Top 10 Interview Tips
Top 10 interview tips to succeed in your job interview. There are a number of steps you can take
to gain the advantage over other job candidates.
1. Find out about the company
You need to do some research on the company before your job interview.
Knowing about:
the company culture
the latest company news
the structure of the company
the department or team the successful job candidate will join
gives you a real advantage in the interview.
A candidate is expected to enter into a conversation with the interviewer, not just respond to
questions. Having information to hand about the company makes this possible.
Look at the company's website and use this company research checklist to get the right company
details before your job interview.
It is a good idea to expand your company research to other sources of information. The best
online resources for finding out company information are listed at preparing for job interviews
2. Go through your resume
Top 10 interview tips include reading through your resume carefully. Review your resume
together with the job posting and any job details that you have. Make a note of any areas of
concern that the interviewer may have.
Plan how to handle these concerns. If you have gaps in your employment history or a
complicated reason for leaving a company, think about how you will answer questions relating to
these issues. You can get help with dealing with these tricky interview questions at job interview
answers
Are there likely to be any concerns about whether your skills match the job requirements? One
way to overcome this problem is to focus on your transferable competencies and strengths. These
competencies can help compensate for a skills or knowledge gap. Find out about the core
competencies that are regarded as essential for success in most jobs.
3. Prepare for common job interview questions
Know which interview questions you can expect to be asked. Preparing appropriate responses
will ensure that you are confident and professional in your interview.
It is often difficult to formulate good answers when you are sitting in the interview hot seat.
Preparation and practice will help you manage this. Go through these top 10 interview questions
with sample answers.
4. Prepare for behavioral interview questions
Most companies now use a combination of traditional interview questions and behavioral
interview questions to assess a candidate's suitability.
A behavioral question will ask candidates to provide an example of when they have previously
used a skill, competency or behavior. The candidate is expected to describe the specific
experience clearly and concisely.
Top 10 interview tips highlight the importance of being well prepared for these type of
questions. It can be a real challenge to come up with good behavioral examples in the stressful
environment of a job interview.
The behavioral interview guide will help you to identify the type of behavioral questions you
may be asked and to prepare good behavioral interview answers.
5. Have a list of questions to ask
At some point in the interview you will be asked "Do you have any questions?" It is critical to
your success to be able to come up with a couple of insightful questions to ask the interviewer.
Job candidates who respond with "No, I think you have covered everything" are putting
themselves at a disadvantage.
The interviewer wants to know that the candidate has spent a reasonable amount of time thinking
about the job opportunity. By having a list of prepared questions to ask, you are demonstrating a
professional and proactive approach to your job interview.
Get help with preparing your questions at questions to ask the interviewer
6. Include supporting evidence
Impress the interviewer with evidence of your skills, experience and abilities.
Job references, character references, proof of qualifications and training and relevant work
samples can all provide valid support that you are the right person for the job. Take the originals
and copies of all the documents so that the interviewer can attach the copies to your job
application and resume if he or she wants.
At the very least include a job reference list that the company can use to get an employment or
personal reference on you.
7. Carry out a practice interview
Practice your job interview with a friend or family member ahead of time. This will make the
actual interview much easier. Preparation builds self confidence and self confidence leads to
success.
A mock interview will give you the opportunity to practice your interview questions and
answers, to refine your interview technique and to receive feedback on how you come across in
the job interview.
It gives you the chance to improve where necessary before your proper interview. Use the mock
job interview to get ready for the real thing!
8. Make the right first impression
The first impression you make on a potential employer is crucial to job interview success. This
impression is going to be based on your appearance including what you are wearing and how
you come across in the first few minutes.
Different companies and different jobs require different types of interview dress. The job
candidate needs to find out the company dress code and dress appropriately for the interview. All
aspects of interview dress are covered at how to dress for an interview
Win from the word go with this top 10 interview tip. Make sure you are punctual for your
interview, that you greet the interviewer properly and that you make a positive impression from
the start.
9. Successfully close the interview
The closing stage of the job interview is crucial. You want to leave the interviewer with the best
final impression. A strong close to the interview will encourage the interviewer to retain a
positive picture of you and your suitability for the job.
There are a number of ways to effectively close the interview. You can find excellent sample
closing statements to use at closing the interview
10. Follow up after the interview
This is integral to top 10 interview tips. Send a thank you note within 24 hours of your job
interview. This is not only the correct interview etiquette to follow but it also reinforces your
interest in the job. It provides the opportunity to highlight why you are a good match for the
position.
14 Smart Questions to ask the Interviewer
Questions about the company will also give you the information you need to assess whether this
is the right organizational fit for you.
6 smart questions to ask the interviewer about the company
"What is the company culture?"
"How would you describe the work environment at the company?"
"What values does this company emphasize?"
Ask questions that demonstrate a strategic understanding of the company.
"What are the company's biggest challenges and how is it placed to meet those challenges?"
"What will be the likely changes in this industry in the next few years?"
"What are the future plans for growth and development?"
3 questions to ask the interviewer that highlight your company research
Do some background research before the interview using these guidelines on how to find job
interview information on the company.
Consider the sort of challenges the company is facing and think about how these affect the
position you are interviewing for. What does the organization need from the successful
candidate?
Prepare relevant and thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer using the information you are
able to gather on the company. Good examples include:
"How has the recent merger impacted on the company?"
"Your new CEO comes from a main competitor, what changes can the company expect and will
there be any impact on this position?"
"I read that a major competitor of yours is increasing its market share in this region. What plan
does your company have to regain this lost share?"
For advice on the information you need about the company go to preparing for interviews
5 good questions to ask after the interview
Present yourself as a self-motivated candidate that wants to contribute as much as possible to the
company by asking questions like:
"Does the company support ongoing learning and training for employees to stay current in their
positions?"
"What type of employees are most successful at this company?"
"Which employee do you think best represents the company culture and why?"
"How does the company measure success on the job?"
"What sort of opportunities are there for advancement within the company?"
Top 10 Interview Questions and Answers
The top 10 interview questions asked in job interviews. Prepare thoroughly using the interview
answer guidelines and impress as the best candidate for the job.
The 5 most asked interview questions include:
What can you tell me about yourself?
Why should we hire you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Why do you want to work for this company?
Prepare for these typical interview questions. Find excellent interview answers at 5 Common
Interview Questions
These are the top 10 interview questions that interviewers use in addition to the 5 common job
interview questions. Be ready for all the most asked interview questions.
Top 10 Interview Questions and Answers
Research shows that many job candidate will be expected to answer a high percentage of these
ten questions during the job interview.
1. What do you like most and least about your current job?
The interviewer is assessing your match with the job opportunity.
when referring to what you like about your current job highlight an aspect that relates
directly to the job you are interviewing for
when discussing what you dislike about your current job avoid referring to any duties or
tasks that are part of the job you are interviewing for
avoid personal attacks on your colleagues, managers and the organization
Find a sample interview answer at What do you like about your current job?
2. What motivates you in your job?
Consider carefully what does motivate you. It is a personal characteristic and will depend on
your experience and competencies.
understand the job you are interviewing for and emphasize the motivational fit between
you and the job
how do the job itself and the organizational environment provide the motivation and
satisfaction you want?
Find out how to answer top 10 interview questions about motivation at What motivates you in
your job?
3. How do you deal with conflict?
Every job, team and organization contains an element of conflict. The interviewer is exploring
your approach to conflict with top ten interview questions like this.
What resources do you use to manage conflict at work?
How do you prevent conflict from escalating or happening again?
Sample interview answer for How do you handle conflict?
4. How do you define success in your job?
Success means different things to different people. This question explores your interpretation of
success and if it is compatible with what the organization views as success.
What do you consider to be a challenge?
What are your career goals?
Sample interview answer for How do you define job success?
5. How would your manager and co-workers describe you?
This interview question is all about your self awareness.
Do you know how you come cross and how you are perceived in the workplace?
Do you understand your strengths and weaknesses? Do you ask for and receive feedback?
Make sure your answer focuses on work related characteristics. The interviewer is not really
interested in what a great dancer you are!
Find out more about answering this interview question at How would your colleagues describe
you?
6. What do you consider to be the key skills for this job?
A number of these top 10 job interview questions demand that you have a good understanding of
the job opportunity.
Display your knowledge of the position by listing the skills required and highlighting those that
are key to the expected job performance and outcomes.
If you have insufficient information about the job use these Sample Job Descriptions to help
clarify the core job requirements.
This Job Skills List is another useful resource.
Sample interview answer at What skills are critical to this position?
7. What salary are you looking for?
This is a tricky question. It is easier to answer if you know what salary the job offers and you
have a salary history to refer to. There are a number of ways to handle this difficult question.
It is essential to have done some research on typical salary ranges for this type of job. This will
provide you with the data you need to support your interview answer. Determine your Market
Value
Find out more about answering this interview question at What salary are you seeking?
8. What is your reason for leaving your current job?
avoid negative and critical answers
focus on the positive aspects of what you are moving towards
never badmouth former employers, this is viewed by interviewers as destructive and
unhelpful behavior
How to answer top 10 interview questions about reasons for leaving at Why do you want to
leave your job?
Good Reasons for Leaving a Job
9. Describe your ideal job.
Your interview answer should correlate with what motivates you and the key skills required for
the job you are interviewing for.
Try not to be too specific. Rather focus on general positive attributes that any number of jobs can
offer an individual such as:
the opportunity to learn and grow
the opportunity to make the best use of your skills
the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the organization
Sample interview answer at What is your ideal job?
10. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Top 10 interview questions are likely to include those that explore what you have accomplished
to date. Focus on an achievement that is relevant to the job you are interviewing for.
It should be something that you had to work hard for and that was a real challenge to accomplish.
What goals do you set yourself?
What do you consider important?
How do you overcome obstacles?
Sample interview answers at What has been your biggest achievement?
Prepare winning interview answers to these top 10 interview questions and stand out as the right
job candidate.