Typical competency questions

In an interview you must be ready to answer common questions such as the following.  You will need to talk around situations and outcomes, how you achieved results.  Failures you experienced and what the lessons learnt from them was.  If you have stated on your CV that you grew business or spearheaded a project then be prepared to be challenged, your interviewer is digging to find out if these were all your own actions or those of others, was it a team effort which generated the result or all your hard work.  You must have facts and figures ready to trip off your tongue, without them you will fail. 

Here are some typical questions which arise in interview:

Tell me about yourself.

Describe your dream job to me – if you could create it.

Why did you leave your last position, or why are you leaving your current position?

What do you know about this company?

What are your goals?

What makes you effective?

How do you perceive yourself?

What do you think are out industry’s latest crazes, trends and must haves?

Tell me about a time something you were working on failed.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses – what weaknesses have you overcome?

Why do you want to work here?

What have been your most significant achievements in your current or last role?

Which of your managers in the past few years has got the best results and most value out of you and why?

How do you keep your team focused?

What things about your last role gave you the most job satisfaction?

In what areas would you like to further develop yourself?

Have you ever had to fire someone for poor performance? How did you manage the situation?

What types of decisions are the most difficult for you to make? Why?

How do you influence and sell co-workers or decision makers?

How do you communicate across the whole business?

Describe the biggest change you’ve ever dealt with. How did you adapt?

What do you think your colleagues would say about you?

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Why should we hire you?

What are your salary expectations?

If you feel you could benefit from having an Interview Prep session to cover off an informal or more in depth interview, or an Excel test just to ensure you are confident with showing your ability to use pivots and vlookups, Shorey Consulting Ltd is able to offer these services in either 30 or 60 minute sessions – contact us to find out more