Job Interview Questions

Anyone who has been through the job interview process a number of times will know that during the interview there will be the inevitable 'probing' (or filler) questions to answer. These are questions that are not directly aimed at determining your specific skills, your work history or your ability to do the job on offer, but rather to get an idea of who you are as a person and how you think of yourself.

The questions can be awkward to answer, particularly if you are already feeling somewhat stressed to begin with, so it pays to be able to draw upon a range 'ready made' answers that you've thought of long before the actual interview - and having prepared answers means you're less likely to blurt out something that might put you out of the race.

Below we've compiled a list of questions that interviewers typically like to ask. Read through them and think up suitable responses that are appropriate for you, keeping in mind the tone of your answers.

Just like job candidates, job interviewers come in all shapes and sizes so take time to come up with two or three possible answers for each of the questions below. As the interview progresses you'll get a feel for the personality type that you're dealing with and you can tailor your responses to match.

Practice delivering your answers so that they come out as natural and confident. If you happen to get asked such questions during the interview, pause a little before answering as though you are considering the question for the first time and don't forget, the interviewer has probably asked the same question to any number of people before you so try to avoid giving the same routine answers as everyone else. Be honest, be creative and you might just give yourself a little extra head start when it comes to getting the job.




Questions you should be prepared to be asked:

What do you know about our company?

This is a question that shouldn't trip candidates up, but does. There are so many ways to research a company these days that there is no excuse for going into an interview unprepared for this question. Don't be afraid to say that you have done some research on the matter as this shows that you have invested time and energy for the interview. Think also of researching areas like press releases, social media and so on to be aware of what issues are currently facing the company.

What interests you about our company? The job?

This is where doing research on the company can pay dividends, but above all it's a question where you can demonstrate your knowledge of the job. Many candidates will answer with the usual things like 'the challenge', 'the opportunities' and so on, but try thinking outside the box a little and coming up with something a little more unique.

So tell me a little about yourself.

Be prepared to talk about your self personally and professionally. They probably already know a great deal about you from your C.V. so this is more an opportunity from their perspective to get you to open up and speak for a while. Speak confidently.

How would you describe yourself?

This is similar to the question above, but be warned, sometimes they may ask you to do it in just one word, or three words, or five.

How much in salary are you looking for?

This is one that can be difficult to answer for some candidates. If you feel uncomfortable stating a figure, you can always gently avoid the question by saying that you're looking at the whole package on offer, including holidays, training, benefits, career promotion etc.

Do you think that any company that you've previously worked for would
rehire you? Would you consider going back to work for any company
you've worked for previously?

This is a round about way of asking how well you got on at your previous jobs.





Why are you leaving your current job (or why did you leave your last job)?

When answering this question, try to avoid negative comments about your last job. You're obviously wanting to join the new company as a step forward, so speak positively about your previous position, work colleagues and your employer.

Where do you see yourself in 'x' years?

An old classic. Normally the length of time is 5 years.

What's your greatest strength?

Don't be bashful with this question. Pick your best trait, but perhaps couch it in a way that shows the obvious benefit to the company if they hire you.

What's your biggest weakness?

Keep your answer to this one brief, and, if possible, state any steps (like training etc) that you are currently taking to overcome this weakness.

What's one thing about you that you would change if you could?

This is similar to the question above, and you can always deflect your answer by explaining how you're already working toward change in a particular area.

Do you like to work as part of a team, or by yourself?

The obvious answer, of course, is 'both', but you may be asked to give a preference, and then explain why you prefer it that way.

How would you handle conflict in the workplace?

This can be a difficult question to answer because all workplaces are different and conflicts can range from small petty things right through to fully-blown shouting matches (or worse). The employer may give a specific example of a conflict and ask you how you'd go about resolving the issue.

Why should I hire you?

This is where you should talk about what you can bring to the company. In essence you're trying to deliver your 'unique selling point' - what it is that makes you better than all the other people who have interviewed for the job.

Tell us about a time you made a mistake at work / tell us about your
most significant accomplishment at work.

This type of question is often followed up with a 'how did you feel' or 'what did you learn/how did you grow from that experience'.

Can you work under pressure?

Of course you can, but be prepared to follow that assertion up with an example of how you've been under pressure in a previous position, and how you coped with it. They'll probably ask.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

You won't be expected to go into too much detail here, but if you can list two or three things that you do outside of work hours you'll come across better than if you admit to playing 6 hours of Warcraft each evening. The more things you speak about the more chance you have of perhaps connecting with the interviewer by having some shared interest.

Are you active on social networks like Twitter, Facebook etc.?

This can be a double-edged sword, so answer carefully. Answering yes can either demonstrate that you are up with the latest fads/technology/etc, while on the other hand it can be a red flag to a prospective employer that you may spend company time monitoring your accounts. Don't divulge any user account names unless you're willing for the employer to do so online research.

Do you have any questions about the job?

Don't throw all your questions out during the interview. Save one or two back for the end. A couple of suggestions for wrapping up the interview can be what ongoing training the company offers, and what has the staff turnover been like in recent times. As a way of wrapping up the interview you can always ask about the hiring process from that point on and when you can expect to hear from them (if they haven't already offered that information).