So, you know what to do before your job interview: you’re well presented, calm and on time. But what about the interview itself? The objective of the job interview, from the employer’s point of view, is to find out three things:
- Why do you want the job?
- Will you be good at the job?
- Will you fit into the organisation?
Most interview questions are designed to get answers to these questions. In order to do well in your interview, you must be able to answer the questions in a way that will tell the employer all the things they need to know: that you want the job for the right reasons, that it is a job you will be good at and that you are a good fit with the rest of the employees.
In addition to these three questions, employers often want to be able to gauge your ability to think on your feet and to be creative. This is the reason that in some interviews, candidates may be asked a few weird and wacky questions. These questions aren’t geared towards a specific answer but are instead designed to help the interviewer see how you think.
The question: If you were an animal, which animal would you be?
What they are actually asking: What are your characteristics? How do you see yourself?
The question: What do you think of garden gnomes?
What they are actually asking: Do you have personality and a sense of humor?
The question: What are five uses for a stapler without staples?
What they are actually asking: Can you think outside the box?
The question: How many times in one day do a clock’s hands overlap?
What they are actually asking: What is your approach to solving problems?
Asking questions of your own
“Do you have any questions for me?” is not a trick question and is actually a further opportunity to show the employer that you are the right person for this job. Below are some examples of good questions to ask at the end of your interview.
- What are the common attributes of your top performers?
- What things really drive results for the company?
- What do you like most about working for this company?
- How would you describe the work culture here?
And, if you’re feeling really brave:
- Do you have any doubts about whether I am suited to this position?
Got a question for the Adzuna team? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line here.