6 questions you should be ready to answer to smash that job interview

• Similarly, many school and university graduates are beginning their job search after a well-earned break.
• While some employers are using increasingly sophisticated approaches to recruiting such as psychometric testing and artificial intelligence, interviews remain one of the most common selection methods.
• If you have been invited to a job interview, congratulations, as it likely means you have been shortlisted for the role.

1. Tell me a bit about yourself?

• These may include questions such as: “What motivated you to apply for this role?” or “Tell me about your long-term career aspirations”.
• For these types of questions, a convincing answer will highlight relevant skills you can bring to the role.

• These could involve working with people, solving tricky business problems or making a social impact.
• Avoid negative remarks about your current employer and sources of extrinsic motivation - such as money or benefits - unless part of a salary negotiation.

2. How did you resolve a particular problem in the past?

• For instance: “Tell me about a time when you received a customer complaint.
• What actions did you take, and what was the outcome?” Their objective is to predict how candidates will behave in similar situations.

3. What are your weaknesses?

• The strengths part of this question enables you to highlight your knowledge and skills most relevant for the role.
• In general, it is a good idea to provide examples of specific accomplishments that illustrate these capabilities.

By expressing willingness to receive further training and development, you can leave a much more positive impression than simply listing your current shortcomings.

4. What are your salary expectations?

• Before stating your expectation, it is wise to find out the salary and other benefits associated with the role.
• Be careful about disclosing your current salary; this information can provide a baseline that can make it difficult to negotiate a higher salary.

5. Inappropriate or illegal questions

• Unfortunately, some employers may ask inappropriate or illegal questions.
• If you are asked an inappropriate question, you can politely ask the interviewer how that information would be relevant to your ability to perform the job.

6. Do you have any questions for me?

• Thoughtfully selected questions can leave a positive lasting impression.
• It can also be good to do some research on the organisation and to ask some more specific questions about its clients, projects, or long-term plans.
• If the role, organisation or people seem unappealing after the interview process, then it is wise to look elsewhere.

Timothy Colin Bednall does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.