Here is a valuable insight into the world of interview questions and the techniques best used to answer them.

There are some questions that are asked frequently in interviews and you should prepare your answers before-hand. The key things to remember when responding to interview questions are to keep your answers relevant, brief and to the point. If you are faced with a difficult question, make sure you stay calm, don't get defensive, and take a moment to think about your response before you answer.

Remember, these responses are only suggestions. Try to personalise your response as much as possible.

Competency Based Interview Questions

There are six main competencies that an employer may look to investigate during an interview / assessment process.

1) Business Acumen
Does the candidate know how businesses work and is he/she knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends and information affecting the business and organisation? Does he/she know the competition and how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace?

Competency Questions

• Give me an example of when you've had to sacrifice a short-term goal for a long term gain
• Describe a time when you had to make a risky or tough decision that you felt confident would have a positive impact

2) Command Skills
Does the candidate relish leading, take unpopular stands if necessary, encourage direct and tough debates but have the confidence to end them and move on if necessary? Is he/she looked to for direction in a crisis and energised by tough challenges?

Competency Questions

• Describe a situation where your leadership skills were rejected. Why were they rejected? What did you do to manage the situation?
• Tell me about a time where you managed a highly sensitive or critical situation. What made it highly sensitive or critical? Why did you choose to end the course of action you chose?

3) Dealing with Ambiguity
Can the candidate cope efficiently with change, shift gears comfortably, decide and act without having the total picture? Is he/she upset when things are up uncertain or when things must be left unfinished? How does he/she deal with risk and uncertainty?

Competency Questions

• Describe a situation where you had to make a tough decision even though you did not have all of the important information. What was the situation? How did you overcome your lack of information?
• Tell me about a situation where you had to face multiple demands or where priorities kept changing. How did you deal with that?

4) Functional / Technical Skills
Does the candidate posses the functional and technical knowledge to do the job to a high level of competency?

Competency Questions:

• Tell me about a time when you misapplied your technical skills to a problem / situation. What did you do to correct the misapplication? What did you learn from the situation?
• Tell me about a time when you felt your technical skills were not up to the level needed to successfully complete a project or resolve an issue. What did you do to upgrade your skills?

5) Integrity and Trust
Is the candidate widely trusted, seen as a direct, truthful individual, and able to present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner? Does he/she keep confidences, admit mistakes and or does he/she misrepresent him/herself for personal gain?

Competency Questions

• Describe a time when you had to present material or implement a process that you were not in full support of. Did you voice your concern? How did you do this and who did you voice your concern to?
• Tell me about a time when you demonstrated personal integrity in a business situation. What led to your decision to act in accordance with your beliefs? What challenges did you face? How did you reconcile your personal values with what was needed for the business?

6) Intellectual Horsepower
Is the candidate bright and intelligent? Does he/she deal with concepts and complexity comfortably? Is he/she described as intellectually sharp, capable and agile?

Competency Questions

• Tell me about a time when you set a challenging goal for yourself and explain what you did to achieve it. How did you overcome any obstacles you encountered?
• Describe the most complex problem or issue you have dealt with on the job. How did you arrive at this solution?

Standard Questions

Q. Tell me about yourself.
A. Identify some of your main attributes and memorise them. Describe your qualifications, career history and range of skills, emphasising those skills relevant to the job on offer.

Q. What have your achievements been to date?
A. Select an achievement that is work-related and fairly recent. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit it had to the company. For example, 'my greatest achievement has been to design and implement a new sales ledger system, bringing it in ahead of time and improving our debtors' position significantly, saving the company £50,000 per month in interest'.

Q. Are you happy with your career-to-date?
A.This question is really about your self-esteem, confidence and career aspirations. The answer must be 'yes', followed by a brief explanation as to what it is about your career so far that's made you happy. If you have hit a career plateau, or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify your answer.

Q. What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it?
A. The purpose of this question is to find out what your definition of difficult is and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving. In order to show yourself in a positive light, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.

Q. What do you like about your present job?
A.This is a straightforward question. All you have to do is make sure that your 'likes' correspond to the skills etc. required in the job on offer. Be enthusiastic; describe your job as interesting and diverse but do not overdo it - after all, you are looking for a new job.

Q. What do you dislike about your present job?
A. Be cautious with this answer. Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses that will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company, such as its size or slow decision-making processes etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.

Q. What are your strengths?
A. This is one question that you know you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four proficiencies e.g. your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples of the above so be prepared.

Q. What is your greatest weakness?
A.Do not say you have none - this will lead to further problems. You have two options - use a professed weakness such as a lack of experience (not ability) on your part in an area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered to be a strength, then detail the steps you have taken to combat it. An example would be, 'I know my team think I'm too demanding at times - I tend to drive them pretty hard but I'm getting much better at using the carrot and not the stick'.

Q. Why do you want to leave your current employer?
A. Explain that you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, experience and a change of environment. Do not be negative in your reasons for leaving. It is rarely appropriate to cite salary as your primary motivator.

Q. Why have you applied for this particular job?
A. The employer is looking for evidence that the job suits you, fits in with your general aptitudes, coincides with your long-term goals and involves doing things you enjoy. Make sure you have a good understanding of the role and the organisation, and describe the attributes of the organisation that interest you most.

Other Questions to Consider

• What do you enjoy about this industry?
• Give an example of when you have worked under pressure.
• What kinds of people do you like working with?
• Give me an example of when your work was criticised.
• Give me an example of when you have felt anger at work. How did you cope and did you still perform a good job?
• What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with?
• Give me an example of when you have had to face a conflict of interest at work.
• Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss.
• Give me an example of when you haven't got on with others.
• Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Why?
• This organisation is very different to your current employer - how do you think you are going to fit in?
• What are you looking for in a company?
• How do you measure your own performance?
• What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
• Are you a self-starter? Give me examples to demonstrate this?
• What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
• How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
• Give me an example of when you have been out of your depth.
• What have you failed to achieve to date?
• What can you bring to this organisation?
• What do you know about XXX? Our competitors?
• Why do you feel that you are suitable? What unique characteristics do you have that make you a better prospect than other candidates?
• What attracts you to this role / company?
• Describe a management style that suits you
• How do you handle your daily time / objectives?
• What would your colleagues / peers say about you?
• Use three words to describe yourself.
• Why should I give this job to you?
• Can you give me an example of when you've had to delegate authority and or / responsibility?
• What systems do you use to keep track of things that require your attention?
• Have you ever had to discipline or correct a colleague/friend at work? How did you handle the situation?
• What would your friends say about you?
• Where do you see yourself in 2-5 years' time?
• Tell me about a situation where you have had to overcome significant obstacles to reach a goal?
• Have you ever had to influence others to bring about change? How did you do this?
• What's the most difficult situation you have dealt with to date?
• What's the most important professional decision you have made?
• What motivates you and why?
• Give me an example of when you've given up?
• Where do you feel you need development or training?