Top Tips

• find out as much as you can about the job and organisation
   
• familiarise yourself with who will be interviewing you
   
• read the position description thoroughly and be clear about the skills and competencies needed
   
• prepare the questions you will ask during the interview research the remuneration level appropriate for this role
   
• have a thorough knowledge of your cv and take a copy
   
• ensure you can talk about what motivated you to apply for the role and the organisation. This can be a good opportunity to showcase the research that you have done, and at the same time, show that you are motivated and genuine in your interest
   
• be clear on the strengths you want to highlight during the interview
   
• prepare specific “behavioural-based” examples from your experience relevant to the role. (read our ‘Behavioural-based interview questions article for more).

Typical interview questions

Think about your answers to these typical interview questions before attending the interview. Try to keep your answers concise and positive, and wherever possible, use examples from your current or previous roles to back up your answers.

Be prepared to answer the following questions:

• why are you interested in this role?
   
• what job have you enjoyed the most and the least and why? what type of manager gets the best from you?
   
• what type of people do you find difficult to work for/with? what interests you about the product or service?
   
• what have been your greatest achievements and why?
   
• what have you learned from some of the jobs you have held? how would your peers describe you?
   
• how would your current manager describe you?
   
• how would you describe your leadership style?
   
• how have you demonstrated initiative in your previous positions? what are your weaknesses/areas for development?
   
• how have you managed pressure in your previous positions?

Strengths, Weaknesses and Challenges

The weakness question is an opportunity to show self-awareness and the ability to develop strategies to improve, or to identify what you would need to do to develop in the role.

“What are your greatest strengths?”

Example: “I believe I’m particularly strong at customer service. In my last role, I was awarded the customer services excellence award six times in two years. I am also a very good networker. I’m particularly good at key stakeholder engagement and am comfortable acting as the face of the company.”

“What do you see as your main challenge in the role?”

Example: “For this role, I think the step up is something I’m aware could be a challenge. This team is four times the size of what I’m leading now. I will need to ensure I focus on communicating across the team and that I work with a leadership coach to make sure I handle the step up well.”
 

Interview Support/ Whānau tautoko

You may wish to have whānau support to an interview. Please tell your recruitment consultant or the employer in advance so that they can make suitable arrangements for seating, space and to provide opportunity for whānau to speak.
 

Other Needs

If there any specific needs that you wish to have accommodated during the interview you should let your recruitment consultant or the employer know in advance.

Before the interview

• Arrive on time. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable
• Dress appropriately for the role
• Greet the interviewer by the name they use to introduce themselves. Refer to them by name during the interview
• Be a good listener as well as a good talker
• Try and get the interviewer to describe any additional challenges or opportunities so you can relate your background and skills to the position
• Speak clearly and vary your tone to show you are interested and enthusiastic
• Give yourself time to think about each question. It’s OK to pause before answering so that you can think about the best response, and make sure you’re giving them the information they need
• Provide specific examples
• Avoid a simple yes or no
• Speak from experience - give examples that can demonstrate what knowledge and skills you have, what you achieved and what you have learnt in the past.
• Answer questions truthfully, frankly, and as ‘to the point’ as possible
• Be consistent
• Listen carefully to questions and let the interviewer lead the conversation. If you do not understand a question, ask for it to be explained or repeated
• Be diplomatic and discreet, particularly about previous employers be prepared to answer typical questions.
• Emphasise your strengths to the interviewer in a factual and sincere manner
• Be positive about the skills you have and what you have done and the transferable skills you offer
• Know the notice period you are required to give thank the interviewer for their time.

  If the interviewer steers the conversation into more controversial areas, answer the question briefly - you do not need to elaborate.