Interview Preparation

As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” The importance of preparation cannot be stressed enough – it is essential for a successful interview. The better prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be.

Research

Research the company and find out as much information as possible about your prospective employer in advance. Their website should be packed full of information, you want to familiarise yourself with:

  • The company’s mission statement
  • Any company values
  • Future plans and goals
  • Past performance
  • Ratings and reviews

If a company doesn’t have a comprehensive website, look at what they are publishing on Twitter and LinkedIn. Both can be a great source for knowledge that will make you stand out in the interview.

Research before your interview
"Read through the description thoroughly and be prepared to demonstrate the ways in which your experience relates to each responsibility. Have examples ready to highlight how you will benefit the company in relation to the job description."

Review your CV and the Job Description

Make sure you know your CV back to front and ensure that you are equipped to answer questions on the details you have supplied, including facts and figures about your present and former employers.

Read through the description thoroughly and be prepared to demonstrate the ways in which your experience relates to each responsibility. Have examples ready to highlight how you will benefit the company in relation to the job description.

Common Interview Questions

There are some questions that are asked on a regular basis in interviews and you should prepare your answers beforehand. The key things to remember when responding to the interview questions are to keep you answers relevant, brief and to the point. You may want to prepare for the following traditional interview questions:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • What do you know about the company?
  • What interests you about this position?
  • Why are you looking to leave your current role?
  • What do you like/dislike about your job?
  • What is your biggest achievement?
  • What’s your biggest strength?
  • What is your biggest weakness?
  • Where do you want to be in 5 years time?
Helping you prepare for an interview
"you want to be ready for any competency based questions that try to access your skills. They work on the principle that “past performance is the best predictor of future performance."

Additionally, you want to be ready for any competency based questions that try to access your skills. They work on the principle that “past performance is the best predictor of future performance.”

Therefore, use examples that illustrate what a great job you have done previously. Common competency based questions include:

  • Tell me about a time when you worked as a team
  • Describe a situation where you improved a process
  • Give an example of a time where you have made a difficult decision
  • Describe a situation where you showed leadership
  • Tell me about a time where you have had a disagreement at work
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