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Interview, Questions & Answers

Understanding the underlying context and intent behind common interview questions and providing well-thought-out answers to impress the interviewer and increase the chances of getting the job offer.

Asking and answering interview questions are vital in the job application process. It allows employers to evaluate a candidate’s qualifications, and it enables candidates to showcase their skills and enthusiasm for the role.

Preparing for interview questions is crucial as it helps candidates articulate their responses effectively, boosts their confidence, and increases their chances of success.

Overall, it’s essential to ask and answer interview questions and prepare for them to ace the job interview and secure the desired position.

Examples of commonly asked interview questions

Questions about the yourself

  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • How would you best describe yourself?
  • What skills have you developed from any work experience or previous employment?

Think about any positive feedback you’ve received and how your friends, family, and colleagues would describe you. Then practice explaining how they are relevant to the job role.

Questions about the job

  • What do you think the main tasks and responsibilities will be?
  • Are there any aspects of the job description that you’re not sure about?
  • Which parts of the job do you think will be most enjoyable/challenging for you?

Read the job description and pick out different tasks and skills that you think are a good match. Re-read it and identify anything you don’t understand and do some research. Look online for any apprentice case studies that the company has published to gain some insight into what the role is like.

Questions about the employer

  • What research have you conducted about our company?
  • Why do you want to work here?
  • What do you know about our products or services?


You don’t need to know everything about the company but showing an interest and making an effort to know the main products or services is important. Start by looking at the employer’s website, reading their latest news and following them on social media.

Questions you may be asked at an Interview

Before attending an interview, you should think about how to respond to the following questions. Your answers may depend on the job or company in question, so you should go through your responses just before each interview.

Q. Why do you want this position?

A. Think carefully about this question. Talk about the positive aspects which have attracted you to apply for this position. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job or the job in question.

Q. Why do you want to work for this company?

A. Emphasise the positive reasons why you want to join their company but avoid aspects such as more money or shorter hours.

Q. Why should we employ you?

A. The answer to this question will be based on your previous experience and achievements which relate to the company. In the end, you could add that you think there is a good fit between you and the job and do ask the interviewer for their opinion.

Q. What are your career goals?

A. Link your goals with the company that is interviewing you.

Q. What qualities do you think are needed for this job?

A. Their advertisement for the job may help you a little bit, but you should also think of the other qualities that may be required. These may include leadership ability, supervisory skills, communication skills, people skills, problem-solving, analytical skills, etc.

Q. Why do you want this position?

A. Think carefully about this question. Talk about the positive aspects which have attracted you to apply for this position. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job or the job in question.

Q. What was your greatest success? How did you achieve it?

A. You should pick an achievement that is related to their needs (see the previous question).

Q. What can you contribute?

A. This is your chance to shine. Tell them about your achievements in your previous position(s) which are relevant to the new position you are applying for.

Q. What interests you about our products (or service)?

A. Again, your research into the company should aid you in answering this question.

Q. What do you know about this company?

A. This is your chance to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of their company. Give them a rundown of their products or services, sales figures, news, company figures, customers, etc.

Q. Why do you want this position?

A. Think carefully about this question. Talk about the positive aspects which have attracted you to apply for this position. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job or the job in question.

Q. How would you describe yourself? (OR... How would others describe you?)

A. Pick your best attributes and achievements from your career, education, outside interests, etc.

Q. What motivates you?

A. Our suggestions are career growth, opportunity to gain new skills, good co-workers, etc.

Q. Q. Do you work well with others?

A. With some jobs you must collaborate very closely with other people whilst other jobs mean that you are working on your own, so you need to say that you are happy in both situations.