50 classic questions

Question 1

How would you / colleagues / family / friends / references describe you?

Answer 1

(Perception of self - seeing yourself as others do. Chose some adjectives; no need to back up with examples.)

• Helpful, easy-going, good at getting things done while overcoming any problems.
• Versatile - strengths in different areas (practically, numerically, academically).

Question 2

In what ways are you a team player?

Answer 2

(Communication, recognise / understand viewpoints of others, appreciate the contribution of others.)

• Enjoy helping others to overcome a problem or understand how to do something.
• Don’t like to let others down or be the one to slow the process down.

Question 3

Do you prefer working on your own or as part of a team?

Answer 3

• Enjoy accomplishing something as part of a team and feeling part of something. (Support, mutual goals and problems to overcome).
• Work well when set an individual task too. (Focused once given a task to do).

Question 4

Define teamwork.

Answer 4

• Working towards a common goal, which involves collaboration and individual efforts combining.

Question 5

Tell me about a team you worked in and the role you played.

Answer 5

• Checker in DSAR. Finding errors and helping others avoid mistakes. Collaborating with other checkers, giving feedback to managers.
• Training others in my role and the role of those processing requests.

Question 6

What makes a perfect team?

Answer 6

• Range of skills and personalities working in various roles to their particular strengths, collaborating and helping each other out.

Question 7

Do you work well on your own initiative?

Answer 7

(Manage own workload without constant supervision. Choose example from current / previous job that matches requirements. DON’T say ‘prefer to work alone.’)

• Working to targets without needing much input from supervisors.
• Managing degree with minimal tutor contact.

Question 8

What techniques do you use to get things done?

Answer 8

(Working style - how do you plan / organise; systems / tools to manage workload and get things done, which clearly work for you.)

• ‘To Do’ lists with priorities and deadlines.
• Job sheets
• Calendar with overview of deadlines
• Breakdown tasks into smaller, manageable tasks.

Question 9

What motivates you?

Answer 9

(‘What would we need to do to motivate you?’, ‘Would you be sufficiently motivated to do this job?’)

• Satisfaction in meeting targets and completing work to a good standard.
• Challenges in learning new skills and tasks.

Question 10

Are you proactive?

Answer 10

(Taking initiative. Acting in advance of a situation.)

Need example - circumstances and benefits of action.

Question 11

Are you creative / innovative?

Answer 11

(Example of lateral thinking / inventing a new way of handling something.)

Question 12

Are you a risk taker?

Answer 12

(Attitude to risk; ability to take calculated risks; assessing risks.)

Question 13

How do you handle pressure / stress? Example of being under pressure. Do you thrive under pressure? Coping with conflicting demands on your time. Causes of stress at work?

Answer 13

(Recognise pressure and stress are facts of life. Understand effects of pressure and stress on you, and that you’re robust enough to handle them.)

• Assignment deadlines while making sure customers work is ready when expected.
• Helps me thrive and get things done - channels energy.
• Working to targets when some take longer than usual - concentrates the mind on increasing performance.
• Short breaks help recharge before getting back to it.

Question 14

Can you tell me about a time you have failed to achieve a goal? Biggest failure in career. Failed to meet deadline.

Answer 14

(Gauge reaction to failure - dealing with adversity. Avoid too major failure and subtly blame on factor beyond your control)

• Customer eager to have a lot done in a short time - worked hard to have work done in not much longer than agreed. Careful to allow extra time than though needed - under-promise, over-deliver.
• Halifax example?

Question 15

Worst mistake made at work and how did you deal with it?

Answer 15

(Demonstration of how you reacted to error and steps to resolve it. Go back some time; don’t come across as not being able to admit to mistakes.)

Question 16

How would you handle the following scenario? …….

Answer 16

Identify expectations under the circumstances; highlight skills and techniques to deal with it. Eg. ability to prioritise.

Question 17

Can you tell me about a major project you have successfully completed / managed?

Answer 17

(Ability to successfully complete a project and the key skills that contribute.)

• Computing project. System tailored for own business to manage jobs, priorities, payments and accounts. Analysed requirments and prioritised these. Breaking down into smaller tasks, analysing risks.

Question 18

Tell me about a major problem at work you’ve had to deal with.

Answer 18

(Interested in how dealt with and the outcome. Employers want staff to deliver solutions. Try to avoid problems you or a colleague caused, or where a member of staff was a problem. Best if it was beyond the control of the organisation. Highlight problem-solving abilities relevant to the job.)

• Eg. DSAR - many not aware of missing bank charges under a different sort-code - made people aware of the issue.

Question 19

We have a problem with x. How would you resolve that?

Answer 19

(Ask some questions to clarify the problem and buy some thinking time.)

Question 20

What do you do when you disagree with your line manager? (How would you express your disagreement?)

Answer 20

Politely express own opinions with reasons, but accept decisions. Some managers appreciate input.

Question 21

Can you give me an example of when you successfully coached a member of your team?

Answer 21

• DSAR checker - pointing out errors and explaining, if needed, how to avoid the same mistake.
  Reducing people’s error rate (seeing improvement in individuals work).
• New starters - training from scratch, giving tips based on my own experience.
• Went on my own to another site to train up a small team.

Question 22

What is your customer service philosophy? Tell me about how you dealt with a difficult customer.

Answer 22

(Can show you exceed expectations.)

• I am used to answering help-desk calls; find it satisfying to leave the customer pleased, and solve any problems (especially if they weren’t expecting it).
• Be calm with a difficult customer and try to treat them the same, accepting that it is not personal.
• Aim to deal with the issue or make sure it is passed on to the right person.
• Modelyard example?

Question 23

What does your job involve on a day-to-day basis?

Answer 23

(Skip detail and focus on what is really important - what job is really about that matches requirements. Portray responsibilities.)

• Managing workload, planning ahead - ordering parts, who is doing what, testing, problem solving, resolving any issues a customer might have.

Question 24

What contributions do you make to the department where you work?

Answer 24

DSAR - reducing errors that lead to customer dissatisfaction and increased workload.
Meeting targets - avoiding complaints and fines.

Question 25

What changes have you made to your current job since you started?

Answer 25

(Initiative, drive, enthusiasm.)

Modelyard - responding to advert to be agents, advertising new lines of work.

Question 26

What have you learned in your last job?

Answer 26

(Examples that help meet requirements, without spelling it out.)

• Organisation - managing workloads and priorities
• Specific DSAR examples

Question 27

Can you tell me about your last appraisal?

Answer 27

• Can’t remember specifics but routinely received positive feedback; and was asked to apply for a permanent position.

Question 28

How would you describe your current boss or your relationship with them?

Answer 28

(Perception of authority and how you handle it. Don’t suggest any problems with authority.
Reasonably complimentary and portray positive working relationship.)

• DSAR - liked and respected boss; spoke to us as equals.

Question 29

Why did you leave previous job?

Answer 29

(Ever been fired or made redundant?)

• Degree - always wanted to do, and give future opportunities.
• Otherwise content (at DSAR) and considered applying for permanent position.
• Always left jobs of my own choice.

Question 30

Which of your jobs were best? Dream job?

Answer 30

(Identify things enjoyed to show suitable for this job.)

• DSAR - working in a team, target driven - always plenty to do; contact with colleagues and customers.

Question 31

Why is there a gap in your CV?

Answer 31

(Emphasise how degree adds value to application.)

Question 32

Why us?

Answer 32

• Explanation of why this organisation appeals.

Question 33

What do you know about the role applied for? What appeals about this vacancy?

Answer 33

(Understand / appreciate what the role involves.)

• Demonstration of understanding (and preempt the question ‘How do your skills and experience match the job description.’)

Question 34

How do your skills and experience match the job description?

Answer 34

(Primary goal of interviewer to answer this - may lead toward this with other questions. Will reveal how you perceive the job.
Not too much detail - select a few issues and talk about them briefly in terms of employers needs.)

• Wide range of administration tasks
• Working to targets in similar environments
• MS Office, including letter writing (some freestyle) and spreadsheets
• Making and receiving calls with customers and staff
• Verbal feedback to colleagues
• Checking role - attention to detail; high accuracy in my own checked work
• Used to working in banking with a wide variety of software systems
• Dealt with complaints received via the Information Commissioner

Question 35

What appeals to you most about this vacancy?

Answer 35

(Sufficiently different than ‘Why have you applied for this vacancy?’ - what matters to you the most?)

• Identify an aspect so you can show you meet the organisation’s needs (rather than emphasising own needs.
• Eg. Team environment and target-driven - motivator when plenty to get done.

Question 36

Why have you chosen this line of work?

Answer 36

(Is this the right choice for you? How does the answer apply to the job requirements?
Show interest in line of work - not random. Specific examples of relevant skills and abilities.)

• Familiarity and success in similar roles - I can get up to speed quickly and be comfortable in the environment.

Question 37

Are there any other organisations to which you are applying?

Answer 37

(Gauging how important this application is - competing demand. Discerning or desperate.)

• Don’t be too specific and emphasise this is the vacancy of preference
• This one most appropriate for my skills and experience

Question 38

How does this job compare to others you’re applying for?

Answer 38

(How motivated to get this position over others.)

• Don’t give the impression this job is your only choice. Focus on what attracts you to this job.

Question 39

Can you describe your ideal employer to me? Which employers were best?

Answer 39

(How closely is this organisation matched to the given profile?)

• Description should match the organisation applied to
• Identify what you like best about the prospective employer and build around this. (Recycle some of ‘Why do you want to work for this organisation?’)
• Contracting - no fixed career plans; would enjoy chance to start different contracts down the line.

Question 40

What sort of person would you most like to work for? Best boss? How should you be managed?

Answer 40

(How well you fit in with manager.)

• Broad answer that doesn’t exclude too many people
• Hint what you’re like to work with - positive impression and that you’d like to work with someone like yourself
• Someone like me that likes getting things done
• Approachable, supportive and gives the right level of input, allowing you to work on your own initiative where possible

Question 41

In what way is your degree relevant to the job?

Answer 41

(What the course involved and how the skills and experience gained will be of use.
Transferable skills and how the course has helped you to develop.)

• Time management and disipline
• IT and numerical skills
• Accuracy, report writing, use of MS Word

Question 42

What have you learned and how have you developed over the last year / 5 years?

Answer 42

(Learned in previous roles.)

• Examples directly relevant to role

Discipline, organisation

Question 43

What sports are you / have you been involved with?

Answer 43

(Evidence you are fit and active.)

• Walking, cycling - energy, thinking time, unwind

Question 44

Do you know the current news headlines?

Answer 44

(Give opinion on current news story.)

Question 45

How quickly can you adapt to a new work environment?

Answer 45

(Are you prepared for the upheaval in changing jobs.)

• Convey you are able to adapt to new circumstances and why - back up statement
• Refer to previous job / degree
• DSAR - settled in within a few days and got on with the job. Picked up new systems and working practices quickly.

Degree - quickly got used to the routine of studying daily, often in the evening.

Question 46

Would it be a problem if we asked you to work evenings and weekends / overtime?

Answer 46

(Flexibility to accommodate their needs to your detriment.)

• Used to studying / working evenings and weekends, and fitting other activities in various times.

Question 47

What is your current salary?

Answer 47

(Get up to date with job sheets for an estimate.)

Question 48

When would you be able to start?

Answer 48

• Available to start at short notice.

Question 49

References?

Answer 49

Need to suggest some suitable references.

Question 50

Capita - Chance to tell us about some of the things you have accomplished in your working life and how you went about achieving them.

Answer 50

(Know CV and job history well.)

Question 51

Do you want to ask us anything?

Answer 51

(Have some questions prepared)

• Chance of ongoing extensions / new contracts.