When preparing for an interview, it’s a good idea to run through any potential questions you may be asked. No two interviews will follow the same script, but there are some questions that come up time and time again.
Don’t over-rehearse your answers as there’s not much point in being line perfect – the questions won’t be.
At minimum, it’s essential to prepare your response to the interviewer asking you to talk about yourself. It’s more likely than not that this will be the first question they ask, so form a strong answer to start your interview off on the right foot.
- What do you know about us?
- Tell me about yourself?
- What are your strong points?
- What are your weak points? (Make it something non-work related)
- If we were to talk to your boss/ colleagues about you, what would they say?
- What did you learn in your last job?
- What makes you think you can do this job?
- What did you do well in your previous job?
- What were the major problems in your last job?
- What areas of development do you think you may need for this position?
- What would you do if (situation) occurred?
- Give an example of (ability, achievements, or skills required)
- If asked to carry out instructions, which you disagreed with, what would you do?
- How do you prioritise?
- Which is more important to you – Salary or job satisfaction?
- Tell me about the achievement that you are most proud of?
- If I were to offer you the position, would you accept it?
- What do you know about our organisation and the vacancy?
- Where do you aim to be in 3 year’s time? (and 5/10 years)
- Why did you choose accountancy/ financial services as a career?
- What have been your major achievements in your education/ career/ life to date?
- How ambitious are you and what are your ambitions?
- What motivates you?
- Why are you looking to leave your current employer/change your job?
- Why are you interested in our firm?
- What is your perception of our firm?
- When was your last pay review – how much was it – when is your next review?
- What attributes would you bring to this firm?
- Give an example of using your initiative in your career?
- How do you spend your spare time?
Whilst preparing your answers is an essential part of interview preparation, it’s equally as important to prepare some questions to ask too. Even if you’ve exhausted most lines of enquiry throughout an interview, there’s always more to be asked!
Questions you may want to ask include:
- What are the firm’s plans (in the short/ medium/ long term)?
- Why has this position become available?
- What are the major challenges ahead for the firm?
- How is my career likely to progress?
- Subject to my performance, how quickly could I expect to progress?
- What does the firm provide in the way of training and career development?
- What is the structure of the team?
- Who would I be reporting to on a daily basis?
- Is there any emphasis on the work I would be doing?
- What is the nature of your client base?
- What is the next stage (in the interview process)?
- When can I expect to hear from you?
For more advice or to send us your CV get in touch with our friendly team.