Popular Interview Questions (and the answers!)

Q: Why do you want to work here?
A: They ask you this to see if you've done your homework. Do you know all about the company and what their goals are? A good answer will include the attributes of the company and how you are able to contribute towards them.

Q: What job would you like to be doing in 5 years time?
A: It's a big mistake if you haven't thought about this question and how to answer it. The answer will convey to the interviewer how genuine you are about your career, your ability to plan ahead, and what you have put in place to achieve your goals. Also the extents to which the new company can help you achieve your objectives.

Q: Why do you want to leave your current job?

A: Two parts to this one. Firstly, your career objectives and secondly, your relationship with your current employer. Are you looking for new challenges? New opportunities for personal growth? Do you want to develop new skills? With reference to your current position: Was you position secure? Was there no room for improvement or advancement?

Q: What are your greatest accomplishments?
A: Try and keep this job related and be specific with examples of past tasks or projects in which you played a successful part whether it is individually or as part of a team. Should you have been involved in volunteer/community work or played sport use these experiences as this will demonstrate that you can work effectively within a team and may possess leadership attributes.

Q: What is your greatest weakness?
A: Don't allow yourself to get led down this negative track. Think of an allowable weakness eg. lack of knowledge or experience in dealing with a specific set of circumstances. Then turn it into a positive by telling the interviewer what resources you utilised to ensure that the situation was better handled in future.

Q: What kinds of people do you like working with?
A: This is an easy one. People just like you. The key words to trot out here are; loyalty, honesty, self-respect, pride, dedication. The ideal time to raise your own attributes once again.

Q: Have you got any questions?
A: Make sure you say 'yes' to this one. The worst answer you can give is 'no!' Don't turn up with a great long list of questions, but think beforehand about what aspects of the role are important to you.