How to Answer Interview Questions

It is always hard to know how to answer interview questions and if you are not very experienced at interviews, then the whole process can seem daunting. So just how are you supposed to answer their questions?

Well the basic principle to bear in mind, whatever the interview, whether on a one to one, at a recruitment agency or for a permanent contract, is that you need to sell yourself in a way that is confident and assured, but without sounding too big headed or arrogant.

Always try to ensure that you establish eye contact with the interviewers. Try to sound confident when you answer and if you think you are about to freeze, or dry up, then just take a deep breath and remind yourself that this is not life or death, it is only an interview and then continue.

Answer questions as fully as possible, so if you are asked ‘Why should we hire you’ then don’t just say ‘Because I have all the skills and attributes required for this position’ but tell them exactly what experience you have and what your skills are. If you keep your answers too brief then you will potentially come across as disinterested and perhaps even a little vague, so expand, expand, expand.

When answering questions at interview it is always tempting to make yourself seem much more competent or experienced than you really are. But herein lies a danger, because if you lie at interview or mislead the panel, then this could well come back to haunt you. So be confident, but not overly so!

Finally always think of some good questions to ask the interview panel. These may include questions about career progression, how the company operates, what kind of tasks you will be expected to undertake or even about management style. The more original and complex your questions are, the more impressed the interviewing panel are likely to be!