Questions, Questions, Questions - that could be asked at an interview

It is impossible to give perfect answers,  try to relax and do the best you can.   If you think you have made a blunder, just take a breath and continue on - listen carefully, answer calmly.   If you have practised well you will show more confidence with your answers.  The trick is to be well prepared.

What do you know about our company?
Do your homework before the interview.  Research the company, use their web site, show you are interested, also let them tell you.

Why should we give you the job?
Your knowledge, experience, skills, abilities

What can you offer us that others can't?
Give any details of any past successes with problem solving or how you managed to make a difference.  Think how this could be related to this position.

How long would you stay in the job?
As long as we both feel I'm contributing, progressing.

Tell my about yourself?
Keep it short, don't waffle, use the statement in your resume summary.

What are your goals?
Give long term goals, further skills you would like to gain

Do you have any questions?
If you have done your homework then you should be able to ask something which shows an interest in the job and the company.  Appropriate questions could be about their philosophies, long term goals, the objectives of the job etc.  Keep things positive by discussing what you can offer them rather than what they can do for you.

What are your strong points?
Give at least three, relate them to the job being interviewed for. 

What are your weak points?
Never belittle yourself or offer personality traits as weaknesses.  While you need to admit to at least one weakness, keep it brief, then move on.  Try to turn a negative into a positive by offering it more as an opportunity to improve.  Try talking about something you have learned from in the past, something that improved the way you did things.  Use an example of something that is not needed for the job.  "I'm not very strong in Powerpoint, although I have good knowledge of Word and Excel"   You could talk about something you are still learning or wish to finish, something which will benefit the company.  "When I have finished my studies, I will be able to ....."  Above all never say anything which will put you in a negative light.  This only leads to more negative questions and sticks in the mind of the interviewer. 

Go to Activity 3

or Return to Interview Course