Top 10 Interview Questions

1.

Tell me about yourself?
Normally this is always a starting point and eases you into the interview. Start off by telling them what you do now in terms of work. Think about not just telling them about job related facts but also a bit about you as a person so they get a glimpse of what kind of person you are, it could also make you more memorable as a candidate.

2.

Why should we hire you?
Be confident here. Think about achievements you may have made in previous roles and what you have contributed in your previous jobs. Go through your skills and experience and highlight your qualities. This is a blunt question so try to come across as confident as you can.

3.

What is your greatest strength?
A common question you will normally face. Be genuine and really prepare for this question. Maybe in previous roles a manager has commented on something you do really well, or you already know the answer and it's something more personal. Remember, always try and relate it back to the position you are being interviewed for.

4.

Greatest weakness?
This can be a tricky one as it can always feel a little awkward. No one is perfect and so everyone has something they can improve upon, so be honest. Obviously, they don't want hear something like bad time keeping. But whatever it may be, try to turn it into a positive, show them how you plan to work on this weakness in order to better yourself.

5.

Why are you leaving or left your last job?
There are so many reasons people leave a job, so of course this isn't something they will hold against you. The question is designed to give the interviewer some confidence in why you have moved on and are looking to move over to their company. It could be you are looking to learn new skills or you are aiming to progress further in your career.

6.

What are your salary expectations?
Some will come with salaries outlined. But the best course is to do some research on the average salaries for this type of role. Then you can use this to demonstrate the range of salary you are expecting and can back it up as being typical for the job. Always tell them you are flexible on this.

7.

Why do you want the job?
Be honest, but avoid simply stating "salary" or "need a job." Think about what skills the job can help build upon. Maybe you've heard of their good working environment. Another good reason for applying for a new role can be for a new challenge. But again, think about what you hope to achieve from the role.

8.

How do you handle stress and pressure?
A good way to deal with this question is to turn dealing with stress and pressure into a positive, maybe you find it can help motivate you for instance. Some people work better under pressure. Find an example from a previous job you can relate this too.

9.

Describe a difficult project or work situation, how did you overcome it?
Another very common question. It is designed to test your problem solving. Think of a genuine example, one that did take a lot of thought and skill. Try to then go on and relate it to the position you are being interviewed for.

10.

What are your goals for the future?
This question can help the interviewer get a good idea on your intentions on staying with the company long term but it is also an opportunity to find out how ambitious you are. So you want to give a balanced answer. Talk about why this position will help you over the next few years to give confidence but maybe also brush over how you think it will help you in the long term.