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Interview Techniques

Common Interview Questions

By rehearsing interview questions in advance, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Rehearse these questions with a friend and solicit their feedback to improve your skills.

Tell me about yourself.

Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organisation.

Why do you want to work here? or What about our company interests you?

Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job and the company. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company.

Why did you leave your last job?

The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off; temporary job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills. If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or still have) with an employer, but don't describe that employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.

What are your strongest skills?

If you have sufficiently researched the company and the position, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.

What is your major weakness?

Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."

Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?

The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.

What are your career goals? or What are your future plans?

The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let thim know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team. Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.

What salary are you expecting?

You probably don't want to answer this one directly. Simply state that you would expect a competitive salary for someone with your qualifications. Your recruiter's job is to negotiate the best possible compensation package on your behalf. We will speak with your employer after the interview, and proceed with negotiations at that time if applicable.

Additional Interview Questions

Your Qualifications

• Give specific examples of why an employer should hire you.
• What can you do for us that someone else can't do?
• What qualifications do you have that relate to the position?
• What new skills or capabilities have you developed recently?
• Give me an example from a previous job where you've shown initiative.
• What have been your greatest accomplishments recently?
• What is important to you in a job?
• What motivates you in your work?
• What have you been doing since your last job?
• What qualities do you find important in a co-worker?

Your Career Goals

• What would you like to be doing five years from now?
• How will you judge your success? How will you achieve success?
• What type of position are you interested in?
• How will this job fit in your career plans?
• What do you expect from this job?
• What hours can you work?
• When could you start?

Your Work Experience

• What have you learned from your past jobs?
• What were your biggest responsibilities?
• What specific skills acquired or used in previous jobs relate to this position?
• How does your previous experience relate to this position?
• What did you like most/least about your last job?
• Who can we contact for references?

Your Education

How do you think your education has prepared you for this position?

Behavioural Interviews

A behavioural interview is an employment interview where you are asked to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. You must tell about specific experiences when you demonstrated these competencies. The purpose of a behavioural interview is to allow the employer to determine whether you possess the competencies to perform your particular job. The key to succeeding in these types of interviews is to thoroughly research the employer, and to completely understand the competencies of the position.

Sample Behavioural Interview Questions

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with two co-workers who didn't get along with one another.
Describe a situation when you had to get a job done in spite of an unforeseen problem. Discuss a time when you had to use your powers of persuasion to get someone to do something.
Describe working on a project with a team of people who didn't always see eye to eye. Give an example of a time you had to make a decision quickly.
Tell me about a time you did not properly handle a disagreement with a co-worker well. To learn more about successful interview techniques, ask your recruitment specialist for details.

Participating In A Telephone Interview

Helpful Hints

Smile! Believe it or not, smiling while you are talking will actually help you sound friendlier.

Speak slowly and clearly. Sit up in your chair or stand during your conversation. All of these will boost the energy in your voice and transmit your enthusiasm over the telephone.

Have your resume in front of you to answer any specific questions the interviewer may have.

Have a list of questions prepared to ask during the interview to demonstrate your interest in the position.

Give specific examples relating your past work experience to this current job opportunity.

Be self-confident. You will be judged by the same criteria used in an in-person interview: confidence.

However, there is a difference. On the phone, you'll be judged by a much more subtle set of factors - the sound of your voice, your level of friendliness and enthusiasm, etc.

Get to the point. The ability to speak succinctly is critical.

Prepare for awkward silence. Have a list of questions prepared about the company and the opportunity that you can refer to when caught in one of those dead spots.

Don't ever talk about issues related to potential compensation, company benefits or problems at your current employer, in a phone interview. Wait until you debrief with your recruitment consultant to discuss compensation.