No matter how many job interviews you’ve been on, keeping up to date with all techniques will make you shine in the interview and become a shrewd investment of your time! Being prepared for all eventualities is key if you want to smash your interview. Over the last few months, we have produced lots of content on all different facets of interview techniques that are worth looking at. We also have some very comprehensive guides to the whole process for getting a new job, amongst them is our renowned 'Ultimate Guide to Getting Your Dream Job!' We will put all the content links at the end of the blog for you, they are worth a read! Yes, Benjamin Franklin was right when he said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”, so let’s start getting you prepared by focusing on one part of the interview process today. We have created a list of ten of the most frequently asked interview questions, offering support with ideas on how to answer them. So have a read through and make sure you prepare answers to all of them!
1 - Tell me about yourself
This question usually sets the groundwork for the whole interview. Make sure you keep your answers to the point, be work specific. The employer wants to know about where you are in a professional context, what you have learned from your past work experiences and why you are there today.
2 - What do you know about our company?
Here the employer is gauging how serious you are about their job. They want to see you have done your research. The best way to prepare for this question is to DO YOUR RESEARCH! Have a quick look across the company’s website and social media pages, google the company name for the latest news on them and remember three or four key facts that you can bring up during the interview. It shows that you are prepared for the interview and serious about the job.
3 - Why do you want this job?
This is the perfect opportunity for you to show that you are interested in the role you have applied for. Match the role to your background, strengths and skills sets! Bring up the work the company has done in the past and stress the ways you’d be able to make an impact in the future. Be enthusiastic about what you feel you can offer them and why this is a motivator for you.
4 - Why do you want to leave your present job?
With this question, always put a positive spin on things. Don't discredit your last company if things did not go well. Focus on the positives that this new job will bring and explain your excitement for new challenges.
5- What are your strengths?
Grab hold of this question and guide the interview where you want it to go. Make a list of what you feel are your strongest points and curate them into something that will really fit the role you are being interviewed for. Make sure you highlight at least one strength that is crucial to the position and wrap a strong narrative around this.
6- What are your weaknesses?
The question that everyone dreads! Don’t pick something that isn’t really a weakness, like ‘I’m a perfectionist.’ The employer can see straight through that! Try to pick a weakness that isn’t too crucial to the job and make sure you let the employer know that you’re working on it. This question is the perfect opportunity to show that you are ‘self-aware.’ It is also a good question to show how you want to keep improving yourself. Talk about a training course your thinking of going on to improve certain aspects of yourself. If you pick a weakness that does not affect your job and you are seen to be trying to improve, then this is the perfect storm of an answer!
7 - What is your biggest achievement?
Talk about something you are genuinely proud of so that your passion and excitement shows through! If you can talk about an accomplishment that exhibits how you will be a perfect fit for the company and the position you’ve applied for then even better. Again if you can weave a narrative around this and fit it into the context of the job it will be more powerful!
8 - What motivates you?
Try and let your passion come across again with this question. A good tactic is to explain how the job will allow you to develop your skills in a certain aspect, and how you would find this a great motivation. Talk about how you want to learn things and talk about how much the company can teach you. Of course, there could be lots of other motivators, so think about what yours really are and see how you can link them to the job, the company and your future.
9 - What Do You Like Least About Your Job?
Similar to the question "Why do you want to leave your present job?" Be careful on this one as the last thing you want to do is rant on about how horrible your existing company is! Moaning about the boss and coworkers is not a good idea! The best way to handle this question is to focus on the role you are interviewing for and pick something that your old job did not offer that the new one does. Keep the conversation positive and talk about how excited about the new job you are.
10- Do you have any questions for me?
The answer to this question should ALWAYS be yes. This question gives you an opportunity to show your knowledge and enthusiasm for the company you are interviewing for. Bring in the research you’ve done about the company – perhaps ask about projects or exciting things they are working on at the moment. You could also ask about how the employer feels about being an employee of the company. Whatever you do make sure you research this one well and be ready!
(FAQ) Our Bonus Frequently Asked Questions About Job Interviews
Q1: How long should my answers be during an interview?
A1: Aim for concise, targeted responses that last between 1 to 2 minutes. Providing enough detail to answer the question fully without rambling is important. If the interviewer wants more information, they'll ask for it.
Q2: Is it okay to bring notes to a job interview?
A2: Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to bring a notepad and pen to jot down notes during the interview or to have a list of prepared questions for the end. However, avoid reading directly from your notes when answering questions, as it can make you seem unprepared or overly reliant on them.
Q3: Should I always wear a suit to an interview?
A3: Not necessarily. The appropriate attire depends on the company's culture and the industry. While a suit is a safe choice for more formal industries, business casual is often acceptable in less formal sectors. Research the company beforehand to gauge the appropriate dress code.
Q4: Can I discuss salary during the first interview?
A4: It's usually best to wait for the employer to bring up the topic of salary. Discussing compensation too early can give the impression that it's your only interest. However, if they ask for your expectations, be prepared with a researched response.
Q5: How do I explain gaps in my employment history?
A5: Be honest and positive. Focus on what you learned or accomplished during those gaps, such as skills acquired through courses, volunteer work, or personal projects. Employers understand that career paths can have pauses and value transparency and growth during those times.
Q6: Is it a bad sign if the interviewer doesn't ask many questions?
A6: Not necessarily. The interviewer might have a tight schedule, or they might be highly impressed with the information already provided in your resume and cover letter. Focus on showcasing your strengths and asking insightful questions to demonstrate your interest.
Q7: Should I send a thank-you note after the interview?
A7: Absolutely. Sending a personalised thank-you note (email is typically fine) within 24 hours of your interview shows professionalism and reinforces your interest in the position. It's also an opportunity to briefly reiterate why you're the right fit for the role.
Q8: How do I handle interview nerves?
A8: Preparation is key. Practice your answers, research the company, and visualise success. Remember, it's okay to take a moment to think before you answer a question. Deep breathing exercises can also help calm your nerves before the interview.
Q9: What if I don't have all the skills listed in the job description?
A9: Focus on the skills you do have and how they're transferable. Highlight your willingness and ability to learn. Employers often value adaptability and a positive attitude toward learning new skills just as much as current skill sets.
Q10: Can asking questions at the end of the interview really make a difference?
A10: Yes, asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the company. It's an opportunity to learn more and show the interviewer you've done your homework. Avoid asking about anything that could easily be found on the company's website.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common questions you will be asked, of course, there could be more and this is where research comes in. The more research you do the better you can answer questions! If you would like a deep dive into the whole interview process, from pre to post-interview strategies then below are links to the guides that we were talking about at the beginning of the article. We wish you all the best for the future!
Two great articles to start off with are our comprehensive guide How to Find a Job and our Ultimate Guide to Getting Your Dream Job! Now, these go into a lot more than just the finding your perfect career but go through them and pick the relevant sections that you feel will help you. Then we have some great shorter blogs on interview techniques below. Have a look at all these and you will be set! Remeber, 'Luck favours the prepared! We wish you all the luck and success in the future!
Research You Should Consider Before An Interview
Ultimate Guide to Preparing your CV
How To Completely Nail Your Zoom, Skype or any other Video Conferencing Interview!
What questions should you never ask in an interview?
How to Answer the Question: What are your Strengths?
How to Answer the Question: What motivates you at work?
Finding a New Job? - It's Time To Clean Up Your Social Media Presence
Nerves and how to deal with them for an interview
Can Changing Roles Within Your Company Be Better Than Looking For a New Job?
The Definitive Guide to Starting a New Job
Also, remember if you are attending interviews you may get rejected, do not take this personally! A lot of things in life are a numbers game, meaning the more you get rejected the closer you will come to getting the job. It is simple maths, the more you do the better the chance of success. It is a healthy part of the process so read the article below and don't let rejection slow you down!
10 Top Tips for Coping With Those Soul-Destroying Job Rejections!
