Interview questions

Key things to remember:

• Always be positive. Avoid giving an answer and then saying “but”.

• If you need time to think, take a sip of water.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. It shows confidence and can also give you time to think.

• If they don’t look convinced, don’t be afraid to ask “does that answer your question?” It’s better to clarify your response than them remain unconvinced.

• Be honest and be yourself, as you’re only going to be found out later.

• Be prepared to admit a mistake. If you got poor grades in a subject and are probed on it, admit why, but finish it on a positive note by saying what you learnt from it.

• Don’t just use experiences from one job. Make sure you show them that you have a wealth of experience.

• Don’t be afraid to turn questions around. For example, if they ask you when you will start bringing benefits to the team - tell them the answer and then ask them when they would expect it.

• Try to back up most responses with proof. It’s no good saying that you can motivate people if you don’t provide them with an occasion when you have done exactly that.

• Remember to give all examples as ‘I’ not ‘we’.  You may have been part of a team that achieved a particular goal however, how did you contribute to that success?