Top Common Interview Questions - tbo.jobtestprep.co.uk
Transcript of Top Common Interview Questions - tbo.jobtestprep.co.uk
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Most Common Interview Questions
Dear Candidate,
The following guide reviews 12 important interview questions. There is a 100%
likelihood that more than one of these questions will be asked on your real
interview.
Therefore, we highly recommend that you review this guide, as it will equip you with
excellent advice and efficient tools to improve your answering patterns, without you
having to invest too much time. (We know time is of the essence here.)
Best of luck,
JobTestPrep Interview Preparation Team
Basic Questions
1. Tell me about yourself.
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
One of the reasons this question makes people nervous is exactly what the
interviewer is looking for in your answer—the way you deal with an unstructured
problem and ambiguity.
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With a little practice, this question can shift from being intimidating to one you are
glad is asked at every interview. This question can enliven your interview and give
you a great start.
Best practices in answering + example
Your answer should be well-organised and coherent. The details you decide to reveal
should demonstrate something about you and what you find to be important. It is
crucial that the information you reveal be relevant to the position you are applying
for.
What should the answer to this question contain?
A brief introduction of basic background details (location, age, etc.)
Educational background
Professional experience, fields of expertise, achievements, etc.
Volunteer experience (if relevant to the position)
Example:
'My name is Bill. I am 23, and I live in Leicester. I am completing my B.A. in
Economics at Leicester University. I will graduate with honors and in the top 5% of
my class. These studies have challenged and intrigued me. During my studies, I
worked as a customer service representative in a big communications company. As
part of my position, I was in charge of serving customers, solving their problems, and
dealing with refunds. In addition to my studies and my job, I volunteered with
children in the hospital and helped them to keep up with their schoolwork. This
activity allowed me the opportunity to use my strengths to help those in need. This
job opening is a great opportunity for me to apply the knowledge I acquired during
my studies. I believe I am ready to take on this challenge'.
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Don'ts
Don’t go back too far in your answer. (Ex: 'I studied at Ashton Vale Primary
School'.).
Don’t focus on irrelevant things. (Ex: 'I have a twin'.)
Don’t get lost in too many details.
Don't go into too many details regarding your personal life (kid's names,
partner's occupation, etc.).
2. Why do you want this job?
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
At first, this may sound like a complex question. However, it can be simplified and
divided into two questions:
Why are you interested in the company?
Why are you interested in the job?
The employer is looking for evidence of your compatibility with the company’s
vision. He or she wants to hire someone who is motivated to do the job. You must
show the employer what you like and what interests you about the position.
Moreover, you must show your enthusiasm for the challenges the position provides
and not the external rewards that come along with it.
In addition, the employer wants to see if you are well-acquainted with the company
you are applying to, if your professional desires fit reality, and if you have invested
enough research into learning about the company and the position.
Best practices in answering + example
The answer should address two aspects: the company and the proposed job itself.
Aside from noting the strengths of the company you are applying to, you should
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emphasise how your skills match the job and how this job may even maximise your
own abilities. Make sure to also emphasise what motivates you about the position.
What should the answer to this question contain?
Your interest in the company
Your interest in the open position
Your knowledge of the company and the position
How your values and skills match those of the company and the
specific position
Example:
'Your company is well-known thanks to its innovative products. I would like to take part in
the development process of these kinds of products, especially your new blood pressure
gauge based on optic fiber. Being a part of this development team will challenge my
creativity and professionality. My career is at a point right now that I am seeking and ready
to take on a new challenge. I heard your company has great career development programs
that allow employees to develop both professionally and on a personal level. These
attributes fit my desire to grow with the company and to be promoted within the company
hierarchy'.
Don’ts:
Don’t mention external reasons for wanting the job (high salary, close to
home, the company's good name).
Don’t be too general. (Ex: 'I think it’s a good company and an interesting
position'.)
Don't say you do not know too many details about the job.
Don't say you came to learn from the position.
Don't say you see the position as springboard for other positions.
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3. Why should we hire you?
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
In this question, the interviewer is asking you to discuss your strengths—your
experience, skills, motivation, etc. The interviewer wants to see if you understand
the requirements of the position as well as if you meet them. Moreover, the
interviewer wants to ensure you are aware of the challenges the job entails and if
you can deal with them.
Best practices in answering + example
You should cover several elements in your answer: professional experience,
achievements, skills, and motivations. Your answer should be backed up by
examples. By including these examples, you strengthen your claims.
What should the answer to this question contain?
Professional experience
Relevant knowledge
Familiarity with relevant sectors (public sector, international
organisations, start-ups, etc.)
Achievements
Skills
Examples
Your motivation
Example:
'I believe the edge I have over other candidates is the combination of the extensive
knowledge I have gained along the way with my interpersonal skills and high
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motivation for success. During my last three years as a financial consultant at an
investment bank, I took part in various projects, some of which required working as
part of a team and others which I performed individually. In addition to the broad
professional perspective I acquired during my work, these projects helped me to
develop good communication skills as well the ability to work well both alone and as
part of a team. I believe that I meet all the requirements for this position, and I'm
ready for the challenge it presents'.
Don’ts:
Don’t mention skills or experience you don’t possess. (Ex: "Although, I don’t
have specific experience in this…")
Don’t get lost in too many details. (Instead, stay focused on strengths
relevant to the position.)
4. What are –2–3 weaknesses you need to improve?
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
The employer isn't looking for perfect a candidate. He or she knows you are not free
of flaws and wants to see if you are also able to admit this.
Not answering this question may imply that you can’t recognise your own flaws or
that you are lying to cover up some very problematic personality traits. Acknowledge
your weaknesses—the employer wants to see that you are engaged in self-work to
develop and improve yourself. Equally important, the employer wants to ensure
your weaknesses are not relevant to the position you are applying for.
Best practices in answering + example
The weaknesses you choose to reveal must not be related to the core of the
position; they cannot interfere with your work. Nonetheless, you need to show that
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these weak traits bother you and that you are working on ways to overcome them.
This will demonstrate that you seek to progress and improve.
What should the answer to this question contain?
Examples of several weaknesses (must not be related to the core of
the profession)
An explanation of why these are weaknesses (Ex: how they bother
you)
What are you doing to overcome them?
Example:
'I often find myself engaging in too much self-criticism. Even after completing a
successful project, I can sit for days and think about what I did and how I could have
done better. This takes up both mental strength and valuable time. Over time I have
learned to put things in perspective and to realise that not everything is always
perfect. While constructive criticism is necessary, too much of it, or when it is
directed in the wrong direction, is not effective'.
Don'ts:
Don’t say you're unable to think of any weaknesses.
Don’t mention fewer or more weaknesses than the interviewer asks you to
provide.
Don’t mention a weakness that is critical to the position. (Ex: A candidate for
an administrative position should not admit to being disorganised.)
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5. What are your transferable skills?
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
According to the Cambridge dictionary, transferable skills are 'skills used in
one job or career that can also be used in another'. In a job interview, this question
will most likely come up if you don’t have any work experience or if you are changing
careers. Since you don’t have relevant experience, the interviewer wants to see what
it is you do bring with you that can help you succeed in this new position.
Best practices in answering + example
You should cover several aspects of your personal life, social life, and studies in your
answer: interpersonal skills, organisational skills, leadership skills, and the ability to
solve problems. Your answer should be backed up by examples. By including these
examples, you strengthen your claims.
What should the answer to this question contain?
Interpersonal skills (listening, negotiation, assertiveness, etc.)
Cognitive skills (perception, reasoning, creativity, problem solving
ability, etc.)
Management skills (planning, organising, controlling, etc.)
Work style attributes (patience, team player, persistence, etc.)
Examples!
Example:
"I think one of my transferable skills that could help me in this new position is my
creativity. It has helped me many times in the past. For example, during my studies, I
once had to take a difficult test. The test contained a question that most of the
students answered in a very long and complex manner. I managed to find a shorter
way to solve the question. My professor praised me for this creative step."
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Don’ts:
Don’t say you can't recall an example right now.
Don’t get lost in too many details.
Competencies Questions
6. Describe a time in which you faced failure and how you dealt with it.
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
An employer is not looking for a perfect candidate. He or she knows you have made
mistakes in the past and wants to see if you can also admit this.
The inability to answer this question usually implies that you can’t recognise failure
or that you are lying to cover up some big mistake from the past.
Take responsibility for your past failures or mistakes; the employer wants to see if
you learned something from the situation.
Best practices in answering + example
No one is free of mistakes. Your advantage over the other candidates should be in
the fact that you recognise failure and understand your ability to become stronger
after an unpleasant situation. Your story should not contain an action that puts your
personality or your professional skills in doubt. Your failure should arise from a
mistake that you can overcome and improve the next time you are in a similar
situation.
What should the answer to this question contain?
A story about a failure you experienced
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The reason for the failure
The lesson you internalised from the incident
Example:
'During the first month of my internship position, I was asked by my boss to make a
sales report and deliver it by the end of the day. As a result of an incorrect
prioritisation of other tasks, I did not submit the report in time. I realised I had made
a mistake and I stayed at the office after work hours to ensure my boss had the
report the next morning'.
Don'ts:
Don’t act like you have never failed.
Don’t blame someone else for your failure.
Don’t choose an example that may imply you are not fit for the job.
7. Describe a team experience that did not work out well. How did you
handle it?
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
Your interviewer wants to see how well you cope with others. He or she wants to see
how you collaborate, if you get along with other people, and if you can positively
influence team tasks. In addition to analysing your interpersonal interactions, the
interviewer wants to see if you can take responsibility for your failures and to
examine your ability to overcome and emerge strengthened from difficulties.
Best practices in answering + example
In most cases, the interviewer will ask you to provide a specific example about a
project that went wrong. In other cases, he or she may ask you an open question
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about what you view as important for a team project to be successful. The first type
of question should be approached as a behavioural one. This means you must
answer the question with an example—a story about a situation that involved
teamwork. This story should contain a conflict or something that went wrong and
the way you or the team dealt with the situation. Furthermore, your example should
conclude with positive results. If the question is worded as an open one, you should
start your answer with your point of view about teamwork—namely, what is
essential for any team to function—and support your answer with an example as if it
were a behavioural question.
What should the answer to this question contain?
A short self-reflection on your social skills
A story related to teamwork taken from recent experience (work,
studies, or another project)
A conflict with one of the team members or something that went
wrong
The way you dealt with the conflict or the problem
Positive results
Example:
'As part of my previous job, I worked on a major financial statement audits project
for a large public company. We divided the responsibilities, and each performed his
or her part separately. The problem, however, was that we didn’t establish a
productive communication channel and thus didn't share our individual progress
with each other. We ended up contacting the same customer multiple times. At one
point, the customer became angry and asked us to stop repeating the same
questions and to be more focused. The project manager called us together, and we
carried out a re-evaluation of the situation. We set up a procedure to ensure orderly
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and constant communication between us, and we opened a file on a Q&A session to
avoid further unpleasantness with the customer'.
Don'ts:
Don’t try to avoid the question. (Ex: 'I never had a conflict with another team
member'.)
Don't just answer in a general manner; back up your answer with examples.
8. Describe how you handled a difficult or frustrating person with whom
you had to work.
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
This question focusses on interpersonal interaction between you and your
teammates. Your interviewer is interested in how well you cope with others. He or
she wants to see how you collaborate, if you get along with other people, and if you
are able to manage a conflict.
Best practices in answering + example
There are several questions in the family of teamwork questions. Questions may
appear as one of the following:
Have you ever had problems getting along with a colleague?
If you do not get along with someone on your team, how do you
handle the situation?
Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work.
You should approach these questions as if they are behavioural questions, even if a
particular question isn't exactly worded as such. This means you must answer the
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question with an example—a story about a situation that involved teamwork. The
story should contain a conflict with someone from work and the way you dealt with
the situation. The emphasis should be on what your approach was to solve the
conflict, and this approach should specifically involve open communication.
Furthermore, your example should conclude with positive results.
What should the answer to this question contain?
A story related to teamwork taken from recent experience (work,
studies, or another project)
A conflict with one of your team members
The way you dealt with the conflict (communication)
Positive results
Example:
'As part of my previous job, I worked on a major financial statement audits project
for a large public company. We divided the responsibilities, and each performed his
or her part separately. After receiving complaints from an angry costumer, we
realised we needed to communicate in a more effective manner, so we scheduled a
team meeting. During the meeting, one of the team members stuck to his positions
and kept rejecting any offer that was raised by the other members. This caused
some members to avoid expressing their opinions. During the break, I approached
this member and explained the situation to him, noting that he would have to give
up his desire to run the project only as he saw fit. He understood the matter and,
even if not happily, changed his attitude and accepted others' suggestions'.
Don'ts:
Don’t say you didn’t have a conflict at all. (Ex: 'I get along with everybody all
the time'.)
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Don’t use an example in which you clashed with someone. (Ex: 'So, I yelled
back'.)
Don’t use an example that sees you running from the conflict. (Ex: 'So, I gave
up my idea'.)
9. Describe a situation in which you had a disagreement with a
subordinate. What did you do to resolve this conflict?
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
Interviewers want to see if you can successfully combine meeting goals with creating
a pleasant atmosphere in the office. They are interested in determining your
leadership, interpersonal, and teamwork abilities.
Best practices in answering + example
You should approach these questions as if they are behavioural questions, even if a
particular question isn't exactly worded as such. This means you must answer the
question with an example—a story about a situation that involved a conflict or a
problem you had with one or more of your subordinates. The emphasis should be on
what your approach was to solve the conflict or the problem, and this approach
should specifically involve a combination of good interpersonal skills and
assertiveness. Furthermore, your example should conclude with positive results.
What should the answer to this question contain?
A story related to a conflict or a problem with your subordinate taken
from recent experience
The way you dealt with the conflict (communication, empathy,
assertiveness)
Positive results (meeting the targets)
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Example:
'A new worker had just joined my team. After a training period, I assigned him his
first task. The task was not a complicated one, and I felt it should have taken him half
a day to complete. After two days, I noticed that he still had not completed it. I
approached him to see why he hadn't delivered the report, and he began to stutter,
apologising for not meeting the deadline. I calmed him down and told him that next
time he should keep me informed. Then we tried to determine the source of the
problem together. I noticed that he probably had not understood the instructions
well enough. I explained the instructions to him again in more detail, and he indeed
completed the job within a few hours'.
Don'ts:
Don’t say you didn’t have a conflict or a problem with your subordinates at
all. (Ex: 'I get along with everybody all the time; my workers do everything
perfectly'.)
Don’t use an example in which you clashed with one of your subordinates.
(Ex: 'I yelled back and fired him'.)
Don’t use an example in which you avoided the conflict or tackling the
problem. (Ex: 'So, I gave up my idea'.)
10. Describe a conflict with a boss or professor and explain how you worked to resolve it.
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
The interviewers are looking to get a glimpse at your interpersonal skills, problem
solving skills, and your ability to deal with an authority that does not agree with you.
They also want to examine your ability to adapt to an organisation's norms and
codes.
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Best practices in answering + example
You should start your answer by saying good things about your boss and noting that
you get along fine with him or her. Your interviewer may be your next boss and he or
she doesn't want to hear you blaming your superior.
Your answer should emphasise your approach to solving the conflict or the problem,
and this approach should involve a combination of good interpersonal skills and the
ability to stand up for your opinion even if your supervisor doesn't agree with you. It
is crucial to show you also understand your manager's opinion. This indicates you
have a broad perspective about the organisation's needs. Furthermore, your
example should conclude with positive results.
What should the answer to this question contain?
A story related to a conflict or a problem with your supervisor taken
from recent experience
The way you dealt with the conflict (communication, a broad
perspective)
Positive results (meeting the targets)
Example:
'Even though my boss was great, I have had a few disagreements with him.
Whenever it happens, I try to rethink and reevaluate the situation from his point of
view. Following this, I ask to discuss the issue with him and there I share my opinion.
There were some times he changed his mind after we discussed the matter, and
there were some times he didn’t. However, he was always willing to hear my
opinion. I strongly believe open communication is essential to any manager-
subordinate relationship'.
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Don'ts:
Don’t say you didn’t have a conflict or a problem with your manager at all.
(Ex: 'I have an amazing boss; I am an excellent worker and do everything my
boss tells me to do'.)
Don’t use an example in which you clashed with your supervisor. (Ex: 'So, I
yelled back at him'.)
Don’t use an example in which you avoided conflict or tackling the problem.
(Ex: 'So, I gave up my idea'.)
Don’t use an example in which you place all the blame on your boss or
someone else.
11. Tell me about a major decision you made and the process you used to
make that decision.
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
The interviewers are evaluating your ability to make informed decisions. They are
looking for a person who is not paralysed by stress or doubts. In addition, they want
to see your thinking process.
Best practices in answering + example
In this kind of question, the interviewer may ask for an example or just for your
thinking process. Your answer to both questions should begin with a theoretical
approach to the decision-making process—what you see as essential phases during
this process. If the question is a behavioural one, this means the interviewer is asking
you to inform or her about a time you had to make a decision. You must answer the
question with an example—a story in which you had to make a work-related
decision. In the story, you should provide background on the case and a description
of your thinking process. The decision you made must be based on facts and rational
thinking. Furthermore, your example should conclude with positive results.
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What should the answer to this question contain?
A case in which you made a work-related decision
A rational thinking process that was involved in your decision-making
Positive outcomes
Example:
'Last year, a worker on my team wasn't doing his job well. Even simple tasks took
him a very long time to finish, and this situation continued for a few months.
Eventually, I came under pressure from management to fire him, but I didn’t want to
fire him because he was an excellent candidate with great scores on his applying
tests. I had to quickly decide what to do next: should I fire him now or should I think
about what exactly is making his work so inefficient. I decided to speak with him to
determine the reason for his slow work. During the conversation, I discovered that
he didn’t really understand a few of the features on the software we use to make the
work much faster. Since that conversation, he has become one of my best
employees, and I am very happy I kept him on my team'.
Don'ts:
Don’t use a story in which you caused the stressful situation. (Ex: 'I continued
to postpone starting my work'.)
Don’t pick a story in which you didn't deal with pressure well. (Ex: 'I
panicked'.)
Don’t mention as a stress factor something that is a routine part of your
desired job. (Ex: A call center representative should not say that phone calls
make him or her nervous.)
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12. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
What are interviewers looking for in this question?
The interviewer wants to see what you consider an achievement and what you
consider an obstacle. Moreover, the interviewer is interested in how you overcame
this obstacle: Did you do it yourself or were you acting as part of a team? Which
talents did you use and what motivated you to succeed?
Best practices in answering + example
In this question, the interviewer explicitly asks you to provide an example of your
greatest achievement. Therefore, you should recount a specific story in which you
accomplished something important. If you are an experienced worker, the story
should come from your work experience. If you are applying for your first job, your
story should come from your studies or any other project you view as an
achievement. In the story, you should describe the obstacles you overcame and what
motivated you to accomplish your goal. Chose an example in which you significantly
contributed to the accomplishment. Make sure your actions were the decisive factor
and not some external factor or just luck.
What should the answer to this question contain?
A success story (from your work experience if you are an experienced
worker or from your studies or another project if you are applying for
your first job)
Obstacles that were in the way and how you dealt with them (with
interpersonal skills, work ethic, critical thinking, etc.)
What motivated you to succeed
People that helped you along the way (in case it was a team project)
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Example (experienced candidate):
'Over my seven years as a manager, I experienced several successes. The one I
consider my greatest accomplishment is the analysis report my team composed for
one of our largest clients last year. This report took us two months of intensive work.
We faced many obstacles, such as inaccurate or missing information, lack of
cooperation from companies that were included inside the report, lack of personnel,
and constant deadlines. I think that what helped me lead my team to success during
this project was my ability to pay attention to both the small details and the bigger
picture, as well as my ability to motivate my subordinates. This project was very
challenging, and I needed to be at my best to accomplish it. This is what encouraged
me to succeed'.
Example (graduate candidate):
'I would like to think of my thesis work as my greatest achievement. I was part of
research team that worked together for almost a year. We faced many obstacles
during this year, including the loss of all of our data and a shortage of participants. I
managed to overcome these obstacles by working hard to restore all the data. My
interpersonal skills also helped me in convincing people to participate in our
research. My thesis advisor thanked me profusely for this contribution. In the end,
we managed—through good teamwork and proper division of the tasks—to deliver
the work ahead of schedule'.
Don'ts:
Don’t say you do not have any accomplishment or that you can't choose
one.
Don’t use accomplishments from your personal life (my wedding, my
son's birth, etc.)
Don’t pick a story in which your share of the success wasn’t significant.
(Ex: "While I played a part, most of the success depended on my team
members.")
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Don't attribute your success to external factors. (Ex: "I must admit, luck
played a big part in me accomplishing this.")