Interview Tips & Questions

Interviews are generally straightforward and in principal, quite easy! (… with a little preparation!). 90% of employers already know an individual can do the job they're looking to hire for from their CV. Interviews generally take place for employers to discuss more about what’s written on your CV, and more to talk to you about your aspirations, how you would fit into the team etc. Most employers would prefer to find the right person after a couple of interviews rather than ‘trawl’ around and waste precious time! Interviews are basically common sense with a little bit of preparation. We recommend you have a quick peruse at the following. Even if what’s listed below is used as a prompt for what you know already… or perhaps highlights an area for you to think about, then its still better than a wasted day off, or a long journey! The following is aimed at helping you achieve your best in an interview situation, however there’s no substitute for genuine enthusiasm and a desire to succeed.

Pre-interview

  • Find out a little more about the company and think of 1-2 questions you can ask during, or at the end of the interview which show your genuine interest in the role.
  • Prepare and plan your journey, and contingency (especially if you miss a connection!)
  • Read up on your CV, and be prepared for questions that the prospective employer may ask you (see Interview Questions at the end).
  • Read up on your skills relevant to the position you are being interviewed for, and be prepared for technical questions that the prospective employer may ask you, or even test you on!
  • Be prepared for the unexpected!

The arrival

  • Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early, and if you’re delayed/running late always phone ahead to apologise for the inconvenience.
  • Introduce yourself to the interviewer; a solid firm handshake is essential.
  • When waiting (or during interview) don’t fold your arms as this gives a negative feeling.
  • First impressions are everything, and most interviewers decide if you are a suitable fit within 5 minutes - this is why your appearance and presentation/clothing is essential.

The interview

  • Always have 1-2 pre-rehearsed questions about the Company and opportunity, company homework is essential!
  • Make sure you talk about the role in enough detail, and give the interviewer a feel good factor about the interview.
  • Remember that the interviewer is hoping that you are the person that they are looking for.
  • Always make it clear that you have a responsible attitude and that you’re looking for a Company you can commit yourself to.
  • Don’t get defensive or aggressive, if an interviewer starts asking difficult questions it may be to see how you perform under pressure.
  • Avoid any unnecessary apologies.
  • Avoid argumentative discussion with the interviewer. If they have strong views on a subject it’s best to direct the conversation to more profitable areas!
  • The purpose of the interview is to present your skills, ability and suitability, so bring them up. If by the end of the meeting you haven’t managed to, take the opportunity to go through them with the interviewer.
  • If you are asked to describe your strengths back this up with modest examples.
  • Expect to be asked to describe your current responsibilities, be ready to tell the interviewer the following:
    • What you enjoyed about each job
    • What you think your achievements are
    • What experience you gained & how that has helped you
    • What (technical) skills you acquired
  • Never stray from the point, or talk for more than a couple of minutes at a time, but do give full lively answers. Avoid just yes and no answers, most questions the interviewer asks will be intended to get you talking, help your interviewer to interview you!
  • Never bring up money at an early stage of an interview or appear too money motivated, you must show you’re interested in the position first and foremost.
  • Never openly criticise your current or previous employers. Always talk positively about your experiences.
  • If you are asked to describe weaknesses it’s best to describe a problem that you managed to overcome – prepare this beforehand

Finishing the interview

  • Always thank the interviewer for meeting with you, say you have enjoyed the interview.
  • Always state that you’re genuinely interested in the position; never say that you will ‘think about it’.
  • If a Company has to choose between two equally suitable candidates, they will choose the one who wants the job the most.
  • Find out if the interviewer has any reservations about you. If there are, the best time to persuade them otherwise is now, whilst you are face to face.
  • Consider asking what the next stage is. Try; “where do we go from here?”, “I like the sound of this job is there anyone else I need to meet?”

Common reasons for failure

A recent survey found that the following were the most common reasons for candidates not succeeding at interview. For your interest here are the answers interviewers gave:

  • Poor appearance/presentation
  • Overbearing or aggressive attitude
  • No interest or enthusiasm evident
  • Inability to express ideas clearly, poor voice, dictation, grammar
  • Over emphasis on money
  • Unwillingness to start at bottom, wanting too much too soon
  • Criticism of current/previous employer
  • Failure to ask questions about the Company or role
  • Little or no background homework done on Company or role
  • Failure to look interviewer in the eye
  • No vitality, few signs of life
  • Not being able to explain why they are leaving current employer
  • Not being able to explain current role clearly

Our top tips

  • Be on time! 
  • Read your CV before going into an interview
  • Where possible (and if appropriate) bring examples of your work to the interview
  • Ask to see where you will be sitting if you get the job, and take a seat at the desk (this leaves a picture in the interviewers mind of you in their office!)
  • Ask to meet other members of the team you could be working with
  • Phone your recruiter (if appropriate) as soon as you leave the meeting so they can tackle any issues sooner rather than later
  • Always ask at the end of the meeting if the interviewer has any reservations
  • Good luck!

Interview questions

Find below a list of tested questions that you could be asked whilst at interview.

Warm-up questions

  • What made you apply for this particular position?
  • Briefly, would you summarize your work history & education for me?
  • Tell me about yourself........

Work history

  • Can you describe for me one or two of your most important accomplishments?
  • Describe your current role for me......
  • Describe for me one of your biggest disappointments in your current job?
  • Why are you leaving your current job?
  • What’s important to you in a company, and what things do you look for in a new organization?
  • How much supervision did you receive in your previous job?

Job performance

  • What are your strong points for this job?
  • When you’ve been told, or discovered yourself, a problem in your job performance, what have you typically done? Can you give me an example?
  • Do you prefer working alone or in groups?
  • Starting with your last job, tell me about your achievements that were recognized by your manager?
  • What things you would like to avoid in a job? Why?
  • What would you say is the most important thing you are looking for in a job?
  • What were some of the things about your last job that you found most difficult to do?
  • What are some of the problems you encounter in doing your job? What do you usually do about it?
  • What are some things you particularly liked about your last job?
  • How do you feel about the way you were managed?
  • If I asked your present/most recent employer about your ability, what would they say?

Education

  • What aspects of your education or training have prepared you for this opportunity?
  • What courses have been of most help in doing your present job? Why?

Career goals

  • What is your long-term career objective?
  • What kind of job do you see yourself doing three to five years from now?
  • What do you feel you need to develop in terms of skill & knowledge to be ready for that opportunity?
  • How does this job fit in with your overall career goals?
  • What would you most like to achieve if you were offered this position?
  • What might make you want to leave this role (be careful with this one)?

Self-assessment

  • What kind of things do you feel most confident doing?
  • Can you describe for me a difficult obstacle you have had to overcome?
  • How would you describe yourself as a person?
  • What do you think are the most important characteristics a person must possess to become successful?
  • What do you consider to be your greatest achievements to date? Why?
  • What things frustrate you the most? How do you usually cope with them?

Creativity

  • Can you think of a problem you’ve encountered when the old solutions didn't work & you came up with a new one?
  • What kind of problems have people recently called on you to solve? Tell me what you have devised.

Decisiveness

  • Do you consider yourself to be thoughtful, or do you usually make up your mind up quickly? Give an example. (Watch time taken to respond)
  • What was your most difficult decision in the last six months? What made it difficult?
  • How do you go about making an important decision?

Range of interests

  • Tell me specifically what you like to do outside of work?
  • How do you keep up with what's going on in your industry?

Work standards

  • What are your standards of success in your current position?
  • In your position, how would you define doing a good job?
  • If you were to manage the performance of another individual, what factors would you look for?

Leadership

  • What approach do you take in getting your co-workers to accept your ideas?
  • How would you get co-workers who don’t want to work together to establish a common approach to a problem?
  • How would you describe your basic leadership style? Give specific examples of how you practice this?

Flexibility

  • What was the most important idea/suggestion you received at work and what happened as a result?
  • What was the most significant change made by your company in the last six months that directly impacted you, & how successfully did you adapt to this change?

Self-development

  • What/who has been the most important event/person in your own self-development?
  • What kind of books & publications do you read?

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