18 Common Interview Questions: TIPS & ANSWERS
1. Interview Question: Tell us about Yourself.
Tip: If you’re attending an interview, here’s one question
you can’t escape. and it usually comes first. The formula to getting the answer
right is to start from where you currently are, then delve backwards a little
bit about the experience you’ve garnered at your previous roles. And round off
with the future – why you’re really excited about this opportunity.
Answer: “I’m currently an Accounts Officer at GTBank, where
I manage the accounts of some of the bank’s top customers. Before that, I worked
at KPMG as a graduate trainee for 2 years. My experience there really enhanced
my analytical and problem solving skills. I’ll love the chance to advance my
career in the Oil and Gas Sector, which is why I’m so excited about this
opportunity with the Petroleum Training Institute.”
2. Interview Question: What do you know about this organization?
Tip: This question is one reason to do some research on the
organization before the interview. As soon as you’re invited for an interview,
it is expected of you to find out as much information you can about the
company. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the
current issues and who are the major players (The Founders/ Owners), when was
the company established, what services or goods do they produce, where is their
head office, branches located, what is their mission statement, vision?
Answer: “The Petroleum Training Institute is a federal
government owned tertiary institution established in 1973 to train indigenous
middle- level manpower to meet the labour force requirement of the Nigerian oil
and gas industry. The motto of the institution is “For skill, service and
progress” and the current principal is Mr. Joseph Orukele.”
3. Interview Question: Why do you want to work here?
Tip: To answer this question correctly, you need to do a little
research on the company so that you can identify specific reasons why you want
to work with the organization, and most importantly, be able to defend whatever
reason you state, should the interviewer ask you to explain further. These
reasons could be one or more of the following: The company’s pedigree, the
reputation of its founders, admiration of its offerings (goods or services), company’s
management philosophy, company’s recognition and awards received, core values, company’s
market position and prospects.
Answer: “Well, the Zenith Bank’s pedigree is certainly one to
be reckoned with. I would be proud to work for a company with such a long history
of leadership in the industry.”
4. Interview Question: What experience do you have in this
field?
Tip: Speak about what you’ve done in the past or what you do
in your present job that is related to the position you are applying for.
Here you can also
include free services you rendered to religious or social organizations, friends
and relations. If you do not have any specific experience, get as close as
possible.
Answer: “From the job description, you’re looking for an
individual who can take proper charge of your financial records. You also need someone
who is computer literate and proficient with accounting packages. In my previous
role as an Accountant with PZ Industries, I was responsible for maintaining the
books of accounts of the company. I prepared the final accounts, balance
sheets, profit and loss account, cash flow statement, and other management
accounts without supervision. I did these and other related accounting tasks
for over a period of 4 years using various accounting software including Peachtree
and QuickBooks.”
5. Interview Question: Why should we hire you?
Tip: Don’t be scared to tell the interviewer that you are
the best person for the job, but be prepared to back your claim up with what specifically
differentiates you.
Answer: “You should hire me because I’m the best person for
the job. Although there may be other candidates who also have what it takes to
get the job done. Yet I bring an additional quality which makes me the best
person for the job – my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to
producing results in all my endeavors. For example, in 2008 when I was given a
target to generate 100 million naira deposit from customers, because of the passion
I had for my job, I was the only one in my team who achieved the target.”
6. Interview Question: How did you hear about the vacancy?
Tip: No beating about the bush. Go ahead and state the source.
If you found out about the opening through a friend or a relative, don’t hesitate
to drop the name. Back it up by stating why you were so excited about the vacancy.
Make your answer short.
Answer: “I heard about the opening through Bidemi, a
childhood friend, but since my undergraduate days, I’ve always had the dream of
working with your company.”
7. Interview Question: What are your strengths?
Tip: If you’re serious about your job search, this question
won’t give you problems. You ought to have identified what your greatest strengths
are, even before you start sending your CV out. Your strength could be your experience,
talents and soft skills. Don’t make the mistake is listing strengths you do not
possess or one that is not relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Answer: “I think one of my greatest strengths is my ability
to solve problems. I look at situations from different points of views and I can
perform my tasks under difficult circumstances. I also think my communication skills
are top notch. I’m also good at negotiating deals and resolving disputes.”
8. Interview Question: What are your weaknesses?
Tip: Don’t say you don’t have weaknesses.
Everyone has. So state one or two weaknesses but try to turn
it into a positive.
Answer: “I’m too passionate about my job, and it affects my
relationships.”
9. Interview Question: Why do you want to leave your current
company?
Tip: Like the question about your boss, don’t say anything
bad about your current company.
Answer: “I have spent over five years with KPMG gaining
exceptional knowledge of the consulting industry. I am now enthusiastic to apply
the knowledge and skills I acquired on the job in a different organization with
new opportunities and challenges.”
10. Interview Question: What do you dislike most about your
previous role?
Tip: Dangerous question. The interviewer is probing for things
that you didn’t previously like and then they can ask a follow on question about
why you didn’t like them. Beware of this trap. Turn the question round and give
a “model answer”.
Answer: “I would like to avoid the situation in the last
role where we had tight deadlines and 3 of my colleagues went off on long term
sick. Although we achieved our targets it was only through hard effort,
team-work and long hours.”
See how these answers portray you in a good light and turn a
negative into a positive. Make sure you have prepared an answer otherwise you
could see yourself stumbling!
11. Interview Question: How would You describe your former
boss?
Tip: Don’t say anything bad about your former boss.
Answer: “My former boss gives me a high degree of freedom to
get along with my job while always being there to assist with difficult or
unusual situations – to lend his experience. He is a very hardworking and busy
person but finds time to supervise his team, steering us in the right direction
and helping us to achieve results we taught were impossible. I still maintain a
cordial relationship with him.”
12. Interview Question: What lessons have you learnt from
your previous job?
Tip: Another chance to talk about your successes but a truly
open ended question.
You should talk about your specific skills and experience that
you can offer. Remember the skills need to be transferable to the new employer.
A closing statement like the one below will also add value,
it will distinguish your answer and elevate your application
Answer: “I have learnt a lot of things as you can imagine.
But one point always rings true. Everyone needs to be treated with respect, their
opinion should be valued and they should be encouraged to contribute to the
good of the organization.”
13. Interview Question: I see from your CV that you have never
actually been in this role in any of your previous companies. How are you going
to cope?
Tip: Firstly, this is an obvious weakness. Weakness mean
risk to an employer and they are looking for re-assurance that you will adapt
to the new environment. Relate your previous experience to similar situations
where you moved departments and had a new role or were faced with new technology
which you had to learn quickly.
Turn this into a positive about “how you are able to adapt
to changing circumstances and have a flexible approach. How you pick up new skills
quickly. How you enjoy the challenge of the ever changing technology.” Try to
broaden the answer by saying.
Answer: “we are all faced with a fast moving and changing
environment which constantly presents new challenges. I have always been able
to rise to these and perform effectively despite tight deadlines and little
support.” Importantly, then go on to list examples of similar experiences where
you have demonstrated such skills. This should close the issue in the
interviewers mind and paint a positive picture.
14. Interview Question: What is your typical working week in
hours?
Answer: “I like to think I am an effective and efficient
worker who gets through a full workload each week. However there are times when
I need to work late and weekends and this is fine. This is often due to uneven demands
on my time. I will put whatever effort it takes to complete my role.”
15. Interview Question: What do co-workers say about you?
Tip: Be prepared with one or two favorable quotes from
co-workers. Yes! Favorable because some people will never say good things about
you. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will be perfect.
Answer: “Marcus Nkwocha, a co-worker at PZ Industries, always
said I was the most hard working person he had ever known.” It is as powerful
as Marcus having said it at the interview himself.
16. Interview Question: How much do you expect to Earn?
Tip: Most cases, the employer had already decided your
salary, so it won’t make any difference the amount you quote. Just make sure
you are not too far from reality.
Answer: “The research I’ve carried out indicates that
positions like this one pay N120,000 to N150,000 and something in that range
would be acceptable to me as a starting salary.”
17. Interview Question: Describe your dream job.
Tip: In answering this question, lay more emphasis on what
you can contribute to the organization rather than what you’ll gain.
Answer: “This is my dream job and that’s the reason I
applied for it in the first place. I’m enthusiastic about the prospects of your
organization and would like to be part of its success story by contributing my
expertise and skills.”
18. Interview Question: Do you have any question for us?
Tip: Don’t make the mistake of telling the interviewer you
do not have any questions. Asking questions shows that you have interest in the
company. Also, don’t ask questions like“What does this company do?” or “How old
is this company?” You are expected to know the answers to these questions if
you’ve done your homework properly.
Answer: “If I’m considered for the job, who shall I be
reporting to?”
No comments:
Post a Comment