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What You Should Expect From The Job Interview

What You Should Expect in a Job Interview

To pass the job interview you need preparation.

The only way to prepare for a job interview is to know what to expect in the job interview, as well as being able to deal with the unexpected.

Often interviewees worry about the forthcoming job interview, which creates anxiety, as they don’t know how to predict the interview process or interview questions.

This article will teach you what you should expect from the job interview, helping you to prepare. With preparation, you can practice, practice and practice – which is the key to your job interview success.

The Interview Structure

This article will concentrate on the traditional face to face job interview. Many companies are now delivering a two-part job interview; the traditional interview as we will discuss today and then an assessment type interview. This could be a presentation, group work assignment or examination.

In the traditional job interview, you will be interviewed by 1-3 interviewers. When interviewed by more than one interviewer, the interveiwers will take it, in turn, to ask questions, while all the interviewers will record your answers.

Interviewers will score each answer on a scale of 1-10 the scores are then totaled and the interviewee with the most points will be offered the position.

Interview Beginning

At the interview start, you will first be introduced to the interview panel.

The lead interviewer will go on to explain the position, why the role is being advertised and the benefits of working for their organisation.

You will then be asked some generic interview questions, designed to get you talking more openly and confidently. The interview questions will then progress into skill and experienced-based interview questions where you will have to give examples of your skills and experiences.

Interview End

Finally, at the interview end, you have the opportunity to ask your own questions before the lead interviewer explains when they will contact you with the outcome from all the interviews.

Interview Questions

There are several generic interview questions that are asked in one form or another at all job interviews.

Interview Start Questions

  • Tell me a bit about yourself?
  • Why have you applied for this position?
  • What is your experience in this sector?

Skill and Experience Questions 

  • Give me an example of X?
  • How would you deal with Y?
  • What is your approach to X?

Interview End Questions

  • How do you see yourself fitting in with our team?
  • What can you bring to our organisation ?
  • Do you have any questions for us?

Access over 50 interview questions and answers.

You can predict other interview questions by reading the job specification.

Often each essential criterion on the job spec will be re-worded into an interview question. To answer these questions think about a time you have successfully complete the criteria and use this example as part of your interview answer.

When answering the interview questions you should always start by stating confidently how you have “criteria” before backing this up with a real-life work-related example.

When required explain how this experience/skill can be used to benefit the company for who you are being interviewed.

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What Qualities Do You Feel a Successful Manager Should Have?

Interveiw Question: What Qualities Do You Feel a Successful Manager Should Have?

This is a managerial interview question, but often similar questions are asked for all positions – change manager with “job title”

When answering questions regarding your role first research the position by checking the criteria required on the job spec and answer by stating that you possess said criteria. Finish by giving a real-life example of this.

Interview Question Video – “what qualities do you feel a successful manager should possess?”

How to Pass Job Interviews

To approach job interviews you need to research the position and company and match your past experience and current skill base to this role.

Also add a “unique selling point” to each interview answer, as this makes you stand out from the crowd.

When answering interview questions and state everything from a positive frame of reference.

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How do you know when you have been successful with a task?

How do you know when you have been successful with a task?

To answer the interview question how do you know when you have been successful with a task, you need to break your answer down into three parts.

First, explain the task’s goal, then the steps you took and finally the outcome – the reason why you felt this was a success.

In this article, we have broken down what the interviewer is looking for in a perfect job interview answer and to help you create the perfect answer we have recorded an example answer

Interview Video Tutorial

Interview Question How do you know when you have been successful with a task?

Explanation of the Question:

When have you been successful? How did you know? As this will be your best answer. You have been successful when:

  • The job has been completed on time
  • The task has been completed to a good standard
  • When your customers walk away happy
  • When your employer tells you
  • When you have job satisfaction 

Example Interview Answer

  “Recently the company I work for was putting together a bid for a new contract, the whole team was involved in gaining information and quotes for the bid. It was a big job and we worked late for several nights, it was worth it though as we recently gain confirmation that the company has won the new contract” 

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Job Interview Question Video “Can you work under pressure?”

Job Interview Question “Can you work under pressure?”

The interview question video will help you learn how to answer the interview question “can you work under pressure?” When asked questions on job criteria you need to state that you can do criteria (in this example work under pressure) and back this up with an example

In this article, we have broken down what the interviewer is looking for in a perfect job interview answer and to help you create the perfect answer we have recorded an example answer

Job interview Question Video “can you work under pressure?”

Interview Question Can you work under pressure?

Be honest, if you can’t work under pressure and this is a pressured job role, is it really for you? If you can work under pressure give a real experience for an answer.

Example Interview Answer

“Yes, I actually enjoy it. One of my strengths is that I can start several tasks at the same time while working to deadlines, I don’t get flustered I keep a calm head and ensure the task get prioritized in order of importance”

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Job Interview Question Video “What has disappointment you about a previous position?”

Job Interview Question “What has disappointed you about a previous position?”

This interview question video will teach you how to answer the interview question “what has disappointed you about a previous position?”

When asked any negative interview question you need to reframe this to sound positive. This video explains using a reframe or contrast to answer the interview question.

Interview Question Video

Explanation of the Question:

Again we always need to stay away from any negative answers.

Start with a positive and follow this up with why you’re looking for a new role. This keeps your answer positive.

Example Interview Answer

“I have enjoyed all my jobs and with every new job, I gain new skills and confidence. Currently, I am looking for a new role, not because I’m disappointed but more because I want a bigger challenge, more responsibility, etc”

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Job Interview Question Video How do you approach a project?

Job Interview Question Video How do you approach a project? 

This job interview question video will teach you how to answer that commonly asked interview question “how do you approach a project”

The video explains how you need to keep your answer on point, by stating the 3-5 steps that you take when approaching a new project.

In this article, we have broken down what the interviewer is looking for in a perfect job interview answer and to help you create the perfect answer we have recorded an example answer.

How do you approach a project?

Common asked question in project management jobs, keep this answer short (it is easy to give a long-winded answer to this type of question) and demonstrate how you plan, prepare and approach projects –use an example if possible

Example Interview Answer

“I recently completed a highly valuable project; to start with a look at the outcome of the project and work backward, I work out what resources I need to complete the project on time and write an action plan to follow adding cost, timings and a contingency plan” 

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Interview Question and Answer Do you think you have enough experience?

Do you think you have enough experience?

When asked a question about your experience and if you have enough, the employer has concerns about you.

When answering this interview question make it clear that you do have what it takes to add value to their organisation.

In this article, we have broken down what the interviewer is looking for in a perfect job interview answer and to help you create the perfect answer we have recorded an example answer

Interview Video Tutorial – do you have enough experience for this position?

Do you think you have enough experience?

Explanation of the Question:

If you’re asked this, then the interviewer does not believe you have enough experience. If you have you need to make this clear, explain about your previous experiences and give detail to the parts that are relevant to this new job role.

If you do not have the experience they need, you need to show the employer you have the skills, qualities and knowledge that will make you equal to people with experience but not necessary the skills. It is also good to add how quick you can pick up the routine of a new job role.

Example Interview Answer

“Altogether I have 8 years experience in this industry, in my current role as a manager I spend a large amount of time auditing accounts as we worked on government contracts and all expenditure had to be accounted for.

I use all the relevant computer packages and understand the importance of double-checking the figures. I have always had an eye for detail and an ability to find errors easily, allowing me to be pro-active rather than reactive” 

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Interview Question and Answer Do you have any blind spots?

Do you have any blind spots? Interview Question.

The ‘blindspot’ interveiw question is just another way of asking if you have any weaknesses.

When asked this interview question don’t actual give them a list of weaknesses. Instead, focus on how you identify and develop any areas of development. 

During the interview answer, stay positive and, with confidence, explain that you proactively look for blind spots as you are a lifelong learner. 

Interview Tutorial Video – do you have any blind spots?

Interview Question Do you have any blind spots?

Explanation of the Question:

If you know about blind spots, then they are not blind. By being aware of areas of development you can take actions to help advance your career and industry knowledge. 

Employers use questions like this to see if you will tell them any weaknesses – let employers work out for themselves any weaknesses. When preparing an answer relating to this subject, frame the reply so the focus is on identifying blindspots and professional development. 

Employers will phrase ‘blindspots’ instead of weaknesses when they are asking about sector knowledge levels – IE blindspots are missing knowledge or experience.  

interview prediction grid

Example Interview Answer

“Throughout my professional career, I actively look for areas of development. An example of this was when I started my last job role. I have worked in the sector for a number of years and thought myself highly specialised. In the new role, though, they specialised in a rare niche that I had limited knowledge of. 

By recognising a lack of expertise I immediately took action and enrolled in a course as well as asking a senior practitioner to be my mentor. This allowed me to quickly build up my knowledge base. Whenever I indientify any type of weakness I always take action to gain the required intelligence.” 

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Interview Question and Answer Do you learn from mistakes?

Interview Question and Answer Do you learn from mistakes?

Interview questions are asked to uncover a particular skill, quality or experience from the interviewee. The reason why many job applicants fail during the job interview is that they don’t understand what it is the interviewer wants to hear.

Job Interview Tutorial Video “Do You Learn From Mistakes?”

Interview Question Do you learn from your mistakes?

Explanation of the Question:

Everyone makes mistakes; the people who learn from mistakes are the type of people who will always move forward.

Employers want to know that if you make a mistake, the mistake will not hold you back but can be useful if you learn from it.

Explain this in your answer and then follow it up with an example of how you have learned from a mistake.

Example Interview Answer

“Yes, I think everyone makes mistakes and the secret is learning from them. In my first job role, many years ago I was asked into a meeting to get a “tea” order. I did and as I went to the kitchen and forgot half the orders. Next time I took a notepad and pencil in with me”

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What is your biggest achievement? Interview Question

What is your biggest achievement? Interview Question and Answer

Open interview questions such as “what is your biggest achievement?” is a great interview question to be asked, as you can really sell your skills, strengths and unique selling point.

To answer this interview question first start by stating the goal, then explain the steps you took and finally the outcome (your achievement)

What Is Your Biggest Achievement Interview Question – video tutorial

What is your biggest achievement? 

We have all achieved many things throughout our lives, from losing weight to passing a driving test.

If you make your answer relevant to the job you are applying for. Talk about how you had a goal you initially thought you couldn’t achieve and then through working hard you achieved your goal.

Example Interview Answer

“I was once asked to give a presentation, at first I thought I wouldn’t be able to deliver it without embarrassing myself. I wrote the presentation and practiced it in front of small groups, until I had the confidence to deliver it to a large group. I was really pleased with the result on the day and I was good feedback from my line manager.”