Top 30 Interview Questions
Get Prepared for Interview by Reviewing these often asked questions
Here are some of the most used questions at interviews:
Opening questions
Opening questions are often used as a warm up at the start of an interview. But beware - they can also be marked interview questions, so always use them as an opportunity to show how you are matched up to the requirements of the job. In general, for questions such as “Tell us about yourself”, talk about the relevant parts of your life history, that match up to the requirements of the role. They are not looking for a life history! Think about an answer that is about four minutes long. Examples of opening questions are:
Tell us about yourself
Talk us through your CV
Why are you interested in this role?
Questions about you
Again, think about what you know about the requirements of the job from your research and the job/person specification. Everyone has weaknesses. So an answer like “eating chocolate” won’t wash for a weakness! One approach is to give something that is not relevant to the job. Or something that you have identified as a development need that you have been working on and seen results. A corresponding example where you have seen improvement is powerful. Examples of questions about you are:
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
5. What can you bring to the job?
6. What motivates you?
Company specific questions
Always do your research on the organisation or company. Not just by looking at the website but from Companies House and Googling them. Follow on social media such as LinkedIn and Twitter so you have the latest updates. Examples of these types of questions are:
7. What research have you done on the organisation?
8. Why do you want to work for this organisation?
9. What are the most important business issues facing this company today?
Role Specific Questions
10. What can you bring to this job?
11. Where do you see as the main areas of learning for you to be able to do this job?
12. Where do you see yourself in 3/5/10 years time?
Think of what they are looking for in the person and look for evidence in your own skills and experience. Remember, they are recruiting for this role so do not be too ambitious in your answer as to where you see yourself in a few years time.
Work History Questions
13. What was your greatest achievement in your last role?
14. How successful have you been in your career to date?
15. What have been the greatest challenges you have faced at work?
Behavioural questions
Have a look at my Competency-Based Interview Questions (The Essentials) blog post for some tips on how to answer Behavioural or Competency based questions. The blog will tell you about a structure for answering these types of questions too.
16. Give me an example when you have worked as a team where it has gone well? (teamwork)
17. Tell me about a time when you have had to manage a group of people to achieve an important outcome? (leadership)
18. Tell me about a time when you have improved a process or procedure? (continuous improvement or excellence)
19. Give me an example of when you have gone over and above the customer's expectations? (customer service)
20. Tell me about a time when you have had to organise time and resources to complete a project? (planning and organising)
21. Outline a difficult problem you have had to work on? (problem solving)
22. Tell me about a time you had to do an important presentation? (communicating)
23. Tell me about a time when you had to persuade some around to our point of view? (persuading)
24. Tell me about a time when you have found it difficult to build relationships with others (relating and networking)
Future Goals
25. What are you looking for in your next career steps?
26. How ambitious are you?
27. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Closing
28. Would you accept this job if offered to you?
29. What other applications do you have that are ongoing?
30. Do you have any questions?
It is always good to have plenty of questions prepared in case they answer some of the ones you had in the interview.
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Once you have done that, book in for some interview coaching with Diana Dawson, a professional Interview Coach.
I am Diana Dawson, Founder of Working Career. As a Professional Career Coach, Career Psychologist, Career Counsellor, Career Consultant, Executive Coach and Wellbeing at Work Coach, I work with organisations and individuals to help manage their careers.
I am an Accredited Master Coach with the Association for Coaching, a Coaching Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist with nearly 20 years of experience in the field.
I work with professional people from different sectors and backgrounds to cope and flourish at work. I also run Career Workshops and Wellbeing Workshops for organisations.
I can provide one-to-one career coaching in Edinburgh or zoom sessions worldwide. I can provide Career Workshops at your organisation or remotely. Find out more about me here