Amaze interviewers by confidently answering the top interview questions

We all want to make a great first impression when meeting new people. But it's especially important during an interview. You've already impressed with a CV that has got you through the door. So it's on to the next stage – answering interview questions. You haven't got much time to impress in the interview, so you've got to nail it straight away.

Preparing for your next job interview

So, how do you give good interview answers? One of the ways to do this is to prep. While that takes into account what you're going to wear and factoring in how long it will take to get to the interview, it should also include preparing your answers in advance as much as possible.

You're never going to know exactly what interview questions will be asked. Although some firms, such as John Lewis and Waitrose, now offer that option, most don't. So it's best to put the effort in, and draft potential answers to the most common interview questions across the UK.

5 most common interview questions – with sample answers

Tell me about yourself

An absolute classic, this is often used at the beginning of an interview to ease you in and hopefully build your confidence. While this question allows you to chat about yourself, don't give your autobiography. A good way of approaching this interview question is to use the present, past, and future formula. Talk about your current role with one huge accomplishment, go into some background of how you got there, and then smoothly segue into why you'd be perfect for this role.

Top tip: Trying to understand the meaning behind each question will help you determine the optimum answer required.

Example answer:

“I'm currently an Export Sales Manager, having achieved profitable growth of 27% in my area of expertise year-on-year. I worked my way up from an administrative role after securing a 2:1 in my International Business degree from the University of Manchester. Now I'm looking to expand my knowledge in export with your company, given my five years of experience.”

Why do you want to work for this company?

Steer clear of those generic answers that interviewers will have heard countless times before. Instead, demonstrate how you match the requirements of the role – by doing so, you'll show that you fully understand what the position calls for. So carry out some research, and pinpoint something unique about the organisation that appeals to you. Talk about how you've tracked the growth and change of the company, how you could contribute to their profit margins, or how you're excited about working for a company with ethical values.

Example answer:

“I can see how much of a progressive business you are, as I read about your sales levels increasing year-on-year in MoneyWeek Magazine, and I understand you're expanding across Europe. Being fluent in French and an advanced German speaker, I'd be so eager to step up, and help out with that expansion.”

Why would you be a good fit for us?

This might seem like quite an intimidating interview question, but in reality it sets you up for selling yourself and your talents. So craft an answer that covers three areas – that you can do the work, deliver excellent results, and fit in with the team and the work culture, while turning out to be the best person for the job.

Example answer:

“I can see the importance you place on customer service, which is right up my street as a Customer Service Manager. Many businesses don't pay nearly enough attention to this, and in my mind, it's the most vital part of a company. I've shown I can raise net promoter scores by 34% in my last role while getting along with everyone. Your reputation for customer service is enviable, and one that leaves your competitors behind. I want to work for someone like that.”

What are your strengths?

Tread carefully here. It's not a good idea to just reel off a whole load of strengths. Better to hone in on one or two, providing examples for each. Pick ones that are relevant to the job in hand.

Top tip: If there's something you've been wanting to mention that makes you stand out, but haven't had the chance yet, now's the time to bring it out!

Example answer:

“I'm great at combining traditional film production methods with digital techniques to produce a really creative output. I keep up with trends in the industry, and apply creative judgement when necessary. I also lead a dedicated team, winning Team Leader of the Year in 2022 due to my collaborative and hands-on approach to motivating members of staff to perform to their optimum level.”

What are your weaknesses?

The antidote to the previous interview question, this can expose you to revealing stuff about yourself that won't cast you in the best light. And that's not a place you want to be during an interview! One great technique is to choose a weakness that you turned into a strength, such as public speaking, where you now volunteer to run team meetings to help you improve and feel more comfortable when addressing an audience.

Example answer:

“When starting my current role, I had to tackle a huge backlog of work that had been left by my predecessor. It was really tough, and I realised I was terrible at managing my time effectively. Once I'd recognised this, I went on a time management course, and made a concerted effort to rectify the problem. I'm glad to say I'm much improved, but still apply the techniques I learned on the course to keep me on track.”

5 more typical interview questions 

What can you bring to this role that no one else can?

This will certainly put you on the spot, but not if you've rehearsed this thoroughly beforehand. The interviewer is boldly asking you what your USP (unique selling point) is, so sell yourself hard here! You've got to bring your answer alive, by citing an example where you went above and beyond… but without any clichés.

Example answer:

“I have incredible insider knowledge of the operations of one of your main competitors, having worked in this field for over 15 years. My network is very wide, as I've cultivated these business relationships for many years. I know the sales strategies they use and how they stand out in the market… valuable information that would be very useful for you and your business.”

How do you deal with pressure or a stressful situation?

The key to answering this particular interview question is to cite an example when you found yourself in a stressful situation, and explain how you overcame it. But do avoid using an example where the reason why you were under pressure was your fault, and instead put blame on factors that were outside your control.

Example answer:

“Working for a start-up was very pressured at times, as there were many demands on us as a team with limited resources. One time, a new client was arguing about how the contract had been drawn up for the project I was about to embark on, and was on the verge of pulling out. I was able to calm the situation down, explain to the client how the process worked, and then pulled it back from the brink by offering more lenient terms which made no difference to the business, but put a smile on the face of the client, who then proceeded with signing the contract. This secured us work for the following six months.”

Tell me about a mistake you made at work and how you dealt with it

No-one wants to fess up to their mistakes, and certainly not during an interview. But answer this question, you must. Be honest here, without laying the blame at others' doors, then explain what you learned, and how you took action to make sure it didn't happen again.

Example answer:

“About 10 years ago, I overlooked a deadline which cost us a major account. There were other factors leading up to this, but ultimately the buck stopped with me. I was devastated, but took it upon myself to make amends. I did this by considering how I could have prevented this, and realised I wasn't as organised as I thought. So I got feedback from my Line Manager, did an online course, and a few months later, scored an even bigger and better account for the department.”

What has been your greatest achievement?

This doesn't have to be work-related, but it's good if it is, as you can pull out yet more strengths that relate to the role you're going for. However, it might be nice to choose a personal achievement alongside to show that you do have a life outside of work!

Example answer:

“I was proud to be selected as a finalist for Branch Manager of the Year in the north west region, out of 160 applicants. While I didn't win, I was praised for the operational changes I'd made in the branch, and for the way the staff respected me. Away from work, I run half marathons, and achieved a personal best at the Brighton Half Marathon last year of 1 hour 26 mins.”

Why do you want to leave your current position?

Keep this positive, even if the true reason is because your boss is a nightmare to work for! So focus on the benefits of securing this role by intimating that you're a much better fit here. If you've been made redundant, there is no shame in saying just that.

Example answer:

“In simple terms, I need more of a challenge. I've been in my current role for over three years, and while I've loved the projects I've worked on, I've found I've been on autopilot for the last couple of months, and getting too comfortable. I want to pursue a role where I can grow professionally.”

And another 5 good interview questions

Where do you see yourself in 5 / 10 years time?

There's not a lot of point in quoting a specific job title as it can come across as unrealistic, because not many people will know what job they'll be doing in 5 years time. Instead, present it more in terms of the level you hope to have achieved, while making it clear you hope to still be with the organisation you're interviewing for.

Example answer:

“I will have progressed significantly within my profession, and be making more valid contributions with increased responsibilities. I can see there is a lot of opportunity for progression and promotion within your organisation, so that really excites me. My career is so important to me, and I want to be the best I can be.”

Tell me about a time when you showcased leadership qualities

Remember, you don't have to be a leader to show leadership qualities, so think about when you headed up a project, motivated colleagues, or took the initiative.

Top tip: Using the STAR method will help you craft comprehensive answers, with the acronym standing for Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Example answer:

“I oversaw the implementation of a new database system. I came up against resistance from some colleagues who didn't see the point. While the old system was fine, I'd identified some weaknesses, and was sure the new way of working would be 25% more efficient and save a considerable amount of time. I discussed all this with my colleagues, who came round to the idea. The new system was put in place, and proved to be really successful.”

Describe your work style

This type of question shows that the interviewer is trying to imagine you in the role. How do you approach your duties? What are you like to work with? Will you gel with the team? With such a broad question on work style, you have the flexibility to answer how you like, so hone in on something that's important to you, while aligning with what you know about the company.

Example answer:

“My work shines when I'm collaborating with teams, both in my own department and others across the company. I'm keen to involve everyone, so on my last team project, I extended invites across the board to join feedback and brainstorming workshops. I'm the sort of worker who can motivate others while still performing effectively.”

How do your boss / colleagues describe you?

It can't be emphasised enough how honest you must be in an interview. And if you make it to the final stages, then the prospective employer is going to be asking your boss for references anyway! So with this one, pull out any talents or strengths that haven't already been covered.

Example answer:

“In my performance review last month, my boss said I was always the one in the team to take the initiative, and never back away from difficult issues. If something goes wrong, she says I'm always the one trying to fix it rather than palming the problem off onto someone else.”

How do your skills and experience match the job description?

It's not going to cut it if you answer this with, “Extremely well,” and leave it at that! So select a handful of skills from the job description and talk about each in turn, showing that what you can do will help the business.

Example answer:

“You're looking for someone with extensive experience in retail. I have 17 years of experience at all levels, from the shop floor to management. You're also wanting someone with financial acumen. I increased profit at my store by 27%, achieving a healthy turnover of £3m. As for leadership qualities, I've led a team of 75 for the past two years, some of whom have gone on to be promoted due to my succession planning skills.”

How to answer interview questions: do's and don'ts 

Apart from exploring common interview questions and answers prior to your scheduled meeting, it's important to keep the following pointers in mind during your interview:

  • Do listen carefully to each question

  • Don't just give “yes” or “no” answers to a question

  • Do keep your answers on track

  • Don't fall into the trap of filling a silence left by the interviewer

  • Do back up any answers with real-life examples

  • Don't lie or say something that you can't substantiate

Nail that interview!

The key is preparation, and to make it sound as natural as possible when answering these questions. You don't want it to seem like you're reading off an autocue, so be your best self, and be confident with your interview answers. The more preparation you undertake, the better this will be, so go for it!

You should be well on your way to knowing how to answer the most common interview questions by now. However, if you fancy more interview support, turn to our expert team for help. You can also try out our free CV review service for an oversight of your CV and how it can be improved.

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