My Interviews Flashcards
What I’m saying is that…
I’m sorry, would you mind repeating that again?
Could you go into a little more detail?
Could you please tell me what you mean by…?
Can you expand on that?
So, to summarise
Tell me about yourself
I’ve been working as a junior chef at a small Italian restaurant for 2 years and my duties included assisting the head chef and preparing salads. I have always been interested in food and cooking which was why I chose to follow this career path.
What are your strengths?
make sure you do your research as to what kind of person suits this job
To be a team-player – to work well with others. I consider myself to be a team-player. I like to work with other people and I find that it’s much easier to achieve something when everyone works together and communicates well.
To be ambitious – to have goals. I’m ambitious. I have always set myself goals and it motivates me to work hard. I have achieved my goals so far with my training, education and work experience and now I am looking for ways to improve myself and grow.
To have a good work ethic (V)
To work hard, follow the rules and respect your duties of the job.
Focused (Adj) To concentrate well
Problem-solver (N) Can find answers to problems easily
Confident (adj) Not shy
Why do you think we should hire you?
Why do you think you’re the best person for this job?
What can you offer us?
What makes you a good fit for our company?
What are your weaknesses?
they’re checking for here is how you try to fix your weaknesses and they also want to know how self-aware (how much you know about yourself) you are.
I sometimes am slower in completing my tasks compared to others because I really want to get things right. I will double or sometimes triple-check documents and files to make sure everything is accurate (correct).
I have created a time-management system, which allows me to list all my duties and organize my deadlines so I have a clearer idea of what I need to do.
Why did you leave your last job?
I’m looking for new challenges.
I feel I wasn’t able to show my talents.
I’m looking for a job that suits my qualifications.
I’m looking for a job where I can grow with the company.
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Be careful what you say here, you need to be ambitious, but NOT too ambitious as those interviewing you may see you as a threat (competition).
Become a team leader
Improved my skills
What kind of salary do you expect?
Be confident and name your price without selling yourself too short (going for less) or going too high. This is their way of checking if you know the industry and if you’re aware of your own skills.
Do you have any questions for me/us?
Do you have any examples of projects that I would be working on if I were to be offered the job?
What is the typical day for this position (job)? Find out what kind of duties are involved and what kind of things you would be expected to do on a day-to-day basis.
Research the company
Researching the company you are interviewing with is a great way to stand out from other applicants. It proves that you are already committed to its aims and values, and are serious about spending your future there.
Stalk the company online: its website, customer reviews, social media channels, and any news stories connected to it. Make a special point of researching your interviewer — you might find that you share something in common with them
Sprinkling some facts about the business into the conversation will show that you have prepared thoroughly and would make a dedicated employee.
Why are you interested in this role?
I thought this position would be perfect for me because I have experience of acting as an Assistant Manager at another hotel from my graduate scheme, and really enjoyed it. Gaining a permanent contract as an Assistant Manager would be an ideal next step for me. I also noticed that you offer further training opportunities, which is something I would be interested in. I am ambitious so I was really excited to see that there is a clear path to progression within this company.
What skills do you have that will make you great at this job?
think I would be an asset to the company because I am a really good manager of people. At college, I wrote my thesis on “The Psychology of Leadership,” and I put it into practice in my career to great effect. When working at the Four Seasons, I was responsible for a pool of hosts and reception staff. In an anonymous survey, almost all of them said that they would feel comfortable coming to me if they had problems at work.
Try to revise a short paragraph about:
Your biggest career success so far
Your biggest career failure so far
A time when you made working life easier for your team
A time when you made a positive impact
A time when you made a mistake but cleared it up
A time when you kept working under pressure
A time when you disagreed with your boss
Draw attention to your education and qualifications, or any formal training you may have received:
I got a diploma in…. and then went on to study…
I did a Management course in 2018 and this helped me to…
I am a qualified…
I have an IELTS certificate…
Focus on your work experience and your career so far:
I worked for (company name) as a (job role)…
I worked in (sector) for (period of time)…
I was responsible for…
I have worked for several companies including….
I have …….years’ experience in…
Describe your best features and what motivates you
I am hardworking/ organised/decisive/patient/easy going/a team player/committed/focused/ methodical.
I am self-motivated.
I’m good at problem-solving.
