What interview questions are you likely to encounter?
30 questions you should be able to answer – if you can’t answer them then you’re not ready!
1. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
2. What do you really want to do in life?
3. What are your long term career objectives?
4. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
5. What are your most important career rewards that you expect?
6. Why did you choose this career?
7. Which motivates you more – the money or the job?
8. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
9. Who do you think our main competitors are and how do we compare?
10. How would you describe yourself?
11. How would your friends describe you?
12. How would your manager describe you?
13. What gives you your greatest motivation?
14. Why should we hire you?
15. How do you determine success?
16. What do you think you need to do to be successful here?
17. What do you think you can contribute to this company?
18. What qualities should a good manager have?
19. Can you describe two or three achievements that have given you satisfaction.
20. If you were hiring for this position, what qualities would you look for?
21. How do you work under pressure?
22. What do you know about this company?
23. Can you describe a major problem you have had and how you dealt with it.
24. What have you learned from your mistakes?
25. How would you deal with an angry customer or colleague?
26. Can you describe how you have turned around a bad result.
27. What makes you angry?
28. What concerns do you have about this job?
29. Why are you looking for a new job?
30. Can you describe your perfect job?
To ask
Remember! An interview is very much a two way process – you are there to find out about them as much as they want to find out about you. You should therefore have your own list of questions prepared. Here are some general examples for you:
1. What will be my responsibilities?
2. Where will I fit into the overall organisational structure?
3. Who will I report to?
4. Where does he/she fit in the structure?
5. Who will report to me?
6. How experienced are they?
7. What skills and experience are you looking for?
8. What are you expecting the successful candidate to achieve in the first six months?
9. Who are your customers?
10. Where is the company going? Upwards? Expansion plans?
11. Why has this vacancy arisen?
12. Who are your main competitors and how do you think you compare?
13. What are the chances of advancement/promotion in this position? When?
14. Will travel be required in this position?
15. Will relocation be required now or in the future?
16. What training do you provide?
17. When will you decide on the appointment?
18. What is the next step?
19. Do you have any concerns about me that I can clear up now for you?
20. What will be my salary, benefits and bonuses? (NB These questions are typically left until the end of the first interview or the second interview)