10 POPULAR INTERVIEW

QUESTIONS

Ref: www.acpeople.com.au/interview/questions.asp
 Tell me about yourself
Don’t ramble on
Maybe ask – is there a particular aspect of my
background you would like more information
on
Ensure your answer has some relevance to your
job opportunity
Tell a story which will illustrate one of your
behavioural profiles – good communication,
team player etc
Why do you want to work here?
Know something about the company
Reply with the company’s attributes as
you see them
“A stable and happy work environment”
Company reputation etc
I want to be able to be proud of what I do
etc
Why should I hire you?
Short answer
Highlight areas that relate to the job
Recap the interviewer’s description of the
job
“I have the qualifications you need.....”
“I’m a team player, I take direction, I
want to succeed”
What did you like/dislike about your last
job?
Say you liked everything about your last
job (it maybe your current job) and you
have gained........ Skills
However you want to find a position
where you can make a greater
contribution, or gain more skills, or I
would like to work for a larger company
What would you like to be doing 5 years
from now?
To be regarded as a true professional and
team player
“From my research I believe that the
Company will assist me to move in the
right direction..”
“I’ve always believed experience will
open up opportunities that I may not have
considered”
What are your biggest accomplishments?
Keep answer job related
“I believe my biggest achievements are
still ahead of me but I was proud when I
was involved in.......................”
or
“I made my greatest contribution as part
of a team when we.........................”
Can you work under pressure?
This is a closed question but you need to
say more than “yes” or “no”, expand your
answer
eg
“Yes I find pressure stimulating, however
I believe in planning and time
management to ensure deadlines are
reached without panic”
Why should I hire you?
Keep your answer short
Use words from the job description –
finish with “I have the qualifications ....
you required and I’m a team player etc”
How do you take direction?
Can also mean “how do you cope with
criticism?”
“I take direction well and realise that
directions can be given in an ordered
fashion or under pressure when directions
are brief and to the point” I have to
accept that there will be other
circumstances which may have lead to
this and not be upset.
What is the most difficult situation you
have faced?
Question looks at two fronts
◦ How do you define difficult
◦ What was your handling of the situation

Have a story which shows a tough

situation and how you handled it. Avoid
talking about coworkers – however you
could explain how you had to fire someone
but show how you acted professionally.
What are some of things that bother you?
What are your pet hates?
Tell me about the last time you felt anger on the job?

You need to show you can remain calm.

Find something that angers conscientious
workers
“I enjoy my work and believe in giving value
to my employer”
Do you prefer working with
others or alone?
Question usually to determine if you are a
team player
However before answering be sure you
know whether the job requires you to
work alone
“I’m happy working alone when
necessary but I prefer working in a
group”...................