My Interview

1. My Interview The answers!

2. Question 1Why do you want this job? The purpose of this type of interview question is to find out what you know about the job and why you have applied. The best answer is (b) because it demonstrates an understanding of the job and the skills required. Top answer: (b) I've researched the job and found that my skills and interests really fit. I'm good at planning and organising, have great attention to detail and would like to learn new skills. I think I'd be a great match for your company.

3. Question 2What are you looking for in a job? The purpose of this type of interview question is to understand your motivation for applying for the role. The best answer is(d) because it shows what you can bring to the organisation and helps the employer understand what you think your skills are. Top answer: (d) I'm looking for a job where I can work as part of a team and learn from others. And I'll be happy that I've pushed myself to do something new.

4. Question 3What would you say your strengths are? The purpose of this type of interview question is to understand what you think your strengths are and how they fit with the job. The best answer is either (a) or (d) because they both demonstrate an understanding of strengths and how to use them. Top answer: (a) I'm good at organising things. I work weekends and I have to plan my homework for the week ahead so that I've got time to do the other things I like. I never leave anything to the last minute. Top answer: (d) I'm very good at coming up with new ideas. I'm on the eco committee at school and I suggested we get recycling bins. The school took up that idea and people used them.

5. Question 4What skills and personal qualities have you brought to the teams you've been part of? Employers will often ask about your skills and personal qualities as these are important aspects of teamwork. The best answer is (a) because the answer uses a practical example to demonstrate what your skills are how you put them to use. Top answer: (a) Well, I like to know that I'm pulling my weight and don’t like to be lazy. At home I help my mum with my brothers and sisters whenever I can as I'm a bit older. I get their breakfast and make sure they're ready for school when she's working. I like helping out like that.

6. Question 5What does good teamwork mean to you? This teamwork question checks your understanding of what makes a good team work well together. The best answer is (b) because it draws on a real life example that demonstrates you recognise good teamwork. Top answer: (b) Good teamwork means working together to get the best result. In the school play everyone involved played an important role, whether they were acting, in the chorus or working behind the scenes. We all pulled together to make the show a success.

7. Question 6Describe a time when you felt you worked well as part of a team. This teamwork question is designed to help an employer understand how well you can work in a team. The best answer is (c) because it demonstrates the role you played in a team and how you worked with others to get a positive result. Top answer: (c) I was part of an editorial team putting together a new school magazine. I worked with the people who wrote the stories to make sure that the photos I took tied in with the theme. The magazine sold well at the school fair and we raised money for school funds.

8. Question 7How do you deal with conflict or criticism? This question looks at how you communicate in difficult situations. The top answer is (d) because it demonstrates what pratical steps you would take to keep communication channels open and gain agreement. Top answer: (d) I think it's important to stay calm and listen to what people are saying. There can be times when they might be right, so you have to be open to that. I think it's best to just talk things through and see if you can come to an agreement.

9. Question 8Tell me about a time when you felt you communicated well? In this question the interviewer is looking for an example that shows you understand how to communicate well. The best answer is (c) because it describes a time when you communicated a message clearly. Top answer: (c) In the school film club, we had to choose a film. I talked about my favourite and described why I liked it. The rest of the film club chose to watch my film because of what I said. Everyone enjoyed it and it scored best out of all the films we watched that month.

10. Question 9Have you ever had to communicate information to a group of people and felt afterwards that you could have done it better? The best approach for a question like this is to choose a good example that lets you demonstrate what you've learned and how you've improved. The best answer is (b) because it explains the situation and the steps you put in place to avoid this happening again. Top answer: (b) Last year I was helping to show new pupils and their parents around the school. I knew exactly what I was talking about because that's been my school for years, but I got really nervous and didn't explain things well. If I was doing it again I'd practice more, and try to keep calm.

11. Question 10Describe a time you've solved a difficult problem. This is a common interview question about problem solving. The best answer is (a) because it explains the situation, what you did and how you achieved a good outcome. Top answer: (a) A customer was really upset about a faulty product and they were shouting at me and demanding to talk to the manager. I managed to calm them down, then talked to my supervisor to arrange a replacement. The customer left happy.

12. Question 11Describe a time when you organised something and it didn't go to plan. How did you overcome the difficulties? When answering a question like this, think about how you've used your skills to anticipate and overcome problems. The best answer is (d) because it demonstrates initiative to solve a simple problem and achieve a good outcome. Top answer: (d) I was organising a sponsored cycle. I knew from a previous event that a few people would get punctures so I arranged for help stations along the route where people could get their bike repaired. We raised money for the charity and everyone got to the end safely. I was asked to organise another event next year.

13. Question 12Describe a time when you needed help with something. What did you do? Recognising when to ask for, and accept, help when it's offered can be an important part of solving problems. The best answer is (d) because it shows that you are aware of the situation and are willing to take steps to make things better. Top answer: (d) I was really struggling with Chemistry at school as I couldn't understand the formulas. The teacher suggested I go for assisted learning after school. Getting more practice really helped and at the end of the year I passed the exam which I was really pleased about.

14. Question 13What has been your greatest achievement? This question gives you the chance to talk about your achievements and in doing so, demonstrate your personal qualities. Achievements vary from person to person so answers (a),(c) and (d) are all good responses. Top answer (a) I won an award for volunteering at the youth club, we arranged bands and sports people to come in and talk to us. It was fun and helped us to find out more about these things. Top answer: (c) I think I'd have to say that it was when I was chosen to go on a school trip to the National Gallery, Im really interested in art, and it was great to get to go. It's made me realise I really want to work in the arts - ideally with your company. Top answer (d) The thing I'm proudest of is learning to swim. I was really scared of the water but a few years ago I decided I needed to learn so I went to lessons. It was a bit embarrassing but I managed to do it and now I can swim in the pool when we're on holiday and not just paddle in the shallow end.

15. Question 14What makes you the best person for this job? This question gives you a chance to put yourself forward as the best candidate for the job. The best answer is (a) because it shows that you've considered how your skills match to the job and why you would be good for the company. Top answer: (a) I'd like to think I've shown you I've got the skills and experience required for this job. I'm good at communicating and working in teams. I'm good at solving problems, I'm flexible and enjoy learning new things. From what I know and what you've told me about the job, I think I'd be an asset to your company.

16. Question 15What motivates you to do a good job? This question has no wrong answer but you should think carefully about what's most appropriate for the job. Discussing money as a motivating factor may be appropriate in a sales role but in a service environment it might be better to talk about how you enjoy helping others.

17. Question 15What motivates you to do a good job? This question has no wrong answer but you should think carefully about what's most appropriate for the job. Discussing money as a motivating factor may be appropriate in a sales role but in a service environment it might be better to talk about how you enjoy helping others.

18. Question 15What motivates you to do a good job? This question has no wrong answer but you should think carefully about what's most appropriate for the job. Discussing money as a motivating factor may be appropriate in a sales role but in a service environment it might be better to talk about how you enjoy helping others.

19. Use the STAR technique to structure your answers in the interview – Situation, Task, Actions and Results Think of a situation where you applied the competency in question. Explain what the tasks were that needed doing. Describe the actions you took to fulfil those tasks. Highlight the results that were achieved.