Anticipate The Interview Questions
Introduction
Spend time thinking carefully about what skills, accomplishments, and interview answers will resonate with your interviewers most. Have an answer to tell me about yourself” ready to go. Remember that the examples you share of these skills and how they can be applied at the company on day 1.
Abilities
Don’t be thrown off by the classic, “What’s your biggest weakness?” One foolproof method: Think of something that you struggle with but that youre working to improve. For example, maybe youve never been strong at public speaking, but over the past few years, you’ve taken on leadership roles and volunteered to run meetings to help you be more comfortable when addressing a crowd. You can easily find lists of common interview questionsbut don’t prepare by writing out your entire answer instead, jot down a few notes or bullet points and memorize those and dont forget to try to quantify .
Fit
It’s likely you’ll get asked why you’re interested in this particular role and company, so make sure you can. Consider why youre interested in the function and identify a couple of key factors that make it a great fit for you and how it aligns with skills, motivation, the right next step for you. Don’t just think about how you’ll answer certain questions practice looking in the mirror and answering them out loud. This prep work will help you clarify your thoughts and make you much more comfortable during the interview.
Examples Of Work/training Experience Interview Questions
Q. Tell us about your previous experience and how it is relevant to this role.
Q. Please describe any major achievements over the past 2 years, either in your academic career or outside university / school.
Q. You may be asked to describe a particular laboratory technique relevant to the job, e.g. describe the principles behind gas chromatography.
INSIDER TIP: Be prepared for questions on any major scientific issues e.g. stem cell research which may have been in the news recently. If possible, relate it to a recent article you have read in a professional journal. When interviewers ask this type of question they are looking at your knowledge of topical scientific issues and events.
Our comprehensive interview guide will show you how to use your time effectively, dramatically increasing your chances of success.
Remember that in the majority of cases you will be asked interview questions that are directly related to the role that you are applying for so make sure you prepare fully.
TOPICS AND INFORMATION INCLUDED WITHIN THIS GUIDE INCLUDE:
HOW TO PASS THE INTERVIEW AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Contains sample answers to 50 of the toughest interview questions!
First Job Interview Tips How To Pass Your First Ever Interview
Interviews can be a daunting experience at the best of times. However, when its your first job interview, you will undoubtedly feel the pressure. Below, Richard McMunn provides you with 5 great tips for passing your very first job interview with flying colors!
Tip #1 Most hiring managers and recruiters are more attracted to enthusiasm and positivity than skill or expertise. When you attend your first job interview, smile, be positive, and believe in yourself! You can do this!
Tip #2 Dont try to be somebody youre not! Be honest about your lack of experience but use this to your advantage. Tell the interviewer you are a blank canvass and somebody they can train up to a standard they need in this role. If youve been invited to the interview, then they are 100% INTERESTED in hiring you!
Tip #3 One of the easiest ways to demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the job is to dress the part. Regardless of which company your first job interview is with, make sure you wear a smart, formal outfit and remember to clean your shoes!
Tip #4 It is VERY IMPORTANT that you conduct some research into their company before you attend your first job interview. Go on to their website and check out their products, their services, and also what their mission statement says. The hiring manager may well ask you the following interview question: Tell me what you know about our company?
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Act Interested But Not Desperate While Waiting For Feedback
Sometimes you wont hear from the employer for many days after your interview.
They might need to meet more candidates, or might need time to finalize their decision.
Id recommend wrapping up your interview by asking when you can expect to hear feedback. That way, you wont be too anxious waiting at home.
If that time passes, its okay to follow up with the employer to get an update from them. But be patient and never sound needy/desperate. Delays happen.
If they tell you, sorry, things are taking longer than we expected and we are still making our decision, the worst thing you can do is act frustrated or upset. This isnt going to help you get hired!
The best thing you can do is keep applying for jobs while you wait. Its never smart to wait around for one single employer because so many unexpected things can cost you the job or cause a delay in the process.
So thats another one of my favorite interview tips when you finish one interview, try to get more lined up! Dont stop interviewing for jobs until youve signed a job offer.
I Was Hired For A Certain Role But Over Time That Changed And I Was No Longer Being Given The Opportunity To Do The Work I Was Interested In
Jobs change. Or sometimes youre hired for a job and what they ask you to do ends up being nothing like the job description . This is a fine reason for why you left your last job.
This is a very convincing and acceptable answer, even if you left the position very soon after being hired. It make sense right? Youd leave pretty quickly if the job ended up being completely different than what the company had promised.
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How To Pass Your Online Interview Like A Boss
Due to the covid-19 virus which engulfed it has changed our behaviors, habits, and workingrules around the world. Most companies have tended to work their employees from home,full or part-time, and all interviews are also held electronically on zoom, Microsoft teams,and other online meeting applications.Here we will tell you how to be prepared for your online interview and nail it to get your job.Before the interview: Dont think that because your interview is online that you dontneed to prepare as same as if it is face to face interview, be sure that the interviewer will beso much focused maybe for than the normal interviews to see how much you take thisinterview seriously and how much youre responsible.
1- Dress very well: The interviewer will focus on every detail and when he sees you welldressed That’s going to make a good impression on you, and you are not a lazy person andtaking care of the details and taking every single detail in consideration even if it’s not to benoticed.
2- Check the company profile on linked and its website: it is very important to knoweverything about the company its vision, mission, services, previous work, and its clients.This way you will be able to answer all the questions confidently and you wont hesitate, alsoyou will know very well how to speak about your experience, skills, and abilities In a waythat will serve the company’s requirements.
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How to pass your Online interview like a BOSS
What Type Of Work Environment Do You Prefer
Employers want to make sure that your personality is a fit for their work environment. This is different than determining if your skills are a fit for their job.
So after some of the competency-based questions in the interview, theyll likely ask about how you prefer to work, types of companies/environments youve enjoyed in the past, etc.
To answer, you can either describe an environment that you feel is similar to theirs, or demonstrate that you can work well in a variety of environments.
For more help with this, read our guide to answering what type of work environment do you prefer?
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What To Wear To An Interview
While many employers expect candidates to dress smartly, a growing number encourage casual wear at work, making it trickier than ever to choose an interview outfit.
What you’ll be expected to wear depends on factors such as the size of the company, the industry it operates in and the culture it promotes. For example, a small creative agency may have different standards to a major accountancy firm.
If you’re unsure on the dress code, ask before attending the interview. The key point to remember is that it’s better to be too smart than too casual. Only opt for a more casual outfit if you’re certain that’s acceptable – if there’s any doubt, go for smart business attire. Whatever you choose, make sure that your clothes are ironed and your shoes are clean.
For telephone and online interviews make sure you dress as though the interview is in person. Sitting in your tracksuit bottoms trying to act professional probably isnt going to go too well.
How To Pass Your Firefighter Interview
Follow these tips to help make sure your interview day goes smoothly.
- Make sure you know where the interview venue is. Plan how you are going to get there and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before you interview, in case there are any delays in your journey.
- Look smart. Wear a suit unless the Fire & Rescue Service you are applying to has told you that you dont need to. Remember that first impressions count and you want to look committed.
- Be comfortable. Take a glass of water if its offered, you will be doing lots of talking! Ask if its OK to take your jacket off if its warm.
- Prepare you answers. You will be asked some general questions like Why do you want to join the fire service? Be prepared for these types of questions. You can prepare for the more formal part of the interview- the PQA questions, using our Firefighter interview resources.
- Show you are listening. Make sure you look at your interviewer and nod at appropriate places. There wont be much time for your own questions, so save these for another time.
- Ask to hear the question again. If you arent sure, ask for the question to be repeated. It is very important that you answer the questions they have asked, not the question you wanted!
- Keep your answers focused on evidence. General statements will not get you marks. You need to provide proof of how good you are.
- Above all, be yourself. Relax, smile, and try to enjoy it. Its not often that you get to talk about yourself for nearly an hour!
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Why Are You Job Searching Right Now
If youre unemployed, be direct and say so. BUT have a good reason for why you want this particular job too. This is super important. Employers want to feel like you want their job, not just any job. I cant stress this enough.
If youre currently employed but job searching to find something better, keep it positive. Focus on what you want to gain in a move. Id love to find an opportunity that will give me a bigger chance to lead and manage projects, etc.
Dont badmouth your current job or employer, and dont talk about the bad things youre looking to escape or get away from. Just keep it positive and focus on what youd love to gain by changing jobs.
Sample answer if youre unemployed:
I was laid off four months ago so Im in an active job search. Im hoping to find a position that will let me continue to build my skills as a customer service supervisor. Im particularly looking to stay in the software industry, which is one reason this job excited me.
Sample if youre currently employed while job searching:
Ive learned a lot in my current job and enjoyed it, however, Ive been in this position for four years and feel that to take my skills to the next level, I should expose myself to a new work environment to continue challenging myself. I saw your job description mentions ___, which is one of the key things I hope to continue doing in my next role, so this seemed like a great job to apply for and have an interview to discuss.
What Can You Do For Us That Other Candidates Can’t
Emphasize what makes you unique when you’re asked, “What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?” This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: “I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly.”
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Prepare Your Own Questions
Many interviewers ask if you have any questions near the end of the interview, and it’s always helpful to have a few relevant questions to help you learn more about the role and the company. This step shows that you are prepared and have been considering the role carefully.
Here are some examples that you can adapt to suit your industry:
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“What does it take to succeed in this role?”
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“What is the biggest challenge facing your department right now?”
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“Who would I be working with?”
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“What are the opportunities for professional development in this role?”
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“How do you evaluate performance for this role?”
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“Can you give some examples of the kind of projects I’d be working on?”
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“What kind of budget would I be working with?”
In addition to being able to ask questions at the end, you may find that the conversation leads to one or a few of your questions during the interview.
Ask Your Own Questions At The End
You should ask a lot of questions after the interviewer has finished their own questions. How are you going to decide if you want the job if you dont find out any info? The best job candidates are evaluating a company, not just trying to get a job in the first company that wants them. Once a company realizes this, theyll treat you like a top-notch candidate and try to sway you to join them.
If you arent sure what to ask, heres a mega-list of the best questions to ask.
And here are 5 great questions to ask recruiters in particular .
Use these lists to come up with questions to ask each person youll be meeting. If you interview with 4 people, you should ask questions to all of them. Its okay to repeat a question, but dont tell the last person, so-and-so already answered all my questions. Ive done this in the past and wasnt offered the job. Lesson learned.
Some of the best questions are opinion-based questions because you can ask the exact same question to as many people as you want. Example: Whats your favorite part about working here? What is the biggest challenge/difficulty you face here?
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What Other Jobs Have You Been Interviewing For
Heres why employers ask this: They want to make sure their job fits the general theme of what youre looking for.
Your answer is only going to worry them or raise a red flag if all the other jobs youre applying for are WAY different than this job.
So to give a great answer here, show the employer that their job fits the overall theme of other jobs youre looking at.
And if they do ask for company names, you can refuse by saying, Id like to keep the names of the other companies confidential. Id do the same for your company if another interviewer asked me.
See examples below or read our guide to answers for what other companies are you interviewing with?
Sample answer:
Ive been applying and interviewing at small and mid-sized banks and financial firms like yours. I spent the first 4 years of my career with Bank of America, so Im hoping to experience a smaller work environment now to round-out my skill set. Id like to keep the names of the other companies confidential, though. Id do the same for your company if another employer were to ask me.
Prepare To Describe Your Work History Briefly
Most interviewers will ask you to give a quick walkthrough of your background at the start of the interview. Thats why I mentioned reviewing your resume beforehand. Its a pretty commonly overlooked but its one of my favorite job interview tips and its so easy to do!
If youve prepared a good, brief narrative of your career, you can impress them right off the bat. What got you interested in this field? What have you accomplished recently?
But it has to be concise. Nobody wants to hire somebody that rambles on or sounds scattered, and thats the biggest mistake people make with this relatively open-ended question.
Spend most of your time on the recent portion of your career. Go through the beginning rather quickly. 2-3 minutes total should be your target.
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What Not To Do:
I once heard someone standing outside our building, smoking furiously and complaining loudly on their phone about the early start time of their meeting and wondering aloud why they were even there. When I got to my next interview, I realised to my dismay the noisy moaner was my next candidate! Not a great start
Important Tips For Passing A Consultant Job Interview
TIP #1 Consultants have a pivotal role to play in the future success of a company. Therefore, during the interview, you will be assessed against the skills and experience you have that will enable you to help the organization grow and develop. Prior to your Consulting interview, think of the skills you have that will add value to their business and also think of examples you have previously been in where you have demonstrated those skills.
TIP #2 To become the standout candidate at your consultant interview you will need to provide EVIDENCE during your answers to the interview questions of previous successes you have achieved in other consulting hob roles. Draw up a list of specific situations and scenarios you have been in as a Consultant where you have:
. Complete difficult tasks and projects
. Overcome adversity
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