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Interview questions

Interview questions often mean more than they say. Each of these gives you a common question and four ways to answer it, then explains what the interviewer is listening for.

Practice only. Interviewers differ, so use the reasons as a guide and put the answers in your own words, with your own examples.

Start

About you

The questions most interviews start with. 3 scenarios

  1. Tell me about yourselfThe opening question
  2. Why do you want this job?Motivation
  3. What is your biggest weakness?Self-awareness

Tell me about a time

Questions that want a real example. 4 scenarios

  1. A time you made a mistakeOwning up
  2. A difficult personHandling conflict
  3. Too much to doPrioritising
  4. Working in a teamTeamwork

Tricky moments

Blanks, gaps, adjustments and your own questions. 4 scenarios

  1. Your mind goes blankBuying time
  2. The gap in your CVTime out of work
  3. Asking for adjustmentsBefore the interview
  4. Any questions for us?The last question

The unwritten rules

What these questions are usually looking for, said out loud:

  • Most questions are asking one thing: can we rely on you to do this job alongside other people?
  • For "tell me about a time" questions, give one real example: what the situation was, what you did, and how it turned out.
  • Say "I", not "we". They are hiring you, not your old team.
  • It is fine to pause, to ask for the question again, or to look at your notes. Taking a moment looks thoughtful.
  • Be honest. A small true example beats a grand vague one, and a real weakness you are working on beats a fake one.
  • You can ask for adjustments before the day, such as the questions in writing or extra time.

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