Interview questions with answers - with advice to ensure your successful job interview
Interview preparation will help you respond easily and convincingly to questions that can be tailored to your level of career
People Skills
Describe an occasion when you adapted your own and the team's approach in response to rapidly changing demands.
Describe a situation in which you used your persuasive influence to successfully convince someone to see things your way?
Could you outline a decision you have made recently. How did you go about it? What actions / analysis let up to your decision?
Can you give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem?
Can you provide an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it?
Managing Stress
Can you provide a recent example of when you were under stress, and how you coped?
Reasons for applying
Why attracted you to this company / firm?
What would you look forward to most in this job?
What will be your key target in this job if we appoint you?
Knowledge of company
In your view, what are the major problems/opportunities facing this industry?
What makes you think you can be successful with us?
Why should we employ you, instead of someone else?
Social activities
What sort of activities are you interested in outside of work?
Managing Stress
Studying an MBA while working can be quite stressful at times. How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance and minimize stress?
Can you describe a particularly stressful period in your current or past job? What was the situation, and how did you manage it?
Desired Response
Demonstrates a healthy “work/life” balance; is committed to personal wellness and managing stress (e.g. takes vacation, makes time for family, friends, and personal interests). Is proactive in seeking help to resolve problems and challenges, e.g., develops a network of informal, trusted advisors both inside and outside the agency for advice and support
Managing Disappointment
Can you describe a situation where you devoted considerable time, effort and resources to an effort that failed (or to the extent you had hoped)? What was the situation? What was your role? What was the role and expectations of others in this event?
Desired Responses
Demonstrates optimism, focus and tenacity especially in challenging or stressful situations to achieve the best outcomes; focuses on finding solutions rather than finding excuses not to succeed F Learns from, and is not discouraged, by “failures”; does not dwell on past mistakes
Optimistic Drive
What are the many priorities and stakeholders that you are currently juggling at work?
How do you balance these different demands? What strategy do you use?
What type of work environment and culture gives you the most energy and excitement?
Desired Responses
Enjoys a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and stakeholders; exercises sound judgment in determining the “right” priorities on which to focus on
Question & Answer Examples
Ability to work as part of successful multi-disciplinary teams
Describe a group activity that you have been involved in where you have contributed to the team's success. Details of the activity, key objectives, individual contribution, challenges faced and overall outcome*
Example answer: I was involved into the process of Financial Director searching for the Brazilian branch. The recruitment team consisted of Global HR Director, CFO and COO and they struggled to make a final decision between three candidates (one from the local market, internal candidate and third candidate was from Ukraine). I developed and implemented an assessment form for the candidates to have clear picture and avoid risks of hiring inappropriate candidate and potential employment tribunal risks. As a result, the best candidate was chosen and he is successfully continuing his employment in the Company.
Initiative - Problem Solving
Describe a situation where you were able to identify and suggest a solution to a problem. What was the problem? What did you suggest? What was the outcome?
When I joined the company, I did some competitor research and noticed that the other businesses were winning clients by using a tele-sales strategy, whereas this company relied on online applications. We were the only business in the market not using a tele-sales approach to generate business. I suggested we trial tele-sales approach as competitors appeared to be doing well. I presented a proposal to my directors which involved paying for 200 leads on people with debt problems - at a cost of £2K. I did a cost benefit analysis which indicated that if just one lead turned into a case we would achieve a good ROI.
If you experience difficulty in answering any of these questions, we can provide all the guidance necessary to improve your chances of success.
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