The Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Many people dread interviews, you know you would be perfect for the role given the chance but first you have to get through the dreaded interview questions. Will you be able to answer them? Will your mind go blank?

Whilst recruiters will take into account genuine nerves, it will help if you prepare yourself as much as possible beforehand. We have put together some of the most common interview questions and how to answer them.

“Tell us about yourself”

You would think that talking about yourself is easy and that’s why many interviewees fail to prepare an answer for it. Instead of trying to tell the interviewer about yourself on the spot, always prepare for this question and rehearse it if you need to. Prepare a short statement about yourself, highlighting some of your skills, qualifications and experience along with some interesting things about yourself. This doesn’t have to be too personal, ultimately, you are explaining why you are a good fit for the role.

“Tell us about a challenge or conflict at work you have dealt with”

The interviewer isn’t trying to catch you out here and as much as we might dread this question, it’s actually an excellent way to see how a potential candidate ticks and how well they will fit into the role. Take a moment to relax, take a breath and think about a time you can describe. Avoid spending too much time detailing the challenge or conflict but focus more on how you overcame it and what the resolution was for a more positive spin on this question.

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

This one can be a tough question depending on whether you are looking for a short term job or a long term one where you can achieve growth. If you are interviewing for your dream company with plenty of room for career advancement, be honest and tell the them where you see the role taking you in the future. If you are looking for a shorter term job or aren’t sure what you want to do in the future, also be honest and tell the interviewer that you aren’t sure what the future holds for your career but you are more than ready to take on a challenge and believe this role will play a big part in that.

“Where did you hear about us and why do you want to work for our company?”

This is your opportunity to stand out! Be honest and tell them where you first heard about the vacancy, use the opportunity to tell them you were excited when you heard they were hiring. For the second part of this question, do your research into the company beforehand and note anything that you are excited about or something that stands out to you and prepare how you can focus on this aspect and talk about it in depth. Imagine how you envisage yourself growing with the organisation. If nothing stands out to you and you are just turning up at interview for the sake of getting a job, unfortunately this will be obvious to the hiring manager.

We wish you the very best of luck with your future interviews and we hope this blog has helped you prepare. If you need further support with your job search, our friendly, professional team are on hand to help. Contact us here.

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LinkedIn Poll Results - January 2025

by Simon Clark • 17 January 2025

As we step into 2025, it's crucial for professionals and businesses to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Our first LinkedIn poll of the year asked industry leaders and professionals to identify what they believe will be the biggest challenge facing their industry this year. The responses shed light on the diverse obstacles different sectors anticipate as we navigate through 2025. The poll results revealed a clear concern, with 'Skilled Labour Shortage' leading as the predominant challenge, cited by 40% of respondents. This highlights an acute issue across industries: the struggle to find adequately skilled professionals. This shortage can hinder growth and innovation, emphasising the need for enhanced recruitment strategies and perhaps a greater focus on training and education within companies. Both 'Regulatory Changes' and 'Technological Advancements' were each seen as the biggest challenge by 20% of participants. These results indicate a landscape of rapid change, where staying compliant with new regulations and keeping pace with technological evolution are critical for maintaining competitive edges. Similarly, 'Economic Fluctuations' were also viewed by 20% as a significant challenge, reflecting concerns over market stability and the broader economic environment that can impact business operations and profitability. These insights are crucial as they highlight the multifaceted challenges industries face in 2025. For businesses, understanding these potential hurdles is the first step toward mitigating their impacts. It suggests a need for a proactive approach in workforce development, regulatory compliance, technology adoption, and economic resilience. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about the results from this month’s poll or maybe looking to recruit and expand your team in 2025, click here to get in touch.

Employers - What are the Top Red Flags on a CV?

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 2 January 2025

When reviewing CV’s, employers often encounter common red flags that can indicate potential issues with a candidate. Whilst no single red flag should automatically disqualify a job seeker, it’s important to pay attention to red flag patterns that could be a concern for you moving forwards. Here is a look at some of the most common red flags employers should watch out for when reviewing a CV. Unexplained Gaps in Employment Gaps in a candidate’s employment history can be a natural part of a career journey but if those gaps can’t be explained, that could cause a recruiter to look at the application more closely. Most gaps can be explained if the candidate has taken a career break to move into further education, travel or raise a family but it’s wise to ask for context from the potential employee for significant periods of inactivity. Frequent Job Changes Moving from job to job quickly can sometimes reflect ambition and a desire for new opportunities but too many job changes in a short space of time could also portray that the candidate shows instability or lack of commitment to their career and could be someone who isn’t going to stick around to grow within the company. Typos and Errors A CV is a candidate’s opportunity to create an excellent first impression and a CV full of spelling and grammatical errors can create doubt about their attention to detail. If a candidate can’t take the time to proofread their CV, it could be a sign that they might not put in much effort to their job responsibilities. Overuse of Buzzwords The overuse of buzzwords and generic terms such as ‘team player’ ‘dynamic’ or ‘passionate’ have become red flags. Whilst these words can be used genuinely, they often lack real substance unless the candidate has explained how they have demonstrated these qualities. If it looks like the candidate is just trying to fill space on their CV, they probably aren’t a good fit for your company. Lack of Quantifiable Achievements A CV that lists responsibilities without demonstrating how a candidate contributed to their previous employers success won’t add much value. Employers want to see results, so the candidates that highlight specific achievements or improvements that demonstrated their impact in previous roles is a winner. A Generic CV If a CV comes across as a generic one that could have been sent to a lot of employers without addressing the specific requirements of the role, this could show a lack of interest or effort on the candidate’s part. Tailoring a CV to highlight the most relevant skills and experience to the job posting shows that the candidate is serious, interested and committed. As an employer, reviewing CV’s carefully can save you time in the hiring process. Whilst one or two minor red flags might not be a reason to discount a candidate, larger patterns of inconsistencies or lack of professionalism shouldn’t be ignored. Keeping our tips in mind, you can make informed decisions and ultimately find the best person for the role. Are you struggling with finding the right candidates for your vacancies? Reach out to us today to learn how we can help streamline your hiring process and connect you with top talent.