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INTERVIEW TIPS

This page is designed to offer you tips and techniques to be applied by candidates at interviews.

We have split the advice into two areas:

Key Traits: This describes the how the interviewer will evaluate you at the interview.

Sample Questions: Lists a range of questions that may be asked at an interview, do not panic not all the questions will be asked but it is good to prepare some of your answers in advance.

Key traits to demonstrate during an interview

These are the most common traits that interviewers are looking for from a job candidate. We recommend that you try to build these traits into your answers when you consider your response to the questions listed below.

Accountability: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for own work. Makes timely decisions and commits to definite courses of action. Accepts when things might have been done better and does not blame other factors
Drive and Resilience: Sustains a high level of drive, shows enthusiasm and a positive attitude when coping with pressure at work. Works hard to meet demands at key times of pressure. Shows resilience in the face of challenges or obstacles
Building Relationships: Works in a co-operative, respectful manner with colleagues, clients and the wider community. Balances a focus upon tasks with a consideration for people. Encourages teamwork and promotes respect and understanding for different backgrounds, opinions of others, and work/life balance issues
Problem Solving: Analyses problems, identifies core issues, investigates, evaluates and integrates information. Generates appropriate solutions to solve problems or issues
Professionalism: Builds the reputation of the organisation through the quality of own work, knowledge and experience. Protects the professional reputation of the company by behaving with integrity and responsibly towards the organisation's people, clients and communities

Sample Questions

An interviewer needs to know that you will fit well within the culture of their company and will ask questions that will help them determine your attitude to work. We suggest that you read the questions as they are the most commonly asked questions at interviews. You will never be asked every question on this list but we recommend that you consider each one and think about how you would answer it.

Can you give me a recent example of when you have experienced a setback?

Can you give me an example of when your manager was absent and you were forced to make a decision? What did you take into consideration? What was the effect if your decision?

Describe a time when you were faced with a number of tasks, all of which had to be completed in a short period. How did you tackle these tasks? How did you prioritise?

Did you meet the deadlines?

Describe a piece of work you have been responsible for from start to finish. How did you plan? What were your deadlines? How did you ensure you met your deadlines?

Tell me how you prioritise your day?

Describe a time when you have been particularly motivated to achieve a goal? What happened? How did you remain committed?

Tell me about a time when you recently took on additional responsibility

Give me an example of a task that you found particularly challenging? What was difficult? What did you do to overcome the obstacles?

Tell me about a time when you have had to keep yourself motivated during a difficult situation?

Can you tell me about the types of people you interact with on a regular basis?

Tell me about a recent situation where you have had to build a relationship with a new colleague or client? What did you do in this situation?

Tell me about a time you challenged someone in authority?

Give me an example of how you have responded to a colleague who seemed overworked or stressed?

Give me an example of when you have had to support others in a team?

Describe a time when you worked in an unsuccessful team? Why was it unsuccessful? What did you personally do to help the situation?

Give me an example of where you have improved existing systems/procedures at work? How was this received by colleagues/ manager?

Give me an example of a situation where you have thought of a new or creative way of dealing with a problem within work? What did you do?

Can you tell me about a complex question you have had to overcome in your work recently?

Give me an example of when you have questioned the validity of information given to you? What did you do to check the facts?

What has been the most intellectually/technically demanding task that you have undertaken recently - how did you approach it and what was the outcome?

Tell me about a successful client relationship you had with a client/ customer? Why was it successful?

Give me an example of a situation where you've had to strike a balance between client support and professional detachment?

Give me an example of a time when you exceeded customer expectations? What did you do? How did you know that you exceeded customer expectations?

Tell me about a particularly difficult situation with a client/customer. What did you find difficult to handle? How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?

Tell me about a time when you went an extra mile for an employer?