In this video, we will aim to give you some tips and possible answers to 5 common
interview questions. We don’t say they our answers are the definitive answers, but hopefully they
will help you to have a response to the asked questions and avoid any awkward silences. Make
sure you do your homework and know what the job entails, so you can adapt your answers
to what the interviewer wants to hear. Talk about
Tell me about yourself This is a common question,
so really practise this one! Keep your answer concise, because you’ll have the opportunity
to give more details in the other questions. Talk about; What led you to being in the room,
your professional experience as well as highlighting a major achievement.
Even though I am happy in my present position,
I believe I need to have a new challenge, which my current company can’t offer me.
I have had 4 years of sales experience and have worked my way up to area manager.
The highlight of my career so far, was securing a major overseas deal for my company.
What do you consider to be your main strengths? Try not to boast about yourself! Consider the
position and what strengths they would want you to have. Being a good communicator, creative,
versatile, and trustworthy are characteristics most companies want their employees to have.
Talk about; Your collaboration,
organisation, leadership, technical skills
I have always preferred to work in groups and consider myself to be collaborative. I have
worked together with a variety of people and in my present team and together we have increased
productivity by 15 percent in the past two years. Moreover, I keep up to date with the latest
software and other developments in the industry in order to remain technically proficient.
Can you tell us about your weakness? This question might be combined with the
previous one about your strengths. Naturally, you don’t want any weakness you might have to be too
severe! Explain what you are doing to minimise or lose the weakness.
Talk about; Being too self-critical, procrastination, lacking experience,
being a perfectionist. I’m aware of how I can improve myself
in the area of procrastination and am working on ways to increase my accounting skills knowledge.
My current boss says my perfectionism restricts me from getting more work done.
But I have improved in this area in the last 6 months and will continue to do so, I’m sure.
Why are you leaving your current job? Tips: This question might also include a
previous job. Avoid any negativity, if you have had problems.
Talk about; Being offered another job at another company,
having the chance to work with your previous boss at a former company, going back to school
to do a degree, moving to a different city because remote work was not an option.
The opportunity of working with my previous boss came up, so I decided to switch companies. The
length of time I needed to commute was also shorter, and the core working time fitted in
better with my personal commitments. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Whatever the answer, don’t disclose that it won’t be at the company you are applying for.
You will need to do your homework, based on the job description.
Talk about; The availability of training opportunities, the chances
of career development and possible promotion, and specific goals you can see yourself achieving.
I have seen on your website that you offer training programs, which I would be interested
in doing to develop my career. I would also like to gain experience working at a leading company
so that I can reach the goals I have set myself, which will be mutually beneficial.
We hope that these tips will help you at your next interview.
Doing your homework of the company is the key, as well as preparing for other potential questions
which might arise from the answers you give. Good luck!