Preparation is the key to having a successful interview so make sure you allow some time ahead of your interview to research the role and company and to plan your answers. To make sure your next interview is your best one yet, here are some of the most common interview questions along with tips on how best to prepare your answers:
Why do you want this job?
This is a pretty easy answer if you really want the job but take the time to really express why and have very solid answers
What are your strengths?
Try and steer away from the usual answers of time management, organised and punctual and think about what makes you stand out; talk about your effective communication skills, your self-motivation levels, adaptability and the ability to work as part of a team and support your co –workers
Talk to me about a time you have had a problem in the work place and how you handled it
Everyone has had a problem in the work place from time to time so think about one where there was a positive outcome and describe it carefully without going into every negative part of the problem – keep the problem and the solution to around 90 seconds
Tell me how you work as part of a team
Talk about how you contribute, how you communicate and even give examples of how you have excelled in a team environment
What have been the biggest achievements in your current role
Talk about something you got praise for, a target you met or exceeded or a personal goal you reached in your current role
In the past 12 months what have you done personally to improve your career or skillset?
Everyone at some stage should be spending money or time on their own career. Think about what you have done to further your career
Who has been your favourite manager over the years and why?
This question will give your future employer an idea on how you should be managed and what management style works best for you
Tell me about a time when work was particularly busy.
What hours did you put in at work and how did it make you feel?
Why should I hire you over someone else?
This is the time to really sell yourself, your positive attributes and why you are the best person for the role so really take the time to think this one through – this is generally the best way to close an interview on a high.
Have you got any questions?
Prepare questions before hand and don’t be afraid to write them down. We are always impressed when people come to interviews and have really researched the role and have specific questions written down
