Tricky interview questions about the job
Telling the interviewer what interests you about the job their offering can be harder than it sounds. Take a look at our example questions to get an idea of the things you might be asked and how to respond.
Interviewers will always ask about the job you are applying for. It may seem a little odd – surely they should be telling you about the job – but it’s a chance to impress your prospective employer by showing that you’ve done some research.
Questions you might be asked about the job
What attracts you to a career in …? Show your motivation! Explain what interests you in the sector – whether it’s been a lifelong ambition or you recently realised that it’s an interesting area of work. If your degree is not related to the job, or if you’ve changed career, explain your reasons.
Why do you want this job? Tell the interviewer what attracted you to the position – is it a first step towards your dream career, a job that fits your skills and interests or a chance to work for a renowned employer?
What qualities do you think will be required for this job? Here’s your chance to show off the research you did. Having read the recruitment information, you should be able to say what they’re looking for, and then explain that you have all the skills.
What makes you the best person for the job? Having done your research, you know that you have all the right skills so tell the interviewer about them and highlight any additional qualities that may be relevant.
What can you contribute? Use the past as a guide to the future. Tell the interviewer about your achievements – from your studies, any previous jobs and extra-curricular activities – which are relevant to the position.
What did you learn at university that you could bring to this job? This is what marks out graduate jobs from ones that anyone could do. What was the point of your degree?! How will you apply this knowledge to a work situation?
How soon would you be making a significant contribution to the organisation? This is tricky – you don’t want to sound arrogant by saying that you’d make a difference from day one. You could turn the question round and ask what they’d expect.
Where do you expect to be in five years’ time? Thinking about your future is seen as a positive, because it shows that you’re serious and committed to the job. You might want to research likely career progression within the organisation.
How ambitious are you? Feel free to talk about your ambitions within the job – to do as good a job as possible. Talking about career aspirations is good, but you shouldn’t appear to be after the interviewer’s position.
Why should we employ you? Your chance to highlight all your extraordinary skills and show how they relate to the position. You could say that you think there is a good fit between you and the job, but be prepared to explain why!
Where to look next
Get advice on interviews in the main graduate career sectors
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