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 - February 2025

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In our latest LinkedIn poll, we explored what professionals believe is the key to building a resilient career in today's ever-changing job market. The results highlight significant trends and preferences that are shaping the ways individuals approach their professional growth and stability. Dominating the responses, 'Flexibility/Adaptability' was identified by an impressive 67% of participants as the most crucial factor. This overwhelming consensus underscores the importance of being able to pivot and adjust to new challenges, environments, and technologies. In a world where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt is invaluable and often seen as more critical than any specific skill. 'Continuous Learning' also received notable attention, garnering 25% of the vote. This reflects a recognition that ongoing education and skill development are essential for keeping pace with industry innovations and remaining competitive in the job market. Interestingly, 'Specialisation in Niche Areas' was seen as key by 8% of respondents, suggesting that while having a specialised skill set is beneficial, it may not be perceived as the most important factor compared to adaptability and continuous learning. 'Networking' received 0% of the vote, a surprising result that might indicate a shift in perception about the value of professional networks, or perhaps it reflects a belief that other skills outweigh networking in terms of importance for career resilience. Stay tuned on our LinkedIn channel on 1st March 2025 for our next poll.

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by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 7 February 2025

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