Interview tips

This is often the opening question in an interview, so you’ll need to prepare. 

This question calls for an answer that summarises your experience and skills and also looks at your personality in the context of the job you are being interviewed for.

Remember – the interviewer does not want to hear about the football team you support or your unusual hobbies. They are looking at how well you match the vacancy on offer. Just get straight to the point and sell your professional self.

Write down a few brief sentences that show you have what it takes to do the job – experience, proven results and desire to contribute. You can always take notes into your interview as a reminder – employees see that as being prepared and organised.

The key to answering any question is to use specifics to help you stand out. 

Other candidates will speak in general about themselves, so you need something that will make you stand out a bit, so give real examples that show them you are best-suited for the job.

Point out your achievements and accomplishments throughout your working life, or life experiences that are relevant to the open position. Tell them the qualities you have that are valuable to the company, and don’t forget to say you are open to learn more.

You need to do your research – they are looking to see how interested in working for the company you are.

You need to use this opportunity to show off what you know about the company and, more importantly, how you would fit in.

They are not looking for word for word about what is on their website, but how much you have looked at what they do, where the company are looking to go in the future and what the values of the company are, for example: “I see you are looking to expand in the next few years and take on more staff in the production area of your business”.

This shows you have looked at the issues and challenges in the company to demonstrate the depth of your knowledge. You could point out things you have done in similar companies that could address their problems.

The secret to answering this question is using your weaknesses to your advantage.

You need to flip this question on its head and turn them into strengths.

For example, if weaknesses include a lack of having enough time to do the job, you could then state that because of this, you have learned to take special measures to ensure that you remain calm and attentive to get the job done.

Just make sure that you do give a real answer to this question. None of us are without faults.

You need to be cautious about these kinds of questions and make sure you do not end up sounding bitter.

Don’t criticise your former company, the boss, or former colleagues.

You need to have a good understanding about the job for which you’re applying to turn this question into a positive one.

It may be best to say that you really enjoyed many aspects of your job, then focus on how this new job will give you the opportunity to contribute more in a particular area that is key to the position.

An interviewer does not want to hear that your five-year aspiration is to be going on holiday or working in a different industry.

You need to talk about goals you have that relate to the job. This will demonstrate that you understand the industry, the company and are motivated to succeed there.

Preparation is the key to answering any question with confidence. Always keep in mind, whatever the question is, that the interviewer is trying to find out if you are a good fit and can make a positive contribution in the job.