Great Answers To Common Interview Questions

Your Options consultant can assist in interview coaching and preparation – but in the
meantime, here are some of the more common and at times trickier interview questions
and our suggestions on how to turn them to your advantage…

o Why do you believe you are suitable for the role? – This is your chance to sell
yourself. In a succinct fashion summarise the relevant experience and skills you
possess that match the criteria of the role and then end on a strong and positive
note by highlighting your personal strengths and characteristics that you believe
make you the ideal person for the job.

Example: From my understanding of the role I believe that my high volume

accounts receivable skills, obtained in a large corporate environment and my
advanced excel ability meet the skill requirements of the role however it is my
hardworking ethic, attention to detail, strong team orientation and focused
approach that makes me ideal for your role.

o Why did you leave your last role? – Always try to put a positive spin on this one.
Do not criticise your previous manager, be honest but tactful in your response,
and make sure that you put your answer in context of what you are trying to
achieve in your career as well as what they are looking for. Be careful about the
message that your responses can send – consistently leaving roles for “more
challenge” may suggest that you get bored easily; leaving for more money can
be seen to be the wrong motivation and leaving because of a personal conflict
(even if justified) can reflect badly on you. If you were made redundant – always
explain the full circumstances to ensure this does reflect poorly.

Example: I had been with the company for 4.5 years and progressed as far as I
could within the existing structure during that time. It was time to seek a new
challenge and I am ideally seeking exposure to a different industry and more
analytical work. Your role seems to match my career goal perfectly in this regard.

o Why do you want to work here? – It is critical that your response to this type of
question convinces them that you have a genuine interest and passion for the
role, business and industry, so make sure that your response has substance. This is
where having researched the company and the role well will pay off. You need
to demonstrate that this is not just another interview – but that this is your ideal
role.

Example: Your company has a reputation for being an industry leader and your
corporate culture and environment is team orientated, innovative and
encourages staff development all of which align with my own values. The role
itself offers the exciting opportunity to work closely with senior management, in a
successful team environment on a variety of key projects which is exactly what I
am looking for.

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o What are your strengths? You can almost guarantee that most interviews will
include this type of question – so you need to be confident in listing what you
consider to be your key strengths. Again try and highlight those that are
particularly relevant to the role that you are being considered for. It can be
useful to seek some feedback from peers, past managers, even close friends to
give you some insight into what your key strengths and respond by quoting them.

Example: My previous managers really valued my knowledge in the area of

systems and used me as a technical resource in this area. My peers often
commented that I had excellent negotiation skills and an ability to develop
strong relationships with even our most difficult customers. Personally I would say
that my strengths are my ability to see both sides of a situation and come up with
a solution that meets everyone’s needs.

o What are your weaknesses? A classic interview question – this is one that with
preparation can be turned into a positive. Highlight those things that can be
taken as both a strength and a weakness and discuss how you believe you are
working to overcome these weaknesses. Try to gauge whether they have
identified any weaknesses and attempt to put their mind at rest. Always consider
this question to be asking “what areas to you believe you can improve in.”

Example: I am very detail focused and whilst in some situations this is most
certainly a strength that my past employers have valued it can at times be a
weakness when there are other priorities. I am very aware of this however and try
to strike a good balance. You may perceive my lack of SAP exposure to be a
potential weakness however I can assure you that I very good at picking up new
systems quickly as demonstrated when I took on the role at ABC Ltd. None of
these things would prevent me from performing well in this role.

o What are your greatest achievements? Be clear in your head before the interview
about what your top 5 greatest achievements are from an employment
perspective and be ready to promote yourself in this manner. If relevant there
may one or two personal achievements you wish to highlight that demonstrate
important personal qualities. Try and think of things that are outside the scope of
the normal day to day responsibilities of your past roles.

Example: – Mention any process of systems improvements you may have made in
your past roles, important milestones you achieved, savings you may have made
the business, promotions you have received and positive feedback that you
received from peers, management of external customers. On a personal level
studies that you completed or sporting related achievements – which
demonstrate persistence and commitment for example as well as a healthy
work/life balance - are examples of achievements worth highlighting.

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o What are your long term career goals? – Give a sense of goal setting, direction,
and motivation and beware not to sound unrealistic in your expectations or do
yourself out of the role by over pitching yourself and not aligning yourself with the
scope of the role for which you are being considered. Try to talk about
experiences and career goals you wish to add to your resume rather than just job
titles you are aiming for.

Example: I am motivated by learning opportunities and for me the main goal

over the next 3 years is to gain more commercial and project based experience.
This, along with completing my studies will add to my skill level and should the
opportunity arise I would like to progress to the next level and take on a broader
business role.

o What salary are you looking for? – be honest about what you are currently on and
justify tactfully what you are now looking for. Make sure that your response is
consistent with what you communicated to your Options consultant also –
because if there are discrepancies it can reflect poorly on yourself.

Example: I have not had a review for more than 12 months as there has been a
freeze across our business and I have recently completed my CPA qualification.
From my understanding of market salaries, I believe these factors combined with
my overall level of experience warrants an increase to $$.

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