Q: Why do you want this job?

Be honest with yourself: Why do you want this role? Are you really interested in what the
position entails? Are you impressed by the company's view on social and corporate
responsibility? Or is it just a really impressive increase in salary? Hopefully it's not just the
latter!

Why do you want this job? Do you know exactly what will be expected of you? Have you seen a
job description? Have you researched the company's website? Do you know people who work
there who've recommended them as an employer?

Be prepared and do some research!

Avoid being on the defensive with answers that begin with because such as: 'Because I think I’d
be good at it', 'because it seems like a good opportunity for me' or 'because it pays well'.

A recommended answer to this could be: 'Having read the job description and having looked at
your company website, the role attracted me as I feel that I have the suitable skills but I am also
very interested in what additional responsibility I will gain'.

Adapt your answer to suit the role. Will you have increased responsibility? Will you now be
supporting one senior director instead of a team of 50? Will you have a more varied work scope
with the opportunity to be involved in company projects and events?

Q: Why should I hire you?

This question is all about selling yourself. Why should someone hire you? Are you brilliant at
organisation? Are you proficient at Microsoft Office with excellent use of Powerpoint and
Excel? Are you creative and do you really think you could add value to the company?

By looking at the job description that was given to you, try to point out your strengths by using
examples of work you've done in relation to the requirements for this role.

You could say something like: 'I believe that I meet the requirements listed in your job
description and I feel that I would really excel in this role as I particularly enjoy working for…
(What industry are you going into/role type/seniority level). In my previous role I was
responsible for… (Use exact examples of how you can prove your value)

Again, adapt this question to suit the role you are applying for! Be enthusiastic in your answer,
be positive and confident. If you cannot convince yourself that you'd be perfect for the role - how
are you going to convince someone else!

Q: What is your biggest weakness?

This is known as a negative question, one that interviewers love asking to test your ability to stay
cool. We all have weaknesses, let's face it, we're not all perfect! But that doesn't mean that yours
should get in the way of your dream job. Think about how you can spin your weaknesses into
something positive.

Look at the job description to hand and choose one required responsibility you feel you could
improve on. Are you shy to make public presentations? Does your time management need a little
work? Do you feel you would benefit from Microsoft Office training?

A possible answer (depending on your weakness): 'I am aware that my systems skills, Microsoft
Excel and Powerpoint are not up to advanced level but this is something that I'm working on by
teaching myself in my spare time' or, 'I think my time management is something that I could work
on. I've been doing some research and planning and getting better at prioritising and writing to-
do lists to help me'.

Avoid being a 'perfectionist' or saying 'I have no weaknesses I know of'. This only makes you
look arrogant and overconfident.

Q: Why are you leaving your current role?

Whatever you say - be positive! This is not the opportunity for a rant about how unfair last year's
bonus was or how unreasonable your current boss is. For whatever your reason, make sure you
turn your answer into something positive.

If you're feeling undervalued in your role or have had a personality clash with your boss or
colleague, think of how this would sound to a potential employer and make sure to word your
answer to suit you favourably. Make sure you have a structured answer to this question before
you attend the interview.

Simply stating that you would like a 'new challenge' or 'change of environment' can sometimes
also send out warning signals to employers so be careful. Be prepared for counter questions! If
you answer: 'I’m looking for a new challenge.'

Why are you looking for a new challenge? What would you describe as a new challenge at this
stage in your career? Why did you not approach your current employers about gaining such a
challenge?

Focus more on why the new role is perfect for you and less why your current role is not.

Q: Tell me about yourself?

Be careful. This is not the opportunity to tell the interviewer your life story.

'Well, I'm from a family of six and I live with my eldest brother near the East Coast Park and
have recently just returned from a family holiday to America' is probably NOT the answer they
were looking for. When interviewers ask this question they're interested to know about how you
work, what you enjoy in your career and as a person how well you'd fit in with the culture of the
company. What they really want to know is, what interests you, how skilled are you and what
strengths you would bring to the organisation.

Cater the answer to the role you are applying for! Don't express your enthusiasm to work as part
of a team in a busy noisy office environment if you are aware that you'll be a one man band
sitting behind a wall in a very secluded room.

A good answer to this could be something like: 'I’m a very dedicated worker; I enjoy being part
of a team and working in a challenging and dynamic environment and I also work well
independently. I like meeting new people and particularly enjoy being involved with
administration for projects and events'.

Q: Where do you want to be in five years time?

This question is a favourite amongst interviewers! Lets be honest - does anyone know where
they want to be in five years' time?

A suggested answer for this could be: 'I'd like to think I will be working for a successful
organisation such as this but in a role with increased responsibility'.

You could also tailor your answer to suit the specific role that you are applying for. If you are
being interviewed for an Administration or Personal Assistant's role, succession to that would be
to become an Office Manager or Administration Manager. If you are aware of the company
structure and know that administration staff are likely to be promoted to Business Executives,
mention it!

A lot with this question is in the way you answer rather than in what you say. Be positive and
confident rather than defensive and unsure. Don't give the interviewer the idea that you're still
trying to 'find yourself' and you could make the discovery two months after joining the company.

Always remember that the interview is a two-way process so have a list of questions you can ask
your interviewer at the end!

These could include:

 What two/three key competencies are you looking for in a successful candidate?
 How long have you been with the organisation? What motivated you to join the
organisation?
 What are the team like to work for? What are you like to work for?
 Have you had an assistant in the past that you've got on really well with and what
particular qualities would you insist on for your next hire?
 Do you have any reservations at this point about my skills or experience?
QUESTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS AT A CIVIL SERVICE INTERVIEW

(WILL EXPECT A HAND SHAKE. WILL BE OFFERED A GLASS OF WATER. WILL BE

TOLD TO NOT BE NERVOUS AND TO FEEL COMFORTABLE)

Q. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO?

Q. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS JOB AND WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU?
Q. WHY DO YOU WANT TO APPLY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE?
Q. WHERE DO YOU WORK AT THE MOMENT?
Q. WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE THERE?
Q. WHAT ARE YOU FUTURE PROSPECTS?
Q. WOULD YOU BE OKAY ABOUT GOING ON TRAINING COURSES?
Q. ARE YOU HAPPY TO WORK IN ISLE OF WIGHT, ALDERSHOT OR SOUTHAMPTON
IF REQUIRED TO DO SO?
Q. HOW COME IS IT THAT YOU HAVE A DEGREE AND YOU WANT TO APPLY FOR
THE CIVIL SERVICE?

CORE COMPETENCIES

1. TEAM WORK
2. COMMUNICATING
3. INFLUENCING
4. ANALYSING AND USING EVIDENCE
5. IMPROVEMENT AND CHANGE
6. PLANNING AND MANAGING RESOURCES TO DELIVER BUSINESS RESULTS

Q1. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN...

 4 years ago
 Report Abuse

Additional Details
Q1. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU WORKED AS A TEAM?
Q2. WHAT DO YOU THINK COMMUNICATION IS MADE UP OF, WHAT IT INVOLVES?
Q. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU USED SUCH COMMUNICATION
ELEMENTS?
Q3. IN REGARDS TO INFLUENCING, GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE WHEN YOU HAVE
BEEN OF AN INFLUENCE IN YOUR WORKPLACE?
Q4. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU HAD TO ANALYSE INFORMATION AND
HOW YOU WENT ABOUT IT?
Q5. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN AND HOW YOU DEALT WITH A CHANGE IN
THE SYSTEM?
Q. IF YOU HAD TO COMPLETE SOMETHING AT A CERTAIN TIME, HOW WOULD
YOU DEAL WITH IT?
Q. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN DECISION MAKING AND WHAT WAS IT?
Q. IF YOU WERE DOING SOMETHING WRONG, HOW DO YOU TAKE THE CRITICISM
AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Q. ARE YOU ABLE TO WORK UNDER STRESS AND WORK UNDER DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT?
Q. ARE YOU ABLE TO TALK TO A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE?
Q. HAVE YOU CREATED A PRESENTATION BEFORE? WHERE YOU THE MAIN
DECISION MAKER? HOW DID YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS? WHAT PREPARATION
WAS INVOLVED?

4 years ago

WHY DID YOU DO REHEARSAL AND WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF DOING
REHEARSALS? DID THE TEACHER EXPECT FULL EVIDENCE OF THE INFORMATION
YOU SPOKE ABOUT?
Q. GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU OFFERED MAJOR INPUT IN IMPROVING HOW
A PERSON WOULD USE JPA?
Q. HAVE YOU GIVEN A PRESENTATION WHERE SOMETHING WENT WRONG? HOW
DID YOU COPE WITH IT?
Q. GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU DEALT WITH A DIFFICULT CUSTOMER?
Q. GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN A CUSTOMER EXPECTED A QUICK RESULT
AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT?
Q HAVE YOU EVER HAD A COLLEAGUE WHOM YOU MENTORED WHO WAS
STRUGGLING OR NOT TAKING THE JOB SERIOUSLY? HOW DID YOU COPE WITH
IT? HAVE YOU EVER OFFERED MAJOR INPUT TO THE COLLEAGUE?
Q. IF YOU BELEIVE YOUR LINE MANAGER WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG,
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Q. HOW WOULD YOU PRIORITISE THE WORK?
Q. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?
Q. WHAT ARE THE KEY SKILLS YOU THINK WE REQUIRE?
Q. WHAT ARE YOU HOBBIES?
Q. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

4 years ago

(YOU WILL BE TOLD WHETHER THE INTERVIEW WENT WELL OR NOT AND WHO
WILL CONTACT YOU
ABOUT WHETHER YOU HAVE THE JOB OR NOT)

4 years ago

MUST!!!

ALWAYS RESEARCH THE SPECIFIC CORE COMPETENCIES FOR THE JOB YOU
HAVE APPLIED FOR?