Job Interview Questions

Getting the job of your dreams is as much about finding a job you'd like to do as persuading the employer you'd be good at it. Personality tests are a good way of identifying your personality "Type". Following the advice from a personality test can prevent you from over extending, for example are you the kind of person that could manage others or could you run your own business?

Knowing you personality Type can help you to get to the interview, because you will have confidence in your psychometric test to support your application

There is no real technique to passing personality tests, because there is no right or wrong. By taking a psychometric test prior to your interview, it will help you prepare yourself to ensure you play up your strengths and minimise your weaknesses.

Often job interview questions can be built from your completed psychometric test report to expose your weaknesses. That said how would you cope with any of the following under job interview conditions, we have tried to list some of the most popular job interview questions, the reasons for their use and potential responses.

Q. Tell us about yourself?
This is one of the most popular questions at interviews. Don't misunderstand this question, it is an invitation to samaras your education and career. It is often used by the interviewer to establish that it co-insides with what you've written on your CV.

Q. Why are you looking to leave your current job?
This is a prime question for the interviewer to trip you up. Good answers are "career advancement", "looking for a new challenge" poor answers are "money" and "don't like colleagues/boss". If you have been downsized don't labour on the injustice to you personally, if you've been fired you should present a solid explanation.

Q. What do you know about the Company?
What the interviewer is looking for is often to ensure you have made some effort to prepare. There are no short cuts, do your homework, find out what you can about the company and about the main players prior to the interview.

Q. Who are our main competitors?
The interviewer is looking to establish that you really do understand the market.

Q. Why do you want this job?
This question should really be "why should I give you the job?". The interviewer is looking to ensure you understand the job and is looking for you to stand out, think about the companies values and try to align them with your own.

Q. What do you feel you could bring to the company/job?
The interviewer is looking to establish what you know about the company. Don't offer intellectual knowledge or data from current or previous employment. List your strengths e.g. honest, team player, leader, attention to detail etc. Do your homework, make sure you consider your strengths only as part of what the interviewer is seeking. Don't say something like "I'm good at badminton and would do well on the company tournament."

Q. What is your biggest weakness?
OUCH! Obviously we all have weaknesses, so saying "none" is obviously not seen as a good response. The residing rule is you don't want to admit to any serious weaknesses, you could mention a small weakness and what you have done to overcome it. You could also consider disguising a positive as a weakness "I don't like laziness in others" or "I'm a perfectionist".

Q. What has been your biggest failure?
If you are going to speak about a failure, make sure it was something beyond your control, if you can turn it into a positive on how you responded do so, but be honest.

Q. What are your strengths?
The interviewer, again, is looking for you to tie your understanding of what the job entails with your abilities. It is good to have a few examples to demonstrate key strengths.

Q. What sort of person can't you work with?
This is another one of those questions designed to trip you up. You probably have no idea who you'll be working with, so any specific answers could become an obstacle. It's probably better to say that you "work well with most people, and haven't really got an answer to the question".

Q. Do you work well in a team?
There is only one answer to this question, but be prepared to give examples.

Q. What would your coworkers say about you?
If you are asked this one do not be lulled into offering full disclosure. Keep your comments positive and anecdotal, and try to use examples, but be mindful you may be asked to substantiate them at a later date.

Q. How well do you cope with stressful situations?
This question is really designed to put you under pressure, the interviewer will be looking for your response and to see if you panic. Good answers are "you organise yourself to try to avoid unnecessary stress", "I ask for help when needed" and "work well under pressure". It might, if relevant, even be worth reversing this question by asking "in the job, what are the main causes that result in stressful situations?"

Q. What kind of decisions do you find most difficult to take?
The interviewer is looking to find what kind of decisions you are/are not comfortable with. It all depends on the position you are applying for. A good answer would be to emphasise that "any difficult decision needs to be made only when all the facts, options and scenarios have been considered."

Q. Have you ever bent the rules to achieve a goal?
The interviewer is looking to see how ethical you are. Do not admit to anything that could be considered against company policy or the law.

Q. Why should we give you the job?
Use this as an opportunity to highlight your skills. Focus on yourself, but in the context of what you bring to the organisation. If you have the job spec prior to the interview imagine what the interviewer sees as the main strengths and reinforce your abilities within those areas and what benefits
you bring.

Q. What are your expectations regarding salary?
Often until you have sold yourself, this question is something to avoid. A good response might be to turn the question back by asking "what the pay range is?", "does the company offer relocation" (if applicable), if you have a figure in mind you might want to consider saying "another interview I
attended recently they were offering £xxx". Then watch closely for the response in the faces of your interviewers.

Q. Are you willing to travel or relocate if necessary?
Ensure you answer this one truthfully, there is no point saying yes to get the job, if the answer is actually no.

Q. Are you applying for other positions?
It shows that you are serious and in demand by answering yes, but if you are asked to divulge who it is perfectly legitimate to explain you'd rather not
say.

Q. Do you have any questions for us?
This is usually at the end of the interview thrown in almost as an after thought. But don't be fooled, the interviewer is actually looking to establish how keen you are. Not asking anything doesn't impress. Ask about "what the process is now?", "what is the earliest date I could start", you could even return the question by asking "do you have any reservations about awarding me the job?" this is an excellent way of ensuring if there are any issues you can combat them before leaving the room.

Research is paramount, not only about the company or organisation but also drawing your skills to the role. Presentation of your CV and supporting documents must also be considered as an essential part of the process. When organisations recruit there is usually a "sifting " process, this can start with which CV's demonstrate tidiness, attention to detail and presentation of material.

The above examples of job interview questions and responses are free and for preparation use only. They should only be considered as guidance and only used if the situation dictates. No responsibility is accepted if used. For more advice we suggest you use a premium service Got an interview? make sure you're ready