JOB INTERVIEW

Common interview questions

Tell us about yourself.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why do you want to leave your current job?

Describing your personality

 Easy-going: a relaxed person who is easy to get along with

 Hard-working: someone who works well and isn’t lazy
 Committed: a person who is loyal to a project or person
 Trustworthy: someone who you can rely on
 Honest: someone who tells the truth
 Focused: someone who is not easily distracted
 Methodical: a person who pays attention to details and works in a logical way
 Proactive: someone who takes steps to complete tasks without supervision
 Persistent

You can say: I’m (easy-going), or I’m a/an easy-going person/employee/worker.

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Describing your strengths

Some positive traits and skills managers look for include:

 Ability to multitask  Assertiveness

 Perform to a deadline/ Meeting deadlines  Negotiation skills
 Solve problems  Problem solving
 Communicate well  Adaptability
 Work in an international environment and with  Decisiveness
people from all over the world  Initiative
 Speak foreign languages  Flexibility
 Enthusiasm  Organizational skills
 Creativity
 Strategic thinking

You can use phrases like:

 I’m good at/ I’m skilled at multitasking/working under pressure/working to a deadline.
 My strength is/are my ability to problem solve/be enthusiastic/speak fluent English.
 I think I’m the right choice for this job because I know how to…
 My (mention a set of skills relevant for the job) will allow me to do this easily.
 I’m very good at ________ and that’s why I think I’ll be able to handle this position. (Fill the
blank space with the one you consider is your best strength.)
 I’d love to work here because I _______.
 I think my ________, my _________ and my __________ make me perfect for this job.
 I can say my top 3 skills are: ________, _________ and _________.
Example:
■ “I have several strengths I can bring to this job. First of all my background—experience and
education—are a perfect fit for this position. Second, I have excellent written and oral communication
skills. And last, I am very flexible and adaptable to new situations.”

■ “One of the strongest points is my ability to work with a diversity of people. Regardless of the
situation, I have the ability to adapt and work under any circumstances. In my last job I worked in a
small room with 13 people all speaking various languages, and still managed to stay focused.”
■ “My strength is my ability to remain calm in chaotic situations. I have had to keep my cool in every job
I have ever held. Fast-paced environments are no longer a challenge to me; they are a way of life. I
manage to stay centered no matter what is happening, and as a result the people around me feel
calmer.”
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Competency questions
Tell me about a time you had to work as a team.
Tell me about a time you had to use your creativity to solve a problem.
Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict with a colleague and how you handled that
situation.
Why do you think you are a good match for this job?

Describing your experience

 I have five years’ experience as a waitress/in retail/as a teacher.

 I worked in retail for seven years and was promoted to manager in my second year.
 I studied at the University of Queensland.
 I worked for Anderson and Assoc. as a lawyer.

Example:

■ “My years of experience in this industry make me feel confident that I can do this job and bring added
value. I am extremely knowledgeable about … . I am also very well connected in this industry and
therefore can be very resourceful.

■ “I’m a person who is passionate about what I do. I am fortunate that I have found work where I can …
. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to … .”

■ “My knowledge and experience in this industry encompasses a total of 10 years. I see real value in
my years of experience with a company that has similar customers and contacts.”

■ “I consider myself an expert in the field of … . As you can see from my résumé, I have worked
nationally and internationally as a … . I have worked with market leaders as well as small start-ups. I
have a broad scope of experience and expertise to pull from to analyze and solve problems of a broad
scope.”

■ “I’ve been interested in working for your company for some time. I have extensive experience in the
… industry. I want to be part of the team that makes this company a stronger contender in today’s
challenging market.”
Describing your goals for the future and why you want this job

 I’m looking to further my skills as a barista/in hospitality, as a childcare worker/in early

childhood education
 I’m want to further my career in physiotherapy/as a physiotherapist, in administration/as an
administrator, in retail/as a branch manager
 I believe your company is an important player in its industry
 I feel my skills set is a perfect fit for your team and I can contribute by…
 I think I could be perfect for this job because …
 I think I could continue developing both personally and professionally in your company because
…
 I believe your company is an important player in your industry.
 I believe I could be an asset in your company because …
 I’m excited about this opportunity because …
 I’m always looking to develop my skills and I think I could continue doing so in your company.
 I would live to work here because …
 I’d be thrilled to work for your company because …
 What I can contribute to your company is …

Example:

■ “I am very goal-oriented and have completed all the goals I have set for myself in past jobs. My long-
term goal is to become a specialist in the field of IT management.”

■ “I am looking beyond what I do at my current company and want to advance when I am ready and
someday move into a management position. ”

(From what I know about this company and your vision for employees, it is exactly the company that I
am looking to join. I know it will take time and hard work, but I am ready and willing to do whatever it
takes.)

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Asking Someone to Repeat a Question

I’m sorry. Would you please repeat the question?
Excuse me, I didn’t hear you. Can you please say that again?
Would you please say that again?
Could you please repeat the question and speak a little bit harder?
Sorry, I didn’t understand you. Could you please say that again?
I’m sorry, I didn’t hear the last part. Can you repeat it, please?
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Past Career Baggage & Difficult Questions

“I noticed from your résumé that you left your last job after only a year. Was there a specific
reason?”
“It looks like you’ve jumped from job to job for the past five years. Can you explain that?”
“Give me an example of a time when you weren’t able to deal successfully with a problem.”
“Tell me about a time when you had to react quickly to a situation.”
“Have you ever had a conflict at work that you couldn’t resolve? What did you do?”