Common interview questions typically inquire about your career goals, professional background, relevant skills, and notable achievements. As a result, they should be easy to answer, yet you should never face recruiters without preparation.
In this article, we will provide you with examples and demonstrate how to answer interview questions effectively. Furthermore, we will share some tips on dress code, body language, and other aspects that can help you secure a job.
Key Takeaways
The most common interview questions in the UK are related to your skills, strengths, past experiences, motivations, goals, and achievements.
To answer common job interview questions, remember to research the company, prepare answers that relate to your position, and rehearse what you want to say.
Pay attention to your clothes and body language; these are crucial if you want to come across as confident, professional, and reliable.
12 Common Interview Questions and How to Prepare For and Answer Them
To help you prepare for your interview, we will examine some of the most common interview questions and example answers. Use these to rehearse and apply our tips to impress recruiters and pass on to the next round.
#1. Tell me about yourself
One of the first job interview questions most candidates are asked is to tell the recruiters a bit about themselves. At first glance, this is a simple question you could answer without much preparation. Yet, the truth is that most job seekers struggle to figure out what they should talk about.
That’s likely because of the vagueness of this question; it gives very little direction, so it can be interpreted in many different ways.
However, that doesn’t mean that anything you say will be a good answer. Recruiters certainly aren’t asking this to hear about your hobbies or personal details. On the contrary, they only want a quick snapshot of your professional background.
So, when asked to talk about yourself, you could say the following:
Good Answer
“I’m a content writer with five years of experience writing blogs, landing pages, email newsletters, and captions for social media. I started as a freelancer, which taught me how to communicate effectively with a diverse clientele, and then I was hired by a marketing agency.
I spent three years here, working in a team with managers, designers, and other writers. During my time at this agency, I was recognised for my outstanding performance and the ability to deliver high-quality content with minimal delays. I was entrusted with particularly demanding projects, but I handled each and received high praise from our clients.”
#2. Why do you want to work here?
While salary is certainly a motivating factor, your answer should not be about that. Instead, you should focus on the specifics that make this company stand out from the rest and discuss how that relates to your values and beliefs.
In other words, this is the part where you should show the recruiters that you’ve done your research. To do that, you must thoroughly investigate the company beforehand: its mission, standard practices, products and services, competitors, and more prominent employees.
You can find most of this information on the company’s website, but also be sure to check out employee and customer reviews, as well as visit the LinkedIn profiles of CEOs and managers. Do some research on your recruiters, too; the more you know about them, the easier it will be to establish good rapport with them.
Here is an example of how you can answer this common interview question:
Good Answer
“Your company produces eco-friendly technology, and I am quite passionate about sustainability. I believe that our values align, so I would like to help promote your products and grow as a professional in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment.”
#3. What is your biggest accomplishment?
Think of a specific situation in your professional career where you were recognised for your expertise, teamwork, problem-solving, or a different positive contribution. Then, briefly share this story with the recruiters, highlighting your accomplishments.
The best way to do this is to use the STAR method, a technique that can help you organise information so that it flows and is easy to follow.
The STAR method consists of the following steps:
STAR Method
Situation, which sets up the scene and provides the context for your actions
Task, where you should talk about the objective or purpose of your actions
Action, which are the concrete measures you took to resolve a problem
Result, which summarises the outcome of your actions
However, remember that your story shouldn’t be too long. Be concise with your answers; the bulk should focus on the actions you took, while the other steps can be very brief.
Here is how you can answer this common interview question effectively:
Good Answer
“My previous company collaborated with a very demanding client who constantly asked our writers for revisions, which would take a long time to complete. I was assigned a project for this client with a tight deadline, so I couldn’t afford to make any significant mistakes.
To ensure that I didn’t have to revise the article once I’d written it, I contacted the client and asked for specific instructions and clarifications. I provided a few short samples to see if I understood what they were asking for. Once they were satisfied, I wrote and submitted the article.
The client was happy with my work, and I received staff recognition for excellent performance that month.”
#4. What motivates you?
Again, a good salary is a strong motivator for most people, but try to think of something else to highlight in your answer. Anything works as long as you’re specific and avoid generic phrases and cliches.
Here is a good example answer to this common interview question:
Good Answer
“Improving myself and honing my skills motivates me, and I also find satisfaction in receiving positive feedback from my clients. It’s important for me not to feel like I’m stagnating; I am enthusiastic about my job as long as my tasks are versatile and challenging.”
#5. Why should we hire you?
This question is your opportunity to sell yourself and tie your skills and experience to the requirements of the job position you’re applying for. Essentially, you need to talk about everything you can bring to the company and present yourself as an ideal candidate.
The following example is one way to do that:
Good Answer
“I am creative, driven, hard-working, and adaptable. In my five years of experience, I’ve learned a lot about teamwork, client communication, and brand awareness, so I believe I can adjust to your requirements without extensive training. I can also guarantee quality and efficiency, as I always deliver top-notch content before the deadline.”
#6. What are your weaknesses?
Though common, “What are your weaknesses?” is a very tricky interview question, as you must tread the line between honesty and too much information carefully. You can’t lie and say you have no weaknesses, but you also can’t choose to talk about the wrong one that could affect your chances of getting hired.
For example, calling yourself lazy or unreliable is out of the question, regardless of the job you’re applying for; no employer wants such people in their ranks. However, some weaknesses, like perfectionism or difficulty saying no, aren’t necessarily red flags, so you can use them as an answer.
Still, it’s essential to frame these as positively as possible, highlighting that you’re actively working on improving yourself. This demonstrates self-awareness and willingness to change, which many employers appreciate more than perfection.
Here is how you can answer this common interview question effectively:
Good Answer
“I struggle with overcommitting; I often take on new tasks even when I already have enough projects to work on. As a result, I spread myself too thin and end up not being able to fully dedicate myself to each assignment. I’ve been working on that lately, though, and practising better time management.”
#7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Employers often ask this interview question to gauge your objectives and motivations and decide whether those align with what the company needs. So, you should prepare a good answer, even if you don’t have your entire career plan figured out.
Start by thinking about your professional goals. Are there any specific titles you’d like to obtain or skills you’d like to master? Do you expect to be in the same industry in the future? Once you have those answers, look at the job description again and try to relate your objectives to it.
It would be best if your answer showed the company that you’re motivated to stay, but you don’t have to pretend if that’s not the case. Ultimately, recruiters are likely to value your ambition and drive, even if these might take you someplace else.
Here’s how you can answer this question:
Good Answer
“I see myself in a dynamic work environment, taking on more responsible tasks and perhaps even working as a content manager. I believe that my communication skills, brand awareness, and understanding of what kind of content audiences best respond to could help me thrive in this role once I gain more experience.”
#8. What did you like most about your previous position?
The best way to answer this question is to talk about the aspects of your previous job that can be found in the position you’re applying for. For instance, if both offer a collaborative atmosphere and a diverse company culture, you can highlight these as your favourite parts of your employment in the given company.
This will, again, require some research into your new position. Be as thorough as possible; that’s the only way to devise a specific answer rather than resorting to generic ones that might hurt your chances.
The following is a good answer to this common interview question:
Good Answer
“I loved the versatility of projects and the dynamic work environment that always pushed me to challenge myself and grow as a writer.”
#9. What did you like least about your previous position?
This question is an excellent opportunity to share your expectations for a new job position through thoughtful reflections on the previous one. Feel free to be honest about your previous company’s downsides, but be tactful about it; excessive negativity about employers and colleagues isn’t the best look.
You can also use this question to highlight that your previous role lacked something that your new one has. That way, once again, you demonstrate your excellent research skills and show recruiters that you’re highly motivated to join.
Here’s how you can answer this common interview question:
Good Answer
“I disliked the lack of opportunities for growth and advancement, which are abundant in your company, as I have seen. I don’t want to become stagnant or settle into a boring professional routine, so I need an environment that constantly pushes me to aim higher.”
#10. What are your salary expectations?
This is another tricky question, as it can easily backfire and damage your chances of getting hired.
If you aim too high, the company might not be able to meet your expectations and, therefore, choose not to waste your time. However, low salary expectations might indicate that you lack confidence in your skills or aren’t as good as you claim to be.
Yet, it’s impossible to know the correct answer for sure; the best you can do is research standard salary ranges for your industry and use that as a response.
Remember, if you offer your industry standard as the answer, and the recruiters react negatively, you should reconsider whether this company is the right fit. Leniency on such an important matter at the beginning might set a precedent for how your employer treats you in the future.
Here’s how to answer this question:
Good Answer
“Based on my experience and salary standards in my industry, I expect to earn between £25,000 and £30,000 a year.”
#11. What are you passionate about?
Speak honestly about your passions, but try to relate them to the position you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re interviewing for an engineering role, talk about your passion for designing and improving objects. You may also be an avid sports fan, but don’t focus on that since it’s not quite as relevant.
Here is an example of how to answer this common interview question:
Good Answer
“I am genuinely passionate about writing; I enjoy it in my free time, too, when I write stories and poetry. I also read a lot, and this helps me improve my language and pick up new techniques.”
#12. Do you have any questions for us?
Finally, “Do you have any questions for us?” is often asked at the end of the interview, when recruiters want to give the candidate a chance to learn more about the company.
Of course, you can opt out of it and say you have no questions, but this isn’t the smartest idea. It sends the message that you’re not that interested in the position or that you haven’t prepared well enough. So, you should think of a few questions to ask before the interview.
Make sure that the questions you ask at a job interview are appropriate, though, and don’t immediately ask about holidays and salary. Instead, show interest in the company, its employees, your role, or the responsibilities you will undertake.
You can ask any number of questions, but here’s one example:
Good Answer
“I do, of course. What does a typical work day look like for someone in my position?”
18 More Common Interview Questions
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are some other typical interview questions in the UK:
Additional Interview Questions
How did you hear about this opening?
What interests you about this role?
How do you handle stress?
How do you handle workplace conflict?
What’s your ideal work environment?
Why are you changing careers?
Could you explain your employment gap?
Why were you fired?
What’s your work style?
What’s your management style?
How well do you work in a team?
What do you like to do outside of work?
How do you prioritise your work?
How do you plan to achieve your professional goals?
What’s your dream job?
Are you interviewing with any other companies?
When can you start?
Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
5 Foolproof Tips to Help You Prepare for Any Interview
Foolproof tips to help you prepare for any interview include researching the company, dressing appropriately, rehearsing your answers, preparing questions for the interviewer, and paying attention to your body language.
Let’s examine these preparation methods for job interviews a bit closer:
#1. Research the Company
Researching the company is an essential part of the preparation process; it helps you understand its values and the traits and skills the employer is looking for. Then, you can highlight those particular qualities during an interview and present yourself as an ideal candidate.
Doing research also helps you gain confidence in your answers, which recruiters are likely to notice. They also appreciate candidates who clearly know what they are talking about; this goes a long way to help you stand out.
#2. Dress Appropriately
The way you present yourself in an interview is just as important as what you say, so be mindful of the clothes you are wearing. We suggest dressing up in a formal, well-fitting outfit that’s neither revealing nor distracting in any way.
Even if the company you’re applying for doesn’t enforce any particular dress code, put in extra effort into your appearance before you get hired. Afterwards, you can easily tone it down if that’s what everyone else is doing.
#3. Rehearse Your Answers
Although interview questions are easy to answer, don’t expect to impress the recruiters without any preparation. If you don’t rehearse, nerves will likely get the best of you, or your answers will be too disorganised and confusing to follow.
So, we suggest you practise answering common interview questions at home a few days before the appointment. You can do it by yourself in front of a mirror, or ask your loved ones for help by scheduling a mock interview with them. Alternatively, you can film yourself rehearsing and then review the footage to look for mistakes and see what kind of impression you’re giving.
#4. Prepare Questions for Your Interviewer
One of the most important interview tips we can offer is to prepare questions for the interviewer. As we mentioned earlier, this is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the potential workplace and enthusiasm for joining the company.
#5. Pay Attention to Your Body Language
Your body language is another crucial aspect you should pay attention to. In general, you want to come across as positive, open, and friendly during an interview; this is the best way to leave a good impression.
Of course, you’ll likely show some nervousness, but you shouldn’t worry about that. Interviewers understand that you’re in a high-stress situation, so they’re unlikely to consider that a significant issue.
However, with enough rehearsal, you should be able to minimise the effects of anxiety and present yourself as a confident individual. Good posture, eye contact, and expressive yet controlled hand gestures can help with this, so practise looking and sounding natural in front of a mirror.
Secure an Interview With a Professional CV
To reach the interview stage, you must first submit an excellent CV to capture recruiters’ attention and convince them you’re the right choice. Our CV builder can help you with that; fill in the required information, and you’ll have a job-winning application within minutes. Alternatively, you can select an appropriate CV template and tailor it to your needs.
Additionally, if you want to create a document on your own, consult our CV examples for inspiration. These are dozens for various industries, so you’re sure to find the right one for your particular needs.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, our article has given you enough material to help you prepare for your next interview and impress your potential employer. Just remember, rehearsal is key, and each one of your answers should be relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Common Interview Questions FAQ
#1. What is the hardest interview question to answer?
The hardest interview question to answer depends on the candidate, but most cite “What are your weaknesses?” and “Tell me about yourself” as good examples. That’s because the former can be difficult to answer honestly without ruining your chances, while the latter is too broad, yet requires a concise and relevant response.
#2. How to answer interview questions confidently?
To answer interview questions confidently, you need to give yourself enough time to practice. Research common questions, prepare answers, and rehearse them in front of a mirror or with your loved ones. This will help you become more aware of your body language and grow accustomed to speaking in front of an audience.
#3. How can I stand out in an interview?
To stand out in an interview, ensure you are professionally dressed, well-prepared, and engaging. Focus on your strengths, maintain eye contact, and stay positive throughout the conversation. Also, don’t forget to ask questions when given an opportunity and show that you’ve researched the company and the position you’re applying for.
