Career Advice » Interviews » Common interview questions and how to answer – part 2

Common interview questions and how to answer – part 2

1st May 2020

Planning your answers to the most commonly asked job interview questions will help you feel more confident when it comes to the big day. So we have put together some common interview questions and how to answer them to help you prepare.

Here are some common interview questions and how to answer them

Question 1: Give an example of a time you coped with a difficult situation.

The interviewer is trying to figure out how you behave and react in difficult situations. Choose your example wisely and focus on how you handled the situation positively. 

Question 2: Where do you see yourself in five years?

The interviewer is asking about your future career and goals. They want to know if you are going to stick around in the new position and if your goals align with the company, so it is important to think about how your goals fit with the job you have applied for.

Question 3: Why did you leave your last job?

The most important thing to remember is to be positive! Do not complain about your previous employer and do not suggest you are leaving because you want more money, even if you are! A good answer is that you are looking to pursue new opportunities.

Question 4: Why do you want the job?

It is vital that you give the employer a sense that you are passionate and interested in their business, their company and what they do. The best way to answer this is to fully research the company in advance then think about how your experiences match the job description. 

Question 5: Do you have any questions?

Avoid saying no. Take the opportunity to ask a few questions, this will show the interviewer that you are really interested in the job. Remember, the questions should relate to the job or the company. A couple of key questions to ask are: can you describe what an average day or week would look like? And will there be opportunities to progress?

If you want to know what not to do at a job interview, watch our next video.

Need more advice on nailing an interview? Read our ultimate job interview guide.

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