Job Seekers Hub | Common interview questions and how to answer them

While no two job interviews are precisely the same, there are some questions that are very popular among employers when screening potential candidates. By preparing confident answers to some of the more common interview questions, you can give yourself the edge over other potential candidates.

1. “Tell me about yourself/your work experience.”

This is usually the opening question for most interviews and can be one of the most important. First impressions are key, so keep it brief – know your resume inside out and focus on delivering a one to two-minute advertisement for yourself, highlighting the key achievements in your employment history. 

Begin your answer with an overview of your highest qualification, then run through the jobs you’ve held so far in your career.

You can follow the same structure as your resume, giving examples of achievements and the skills you’ve picked up along the way. Don’t go into too much detail – your interviewer will ask you to expand on any areas where they’d like more information.

2. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

An interviewer will be impressed if you have considered your short-term and long-term goals. Talk about the kind of job you’d eventually like to do and the various steps you will take to get there. Show that you have the ambition and determination to make the most of every job you have held to get where you want to be, and always relate this to the position you’re interviewing for.

3. “Why should I hire you?”

Focus on your assets – what makes you different, and where do your major strengths lie? Then, outline what you can offer in terms of experience, personality and enthusiasm.

4. “Why do you want this job?”

Do your research – this gives you the chance to discuss all you know about the job and the company and why you are a good match for them. The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you’ve given this some thought, so do your homework properly.

5. “Why are you the right fit to succeed in this role?”

You should use the interview as an opportunity to say something interesting about your skills and experiences that relate back to the role at hand. Remember that interviewers will be looking for you to demonstrate key skills that match the job and behaviour that align with the organisation’s culture, so prepare examples in advance that you can call on when required.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again – do your research. Make sure you have a look at the company website and understand as much as you can about their business and how they operate, as well as the products or services they provide. It is also important to go prepared with questions to ask them – after all; the interview is a two-way process.

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