Interview questions

Think about yourself

It is important before a job interview to think about all the reasons why you are attending it and what you have to offer the organisation/department.

Be ready to discuss both short and long term career goals in general and specific terms also, your plan of action for the first and second quarters.

Research the job

The organisation (if external, website, annual report, companies house if applicable)

The job description – understand fully the competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Motivation and Behaviours) required for the position.

Research the department : Research the team :- SLA, KPI’s the person leaving (if applicable) if a new position, why was it created? Has anyone within the team applied for the position/been interviewed

Points to consider throughout the interview

• Aim for clarity, brevity and above all honesty.
• Give honest answers with a positive tone.
• Concentrate on the employer’s needs, not, yours.
• Emphasise how you can help the organisation/department achieve its goals.
• Explain methodologies.
• Explain how the skills you bring will benefit the organisation/department.
• Don’t down play your accomplishments or attribute them to luck.
• Be specific in your answers, avoid rambling or going off on a tangent.
• Ask for clarification if you are unsure of the question.
• Take responsibility for communicating your strengths, don’t rely on the interviewer to pull it our of you.
• Explain your past successes, the more you can clearly describe, the experience, the people involved, the challenge and the solutions, the more opportunity you are giving yourself to demonstrate the actual behaviours required towards that competency.

Sample of Typical Interview Questions

• Why do you want this job?
• What qualities do you think this job requires?
• Why do you want to work for this organisation/department?
• What skills do you have that will contribute to the success of our organisation/department?
• What can we offer you, that your previous organisation/department cannot offer?
• How long have you been looking for a new job?
• What sorts of jobs are you considering at the moment?
• What do you know about the organisation/department?
• What did you do on a day to day basis?
• What do you not like about the job?
• How did you make a difference to your last organisation/department?
• Have you ever had a conflict with a co-worker or boss?
• What was your greatest success and how did you achie it?
• What has been your biggest failure?
• How do you handle criticism?
• How do you work with others?
• Are you accepted into a team quickly?
• What motivates you?
• Are you competitive?
• What are you like under pressure?
• What are your career goals?
• How did you get on with your last/current manager/colleagues?