about the organisational structure… ? How are budgets controlled and allocated?”

Q: “What do you believe to be your key strengths?”

Preparation is the key, make sure you respond with specific examples of your strengths in previous positions that support your application – be concise.

Q: “What do you believe are your weaknesses?”

This is not an opportunity to outshine your strengths. Chose a “weakness” (negative) that can also be perceived in a positive light. Chose something related to your work experience eg; “I am very particular about detail”, “I become very focussed on the projects I am involved in”. Or you could choose something that could be rectified through training, such as a computer programme that you would like expand your knowledge on.

Q: “You seemed to have changed positions regularly, why is that?”

If you have had jobs in different industries or several positions in a short period, describe the positives or you may have been learning new skills, following different career paths, travelling overseas etc. Make sure you discuss the experience gained in past jobs that relate to the position available.

Q: “What do you enjoy most about your current / last job?”

This can be tricky, list what you enjoyed that strongly relate to the key competencies of the position in question, and mention that you are looking forward to expanding on your experience in those areas.

Q: “Do you work well under pressure?”

Answer with a ‘yes’, and give specific examples of a time when you were working under pressure and how you rose to the challenge and/or met tight deadlines. Q: “Tell me about when something went wrong”

When answering this question chose something that had a positive outcome. Discuss the issue, the solution and the positive result in a concise manner.

Q: “Tell me about a time when you have encountered conflict in the workplace”. “How did you deal with it”?

You can discuss something that happened to you and/or something you witnessed. Again, try and discuss something that had a positive outcome where all parties were happy with the outcome.

Q: “Have you ever had to deal with conflicting deadlines? How did you decide which task to complete?”

This is your chance to prove your ability to prioritise, communication and organisation skills and how you will meet specific requirements of the position being discussed.

Q: “Can you give me an example of your creativity / managerial / organisational skills?”

Think of some examples that prove that you possess the key attributes and competencies requested in the job ad and description. These are probably the areas on which your interviewer will probably focus.

Q: What to do if a question is raised requesting confidential information about a previous employer

This may be asked with a view to testing your ability to continue to be discreet and maintain your discretion and professionalism. You should not discuss any confidential information related to past employers. It is best to reply that you would prefer not to divulge any confidential information (sales figures, profit, future growth strategies), citing the fact that you are sure your interviewer would expect the same discretion from their employees.

Q: “Where do you see yourself in five years time?”

This is used as a way to assess the extent of your ambition and/or career planning. You should demonstrate that your long term goals are appropriate for the position being discussed and your commitment to them.