Detailed below are a number of possible interview questions and answers scenarios to help you prepare for your interview:
Never lie…
Q. Why did you leave your last job?
A. You felt your career prospects and progression could go no further and you need a challenge where your potential can be exploited.
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Never criticise your Manager…
Q. Do you get on with your current Manager?
A. I have a good relationship with my boss; he/she is not the reason I’m looking to move.
Never criticise an employer…
Q. Do you think your boss is a good Manager?
A. I have never had any problems with the management expertise of my boss and as already mentioned he/she is not the reason I’m looking for another job.
Never criticise your company…
Q. What do you think of your current job? / Why do you want to leave?
A. As a company they are fine but I do not think they can match my ambitions with the possible opportunities offered and now is a right time for me to move on.
Be positive…
Q. How long would you stay with us?
A. I see this as a long-term career move.
Prepare your own five-year plan…
Q. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
A. At the moment in five years time I can see myself progressing along my chosen path and currently I would like to progress into a managerial role. But, if in two to three year’s time a better, more suitable opportunity shows itself, then I would give it my consideration. Actually I would like to have won the pools and be sitting on a boat drinking wine in the Med. (Humour can sometimes help.)
Prepare your strengths…
Q. What are your greatest strengths?
A. My greatest strengths are threefold: –
- To be able to recognise my weaknesses
- I have the ability to pick up procedures quickly
- An excellent temperament which means I don’t get rattled easily
Prepare your weaknesses…
Q. What are your greatest weaknesses?
A. Some people have said my natural enthusiasm is a weakness, but I found my administration skills were weak. However I have recognised this and come to terms with it. Consequently, it is no longer a major problem.
Why you’re the best person for the job…
Q. Why should we offer you the position?
A. I’ve listened very carefully to what you’ve told me about the position and on that basis I’m confident that I could do the job as well as, if not better than, the others you have seen.
Why you want the job… (listen carefully during the interview & note interesting pointers)
Q. What interests you most about the position on offer?
A. The career prospects, job content, work environment, day-to-day duties, etc.
Other likely questions
Below are some other questions that you may be asked at interview. The responses depend entirely on your personal experiences. It is worth bearing these in mind when preparing to meet a prospective employer:
- What kind of people do you find most difficult to work with? Why?
- What do you feel you have done particularly well in your last job?
- In what areas have you achieved the greatest success?
- Why do you think this is?
- In your last job, did you find anything particularly difficult?
- What would you consider to be your greatest achievement in your career to date?