Who should read this guide?

We’ve put together a list of common interview questions from our candidates’ feedback from interviews to help anyone preparing for an interview. You’ll be asked some of these in every interview process, they may be phrased differently, but you’ll recognise them when asked.  We cover a long list of the most common interview questions asked by HR or line managers. 

As many interviewers use a behavioural based interview format to assess your skills, you’ll provide answers using the STAR technique. 

What is not covered in this guide

This guide will not cover competency-based or technical interview questions that are specific to any particular job. 

Our list of commonly asked interview questions.

The first few questions are designed to get you comfortable, gain an understanding of who you are, what skills you bring and what support you need to become fully operational in the role. 

Our list of common interview questions.

Tell me your story?

These four words are a great way to start an interview. The prepared job seeker has an opportunity to pitch their candidature for the role, and if pitched well, the interviewer is better informed on who you are and why you are an excellent fit for the job. Spend some time preparing for this question and practice pitching your story with people who understand what you do. Your story should have a natural flow, not feel scripted, be concise, engaging and most importantly, be compelling. Don’t answer this question by reading out your resume. You can presume the interviewer has read your resume.

Adjust your story or pace to maintain the interviewer's engagement. Their body language or actual language should be enough to let you know if you are scoring goals, but if not, pause and ask if they would like more information on any of the points you put forward so far.

Can you tell me in your words what this job entails?

The interviewer may ask this question to ensure you’re both on the same page, meaning your perception is the same as their definition of the role. It also tells the interviewer you've applied to the role as an informed candidate who has actively decided to put an application forward because of the job and the company, and you’re not throwing your CV at lots of job advertisements to see what sticks. 

Why do you want to work for the company?

Before applying to a role, do your homework. Talk to people, use the internet and find out if this company, to the best of your knowledge, will provide the support and opportunity you need to succeed. 

The important point to make in your answer is to provide reasons specific to company ABC and not generic that may apply to businesses across the sector. Authenticity is critical and will help you stand out in any crowd.

Why do you want this job?

This is a similar question to question three but specific to the job, and your response should give the interviewer the same level of comfort. You’re an informed applicant who is proactively seeking an opportunity as described and the reasons why this is important to you.

Why should we hire you?

This question allows you to give enough detail as to whet the appetite as to why you are the best fit for this job.  You’ll be providing greater detail as the interview continues. 

What skills do you need development in for this job?

When writing a job description, the hiring manager will define competencies necessary for candidates to have on day one and competencies the company can develop when the candidate is in the job. A job advertisement may indicate what’s required and what would be nice to have. 

A candidate that has every skill, effectively taking a lateral move, raises a red flag. Why is this person moving jobs? At best, they’re a flight risk and will leave when a better role comes to market. At worst, the new employer is potentially taking a problem out of their competition and importing it into their business. 

An ambitious candidate applies for jobs that move a career forward. They have some of the skills needed to do the job; they want to take on the next challenge and can show evidence of continuous upskilling throughout their career. This candidate has excellent potential for this role and should be an asset for the business as it continues to develop in the future.

Discuss the areas you believe will need to develop to reach full potential in the role and open the conversation on the organisation's career development plans for this role and in the future. It’s in your interest to go to a new employer that sees your potential and will support your career development moving forward. 

What is your most significant professional achievement or contribution you've made to date?

Not every job has innovation or changes in products or improvement in processes at its heart. Still, every company in financial services has problems to solve and is constantly looking at new ways to do business, lower costs and improve customer experience. If you have made contributions in the past that solved problems or, through your design, have made significant improvements to a business, then you will be encouraged to use these abilities. Be prepared to go through your work in meticulous detail, talking only to the input you provided. 

Tell me about a time you’ve had to deal with conflict in the workplace?

Most of us try to avoid conflict at work and don’t wish to discuss conflict. Avoiding conflict is not always an option. Differing opinions can stimulate innovation and, if left unsaid, can rot within a team until it reaches breaking point. Discuss your answer without emotion, talk about the situation and your part in the conflict, talk through what you hoped would happen and what happened. Businesses are looking to see how you respond in different scenarios. Was there anything to learn from the experience, and if so, what was it and have you been able to apply it moving forward?

Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.

You don’t need a title to lead when the situation calls for it. You may have witnessed bullying in the workplace or noticed that your colleague was unusually behind and inundated with work so you stayed behind to help them get up to speed without being asked.

Coaching and helping colleagues, stepping in when some needs help or stepping up when something is not right are all excellent examples of leadership. 

Give me an example of what stress looks like in your current role and the tools you use to manage it?

Everyone can discuss stress in the workplace. What is important is how you manage it. Do you create it, do you react to it, or are you able to deal with it and get support if needed to meet the demands of your job? 

How do you prioritise in your current role?

How do you manage your time and organise your work day? Highlight how you communicate with teammates, your ability to delegate, balance your work with personal time and your approach o handling changes in your deadlines or assignments.

You may want to provide examples of how you plan out your daily schedule and set deadlines for urgent and essential tasks. Show how you can accommodate shifting priorities. Talk through how you plan for medium term activities and set expectations for delivery. 

Why do you want to leave your job?

At this stage, you might be feeling quite comfortable and that you’re getting along quite well. And thus, this might be a good point to remind yourself the interviewer is not your friend and whilst there may be reasons why you’d like to vent right now, hold it for a real friend.

Luckily for you, there are many ways to explain why you may wish to move in a positive light. Think of the reasons pulling you into the next job, not pushing you away from the current situation. Here are some;

• I will learn more in this role.
• I’m ready for more responsibilities.
• I’ve been in the role for a while, and I’ve spoken to my boss about moving into different positions, but business isn’t expanding, no one is moving, and thus I need to look externally to grow. 

You may want to structure your answer around the opportunity in question. The job was brought to my attention, or I noticed it, and it stood out to me for the following reasons.

What do you least like in your current role?

What are the things you don’t like to do in your current role, and does that affect your overall ability to get the job done?  Do you leave the task to the last minute? Do you delegate or complete it because you have to? If you reflect and see things you should address, fix them before moving into another role. 

What you disclose or how much you disclose is your choice in this answer but admitting challenges and talking to what you do well makes you all the more believable and human. If there are learnings that you can take from your newly gained self-awareness, include that in your answer. 

What do you like most about your current role and why? 

What does your current job have in common with the potential new role? These might be things you chose to like.

To get a more significant win with this question, if you know that the team is weak in an area that you have previous experience with, take this as your opportunity to show the extra value you’d bring into the role. 

What motivates you? 

Think about the last time you were enthusiastic at work and why and what results you get when working with motivation.

From the interviewer's point of view, they want the new employee to be successful and want to know what you value and how they can offer it. 

Obviously, don’t provide an example that you know the potential new employer cannot offer.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

The interviewer wants to know if you have a career plan that gives you direction. If this role helps you build skills for your future, then the move makes sense to them. It demonstrates your reason to come to work and shows you have a purpose. 

How would the people you work with describe you?

Keep in mind that if you are successful, you’d like to use someone in your workplace, IE your boss, to be a referee, so step into their shoes and take an objective look at yourself. You’ve put yourself forward to this job because you believe you are ready, and the people you work with should also recognise that. 

Tell me about yourself outside of work?

This question is an opportunity to give a little of yourself and hopefully leave an impression on the interviewer.

What are you passionate about?

Not everyone has a passion, particularly when it comes to work, but if you’ve been asked the question, you must have an answer. The answer can align directly with the type of work you’d be doing in that role. 

You may also want to discuss something outside of work. Bonus points if you can “take it one step further and connect how your passion would make you an excellent candidate for the role you are applying for,” but it may just show you as a more rounded person and thus well suited for the job. 

What Motivates You?

The interviewer is hoping to hear that you’re excited about this role at this company and that you’ll be motivated to succeed if they pick you. What made you apply for this role is usually a good start.

Describe the best manager you’ve had?

Are you the right fit? Both from the company’s perspective and your own. Think back on what worked well for you in the past and describe the relationship and why it worked well. How did it help you succeed and grow?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I doubt you’ll be asked the question in the boring format I’ve provided. The interviewer wants to know where your headed and does this role make sense in that plan. 

You can be general about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (e.g., this interview isn't the first time you’re considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. 

How do you plan on achieving your goals?

Having goals shows interviewers a career is essential to you, are ambitious and have a direction. Having a plan for how you’ll achieve your goals demonstrates your self-motivation. Discuss goals you've already completed to indicate your answer are not merely words but real goals you will succeed.

Are you interviewing elsewhere?

The interviewer may ask you who else you’re interviewing with for a few reasons; they want to see how serious you are about this role and team (or even this field), or they’re trying to find out if they have competition. The only way to answer this question is truthful, don’t make up other interviews if they are not going to happen. You never know who knows who?

What Are Your Salary Expectations?

You may be asked this question at any stage of the interview, and whilst this may be a topic you’d rather avoid if asked, you must answer. When you give a figure, be prepared to justify it. Saying you are open is just not true.

• Give a salary range: Keep the bottom of your stated range toward the mid-to-high point of what you want.
• Ask the question back to the interviewer: “That's a great question—it would be helpful if you could share what the range is for this job,” 

What do you think we could do better?

If you feel you can offer something in your answer, do so; otherwise, defer saying you’d like time in the company before providing any ideas you may have.

When can you start?

Honesty, as always, is the only way you should answer this question. Do you need time off before starting a new role? Can you get out of your notice period earlier? Ask the question back to the interviewer and see if you can work in with what they need.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

This question is an opportunity to summarise your strengths, add anything you haven’t been able to cover in the meeting so far and close your case as to why you’re a good fit. 

Do you have questions for me?

You're in the interview to discover if this is the best move for you, just as the company finds out if you are the best person for them. The interview is your time to ask questions and ask you should. A job spec gives away only so much. Build your questions on the business, the team, what they think are the necessary skills needed for success in the role?  Why do they like working here? Where do they see their career going in the company?

Thats ur list of common interview questions. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your interview process in more detail please contact a consultant today.