❑ 1) What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
❑ 2) What are your strengths?
❑ 3) Could you tell me a little about yourself?
❑ 4) What can you tell me about this company?
❑ 5) What is it that sets you apart from other candidates?
❑ 6) Why did you leave your previous job?
❑ 7) Where do you see yourself in three years?
❑ 8) Are you a team player?
❑ 9) What didn’t you like about your last job?
❑ 10) Are there any questions you would like to ask?
❑ 1) What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
This is a tough one because it is asking you to be specific
about things that are not your strong points. The trick here is
to turn the negative into a positive. This can be achieved by
turning a negative personal trait into a positive professional
one. For example, you could mention that you tend to
neglect family and friends when working on an important
project, highlighting your high level of responsibility and
determination to see the task through to ultimate success.
❑ 2) What are your strengths?
The important thing here is to highlight qualities and
achievements that are directly related to the position you are
applying for. One sure fire way to impress is to include the
following skills,
• Self-motivation
• Willingness to work long hours
• Ability to work well in a team
• Initiative and creativity
❑ 3) Could you tell me a little about yourself?
This is a classic way for the interviewer to see how you carry
yourself, as well as to assess your poise, style and ability to
communicate. Don’t talk about childhood experiences, likes
and dislikes, but rather recent personal and professional
experiences that relate to the position you are applying for. A
good idea is to prepare a short statement that describes who
you are and what you can bring into the company.
❑ 4) What can you tell me about this company?
This question reveals whether you have done your research.
If you want to make a serious impression on the interviewer,
you must do your homework on the company background.
All businesses have a web presence, so check out their web
site thoroughly. Look for certain buzzwords that they use,
and get a feel of what they are about. If they have a mission
statement, make sure you understand it. Look for the
following information,
• When the company was established
• What products and services they provide
• What are their markets
• Number of employees and branches
❑ 5) What is it that sets you apart from other candidates?
This really probes into your reasons for wanting this job. Show your
readiness by describing how your career experience, personal qualities
and achievements will be an asset for the company. Keep things on a
professional level and focus on the benefits you will bring to the
organisation.
❑ 6) Why did you leave your previous job?
This question might be rephrased if you are currently employed, yet
the answer is still important. The current economic climate has pushed
many talented people into the job market place, so don’t be ashamed
to say you were part of a downsizing operation. If you left your
previous job, it is better to merely say you “parted on good terms”,
citing a lack of advancement opportunities within the company, or
perhaps you felt the position wasn’t challenging enough.
❑ 7) Where do you see yourself in three years?
This question tells the interviewer about your ambitions. It isn’t a good
idea to go overboard by saying you will be the next CEO, or be on the
Board of Directors. On the other hand, you shouldn’t focus on just
having a steady income either. Something balanced that highlights your
desire to grow within the company, and to develop yourself
professionally, while being a positive team player.
❑ 8) Are you a team player?
This is a question that requires more of an answer than a
simple “yes”. Give behavioural examples of team
involvement, focusing on the overall result rather than your
role. Having an open mind and being able to work well in a
diverse range of environments is always a good thing to
mention at this stage. This question will often lead to a
further one concerning how you would deal with conflicts
within the team, so be prepared.
❑ 9) What didn’t you like about your last job?
This is a loaded question that will attempt to reveal your weaknesses.
Don’t complain about low salary or long hours, rather say something
like you felt your responsibilities weren’t challenging enough.
❑ 10) Are there any questions you would like to ask?
All interviewees should be given the opportunity to ask questions, and
it is a golden rule to do so. Prepare some relevant questions about your
prospective employer; perhaps ask if there will be opportunities for
professional development within the company. You could ask the
interviewer what he or she likes about the company or perhaps
enquire about the organisation’s long-term goals, which shows you
have ambition.
