The top 10 most common interview questions

The top 10 most COMMON

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

At every job interview, there will be new questions for you to answer. You might be thinking – how can I prepare for this? The good thing is employers use common questions. We have listed the 10 most commonly asked questions and example answers.

When answering questions with examples and situations, it is helpful to use the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Results.

• Situation: Describe the situation - this is the context.

• Task: Identify the task you had to complete - this is what you had to do. • Actions: Describe your actions - this is what you did. • Results: Identify the results - these are the outcomes from your actions. Read our examples and practise with your own.

1. Tell me about yourself. Example response:

As you know from my resume, I'm Hayley and I recently graduated high school. I love baking so I worked at a local Café for my year ten work experience. That made me realise I want to do this for my career.

Your response:

2. Why Should We Hire You? Example response:

I am a hard worker who loves baking and I am also completing my Certificate II in Hospitality at TAFE. I attend classes two days a week, so I am available for the part-time junior baker hours. I also love that your café donates leftover food to the local homeless shelter. I volunteered there last year.

Your response:

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Example response:

• Situation: On a busy day at my old café, I was asked to work the cash register but this is one of my weaknesses. • Task: We were busy and a customer wanted to pay for their meal with a gift card. • Actions: I did not know how to process this so I asked my senior for help. • Results: We processed it together. When the same thing happened again later in the day, I knew how to process it. Since then, I have had one shift a week on the register and I feel more confident now.

Your response:

4. How do you handle conflict in the workplace? Example response:

• Situation: At my old café, there was conflict when I was rostered for a shift my boss typically gave to Danielle. • Task: Danielle was angry and accused me of ‘stealing her shift.’

• Actions: I politely told her that I did not know our manager would roster me that day and suggested that we talk to our manager about taking turns working on Sundays.

• Results: We spoke to the manager and everyone was happy with my idea.

Your response:

5. What are your career goals? Example response:

I want to be a shift supervisor. Once I complete my Certificate II in Hospitality, I want to work more hours. That would give me more experience and responsibility. I love to help others and I enjoy working in teams. A supervisor role would be perfect for me.

Your response:

6. Why do you want to work at this company? Example response:

I have wanted to work at this café since I first visited it. I have always had a good experience here as the staff are friendly and kind. I like that the hours for this job are flexible. I also like that the ad says further training is available. In the future, I would like to be a supervisor.

Your response:

7. Why are you leaving your current job? Example response:

I am looking for a job that offers work three days per week. The old café I worked at could only offer me one day per week over the past few months. I want to work more hours to gain more experience and become a supervisor.

Your response:

8. What can you bring to the company? Example response:

I can bring a positive attitude and new ideas to this team. I am a hard worker who is always happy to learn more and help others. I was nominated for three awards in my last job thanks to my personality and skills.

Your response:

9. How do you manage multiple priorities? Example response:

• Situation: When working at the old café, I had to wait tables, clean and put stock away.

• Task: I would complete my task based on the time.

• Actions: In the morning and afternoon, when it was quiet, I would process stock but at lunchtime, when it is busy, I would wait and clean tables.

• Results: I always completed all of my set tasks for the day.

Your response:

10. Do you have any questions for us? Example response:

- What would my everyday tasks be?

- Can I become a supervisor?

- Can I have further training?

- Will my work days always be the same?

Your response:

Be sure to write your answers down and read them aloud. This will help you remember them. We hope you enjoy practising these questions before your interview.

1300 233 673 www.afford.com.au

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