Answering interview questions
- Answer questions in an articulate, intelligible and concise manner
- Ensure that you can be heard throughout the interview and that you speak clearly
- Think before you answer and don’t feel that you need to answer immediately- take a few seconds to consider what your interviewer is looking for – then answer
- Avoid yes or no answers where possible and try to elaborate and provide more information and examples where appropriate
- If you need clarification in relation to a particular question and its’ meaning again don’t be afraid to ask. If you do not know the answer to a question, do not be afraid to admit this
- Be prepared for hypothetical questions– consider them carefully before answering
- Unexpected questions are a normal part of the interview process so do not be alarmed and answer using your instinct
- It is important that there are no long gaps in the conversation and try to ensure that the discussion keeps flowing
Questions to put to your interviewer
It is advisable to have questions prepared in advance that you can pose to the interviewer. Interestingly the questions that you ask can be as important as the ones that you answer as it will give the interviewer insights into you such as how you think, what is important to you and how interested you might be in the role.
It is essential that you resolve any queries you have in relation to the role or company during the interview process. This is your opportunity to establish if this is the role and company for you. We recommended that you avoid questions relating to salary and package, hours of work, holidays etc as it is best to concentrate on the role and company. Once you have generated an interest in your application you will be better placed to then commence negotiations in relation to salary and package.
Tell me about yourself?
Keep your answer brief and resist the temptation to ramble and digress. Use your curriculum vitae summary as a starting point and keep it relevant and specific to the role for which you are interviewing.
What do you know about our company?
Ensure that you have completed your research in advance and that you can elaborate on the activities of the company and details such as turnover, products/services, locations, history, mission statement and any recent key news or events relating to the company. Always ensure that you demonstrate a genuine interest in the company and industry sector.
Why do you want to work for us?
Resist the temptation to talk about what you want initially – focus more on what the needs of the business are and then you can tie this in with your own requirements. This is your opportunity to demonstrate and explain your motivations and interest levels in the role i.e. you would like to assist with a particular project solve a particular problem, contribute to certain company goals.
Why should we employ you? What differentiates you from another candidate/applicant?
In this scenario you should briefly summarise why you are suited to the role and give examples of where you have proven this in a previous role.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Concentrate on your strengths providing three examples and only one example of a weakness. When providing an example of a weakness, ensure that it is one that you can turn into a positive. You could also speak about a weakness that you had identified previously and how you addressed is via training etc. to a stage now where it is no longer a weakness or issue for you.
Always ensure that the examples you give are relevant to the role. None of us is perfect so it is only natural that we will have some weaknesses. The key here is your awareness of what your weakness was or is and how you deal with this.
How would you describe yourself?
Use adjectives that are relevant to the competencies required for the role e.g. driven, ambitious, analytical, problem solver etc…Refer to the job specification for guidance on this.
How would others describe you?
Use adjectives that are relevant to the competencies required for the role as above.
What would your work colleagues say are your strengths and weaknesses and why?
Again make sure that the examples you give are relevant to the role for which you are interviewing. It is important to be able to substantiate what you are saying by providing examples of when you demonstrated your strengths and weaknesses.
What have been your most significant achievements in your career to date? How have you contributed to improving productivity and effectiveness in your role?
Keep your answers job related and relevant. It would be good to mention that you feel that your best achievements still lie ahead of you and your future employer. The STAR method used to build competency based answers to interview question will serve you well in this area. (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
When have you failed in the past?
When you provide an example here make sure you explain what you learned from the situation.
Why should we recruit you?
Again this is an opportunity for you to reinforce and consolidate the reasons why you are the best candidate for the role – a good opportunity to really sell yourself – qualifications, experience, track record etc.… Highlight what it is that makes you different from other candidates. Focussing on your positive behavioural attributes can be beneficial also such as solutions focus, positive, collaborative etc.
What do you like/dislike about the role?
Concentrate on what you like about the role being specific about what it is you like. Only mention one minor aspect that you do not like. Also it would be worth mentioning ‘that all positions and jobs have elements to them that we do not relish but still have to be tackled’.
What do you look for in a role?
With this answer you need to stress that you are seeking an opportunity to perform, make a contribution and be recognized. Don’t fall into the trap of answering the question purely from the perspective of what’s in it for you.
How long will it take you to settle into the role and to make a meaningful contribution?
In this instance you must confirm that it will not take long at all and that with your skills and experience that you expect to more or less hit the ground running. Give an example where you have done this in the past. A good example can be a temporary/contract role or indeed a project assignment where very often you need to adjust very quickly and cover a heavy workload in a short space of time. (STAR approach relevant here too)
How long do you plan to stay in a role at this level?
This can be a tricky question. You must balance the fact that you are happy to stay in the role but that you will also be seeking progression. You could say ‘As long as it is beneficial to myself and the organization to stay at this level’. You can also take this as an opportunity to express an interest in further education, upskilling and future career development.
What is your leadership style?
Again this is where you are required to provide specific examples. (STAR)
How would you describe your personality?
Provide a number of positive adjectives including ‘balanced’ as well as providing relevant examples for each.
Where do you see yourself in three years?
This is your opportunity to display your ambitions. To answer this question effectively it will help to know the management structures within the organisation. A good option is to confirm your desire to be a true professional in your field and to be a team player. It is a good opportunity to ask what potential future opportunities there may be. Be careful not to come across as wanting to move on too quickly.
What other roles or career options are you considering at the moment?
Ensure that you do not mention anything that is too obscure as it will show that you are lacking focus and consistency. The options you mention should be broadly similar to the role for which you are currently interviewing.
How do you deal with working under pressure and to tight deadlines?
Give details of how you do so currently and be specific. It is the perfect opportunity to sell your skills and experience once again and to reinforce the message that you are a strong contender for this role.
How do you make decisions?
Display that you are logical, methodical and fair in your decision making process and back this up with examples from your career to date. Don’t be afraid to incorporate examples from a non- work perspective. Adding examples from a sporting or volunteering context can help to show another dimension of your skillset.
What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?
Try to relate the answer to your prospective employer. Give an example where the result was a positive one. Make sure that the interviewer is aware of your thought process and rationale for the particular decision.
What problems did you identify in a previous role and what did you do to change them?
Choose examples that you feel the interviewer can relate to and that portray you in a positive light.
How do you deal with conflict?
You must show that you are professional and ethical and that you are aware of best practice and follow same at all times.
Have you ever been in a conflict situation with a manager?
The example you give should have a positive outcome and should not have been a situation of your own making rather one that you resolved.
What excites/interests you about this role?
Just be honest and let you enthusiasm show through. It is a good opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the role and to ensure that the interviewer is no doubt as to your enthusiasm for the role.
What don’t you like about this role?
Be brief and only mention one minor element and finish by saying ‘that all jobs have an element that we do not like and that is a fact of life’.
What would you do if you were not happy about a decision/policy made by management?
Show that you are professional in your approach and display that you could deal with this situation in a mature manner. It is imperative to stress that you would be open to discussing the issue with management in a calm fashion with the view to resolving any misunderstandings and coming to a mutually agreeable solution.
What motivates you?
This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your levels of energy, drive and ambition. E.g. you like working under pressure, you like working in a busy & challenging environment.
What demotivates you?
Keep the answer brief and explain that this rarely happens and that you are capable of motivating yourself. Mention also that if you were demotivated that you would speak to your manager to seek guidance and direction.
What is your management style?
Structure the answer so that it is broadly in line with the company culture.
Describe a time when you felt you were out of your depth in a role? What did you do to overcome this situation?
The example you give should show your versatility and ability to adjust in a new scenario.
Provide details of an occasion when you had to deal with a crisis in work?
The example you provide should have a positive outcome that you were instrumental in. You must show that you remained calm and that you took control of the situation by rolling out a logical and methodical process to resolve the crisis.
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