Preparing examples for interviews

Examples are the way in which, at the minimum, you can provide reassurance to the recruiter and the employer that you really have the experience and/or ability to excel in the role you are interviewing for. If chosen and delivered effectively they can also be a key differentiator enabling you to get the job offer. 

Examples should reflect real life situations where you have completed a series of tasks to get you to the right outcome. Linking examples to competency based outcomes supports you in an interview. Try writing down examples that show the following:

• Describe a situation in which you led a team.

• Give an example of a time you handled conflict in the workplace.

• Tell me a time when you needed to communicate with others 

• How do you maintain good working relationships with your colleagues?

• Tell me about a big decision you've made recently. How did you go about it?

• What has been your biggest achievement to date?

• Describe a project where you had to use different leadership styles to reach your goal.

• Tell me about a time when your communication skills improved a situation.

• How do you cope in adversity?

• Give me an example of a challenge you faced in the workplace and tell me how you overcame it.

• Tell me about a time when you showed integrity and professionalism.

• How do you influence people in a situation with conflicting agendas?

• Give an example of a situation where you solved a problem in a creative way.

• Tell me about a time that you made a decision and then changed your mind.

• Describe a situation where you were asked to do something that you'd never attempted previously.

• Tell me about a time when you achieved success even when the odds were stacked against you.

(Full list of example questions can be found below.)

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/competency-based-interviews

Being able to link your transferable skills to skills of the potential  job helps the employer visualise you working in that position.  It also shows that you have researched the position which portrays enthusiasm for the role. 

Practice chatting over examples you have set out and blending skills that are linked to the job into the discussion.

The STAR method is a technique of answering behavioral interview questions in a structured manner by describing a specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are discussing. The STAR method helps you explain in a simple yet powerful way how you handled specific work situations and challenges. 

The STAR format stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result:

• Situation: An event, project, or challenge faced

• Task: Your responsibilities and assignments for the situation

• Action: Steps or procedure taken to relieve or rectify situation

• Result: Results of actions taken.

Describe a situation in which you led a team.

Give an example of a time you handled conflict in the workplace.

How do you maintain good working relationships with your colleagues?

Tell me about a big decision you've made recently. How did you go about it?

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Describe a project where you had to use different leadership styles to reach your goal.

Tell me about a time when your communication skills improved a situation.

How do you cope in adversity?

Give me an example of a challenge you faced in the workplace and tell me how you overcame it.

Tell me about a time when you showed integrity and professionalism.

How do you influence people in a situation with conflicting agendas?

Give an example of a situation where you solved a problem in a creative way.

Tell me about a time that you made a decision and then changed your mind.

Describe a situation where you were asked to do something that you'd never attempted previously.

Tell me about a time when you achieved success even when the odds were stacked against you.

Taken from prospects 2023

1. Tell me about yourself?

This question or something similar usually starts every interview. 

Your answer should be confidently delivered, well-practised and should last between 3 to 5 minutes long. It should also do the following:

Focus on specific areas which are most relevant to the job in question

Include some achievements that are impressive e.g. improvements you have made/challenges overcome

Convey your enthusiasm and eagerness for the job

2. What are your key strengths/skills?

Focus on what you know they are looking for, even if it has been a smaller part of what you have been doing to date.  The job advert or person specification form will give you the information you need about their requirements.

3. What are your weaknesses?

Choose a weakness that: Doesn’t matter for the job e.g. languages for a UK firm.  Is a positive e.g. “I like to make things happen and get frustrated if too long is spent sitting around discussing it without action”

Used to be a weakness but which you have improved upon e.g. presentations

4. Why did you leave your last job?

Your answer should be positive and enthusiastic (upbeat) even if you know the 

circumstances were difficult. If In the case that you left your last job due to 

redundancy, then talk about how the company had to restructure rather than focus on your individual circumstance as this will depersonalise it.  What you should never do is criticise a previous employer no matter how tempting it may be.

5. Why do you want this job?

Your answer should reinforce why you are such a good fit for the job and then convey your enthusiasm for the role e.g.

Good match between your skills and their requirements

Interested in the job sector/evolving market/product

Company’s excellent recognition and reputation, exciting challenge etc.

Do not say that you just need a job (even if it’s true) , or you need the job because it’s local.

6. Tell me about a difficult situation or scenario at work and how you dealt with it  

They are testing how you cope under pressure as well as your problem-solving and communication skills. 

USE THE STAR TECHNIQUE - SEE ABOVE

Good examples are where you:

• Improved a difficult situation or assisted in resolving it

• Were resilient in adverse conditions

• Showed cool-headedness and emotional intelligence

Avoid any examples which still feel sensitive, as in a high-pressure interview situation those old emotions can easily resurface and throw you off balance.

7. Tell me about an achievement that you are proud of?

Choose work-related examples that shows a tangible benefit to the business. Personal achievements should only be included if they are very impressive or prestigious. More experienced candidates looking for higher level roles eg Sales Director Jobs should focus on closely related areas, for example driving an increase in sales or building a successful sales team. 

8. What are your career goals?

They are checking if you are likely to stay and if so, for how long.  Reassure the employer that the role you are applying for fits your career plan and your longer term commitment to the company.

9. What are your expectations of salary?

At the job offer stage salary negotiations are best handled, so do try to avoid this at interview if you can. If you are cornered and forced to name a price then give a realistic but wide salary range and say that you feel that salary won’t be an issue if you decide to work together, you are happy to negotiate. 

10. What do you know about our organisation?

You need to know the following:

• Company structure, finances, products and services, key staff

• Customers and competitors

• Market trends and challenges