Learn how to answer common, tough interview questions you may be asked during the interview process.

1. How to answer the worst
interview questions!
June Parker, Career Coach

2. Preparation is key
• Know the job
• Know the company
• Understand how your skills &
experiences fit
• Find the gaps THEN prepare!
(be brutally honest here)

3. No-one is 100%
Recognise no-one is perfect, however you
need to present as the BEST fit for the
role.

4. Fact
It’s not always the best
person for the job that
gets it, it’s often the
person who appears
the best!

5. How do you appear
the best?

6. First step
Re-read the job description
or job advertisement
thoroughly to understand
what the employer is looking
for in terms of
• skills and
• competencies

7. How do you appear
the best?
Write down AT
LEAST five situations
where you feel you
have added value to
your previous
employers. Relevant
to the job you want.
Think – increased revenue,
reduced costs, increased
efficiencies, new ideas etc

8. STAR with a twist
Write down each situation as a success story;
SITUATION – overview
THINKING – why you chose the action you took
ACTION – what you did
RESULT – what happened
(quantify this)

9. Unstated need
Imagine yourself in the
employers shoes, what do they
REALLY need from someone
in the job you are applying for?
What keeps them awake at
night? What damage/pain
could you cause them, if you
stuff up? What’s the difference
Between OK and GREAT?

10. Prepare
Add to your success
stories, instances where
you have overcome or
demonstrated competence
in any of the areas you
thought of based on the
previous slide.

11. Map
Now list all the
competencies and skills
required and recognise
where your success
stories demonstrate this
skill or competence.

12. Competencies
One success story may cover a number of
competencies. For example;
Situation – “I recognised different
managers kept asking for different reports
each month, which took up a lot of my time
and detracted from my other duties.”
Thinking – “I thought, if I could streamline
this it would not only save my time but
maybe give the managers better
information.”

13. Competencies
Action – “I called each of the 4 managers
and asked them about the most important
information they needed. Then I created a
single suggested report. I called a
meeting & discussed the report with them.
With their input, I made one minor
adjustment.”
Result – “I saved 2 hours of my time each
week, plus the managers got better
information upon which to run their
divisions more effectively.”

14. Competencies
The previous example could be used for the
following competencies;
- Initiative
- Stakeholder management
- Results orientation
- Efficiency improvement

15. Multiple examples
One success story provides
four competency examples.

16. Multiple examples
5 stories can provide 20 examples !!!!
This is WAY more easy to remember than
learning the answers to many different
questions.

17. Question &
Answer
PART ONE
NOW when your asked a question you will
have a situation, which demonstrates your
skill in the areas they want
(We have a template on our website which
walks you though this process if you’d like it)
www.selectionpartners.com.au

18. What about the
gaps?
Always remember when answering
questions the hiring organisation is ONLY
concerned about what you can do for
them. So focus on what you can do, NOT
on what you can’t do or on areas/skills you
are weak in.

19. What about the
gaps?
Could you learn to overcome the gaps?
If so – explain that this is an opportunity for
natural career progression and this is why
you are interested in the role. You have a
passion for learning & developing. You will
be extra motivated. You will work hard to
develop the skill & appreciate the opportunity.
THEN
Tell them the Value you can add to the role.

20. What about the
gaps
Tell them all about
the other strengths
you have. Discuss
your transferrable
skills.
Help them see you
do measure up

21. Employer think
• Can you do the job?
• Will you do the job?
• Will you fit in?
• Will you be easy to manage?
• Can I afford you?

22. Tough Questions
• What are your weaknesses?
• Have you ever had a bad experience
with an employer?
• Have you ever had a conflict with
someone at work?
• Why should we hire you?
• Tell us something about yourself not in
your CV

23. Tough questions
• Why are you STILL at this level role?
• Why do you not have a job yet?
• Why were you retrenched first?
• Why have you not stayed long in each
role?
• What animal best describes you?

24. Answers to these and more will be in our
next presentation.
If you would like one on one interview
coaching please contact
june@selectionpartners.com.au
www.selectionpartners.com.au