There are only so many questions for interviewers to ask!

It should be pointed out that there are only so many questions an interviewer can ask.  Interviewers may ask the same question in different ways but they are essentially saying the same thing.  Thorough interview preparation should include looking at possible questions to be asked and to prepare
effective answers. 

Winning CV aims to breakdown the key questions to be asked at interview as well as giving possible answers and approaches for each question.  Before going any further, it is important to point out four key steps to answering interview questions effectively.  These steps should form the basis of any answer.

STEP 1:  State the example.

State what has happened.

STEP 2:  State why it is important / relevant.

Demonstrate why is this example relevant to the job role.

STEP 3:  How the problem was solved (overcoming difficulties). 

Demonstrating problem-solving capabilities.

STEP 4:  Outcome. 

State what you learnt or achieved from resolving this problem.

                                                                                                            

Tell me about yourself.

Short introduction about yourself to get started - career motivations & achievements.
Try to say something unique about yourself (i.e. special interests).

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Show how your activities & interests make good use of your valuable personal time.
Mention something unique (or strange) to give something to talk about.
Some interests can have relevance to the job role.
Avoid socialising & watching TV, etc.

                                                                                                                                                              

Why are you interested in this job?

Mention appealing aspects of the role like responsibilities & career path.
Suggest you are impressed by the company (i.e. is a top employer?), etc.
Avoid mentioning salary at all costs! (very narrowed-minded).

What do you hope to get out of this role?

Highlight your ambition & desire for a long-term career with the company.
Looking for a new challenge as well as for personal & career development
Mention building on experience, promotion, self-improvement, etc.

                                                                                                                                                              

Why do you think you are suitable for this job?

Matching experience, skills & qualities to the job role (showing understanding & your suitability).
Show ambition in that you can grow & develop in the role. Opportunity to meet a new challenge.

Tell me about when you faced a difficult situation & how you dealt with it.

Think about this carefully - it is a common question so it is important to use credible examples.
Looking at how you assess situations, plan to overcome them & how you would use your initiative.

Can involve your day-to-day role, a customer or even something outside of your employment.
Can include dealing with an important decision, project or deadline.
Assessing problem-solving abilities & how you react to pressure.

                                                                                                                                                              

What did you achieve in your last role?

Demonstrate your wider impact on the business (i.e. turnover, improved customer satisfaction).
Mention career progression, training, development, projects, managerial experience, targets, etc.
Be positive - sell your experience, skills & qualities using good examples.

Why are you leaving your current job?

Mention career progression, personal development & additional responsibility, etc.
Relocation for personal reasons, redundancy or end of temporary contract.
Show that you are ambitious & looking for a new challenge.

What do you think about your last employer?

Say that you have gained important experience, whilst developing relevant skills & qualities.
Criticising a previous employer can be unprofessional & leave a bad impression.

                                                                                                                                                              

Impress me.  Tell me what you know about this company.

Impress interviewers with your research - shows professionalism, motivation & understanding.
Show tangible evidence of your research.  Take in a company brochure or annual report.
Structure answers to show an understanding of the company.  Not just facts & figures.

Other company information

You can include company history (origins, key events, etc.); company objectives; mission, etc.
Also, products & services; performance, competition or anything of interest.
An important opportunity to shine & stand out from the rest!

                                                                                                                                                              

Impress me.  Tell me what you know about this company.

Impress interviewers with your research - shows professionalism, motivation & understanding.
Show tangible evidence of your research.  Take in a company brochure or annual report.
Structure answers to show an understanding of the company.  Not just facts & figures.

Other company information

You can include company history (origins, key events, etc.); company objectives; mission, etc.
Also, products & services; performance, competition or anything of interest.
An important opportunity to shine & stand out from the rest!

Why have you chosen this company?

Flatter them!   Acknowledge that they are a good company with excellent benefits (if appropriate).
Show your research:   Suggest an interest in its business activities, products & services.

                                                                                                                                                              

What do you consider as your main weaknesses?   What have you done least well at?

Acknowledge less important weaknesses (no one is perfect) & turn them into positives.

EXAMPLE:  Poor mathematical ability.

You can say that you have focused on this as a weakness by taking extra time to learn this skill.
Having overcome this weakness, you are now confidently dealing with figures
& are now producing & analysing month-end sales figures.

What motivates you?

Suggest that you are self-motivated & you aim to do the best you can in any given role.
Suggest achieving as part of a team motivates you (enjoy sharing success with others).
Think of something other than career progression & a new challenge.

                                                                                                                                                              

What are your salary expectations for this role?

Never give your salary expectations away.  This can affect your bargaining power if ever offered the job.
Do your homework:  You could undersell yourself & ultimately be paid much less.
Avoid committing yourself:  Ask them how much they are hoping to pay.
See Salary Negotiation section for further advice.

Why are you looking to change your career?

Need to emphasise transferable skills & qualities to make up for any lack of experience.
You must have a genuine motivation to change & accept a new challenge.

Why have you changed your job so frequently?

Say you were searching for your preferred career path & highlight what you have done to get there.
Have strong motivations for applying for the job & why you have chosen this particular career path.
Changing jobs frequently can cause concern as it could indicate an 'employability' issue.

Have you applied for any other jobs? & Why?

Shows that you are in demand & are a credible candidate with other employers too.
Be vague & hint that you have had interest from other employers.

                                                                                                                                                              

STEP 1:  State the example.

State what has happened.

STEP 2:  State why it is important / relevant.

Demonstrate why is this example relevant to the job role.

STEP 3:  How the problem was solved (overcoming difficulties). 

Demonstrating problem-solving capabilities.

STEP 4:  Outcome. 

State what you learnt or achieved from resolving this problem.


                                               

           

Beat the competition! - Make sure your CV stands out from the crowd & win at interview!