top interview tips

Questions you might be asked

The interviewer will most likely ask you both technical and general questions about your career in order to find out about your skills. You may also be asked difficult and unexpected questions aimed at testing your reaction to stressful situations.

Having made sure you understand the question, pause a little before you speak. This gives you the opportunity to prepare your answer and to have more control over what you are saying. Be professional and concentrate but in any case, remain yourself.

The following are examples of regularly asked questions:

INITIAL

• What do you know about us?
• What do you know of our products?
• What can you do for us?

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Describe your present responsibilities and duties
• Briefly outline your career from the beginning
• How did you get your job with the ..............Company?
• What were some of the things that you enjoyed when you were working for the company? What did you enjoy less?
• What do you consider to have been your chief accomplishments with your present (past) company?
• What has been your greatest achievement?
• Did you have any set-backs or disappointments?
• Looking back at the time spent with the company, what do you feel you gained?
• In which way has your job changed since you originally joined the company?
• What were your reasons for leaving the ..............Company?
• How would you describe your present (past) superior?
• How do you think your present (past) superior would describe you?
• What do your subordinates think of you?
• What were some of the problems that you encountered on your job and how did you solve them?
• What type of position are you currently seeking?
• What are your long-term professional objectives?
• In which way does the job with our company meet your career goals?
• If you joined our organization, where do you think you could make best contribution?
• Looking ahead into the future, what changes and developments do you anticipate in your particular field?
• What other companies are you currently pursuing vacancies with?

PERSONAL

• How would you describe yourself?
• What are your outstanding qualities?
• What are your weaknesses?
• In which areas do you feel you would like to develop yourself?
• What qualities do you most admire in someone who is your boss?
• In considering joining a company, what are some of the factors that you take into account?
• What are some of the things in a job that are important to you?
• What would you want in your next job that you are not getting now?
• What is the most challenging experience you have ever had?
• What are your present salary expectations?

You must expect to be asked unwelcome or awkward questions but do not panic! Remember - some of your answers can be prepared in advance, but some are designed deliberately to take you by surprise - both your reaction and your answer to these questions will be considered.

DIFFICULT

• Do you not believe you are under qualified for this position?
• Do you think you are a bit too specialized for us?
• Why didn't you get further in your last job?
• Why have you changed jobs so often?
• Why did you lose your last job?
• What have you been doing during your unemployment?
• Why do you think you are the right person?
• Why have you not been promoted for such a long time?
• What kind of situations make you feel tense or nervous?

CONCLUDING

• Is there anything else I should know about you?
• Are there any further questions you would like to ask?