Interviews can be nerveracking, but with the right preparation, you can confidently tackle even the trickiest questions. Here are some common interview questions and tips on how to answer them like a pro.
Tell me about yourself.
This question is often the first one you’ll encounter in an interview. While it’s an opportunity to discuss your professional background, it’s also a chance for employers to see your personality, interests, and how you might fit within their company culture.
How to Answer:
Keep your answer short and focused on your career journey, but feel free to add in a few personal details that highlight your passion, interests, and values, especially if they tie back to the role or company.
Start with your professional experience, emphasising key achievements and skills, and then offer a glimpse into your personal interests or values. The goal is to show you’re not only qualified but that you’re also a balanced and motivated individual.
Why do you want to work here?
This question tests your knowledge of the company and your reasons. Employers want to know if you’ve done your research and if you’re genuinely interested in the position.
How to answer:
Research the company beforehand and identify aspects that appeal to you, such as its values, mission, or recent accomplishments. Read their News page. Show how your skills align with the company’s, and stress why you’re excited about the opportunity to contribute.
What is your greatest strength?
This is a chance to highlight a skill or quality that directly contributes to your success in the role.
How to answer:
Choose a strength that is relevant to the job and provide an example of how you’ve demonstrated it in the workplace.
What is your greatest weakness?
Everyone has weaknesses, but the key is to present yours in a way that shows you’re self-aware and working to improve.
How to answer:
Choose a weakness that won’t undermine your ability to do the job, and explain how you’ve been working to improve it. It’s important to show that you’re proactive in addressing your weaknesses.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Employers want to know if you’re committed to the role and company, or if you’ll be looking for something new soon. They also want to see if your career goals align with the company’s goals.
How to answer:
Be honest about your career aspirations, but keep them aligned with the role and company. It’s okay to have long-term goals, but make sure they show a genuine interest in growing with the company.
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work and how you handled it.
This question tests your problem-solving skills and how you handle adversity in the workplace.
How to answer:
Explain the situation, what you needed to accomplish, the steps you took to resolve the issue, and the positive outcome.
Why did you leave your last job?
This question can be tricky, but it’s an important one for employers to gauge your reasons for moving on and to understand if there were any issues that might affect your future performance.
How to answer:
Be honest, but keep your answer positive and focused on the future. If there were challenges or negative aspects in your previous role, avoid criticising your former employer or colleagues. Instead, answer in a way that focuses on the opportunities you’re seeking in your next role – whether it’s career growth, a new challenge, or a shift in direction. The key is to show that you’re leaving for reasons that align with your professional goals.
