| Congratulations! You've just received a call informing | | | | job may carry little prospect of progression in itself. If |
| you that you've to attend an interview for the dream | | | | you are keen to progress, this may not be the |
| job you applied for. It's now time to focus on your | | | | appropriate role for you, so you should establish what |
| interview preparation to make sure you give your best | | | | opportunities there are - perhaps it is possible (and |
| on the day. | | | | indeed expected) to progress into other roles. |
| Bring together a list general and job-specific interview | | | | Above all, ensure as part of your interview preparation |
| questions that you could potentially be asked. Then | | | | that you have established what your own job |
| spend time practicing how you would answer all of | | | | requirements are, as well as those of the employer. |
| these questions. You should expect to practice your | | | | 4. How mobile are you?There can be a couple of |
| answers to most questions several times until you can | | | | reasons for asking this question. The job may involve |
| answer each one in a way that will give an interviewer | | | | a lot of travel. If so, it should have been made clear in |
| a positive impression of you. | | | | the job advert or the details you received. If it wasn't, |
| You should also rehearse answers to the most | | | | now is the time to establish the facts, and the |
| straightforward questions, such as "Tell me about | | | | expectations of the employer. If regular travel is a |
| yourself" or "What is it about the job that interests | | | | problem for you, say so - there's no point in getting the |
| you?" Many applicants spend so much time preparing | | | | job and then being unhappy. |
| for the "tough" questions, that they don't spend enough | | | | Another reason for asking this could be to assess |
| time on what they perceive to be the "easier" ones. | | | | your attitude to flexibility in working practices. Again, be |
| As a result, they can stumble in their answers to basic | | | | honest about your own requirements and |
| questions. | | | | expectations. This is the time to make sure that |
| But what about those awkward questions, the ones | | | | everyone is happy with the proposed working |
| you're just not sure about? | | | | arrangements - and to open negotiations on any areas |
| Here are the top 6 awkward interview questions you | | | | that need to be discussed further. |
| may get asked at an interview, together with some | | | | 5. What are your weaknesses?This is NOT an |
| advice on why an employer will be asking these, so | | | | attempt to catch you out but an employer is trying to |
| that you can always give a positive answer. | | | | force you to carry out a more critical self-assessment. |
| 1. Why are you leaving your current position (or why | | | | Have you thought about any weaknesses you may |
| did you leave your last position)?The employer is | | | | have? If not, do so now before you have to assess |
| looking for potential problems you have had in the past | | | | these in an interview situation. Once you've done this, |
| that you may bring with you. The best way to deal | | | | you can turn them into positive, work-related |
| with this question is to always cite reasons such as | | | | statements, such as, "I tend to work too long hours." Or |
| career progression, quality of life, reward package, etc. | | | | "I am a perfectionist and need to make sure my work |
| and link these to positive aspects of the job you are | | | | is 100% accurate." By doing this you can answer the |
| being interviewed for. NEVER launch into a tirade | | | | question and portray yourself in a positive light. |
| about how much you hate(d) your previous company, | | | | 6. Why should we employ you, rather than one of the |
| what a total fool you thought your boss was and so | | | | other candidates?This is a bit like a tiebreaker question! |
| on. Always be upbeat - it projects a more confident | | | | The interviewer wants to know what your unique |
| image. | | | | quality is that makes you the best person for the job. |
| 2. What do you think you can offer this company?The | | | | This gives you a real chance to make the job yours. |
| interviewer wants to know how you can solve their | | | | To prepare your answer, you need to know what the |
| problem. By ensuring your Resume is focused on | | | | most important requirement of the job is. What aspect |
| matching you to the employer's needs, you will have | | | | of the job is critical for success? How can you fulfil |
| accumulated all the material necessary to answer this | | | | this requirement? Show an employer that you have |
| question. | | | | the ability to do so and you will gain a real advantage |
| You have the opportunity to differentiate yourself in | | | | over all other candidates. |
| two ways, firstly by emphasizing your strengths and | | | | Understanding why the employer is asking these |
| secondly by demonstrating that you have researched | | | | questions will help you to prepare strong, positive |
| the employer's business prior to the interview. Give a | | | | answers before your interview. |
| balanced answer that highlights exactly how your | | | | A few final points to bear in mind when you are at an |
| strengths match the job requirements and show an | | | | interview... |
| awareness of what the company does. | | | | - Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on any |
| 3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years | | | | questions. |
| time?Someone thought up this question years ago and | | | | - Remember that the cost to an employer of recruiting |
| it has since become established as a 'standard' | | | | the wrong person can be very expensive. The |
| interview question. What the employer is hoping to | | | | employer is also under a lot of pressure to make the |
| establish is your degree of ambition for career | | | | right decision and may be just as nervous as you are! |
| progression. Always answer in general terms and | | | | - Try to relax and enjoy the interview. The more |
| definitely avoid staking a claim for the interviewer's job! | | | | relaxed you are, the better you will perform on the |
| This question can also be a double-edged sword. The | | | | day. |