Interview Handbook
Contents
Pre-Interview Research................................................................. 4
Types of Interviews........................................................................ 6
Prep............................................................................................... 8
Dress
Manners
Location
Body Language
Speech
Core Competencies..................................................................... 10
Common Interview Questions..................................................... 12
SMART Career Goals
Management Styles
STAR Method
Understanding Curveball Questions
Explaining Why You Were Let Go............................................... 21
What to Do if You Trip Up
Wrapping Up................................................................................ 22
Questions to Ask
Questions Not to Ask
Saying Goodbye
Following Up
Checklists.................................................................................... 23
Overview
From what to say to what to wear, there are a lot of
things that need to be considered before walking into
a job interview. This guide offers a comprehensive
overview of everything you need to do to prepare
and give yourself the best chance of nailing the
interview and securing your dream job.
Over the years, we have accumulated a wealth
of information through our quarterly Employment
Market Monitors. Many of our findings will be
discussed throughout this handbook, but there are a
few interview statistics you should bear in mind:
60%
of employers admit to putting
candidates ill at ease during interviews to see how
they’ll react. Be prepared for this, and don’t let
anything psych you out.
80%
of employers decide on whether or not
a candidate is right for the role within the first five
minutes of meeting them, so make sure you make a
great first impression!
95%
of employers prefer practical experience
to academic experience. While a combination of
the two is your ideal scenario, try to focus on your
practical experience wherever possible.
96%
of employers say they would choose
someone with less pertinent skills but a good attitude
over someone with the right skills set, but a bad
attitude, so let your personality shine through.
With all that in mind, let’s look at how you can
prepare for anything and everything that could
come up.
About Cpl
Cpl Resources plc. is Ireland’s largest recruitment agency and a global provider of
staffing, recruitment, training and outsourcing services. We recruit across a wide
variety of industries and functions including: Technology, Science, Engineering,
Office Support, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Administration, Customer Support, Retail,
Banking, Construction, Sales, HR, Supply Chain and Hospitality. Our job is to find the
best candidates for our clients and to find the best jobs for our candidates.
The group is made up of four key pillars - Recruitment, Healthcare, Learning &
Development and Outsourcing – across 38 offices and 10 countries.
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Pre-Interview Research
Conducting thorough research on a company before
an interview shows the interviewer that you are
enthusiastic and serious about the opportunity at
hand. Research also makes it much easier for you to
know how to frame your answers, so the more you
prepare, the more likely you are to get the job.
WEBSITE
The obvious place to start is the About Us page on
the company website. You should also look for a
section on the company culture, values etc. and see
if they have any brochures or downloadable content
you can read.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media gives you an idea of the company
brand: the things they talk about on social media will
tell you how the company wants to be perceived,
and how they talk to their audience. You can check
their social pages for comments and reviews from
other people. You may also find videos of company
activities, sponsorships, events, and overviews that
will help you get a better understanding of their
brand.
Find out who their biggest competition is by looking at the
“People also viewed” section on their LinkedIn page.
Blogs or news sections will reflect what they hope
to achieve with their public perception, and will also
tell you what activities they have been involved in
recently. Larger businesses may have Quarterly
Business Reviews that cover topics such as
investments, risk factors, and strategy. These can
provide valuable information, particularly if you are
up for a finance or business development role.
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NEWS
Businesses usually only make the news for very
good or very bad reasons. Either way, if they’re in
the news, you should know. After searching the
company name on Google, click the news tab at
the top of your browser. You can then click ‘Search
Tools’ and choose to see results from the past week,
month, year, etc.
Pre-Interview Research
LINKEDIN
Your network is your best source of information, and
LinkedIn can help you identify who you know that
works in the company in question. Simply search the
company name, and on the left, click ‘People’ and
‘1st Connections’. Knowing someone who works
in the business will give you an inside view of the
company, interview tips, and an idea of the person
you’ll be meeting with. If you don’t know anyone in
the company, or have a connection to someone who
does, ask someone who works in the same sector
how that business is regarded.
Once you’ve cleared your CV of all fibs and
exaggerations, you need to make sure you know
exactly what’s in it. It may include points that you
rarely think about, but that make the interviewer
curious. It’s also crucial that you can detail the
outcomes of the projects and responsibilities on your
CV, not just the duties themselves. Stumbling on a
question about your own CV will make you look illprepared at best, or untrustworthy at worst, so make
sure you know it backwards and forwards every time
you go into an interview.
KNOW YOUR INTERVIEWER
GLASSDOOR
Glassdoor is a site for current and former employees
to review their employers, meaning it can offer
unparalleled insight into the pros & cons of a
business. Most businesses will have a Glassdoor
profile with reviews from current employees, notes
on real interviews others have attended there and
insight into company wages, which could help when
negotiating salary.
KNOW YOUR CV
According to our own research, 4 out of 5 jobseekers
lie on their CV, while 2 out of 3 employers have
spotted lies on CVs. The best advice we can give
when it comes to your CV is never to lie, because it
will come up at some stage. Whether you stumble in
the interview, or arrive on day one and realise you
have no idea what you’re doing, lying will only cause
trouble.
Some job ads will ask you to contact a specific
person when applying for the role. If you put thought
into the application, you will have addressed it to
them specifically. So why not look them up too?
Often the person doing the hiring will be working
closely with the successful candidate, so it’s a good
idea to see what kind of person they are, the role
they play in the company, and what their background
is. Knowing your audience in an interview makes it
a lot easier to know how to connect with them, so
find out what you can. Just don’t ask them how their
trip to Florence was, or how Alex and the kids are
getting on: according to findings from our Q3 2016
Employment Monitor, 47% of employers would reject
a candidate for being overly familiar in an interview.
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Types of Interviews
Once you know that you’re going in for an interview,
one of the most important things to find out is what
kind it is. Depending on the line of work you’re
in, some interviews may be more practical than
conversational, while others could be more casual
than formal. The format could change from interview
to interview, and while most of what we discuss in
this handbook will apply to more or less all of them,
it’s a good idea to have an understanding of each.
GROUP INTERVIEW
ONE-ON-ONE
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One-on-one is the most common type of interview.
As the name suggests,these are interviews where
it’s you and the interviewer in a room, and nobody
else. Follow the guidelines in this handbook,
and you should be completely prepared for such
an interview.
PHONE
Phone interviews are typically used for first round
interviews when there are a large amount of
applicants, or for roles that involve a lot of speaking
over the phone, such as telesales.
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Make sure you’re in a quiet place with good
reception. Always choose landline over
mobile
Group interviews involve one hiring manager
interviewing multiple candidates at the same time.
They are used when businesses need to hire
numerous people into the same role at once e.g.
retail.
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Be sure you remember everyone’s name, not
just the interviewer
Questions may be vague in order to apply to
everyone, so give specific, detailed answers
Be prepared for curveball questions, which are
very popular for group interviews (see pg 20)
COMMITTEE INTERVIEW
Committee interviews are those in which you meet
with several people from the business at once.
Committee interviews are relatively rare, usually
reserved for very senior positions, or roles that
involve working with a number of different people
across various areas of the business.
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Have your CV and some short notes about
the company in front of you
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Since you’re relying solely on your voice,
be conscious of filler words such as “um” or
“like”
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Use notes for reference only - don’t read preprepared answers, it will be obvious in your
voice
Speak up whenever you can to show initiative &
friendliness
Know how many people you’re meeting, and
who they are
Research their respective areas, and think
about how they relate to the role on offer
Make sure to speak to and look at everyone
equally with each answer
Types of Interviews
COMPETENCY-BASED INTERVIEWS
PRESENTATION INTERVIEW
Also known as behavioural interviews, the aim
of competency-based interviews is to see how
candidates react in different situations based on their
past experiences. For this, you’ll want to prepare a
wide range of stories that highlight your skills, ability
to overcome challenges, and the specific
skills they’re looking for based on the job spec.
Although not a hugely popular choice of interview
format, presentation interviews do happen. There
are a few ways to ensure it goes as smoothly as
possible.
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Review our Core Competencies section to get
an idea of the skills you should be highlighting
You should prepare at least two stories for
each point: one you can point to as a great
achievement, and one you can point to as a
situation that went wrong, but was saved
See our section on the STAR method of
answering interview questions for more
information on how to frame your answers for
behavioural interviews
TEST INTERVIEW
Test interviews typically involve setting
the candidate a task, and evaluating their
performance. You will be notified in advance if the
interview is a test interview, so you should know
whether or not you can do what is being asked.
Look up some of the most common problems
people have with the subject or system you’re
being tested on, and familiarise yourself with
the solutions. FAQs or support boards such as
Quora & Glassdoor are a great place to find out
the kind of issues people are having. You could
also practice with someone who doesn’t know
the subject matter, and walk them through the
process. This will help ensure you can explain
things in an effective manner.
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Know how long the presentation should be, with
room for questions
Put the presentation on a USB, Dropbox, and in
your email, so you can access it no matter what
Keep your slides light. Don’t use them as a
script, or include everything you’re going to say
Make sure you cover everything that would
come up in a one-on-one interview
SKYPE INTERVIEW
A Skype interview should be treated with the same
seriousness as any other interview. But different
things can go wrong in a Skype interview, so proper
preparation is crucial.
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Have an appropriate username
Update your Skype. Run an internet, video, and
sound test the day before, and on the day
Test call a friend for a few minutes to ensure the
stream doesn’t drop or freeze
Make sure the room is well lit, clean, and tell
anyone at home that you can’t be interrupted
Look into the camera, not the screen, to
establish eye contact
Don’t search for answers online - if you’re
caught, you’ll be ruled out
Close everything but Skype, so no notifications
interrupt the interview
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Prep
DRESSING FOR THE JOB
Our Q3 2016 Employment Monitor found
that roughly half of employers would reject
a candidate for dressing too casually at the
interview, so don’t make any assumptions.
It’s always better to be overdressed than
underdressed. While your clothes may reflect
how seriously you take the opportunity at hand,
your hygiene reflects how seriously you take
yourself. An unsurprising 81% of employers said
that they would reject an interview candidate with
poor personal hygiene, so if you’re wondering
whether or not you’re clean enough to show up,
you’re not.
REMEMBERING YOUR PS & QS
There is one mistake interviewees often make
that few ever even realise: forgetting that you’re
not just meeting the interviewer, you’re meeting
everyone along the way too. So if you’re all
smiles and compliments in the interview, but you
treat the receptionist like the help, you’re not
going to get the job. Even if you did, you’re just
going to make your work life far less enjoyable.
So be respectful from the minute you leave
home, not just when you think you’re being
watched.
THE HANDSHAKE
36% of employers state that they would reject a
candidate who has a poor handshake. This might
seem like an archaic way of judging a person’s
character, but a study published in the Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology had 4 judges
rate the handshakes of 112 people, and found
that they agreed whether a handshake was good
or bad 92% of the time. The criteria for judging
were strength, vigour, duration, eye contact, and
completeness of grip, so practice with a friend and
bear these in mind.
FINDING THE LOCATION
If possible, doing a dry run at the same time of day
is the best way to ensure you know where you’re
going. Otherwise you can use Google Streetview to
see if you can identify the building through any sort
of signage or clear numbering. Ninety-six percent of
employers say being late will cost you the interview,
so you should always try to be in the vicinity at least
20 minutes before the interview is due to start, and
actually head into the building 10 minutes before.
Don’t confuse showing up early with making a good
impression. It’s alright to arrive a few minutes early,
but showing up way too early will just throw the hiring
manager off their schedule.
Google Maps’ “Arrive by” feature will calculate your route
to a location, taking traffic into account, and reminding you
when you need to leave on your phone.
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Prep
BODY LANGUAGE
LEARNING TO SPEAK
Body language can reveal a lot about an individual,
and is one of the main aspects of a candidate that
an interviewer will focus on. A study by psychologist
Albert Mehrabian concluded what we say accounts
for about 7% of our overall communication, how
we say it makes up 38%, and the remaining 55% is
based on our body language. Other studies have
also shown that nonverbal communication is about
4 times more influential than verbal communication,
so awareness of your body language could make or
break the interview.
Although the bulk of communication is nonverbal,
you still need to be aware of how you speak. Your
main goal is to prove that you can be professional,
and that you know what you’re talking about. Don’t
try too hard to sound fancy, and avoid using lots of
buzzwords. Focus on the substance of what you’re
saying instead of the words you use, but don’t forget
that you’re talking to a potential boss. Research
from our Employment Monitor found that 47% of
employers would be put off by a candidate who is
overly familiar in an interview. It’s always better to err
on the side of professionalism, even if the interview
seems relaxed. In terms of tone, try to be composed,
friendly, natural, and confident. A study conducted
at Duke University in which 320 participants were
played audio of 64 people just saying “Hello” found
that they preferred those with deeper voices over
90% of the time, regardless of whether the candidate
was male or female. This doesn’t mean you have to
sound like James Earl Jones, but it could help you
sound more authoritative and confident to use the
lower end of your chords a bit more..
Eye contact: Avoiding eye contact can make
you come across as untrustworthy, while too
much eye contact could make the interviewer
uncomfortable. Make it clear that you’re paying
attention to the interviewer by looking at them
and nodding, but don’t stare. Strike a balance
to avoid giving the impression that you’re either
lying or not paying attention.
Sit up straight: Posture is a primary factor in
demonstrating authority. Slouching can come
across as indifferent, so sit up straight.
Don’t cross your limbs: Crossing your limbs,
particularly your arms, can cause you to look
closed off or hostile. Gesturing as you speak
will make you come across as more natural
and relaxed, while planting your feet firmly on
the ground is said to help you switch between
creative & logical thought.
MIRRORING
Mirroring is an easy way to make sure that your
tone matches that of the interviewer. After meeting
the interviewer, take note of what they do with
their body, hands, voice, head, and face. Use their
actions as a guideline for how to act and speak,
such as by slowing down your rate of speech. By
letting them set the tone, you’re ensuring that you
remain appropriate throughout the interview.
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Core Competencies
Although the skills required to ace an interview will
vary from role to role, there are some that can be
applied across the board. Familiarise yourself with
these, preparing a couple of STAR examples for
each one, and try to weave them into the interview
as naturally and as often as you can. Doing this
will make your answers far more relevant and
informative, giving you a much better chance of
leaving a lasting impression. See if the company
you’re interviewing with has any Core Values, or a
Mission Statement, and try to work those points in
as well.
ADAPTABILITY
● Adapting to changing situations
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Thinking on your feet
Effectively managing changing needs and
priorities.
CLIENT FOCUS
● Emphasis on clients’ needs & perceptions
of the business
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Nurturing client relationships
Ability to understand a clients’ needs in the
context of your expertise
Going the extra mile
COMMUNICATION
● Keeping all relevant people involved in your
work at all times.
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Communicating your ideas to others, listening
to, and providing feedback on theirs.
Being respectful of co-workers
The ability to clearly explain a complex concept
to others.
DECISION MAKING
The three main aspects of decision making are: process, consultation, & risk
assessment.
Process: Identifying the issue, analysing it, coming up with possible solutions,
selecting the best choice, enacting it, and monitoring the results.
Consultation: Have you included everyone who should be included? Have you
sought an outsider’s perspective?
Risk Assessment: How do you weigh up the risk-reward ratio, and make your
choice?
Good decision makers can make quick decisions while ticking all of the above.
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Core Competencies
ORGANISATIONAL AWARENESS
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RESULTS ORIENTATION
Understanding of the structure, culture, and
operating methods of the business
Being aware of what’s happening around the
business
Getting involved and working with other
departments
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Understanding the business’s values & goals
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Knowing their challenges & competitors
PROBLEM SOLVING
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Focusing on what is being achieved, not what
is being done
Constantly thinking about the end result
Coming up with innovative new ideas to
improve results
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Identifying tasks that are not fit for purpose
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Always looking for ways to self-improve
TEAMWORK
Step 1: Identifying – Something is preventing
a goal from being achieved
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Step 2: Analysing – Why is this occurring?
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Step 3: Targeting – Setting new goals
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Step 4: Examining – Looking at all possible
solutions
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Step 5: Deciding – Choosing a course of
action from the options available
Friendly, outgoing, and easy to get on with
Effectively involving and communicating with
the whole team
Identifying strengths & weaknesses
Knowing where everyone is best placed on
the team
Working as part of a whole
Supporting the team, regardless of whether
you benefit as an individual
Step 6: Implementing – Putting your choice
into action
Step 7: Measuring – Examining the impact of
the new course of action
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Common Interview Questions
Tell me a little bit about yourself
For this question, it’s important to realise that the
interviewer is asking about your professional life,
not your personal life. You don’t have to go into any
great level of detail, but you should have an “elevator
pitch” ready in which you explain your academic &
professional background, your current situation, and
then a few hobbies that show you are an interesting,
intelligent, and friendly person. You don’t want to
start the interview off on the wrong foot, so make
sure you know what you’re going to say, because
this question will come up.
How would your friends/family/colleagues
describe you?
The key to answering this question is not to simply
list off the personal characteristics you think people
like the most. The reason this question is framed
as such is because the interviewer wants to know
how well you relate to other people. For this reason,
your answer should highlight how well you work with
others, using words like “outgoing”, “considerate”,
“team player”, and “supportive” to reassure them that
you’ll be able to integrate well into the team.
47% of employers say they would reject a candidate
who is overly familiar in their interview.
Describe yourself in one/three/five
words
Describing yourself in as few words as
possible is one way for interviewers to get
you to boil down to the very basics. There is
no “right” answer for questions like this, but
don’t just pick the best adjectives you can
think of. Stick to words that you genuinely
believe are applicable to you, and ones you
can prove if need be. The most important
things you want to highlight are your
friendliness, professionalism, dedication, and
determination, and you should be prepared
to back each of these up with an example.
Below are some words that can be used to
answer this question.
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Accountable | Accurate | Adaptable | Alert |
Ambitious | Analytical | Articulate | Artistic | Attentive
| Calm | Careful | Committed | Competitive |
Confident | Consistent | Constructive | Cooperative
| Courageous | Creative | Decisive | Dependable
| Determined | Diligent | Diplomatic | Dynamic |
Effective | Efficient | Encouraging | Energetic |
Enthusiastic | Entrepreneurial | Fearless | Flexible
| Focused | Friendly | Helpful | Honest | Inclusive |
Industrious | Insightful | Instinctive | Leader | Logical
| Loyal | Mature | Motivated | Objective | Optimistic |
Organised | Original | Outgoing | Patient | Perceptive
| Persistent | Personable | Persuasive | Positive
| Proactive | Productive | Professional | Punctual
| Quick | Reliable | Respectful | Responsible |
Sociable | Supportive | Trustworthy
Common Interview Questions
What has been your greatest
achievement?
This can be an uncomfortable question for
many people but as cliché as it may sound, you
have achieved more than you think. Things you
consider normal could be viewed as outstanding
achievements by other people, so you might have to
take a while to think this one over. Winning a trophy
at school is just as good of an answer as saying your
greatest accomplishment was working two jobs to
support yourself, or that you once closed a big deal
at work. This question is more concerned with what
you consider an achievement and how dedicated
you are to your goals than whether you changed the
world.
What was your biggest setback?
In any interview, you are likely to be asked about
problems you overcame to get where you are. Your
biggest setback doesn’t have to be work-related.
It can be anything that stood in the way of your
career, but that you overcame. The purpose of this
question is to see how determined you are, and how
committed you are to your career. A hiring manager
would rather hear that your biggest setback was
losing your job and being forced to work two to make
ends meet than about a time someone else took
credit for your work.
What is your ideal job?
This question is, unsurprisingly, used to assess
whether or not you would be content in the role on
offer. It also tells the interviewer a lot about your
work ethic. If your ideal job is one where you don’t
start until noon, you’re probably not as dedicated or
driven as the person who shows up at seven every
day. So even if it’s true, don’t tell employers that your
ideal job is one that involves big cheques and no
timecards. Your answer should make clear what you
do or don’t like about work, your career passion, and
what drives you to keep going until you succeed.
What are your hobbies?
This question can give an insight on what you’d
be like to work with. Candidates who are big into
sport are more likely to be competitive, those with
a lot of social hobbies will be likely to get on well
with people, while candidates who say they have
no hobbies probably won’t fare as well in most job
interviews. Whatever hobbies you choose, try and
elaborate. Use this as an opportunity to show off
your curiosity, dedication, and creativity. There’s
always a chance that the interviewer will share one
of your hobbies, so be prepared for them to stray off
topic a little.
Why should we hire you?
This is your chance to brag about yourself and
anything you absolutely want them to know. You may
not be entirely comfortable doing so, but being too
modest will hurt your chances of getting hired. Don’t
be afraid to tell them about your achievements, any
awards you may have won, and how you learnt the
key skills required for the role. Having an answer
prepared for this question is crucial, because if you
can’t give them a good reason to hire you, then as
far as they know, there are none.
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Common Interview Questions
What other companies are you
interviewing with?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
The aim of this question is to see whether your longterm career goals line up with the role on offer. This
When interviewing for a role within a company, you
gives the interviewer an indication of how seriously
probably don’t want to tell them about all the other
companies you’re meeting with. But if the interviewer you will take the job, so don’t shy away from
explaining how it will help you in the long-run. This
wants to know, it’s best not to lie. While it can feel
is your opportunity to prove that you have thought
as though you’ve just told someone on a date that
ahead and planned for your future, which will show
you’re seeing several other people just in case,
the interviewer that you are serious about working for
interviewing with other companies shows that you
them, and not just taking any job that comes along.
are serious about making a career move. It can
also put a bit of pressure on the
interviewer to move the process
along faster if they think you’re
the right fit. So while it might seem
SMART CAREER GOALS
counterintuitive, be upfront about
your other interviews. You haven’t
SPECIFIC - What exactly do you want to achieve?
committed to anything yet.
MEASURABLE - How will you measure success?
If you were an animal,
which one would you want
to be?
ACHIEVABLE - What can you do to achieve these goals?
REALISTIC - Is this realistic and a good use of your time?
TIME BOUND - When do you want to achieve them by?
This question may be so triedand-tested that it makes us
tired-and-testy, but it is an easy
choice for people looking to
gain a deeper understanding of the person they’re
interviewing. While it might seem like a cliché
icebreaker with no real value, how you answer can
alter an interviewer’s perception of you entirely.
Saying that you’d like to be a cheetah so no prey
can outrun you will give a very different impression
than saying you’d like to be skunk so everyone will
leave you alone. This question may not be difficult
to overcome, but it can be easy to trip up on, so pick
a good animal with desirable traits before you go in.
Get caught off guard, and you may end up trying to
explain why you consider the platypus to be majestic.
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What is your biggest weakness?
Whatever you do, do not tell them that you are
“Too much of a perfectionist”. The biggest weakness
question can be a tricky one to navigate, but it
doesn’t have to be. Just be sure to pick a weakness
you have already started to work on, and tell them
about the steps you have taken to improve.
For example, you might say that you have a
tendency to try and please everyone, but realised
that this doesn’t work and just slows down the
process, so you’ve started bringing people in at the
beginning to get their opinions, and negotiating what
matters most.
Common Interview Questions
This shows the interviewer that you are an open
and involved worker, but that you can communicate
effectively and put your foot down if needed.
Describe a situation where you worked as
part of a team
This question aims to discern whether you are a
supportive team-member or a lone wolf. Pick a
situation where you supported others. Remember
to work in as many core competencies and values
as you can, such as communication and decision
making.
Describe a situation where you led a team
Key skills the interviewer will be looking out
for in your response to this question include:
communication, organisation, delegation, motivation,
problem solving, and time management. There’s
a lot to touch on here, so preparing your answer
beforehand can help you fit as many points as
possible into a few succinct sentences.
Describe a difficult experience you had
with a co-worker, and how you handled it
As well as helping to assess how you handle conflict,
this question can be used to flag potential issues
as to why the conflict arose in the first place. If
possible, choose an example of someone who was
particularly difficult to work with, but don’t demonise
them. Explain whether you flagged the issue with
management or addressed it head on, and how the
problem was resolved.
How would you deal with an irate
customer?
Customer service is a key aspect of any business,
so employers need to know that you won’t do
anything to upset their clients. Avoid the funniest or
most interesting story you have. Instead consider
the worst situation that you successfully deflated,
because that’s what they’re looking to hear.
What is your method for…?
Some jobs, such as writing or design, involve a lot
more creativity than others. If you’re applying for
such a position, you may be asked to explain your
method for working. Taking a few minutes to identify
what your method is will not only make you look
more prepared, but also more polished and refined
as an artist. Just make sure your method isn’t in
direct conflict with the environment. If you can only
write at home in bed with the curtains drawn, you’re
probably not the right fit for the role.
Give me an example of a time when you
took a risk to achieve a goal
When asked about risks, it’s important to remember
that the interviewer is trying to understand how you
think, so go for the decision that was hardest to
make, not the one that had the best results. Walk the
interviewer through your decision-making process,
explaining your reservations, why you thought the
risk was worth taking, and the results. They don’t
just want to hear about a time that you knocked
it out of the park, they want to know that you can
do it again. For more on risk assessment, see our
Core Competencies section at the beginning of this
handbook.
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15
Common Interview Questions
How do you define success?
How you define success goes a long way towards
telling an interviewer whether or not you’re the
right person for the job. Your definition of success
will make your goals and motivations clear. What
they’re really asking you is at what point you stop
trying to accomplish more. So if your definition of
success is holding the number one slot on the office
leaderboard, or closing a minimum amount of deals
a day, they know that you’re not going to consider
something a success until it reaches a stage that
they’re also happy with.
What is your management style?
If you’re going for a managerial role, you’ll need to
know about the different styles of management first.
These are:
will demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic at
hand, and highlight your level of professionalism.
Why did you leave your last job?
There are three things that interviewers want to know
when they ask this question: how was the quality of
your work, how was your work ethic, and did you get
on with the team? The best way to approach this is
to explain how your last role was not beneficial to
your long-term career goals. This could be because
there was no opportunity for upward mobility, or
because the role didn’t line up with what you want to
do. Just be clear that you’re making a move based
on rational thought, and not unpredictable emotions.
This will show the interviewer that they have no
reason to think you might be a risky hire.
If you were let go from your
most recent position, see our
section on Explaining Why You
Were Let Go.
MANAGEMENT STYLES
Autocratic
Chaotic
Consultative
Democratic
Laissez-faire
Management by
Walking Around
Persuasive
The Because I said so approach
The Be your own boss approach
The Can I get your opinion on something approach
The Majority rules approach
The I’ll step in if need be approach
The I overheard your idea… approach
The You’ll do as I say, but let me explain why
approach
It is crucial to clearly understand not only what kind
of manager you are, but why. Did you try chaotic,
but find consultative got better results? Being able
to both identify and justify your style of management
16
Avoid: Saying you hated your
boss, that you didn’t get on with
your team, that the workload
was too much, that you didn’t
get enough time off.
Tell me one thing you
would change about your
last job
This question requires some
skilful maneuvering to avoid
putting your foot in your mouth.
If you’re not careful, you could end up committing the
cardinal sin of slandering a previous employer during
an interview. Remember, no matter how bad they
were, don’t deride your last boss or workplace.
Common Interview Questions
To avoid that minefield, you should pick problems
that are more systemic than anything else, can
be easily changed, and probably don’t affect the
company you’re interviewing for. Saying that a lot of
time was lost because of outdated equipment is less
of a red flag than saying you hated everyone in the
office, so think before you speak.
where external influences put you under pressure,
but you succeeded anyway. You can use an example
of a time when a colleague was sick unexpectedly,
and you had to pick up all the extra work for a major
project. Alternatively, you can use another job as
an example. If you’ve ever worked as a waiter or a
bartender for example, you can use that as proof that
you can perform under pressure.
Why is there a gap in your CV?
You should be wary of telling stories where you
created unnecessary pressure. Avoid examples
where you performed well under stress, but only
because you hadn’t planned out your schedule
correctly, for example.
If your CV has a gap of more than a few months, the
likelihood is that you’ll be asked about it. One course
of action you can take to minimise this is to make
sure that you’re only including the most relevant work
experience. If you were in a job more than ten years
ago, or that’s unrelated to your current line of work,
you can feel free to leave it off. Similarly, if you left a
job unexpectedly after a short period of time, you can
omit that as well.
Explain X to a child
If you have a gap that is too large to be ignored,
then you’ll need to have your answer well-prepared
before the interview. If your reaction to this question
is flustered and surprised, it won’t look good. Make
sure you can explain why you left your last role,
and explain how you used the time off to grow and
improve your knowledge of your field. For more on
this, see our section on Explaining Why You Were
Let Go later in this handbook.
This technique is used primarily to vet candidates
for roles that require patience and/or the ability to
teach, so if you are asked to explain something
complex to a “child”, you need to remember that you
are trying to convey knowledge. For this reason, it’s
important to speak slowly & clearly, avoiding any
complicated words. Most importantly, make sure
you are engaging the person by asking them if they
understand, or if what you’re saying makes sense.
Remember that the point of this exercise isn’t to
explain how something works, it’s to show how well
you can teach.
How do you perform under pressure?
What stood out to you about our website?
While you might want to give off the impression that
you are cool, calm, and collected all the time, saying
that you don’t get stressed is not the right way to go
with this one. The hiring manager needs someone
who can persevere in stressful situations.
Interviewers often use this question to see how much
time you actually spent on their website. If you can’t
name something that stood out to you, it suggests
that you quickly flicked through to get a general idea,
and that’s it. Familiarise yourself with their site, and
keep an eye out for anything particularly innovative
or unusual that they may want people to notice.
To answer this, you should point to an example
>
17
Common Interview Questions
What motivates you?
The aim of this question is straightforward: they want
to know what drives you to do a good job. If money
is your primary motivation, you could move on as
soon as you get a better offer. If career progression
is your motivation, then it’s more likely that you’ll
stick around and work hard. To answer this question,
think about what the role entails, and what parts of it
you’re looking forward to. It could be hitting targets,
inspiring your team, meeting new clients. It doesn’t
matter too much what your motivation is, as long as
you show enthusiasm, and that you are focused on
achieving results for the business.
How do you manage time and prioritise
your work?
The method here doesn’t matter as long as you can
prove that you are diligent, can prioritise correctly,
and meet deadlines. Whether you use a fancy new
app or pen & paper, just make sure you can explain
your process, and convey your organisational skills.
Have you ever had a bad experience with
an employer?
This question may seem like a trap, because it is. As
we have mentioned several times already, speaking
ill of a previous employer is one of the worst things
you can do in a job interview, so don’t do it, even if
you’re asked to. If faced with this question, you need
to give more than a simple “no”. Try to frame your
story in a positive light, and steer clear of showing
any blame or resentment to your previous employer.
If you had a situation where the business was
severely understaffed, you could quite easily frame it
as a learning experience, even though it was difficult
18
at the time. If you have ever lost a job, see our
advice on Explaining Why You Were Let Go.
Tell me about a time you took initiative
Employers like people who take initiative, no matter
what the role. You want to show them that you
can come up with ideas, implement them, and
achieve measurable benefit for the company. You
can use this as an opportunity to show off several
of your core competencies, such as decision
making, problem solving, results orientation,
and organisational awareness. By choosing an
example where you identified a problem, such as
an inefficiency or uncapitalised opportunity, and
developed an effective solution, you can highlight
these skills to the interviewer in one go.
Why do you want this job?
A common response to this question is to tell the
interviewer why you like the company. While it is a
good idea to show that you have researched the
company and understand their agenda, don’t waste
your time telling them facts they already know.
Instead, use this question to explain your own career
goals, and how they line up with the company and
the role in question. If the interviewer knows that
the role will help you advance your own career, they
know you’re much more likely to take it seriously.
What can you tell me about this company?
Research information that is relevant to the role
on offer. Choose facts that will highlight your
industry knowledge by putting them in context
or contrasting the company with competitors. Be
familiar with the kind of work the company does.
Common Interview Questions
Watch a few of their ads online so you understand
which aspects of their public persona they’re
trying to highlight, but don’t feel as though you
must pretend you’re a lifelong customer. If you’ve
never used their service, just say so. If you have,
be honest about your experience. If you had a
negative experience with them, present it in a
way that doesn’t place blame, but offers a new
perspective.
What are your salary expectations?
STAR METHOD
The STAR method is a helpful guideline that can be
used to answer a wide range of interview questions
using real-life experiences. Use this method when
preparing your answers, or if a question comes up
that you have not prepared for.
Situation: Start off by explaining the context of the
story you’re about to tell. Where were you working,
how many people were on your team, who the client
was, why it was so important, and so on.
Of course, the main point of this question is to
gauge whether or not your expectations line up
with what they can afford, but it also shows how
much you value yourself. It’s important that your
response to this question is well-informed. If you’re
too far off in either direction, it could raise some
red flags. They may end up thinking you are too
misguided or unrealistic to even consider, so do
your research and make sure you know what a
realistic salary for such a role would be. Cpl’s
annual Salary Guide is a good starting point. This
will give you a ballpark figure to work with, which is
much better than just saying a number that you’d
like to earn and hoping for the best.
Action: After explaining the task, you describe
the steps you took to complete your duties. You
can explain the action you took, as well as why you
decided that was the best choice, and challenges
that arose along the way.
One major pitfall to avoid with this question is
coming across as greedy, or as someone who is
only concerned with money. While you have every
right to fight for the wage you deserve, have your
expectations and your rationale for them ready.
The first time they ask this, it really is mainly to
gauge whether or not they’ll be able to afford you.
If you make it further along the interview process,
you’ll know that not only can they afford you, but
they want you. Then you can start to negotiate.
The STAR method is a useful way to make sure that
you hit all the relevant points and provide useful,
coherent information to the interviewer. It can’t be
used for every answer, but it can help with most
experience-based questions, so make sure you bear
it in mind when preparing your answers.
Task: The next step is to clearly explain the
objective of your project, and what specific aspects
of it you were personally responsible for.
Response: The final step is to tell them about the
response to your work. Were the goals achieved?
How did management feel you performed? What did
you learn, and what would you do differently next
time?
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19
Types of Interviews
How do you think this company could
improve?
If faced with this question, avoid insulting their
service or proposing something they can’t change.
Remember, if they like your idea, they may ask
you to follow through on it when you start. Choose
something small, and explain why you think it needs
to be changed. Explain what’s wrong, and why
your experience has enabled you to identify it and
improve it.
What are you looking for in a new role?
The first step in preparing for this question is to see
what it says in the job spec. You should know which
areas are making you hum and which are making
you ha, so note those down and clarify as much as
you can. You should also think about the aspects of
your current or most recent role that you did or did
not like. Most importantly, you should explain your
career plan and see what you need from this role to
make sure you keep moving forward.
Avoid: saying you’re looking for a pay rise, more
days off
Describe a time when you had to
compromise
Compromise is an important part of any relationship,
and working relationships are no exception. Choose
an example of a time when you agreed to make a
change that would make a big difference to someone
else, at only a small expense to you. This shows
that you’re willing to take on a little extra work for the
greater good, but you’re not allowing your priorities to
slip either. Make it clear that you can compromise on
things that can be changed, but stand your ground
when it matters.
UNDERSTANDING CURVEBALL QUESTIONS
A common tactic used by interviewers is to throw in a few unexpected curveball questions like
“What kind of animal would you be and why?” Our own research has found that 60% of employers
like to put candidates ill at ease during interviews to see how they’ll react.
Glassdoor is an example of a company that has become well-known for its difficult interview questions,
such as “How many windows are in New York?” The reason they ask questions like these is to see how
you react to a challenge, as well as how you approach your work. If you panic and can’t answer,
it suggests that you don’t react well to unexpected situations. If you give an overly simplistic answer
like “1 million”, it looks like you don’t think things through.
While you probably don’t know how many windows are in New York, they want to understand how you
think. Forget the absurdity of these questions, and treat them as if they are legitimate tasks.
20
Explaining Why You Were Let Go
Explaining that you were let go from your previous
position can feel like you’re closing the door on any
possibility of a successful interview. Fortunately, this
is not the case. There are countless reasons people
are let go, so don’t rule yourself out straight away.
will not only make the interviewer wonder if you will
do the same to them, it will also make it much harder
to believe your side of the story.
You may be asked follow up questions, such as
why you failed to hit targets or what steps you have
taken to prevent the same mistakes, so be prepared
for these as well. You should keep your answers as
short and sweet as possible, but don’t rush either.
Get everything out in the open now, and move on to
the next subject when they’re ready.
The most important thing to remember when
explaining this is that no matter why you were let go,
you shouldn’t lie about it. Ever. Even if you manage
to slip through the interview without getting caught
out, there’s always the risk that you will be. Apart
from the fact that this will make you look far guiltier
than anything else, it will always be in the
back of your mind. You don’t want to spend
WHAT TO DO IF YOU TRIP UP
the rest of your career worrying and looking
Just because an interview doesn’t go perfectly
over your shoulder, and the only way to avoid
doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause. Not every mistake is
this is to be upfront.
make-or-break, so don’t let yourself get blindsighted
Before you even think about how to explain
by anything once you’re in the room. The first and
that you were let go, you need to come
most important thing to remember if you do make
to terms with the fact that it happened. If
a mistake is not to panic. This will be immediately
you think explaining that you were let go
obvious, and could spoil the rest of the interview.
is awkward, then the last thing you want is
The next thing to be aware of is talking for the sake
to well up as you do. If you think there’s a
of talking. When we make mistakes, especially in
chance this might happen, make sure you
high-pressure situations, we have a tendency to
talk through what happened with a friend,
go into overdrive to try and make up for it. This
or your recruiter. It’s not the end of the world,
usually doesn’t go too well, as people start saying
so don’t let it be the end of the interview.
anything to distract from their mistake. You don’t
If you were let go for non-performance
want to start making stuff up, or rambling incoherent
related issues, such as cutbacks, then you
nonsense, so take a moment before responding and
have nothing to worry about. If you were let
really think about what you’re going to say. Avoid
go because of your performance, you still
the temptation to rush through your response, and
need to be honest. Explain what happened,
don’t start apologising profusely. Remember, they’re
and how you have learned and grown from
probably meeting with a lot of people about the role,
the experience. Make sure you accept
and you’re not going to be the only one who makes
responsibility, and don’t blame others for your
a mistake. So stay calm and confident, because it’s
misfortune. More importantly, don’t blame or
probably not as bad as you think.
badmouth the employer that let you go. This
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21
Wrapping Up
QUESTIONS TO ASK
SAYING GOODBYE
At the end of the interview, you’ll be asked if you
have any questions for the interviewer, and the
answer is always “Yes”. This is a chance for you
to show your enthusiasm for both the role and the
company, so take it. You don’t want to come across
as disinterested or eager to leave, so be sure to
have a few questions ready.
Once you’ve asked your inoffensive, well-informed
questions, it’s time to wrap things up. Remember not
to seem eager to leave, and to thank the interviewer
for their time. Ask them if they need anything else,
remember to get your handshake right, and to say
goodbye to the person who greeted you when you
arrived. The hardest part might be over, but your
interview doesn’t end until they can no longer see or
hear you.
Examples include asking what qualities they’re most
looking for in a candidate, which will also give you a
good indication of whether or not you’ll actually be a
good fit. Alternatively you could ask if they have any
concerns about you, what a typical day would be
like in the new role, or about challenges facing the
company right now. This is also an opportunity for
you to show off a little bit of industry knowledge by
asking a well-informed question. You can even just
ask what the next steps in the process are or if they
need anything else, which will hopefully give you
an indication of how things went or when you can
expect to hear back.
QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK
Even though you should always have questions to
ask, you shouldn’t always ask the questions you
have. Asking about things like time off or salary will
indicate that you’re not really dedicated to the work,
and more interested in personal than professional
gain. Once again, avoid getting overly familiar or
nosey. Don’t ask anything that the business wouldn’t
want to be known publically (remember, you’re not
an employee yet), and certainly don’t ask anything
you wouldn’t ask your boss, because if you’re lucky,
that’s what you’re doing.
22
FOLLOWING UP
You should follow up each interview with an email
thanking the interviewer and reiterating your
interest in the position. This will not only show
professionalism and politeness on your part, but
will reassure them that your interest is genuine,
dispelling any doubts they may have. Just don’t
presume to know how things went, which could come
across as pushy or arrogant. You should send your
thank you email within 2 days of the interview. In it,
you should thank the interviewer for taking the time
to meet with you, make your enthusiasm for the role
clear, and attach any material or “further reading”
that you discussed during the interview.
If you haven’t heard back in two weeks, or within
the timeframe provided to you, it’s okay to follow
up. An email is a better choice than a phone call
for this, as it allows them time to compose a wellwritten response, rather than blindsighting them by
essentially calling up and asking if you’re hired or
not out of the blue. Just ask if they have made any
decisions, or have an idea of when a decision will be
made. You’re entitled to know where you stand, and
not to be left waiting to hear on a position that may
already be filled.
Checklists
4
THE DAY BEFORE
●
Make sure your clothes are washed, ironed, and ready to go.
●
Do your research. Know the company, and the person who will be interviewing you.
●
Confirm you are absolutely certain when & where the interview is taking place.
●
Search sites like boards.ie & Glassdoor for tips on the company’s interview style.
●
Have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer.
●
Print out copies of your CV, cover letter, and anything else they may want to see.
●
Get a good night’s sleep. Don’t drink coffee 6 hours before bed, and switch your
phone off an hour before you go to sleep.
ON THE DAY
●
Shower, and don’t overdo the cologne/perfume.
●
Buy a pack of mints and have some before the interview (but don’t chew gum).
●
Bring extra copies of your CV & cover letter.
●
Aim to be there ten minutes early – no sooner, and no later.
●
Be polite to everyone you see that day.
●
Remember the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Response.
Remember your core competencies –
Adaptability,
Client Focus,
Effective Communication,
Decision Making,
Organisational Awareness,
Problem Solving,
Results Orientation,
and Teamwork.
●
●
●
Check the news one last time to see if anything big has happened involving the
company.
Turn your phone onto airplane mode before you go in.
Cpl Resources plc.
8-34 Percy Place, Dublin 4
T +353 1 614 6000
E info@cpl.ie
W www.cpl.ie