Common job interview questions

Although the specific questions will vary, almost all interview questions are addressing one of four underlying questions:

• Who are you?
• What can you do for us?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• How much will you cost?

• Give an overview of your experiences.
• Include education, work (paid and voluntary) and extra-curricular activities.
• Link your response to the job advertisement and job description.
• Keep your answer to 1-2 minutes.

• Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer.
• Make it clear that you wish to learn more.
• Give your answer a positive tone.
• Explain why your goals and those of the organisation are a good match.

If you are asked this question, you can demonstrate what you know about the company and show you have done your research.

• Link your experience, knowledge and skills to the company/position to show that you are a good fit to the company.
• You might say your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that interest you.
• For example, if the organisation is keen for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show you would like to be part of that team.
• If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasise the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which inventiveness is encouraged.
• If the organisation stresses financial controls, your answer could mention an interest in numbers.

Employers are interested in people who want to join their organisation, rather than just get a job.

• Keep your answer oriented to the opportunities within that organisation.
• Talk about your desire to perform and be recognised for your contributions.
• Orient your answer towards opportunities rather than personal security.

• Present at least three.
• Use concrete relevant examples to illustrate them.
• Try to relate your answer to the interviewing organisation and the specific job opening.

• Don't say that you have none.
• Try to make a negative sound like a strength carried a bit too far, eg, "I sometimes get impatient and become too deeply involved when a project is running late."
• Don't offer a list of weaknesses.
• A good interviewer is likely to press you a bit by saying, "Is there anything else?" You might answer, "No I don't think so on that topic."
• If the interviewer persists, come up with a second weakness, but only if you are asked for it.
• Don't offer negative information unnecessarily.
• If the interviewer continues and asks for a third weakness, say politely that you really can't think of anything else.
• Finally, show that you are working on your weaknesses, eg, taking a course, planning your time more.

Relate your goals to the company you're interviewing for, eg, "In a firm like yours, I would like to..." eg, specialise, gain a management role.

Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate how well you understand your industry.

You might consider:

• technological challenges or opportunities
• economic conditions
• the current competitive situation
• regulatory demands related to the direction in which the field is heading.

Salary is a delicate topic.

• Defer tying yourself to a precise figure for as long as you can do it politely.
• You might say, "I understand that the range for this job is between $X and $Y. That seems appropriate for the job as I understand it."
• You might answer the question with a question: "Perhaps you can help me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the organisation?"
• If you're asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need to know more about the responsibilities involved before giving a meaningful answer.
• Don't sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don't leave the impression that money is the only thing important to you.
• Do some research on salary ranges.

An employer might ask, "What can you offer our company?"

Before the interview you should identify the skills, experience and knowledge the employer is looking for. Then think of your skills and personal qualities that match, and provide relevant examples.

• Jay, Ros. (2005). Brilliant interview : what employers want to hear and how to say it. (2nd ed). Harlow : Pearson.
• Villiers, Ann. (2005). How to address selection criteria : improving your chances of winning a job. (4th ed). Hawker, ACT: Mental Nutrition.
• Yate, Martin. (2004). Knock 'em dead. Avon , Mass. : Adams Media.
• Eggert, Max. (2003). Perfect interview. (Rev. ed.). Sydney : Random House Business Books.
• Jay, Ros. (2004). The successful candidate : how to be the person they want to hire. London : Pearson.
• Pitcher, Doug. (1998). Successful job search and job interview strategies. Shoestring Publications: Palmerston North.
• Houston, Kathleen. (2004). Winning interviews for first-time job hunters. Richmond : Trotman.
• Fry, Ron. (2002). Your first interview : for students and anyone preparing to enter today's tough job market. Franklin Lakes, N.J.: The Career Press.
• Giles, Alan, &  Andrews, Ann. (2007). A - Z of interview questions : what to ask, why and what to look for in candidate responses. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed Pub.

For further resources see the Subjects page of the CareerSearch bibliography.

• Making and impact: the graduate job interview. (2007) Manchester : AGCAS.
• Common mistakes job seekers make. (2005). Bendigo, Vic: Video Education Australasia.
• Selection success in one. (2003) Sheffield : AGCAS.
• Presentation is vital : job interview essentials. (2005). Bendigo, Vic: Video Education Australasia.
• Sell yourself : successful job interviewing. (2007). s.l.: Learning Seed.
• Why ask me that? (1998). Parkville : Gradlink.