Questions to answer
Here are some example questions that you may be asked at an interview – this is not an exhaustive list though! Have answers ready and practice these either by yourself or, better still, get someone to ask you them. We’ve split them into two categories – standard and what we call “off the wall”…
Standard
Why are you looking for a new job?
How would you describe yourself?
How would your friends describe you?
How would your manager describe you?
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
What are your life goals?
What are your long term career objectives?
How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
What are the most important career rewards that you expect?
Why did you choose this career?
Which motivates you more – the money or the job?
What are your key strengths and weaknesses?
Who do you think our main competitors are and how do we compare?
What gives you your greatest motivation?
Why should we hire you?
How do you determine success?
What do you think you need to do to be successful here?
What do you think you can contribute to this company?
What qualities should a good manager have?
Can you describe two or three specific achievements that have given you satisfaction?
If you were hiring for this position, what qualities would you look for?
How do you work under pressure?
What do you know about this company?
Can you describe a major problem you have had and how you dealt with it?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
How would you deal with an angry customer or colleague?
Can you describe how you have turned around a bad result?
What makes you angry?
What concerns do you have about this job?
Can you describe your perfect job?
What salary are you looking for?
Off the wall….
You’re a window cleaner, how much would you charge to clean all the windows in London?
If you were an animal, which one would you be?
How many ping pong balls could you fit into a bus?
How many people are using Facebook on a Friday at 2.30pm?
How would you get an elephant into a refrigerator?
So why do you think you’re a genius?
If you were a superhero, which one would you be?
What do you think of garden gnomes?
The list goes one…
There are no real right or wrong answers, the questions are more to see what makes you tick, how you think or approach a seemingly impossible task. A trawl on the internet will reveal many more and also example answers too.