To help you prepare for your interivew, Leaman Consulting have compiled a list of commongly asked questions an employer may ask you and how to answer them:
Q1. Tell me about yourself
A1. The point of this question is to get you talking and to break the ice so you feel more relaxed. It is common in an interview that this question will be asked, so you can craft yourself a good response for use in any future interviews you attend
Q.2 Tell me about your achievements to date
A.2 This question appears in many interview set ups also, so again this allows you the opportunity to prepare an answer that will reflect your achievements in the best light. It is best to select an achievement that fairly recent and if possible relevant to work. Indicate the skills you used, the achievement and identify the benefit of your action, for example, “I implemented a new filing system which improved the smooth running of our office. This meant that our team could meet deadlines more effectively as we had time to prioritise the more urgent tasks.”
Q.3 Are you happy with your career at present?
A.3 This question allows the employer to assess how positive and self-confident you are and helps establish your aspirations as well as your level of self-esteem. The answer to this question should be “yes”, but if you feel you have hit a dead end in your career or are seeking a more challenging role, then you must qualify the answer
Q.4 Describe a difficult situation you have found yourself in and explain how you resolved it?
A.4 There are two reasons why an employer will ask you this question. The first is to define what you would classify as a difficult situation and secondly, whether you can show initiative in solving such problems. Always select an example of a scenario which doesn’t put you at fault and can be explained quickly in a few sentences. Describe how you defined the problem, the options you had and why you chose to take the path you did in finding a resolution. Always end your example on a positive
Q.5 What aspects of your current position do you enjoy most?
A.5 This is your chance to show that you will enjoy doing some of the tasks that are part of the job you are being put forward for. Always ensure that the aspects you enjoy correspond to the skills required for the current job. Be aware of not over selling your current role as you are looking for new work!
Q.6 What aspects of your current position do you dislike most?
A.6 The answer you give to this question will help the employer determine whether the job you are being interviewed for entails responsibilities that you won’t like, or are unsuitable for. The key with this question is not to draw attention to your weaknesses by being too specific. You might want to choose a characteristic of your present firm, such as the size, or its slow decision-making. Always try to come across as someone with a ‘can-do’ attitude, where no problem is too big or too small.
Q.7 What do you feel are your strengths?
A.7 Ensure you discuss two or three of your main strengths and describe how they could be of use to your employer. Some of the strengths you might like to include are:
Positive attitude
Fast Learner
Determined to succeed
Q.8 What is your biggest weakness?
Q.8 There are a few pointers you need to note before preparing your answer to this question. You should never say you don’t have any as it will lead to further problems. You should try and use a professed weakness such as, a lack of experience, (but not ability), in a certain area that is not key to the job on offer. Weaknesses that could also be seen as strengths are also an option, for example, “My team members tell me that I am too demanding sometimes. I am aware of this and I’m trying to improve.”
Q.9 Why do you want to leave your current employer?
Q.9 Employers who ask this question really want to know whether you are being pushed. The answer to this question should be relatively simple, so stating that you need a change of scenery, or more of a challenge, or a need to gain more responsibility in a new role will be adequate.
Your questions to the employer
Now you have the opportunity to ask your employer the questions you prepared before your interview. Questions should be relevant to the firm/company or industry/market. If you have done your research properly, the appropriate questions to ask should come to you.
Questions regarding salary, hours of work and benefits
These matters should not really be discussed until the second interview stage, unless of course the employer raises the issue. However generally speaking they are matters to be dealt with later. This segment of your interview should be used to fully qualify the role you are being assessed for by asking questions that are related to the role and the workplace.
Making Sure you get the Job Offer
When you have been selected for an interview, it is likely that other people will be going for the same position as you. Therefore it is important that you use your time in the interview wisely, sell yourself and ensure that you stand out from the crowd in order to get the position.
- Do not be discouraged if you are not offered the position in the interview, or if a specific salary is not discussed. It is likely that the employer will need to discuss your interview with his office, or interview more candidates before a decision can be made
- Do not let it show if you feel your interview is not going the best it could be. Sometimes employers will test you to see how you react by appearing to discourage you, when really they are very interested
- Before you leave the interview, ensure that you have answered the following questions:
- Why you are interested in the position/company
- What you can offer the company/employer as an employee
- Always thank the employer for their time
- When you leave the interview, make sure that you contact your recruitment consultant. They will be able to offer you guidance from your feedback and then approach the employer for their thoughts on your performance. Your consultant is there to help you, so it is important that you keep them informed of your actions every step of the way.