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Job Interview Questions

Preparation Preparation Preparation

In a job interview, you get to shine and show your best side to the recruitment agent or client. An interview is a positive step forward, meaning you're successfully past first base. Give yourself a pat on the back but don't take your eye off the ball. Continue with meticulous preparation and give yourself the best chance of being selected for the position.

Think and Act Positively - Be Confident

All job interviews have some questions in common. Prepare yourself for these common interview questions and rehearse your answers thoroughly. This will give you confidence, and an edge over the other candidates who may struggle even at this stage these. You will come across professional, relaxed and stand out from the hundreds of other job candidates all going for the same role. Remember - you can't rehearse enough. The more you prepare the more chance you have. This is all part of a successful job interview.

Question Categories

Questions can be categorised into three different categories: behavioural, hypothetical and stress.

In an interview, you should expect at least one question from each of these categories. The more familiar you are with each of these areas, the better you will come across in the interview. You will also be able to empathise with the recruitment agent and understand where he/she is coming from, meaning your interview answers will be heard and received in a far more favorable light.

These days, it's no good just being an expert at (your own specialism). Recruitment agents are looking for something more: maturity, personality and reliability to name but a few.

• Behavioral questions establish if you have necessary skills for the job
• Hypothetical questions test how you cope with different types of situations
• Stress questions are there to test your reaction to the unknown

Here are some common interview questions you should run through, until the answers become second nature.

1. "Can you tell me something about yourself?"
This is the most common interview question. Be prepared to answer this question in no more than two minutes - unless the recruitment agent specifically asks you to continue in more detail.

Focus on the relevant facts about your specific qualifications, previous job roles, lifestyle in general, skills set and very briefly your personal circumstances. Be brief and answer honestly.

2. "Why do you want this job?"
In the interview, talk about the positive aspects that caught your eye in the job advert, and how it appealed to you as it matched your aspirations. Don't take anything for granted and always point out you have relevant qualifications and experiences matching their client's requirements.

• I want a job that matches my qualifications and abilities.
• I want a job that utilises my skills, work experience and knowledge.
• I think this job will also help develop my abilities further and so benfit the client.

3. "Can you talk me through your CV?"
In the interview, go through your past jobs in a bit more detail. Do this in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Take this chance to highlight your achievements in previous jobs and the value that you delivered to your employer. Never say anything bad about your current, last or any employer or recruitment agency.

• I have a great job now, but because I learned as much as I ever will in this job, I'm looking for a new challenge.

4. "Where would you like to be in a few years time?"
The recruitment agent is working out how dedicated you are to your line of work. Even if you don't know - never say you don't know. Try something more positive:

• "I hope with continued hard work and ongoing training, which I often do in my own time, to be able to (achieve promotion)."

5. "What are your strengths?"
In your interview, this is your big chance to sell yourself to the recruitment agent. Make sure you emphasise your current skills and relevant experience - though don't go over the top as nobody likes an outright show-off. Be assertive, not aggressive.

Tell the recruitment agent you work well under pressure, are keen to keep learning new skills and have great personal strengths. Plus, you work well in a team or as an individual. Though probably best not to mention that you think teamwork is the glue of mediocrity, unless you really are a unique specialist.

6. "Who would give you a bad reference?"
This is a great interview question which often catches the unprepared job applicant off guard. Stay calm and be positive. No one expects you (or anyone else on the planet) to be perfect, and the interviewer expects you will have at least one minor fault!

Be honest, though if appropriate, also be selective. Don't tell them your current job is being made redundant, but perhaps reveal your first ever job was difficult, being a novice, and on reflection your line manager may have thought you were a bit naïve.

• You've learnt from these lessons and are now a better, more professional, widget maker.

7. "Give an example of when you have had to take the initiative."
With this interview question, you have an opportunity to prove that you can think on your feet and learn fast. Perhaps you helped out whilst another member of staff was unexpectedly off sick, or contributed to a specific unforseen challenge that was not part of your actual job role.

8. "How do you get along with your colleagues?"
In this interview question the recruitment agent wants to learn about your compatibility with co-workers. Stress the points that show you are able to build strong professional working relationships with your peers, whilst at the same time respecting the corporate guidelines. Maybe you helped a fellow worker rehearse an important presentation, in your own time.

9. "How would others describe you?"
This is a chance to use encouraging and praising words, which will stick in the recruitment agent's head. Use words and phrases like:

• A good team motivator
• Excellent communication skills
• Honest
• Decisive
• Respectful

10. "How reliable are you?"
The recruitment agent wants to know that you work well at both time deadlines and budget constraints. How you come up with innovative ideas and solve specific unforeseen problems. And your sickness record.

11. "What are your salary requirements?"
Be careful when answering this interview question. You should know the market value of the job you have applied for. You should also say that you are expecting a salary based on your responsibilities, work experience, skills and market value.

• If you have a specific salary in mind, which is the lowest at which you will accept the job, your best option to highlight this now.

12. "What do you know about this client?"
You would be surprised at the number of job candidates who turn up for interviews with very little, or no knowledge at all about the client. It is very important that you gather information about the client beforehand. Desktop research is fine.

13. "Have you been interviewing for other jobs?"
Say yes, but also add you are not under any contractual restraints that would conflict with the job role being discussed.

14. "What has been your greatest professional achievement so far?"
Use this question as an opportunity to explain your most rewarding professional achievement. Talk about substantial contribution, team achievement, unique expertise, etc.

15. "How do you prioritise various activities?"
Dependent on the specific job, you might be in a position to decide yourself which activity to accomplish first. A good response is to talk about the differences between:

• Urgent
• Important
• Necessary

16. "What do you think of your current/last job?"
Always talk about your current job's good points. Even if you hated it, or can't wait to hand your notice in, never be negative.

Good luck, and remember even a failure is really a positive result, giving you a fantastic opportunity to learn something, and better yourself for the next job interview.

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written on2010-06-27 12:07:39

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