Candidates

Interview Questions:

As part of your preparation prior to an interview, it is a very useful exercise to consider carefully the type of questions that you might be asked. You are likely to be asked questions of both a technical and personal nature, relating to your strengths, weaknesses and behavioural style and what value these would bring to the role you are being interviewed for. Allow yourself some time to think about this and note the points you would particularly like to mention.

When answering an interview question, it is good practice to back up any claims with an illustrative example, which you can think about in advance. For example, “One of my strengths is that I am good at presentations. I regularly give technical presentation to colleagues and to customers and am very comfortable doing this.” You may then be asked a follow-up question that will allow you to elaborate on this and talk about how you prepare for presentations, the pitfalls to avoid, a particularly successful presentation you have given.

You will find below a list of questions that you may be asked at interview. Try to think about how you would answer them and what kind of follow-up question might result:

  • Tell me about yourself.

  • Talk me through a typical day in your current position.

  • What are your key responsibilities at the moment?

  • What are your strengths?

  • What would you say were your greatest technical strengths?

  • What are your weaknesses?

  • What are your major achievements?

  • Where do you want to be in 5 years time?

  • What 3 things are most important to you in your next job?

  • Give me an example of when you have had to organise something.

  • Give me an example of when you have had to plan your time effectively.

  • Give me an example of when you have worked as part of a team.

  • If you could change your current job in any way how would you do it?

  • Why did you leave your last job/ Why are you looking to leave your current job?

  • Describe when you have experienced a difficult situation and how you resolved it.

  • Describe a time that you have had to bring somebody around to your way of thinking.

  • What do you know about our organisation?

  • What do you think this job entails?

  • How did your last job influence your career?

  • Why do you want to work here?

  • What can you bring to this job?

  • Why should I give you this job?

  • Are there any questions that you have for us?

If you require any further information or advice please do not hesitate to contact your CK Science consultant.