Below are some common possible interview questions for you to practice. Maybe ask a family member or friend to ask you the questions – it will set the interview scene so you can practice answering questions put to you, perhaps even record yourself so that you can listen to your answers and perfect your interview technique!
Interview Format
With regards to interview format, you may have a normal unstructured interview, here the employers aim is to get an overall impression of you. More open questions will be asked so it is more of a conversation and they don’t test a specific skill or competency. Please find below more general interview questions. We will go on to talk about competency based interviews. Remember, the questions below can also form part of a competency based interview so practice both and you will be well prepared for what an employer may choose to ask you.
1. Tell me about yourself
Remember, first impressions count and this is a typical starting question. You want to give an overview of your highest qualification and then your jobs to date, start with your most recent first. It is important to highlight qualifications, achievements and skills providing examples. A good way to structure your answer is to follow your CV. If you are a recent graduate without much work experience you can focus on areas of your studies that relate to the role. Remember, enthusiasm is key along with well structured, concise answers.
2. Are you committed to ongoing training and development?
Employers want candidates that are keen to learn and grow with their business
3. How would you describe your personality?
Provide a positive and enthusiastic summary of your personal traits.
4. Why does this role appeal to you?
Demonstrate that you want this role, you understand what is required of the successful candidate and you can meet those requirements.
5. Why should we hire you?
Highlight your major strengths here – what makes you stand out from the crowd. Your biggest achievement and what that brought to your company is a good indicator of your ‘Hire Ability’.
Before every interview it is vitally important to research the company. An employer won’t be impressed if you haven’t done your homework. Research the company website, their competitors and, topical news relating to the business, perhaps in the media. A typical question an employer will ask is:
“What do you know about the company and why do you want to work for us?”
Competency based interviews are designed to target a specific skill or competency. You will be required to back up your answer with specific examples. It is important that you understand which skills and competencies will be tested. You can relate back to the job description to identify these and practise below the questions that relate to the position you are being interviewed for.
Personal Development – What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?
Generating and building on ideas – Can you tell us about a time when you have had an idea at work, to either improve something or introduce a new way of working?
Strategic Thinking – In what past situations have you shown most evidence of visionary/strategic thinking?
Planning – Can you tell us about a time where you had a really busy day. How did you prioritise?
Deadline Management – Can you provide an example of when you’ve set a deadline? Why was this and how did you deliver the message?
Objective Setting – What measurements have you put in place in the past to monitor performance?
Drive for achievement – What has been your biggest achievement to date?
Building Relationships – Tell me about a recent situation when you had to build a relationship with a new colleague. Why was the relationship important?
Teamworking – Tell us about the last time you worked as part of a team.
Influencing – What are your strengths in terms of influencing others?
Customer Awareness – Tell me about a recent situation where you had to build a relationship with a new customer.
Leadership – Think of someone who is particularly effective in providing leadership. What do you think they do successfully?
Gathering and analysing information – Can you tell me about a time when you had to gather together some information, what was it and how did you go about collating it?
Decision Making – How do you normally go about solving a problem?
It is also important to have a few questions to ask the interviewer, this will demonstrate your interest. These should relate to opportunities to develop with the company, training opportunities if relevant, and additional information about the goals and culture of the company.
We hope our possible interview questions assist you in getting the job, good luck from Gotcha!