My Interview

Hello and welcome.

My interview is an interactive tool, designed to help you understand more about what can happen in a general job interview.

You’ll be asked a series of questions. After each question, 4 possible answers will be shown. Pick the one you think is the best answer and click “Next” to move on.

Answer all the questions, and when you’ve finished you’ll get some feedback on how well you’ve done.

Take your time, think about the answers and click “Start” when you’re ready.

Good luck.

Hello, please make yourself comfortable. We will be interviewing you today. We want to find out as much as we can about you, your skills and experience.

What would you say your strengths are?

Hints and tips

First impressions count. The first few minutes of the interview are crucial so make sure you create the right impact. Be positive and friendly and don’t forget to smile.

Question 1

a) I'm good at organising things. I work weekends and I have to plan my homework for the week ahead so that I've got time to do the other things I like. I never leave anything to the last minute.

b) I'm not very sure what my strengths are. My guidance teacher thought I would be good at this job.

c) I like to be a leader. If the teacher is looking for a helper I'm usually the first to volunteer.

d) I'm very good at coming up with new ideas. I'm on the eco committee at school and I suggested we get recycling bins. The school took up that idea and people used them.

What IT skills do you have?

Hints and tips

It’s natural to be nervous, just take a deep breath and remember you’ve prepared for this.

Question 2

a) I'm not that good on a computer, but I sometimes play computer games at home.

b) I can use Word quite well.

c) I've used computers at school and at home so I can do presentations, spreadsheets and my typing is good.

d) I've been using computers most of my life so I know the basics. I learn really quickly and I'm not afraid to ask if I don’t know how to do something.

How would someone who knows you well describe you?

Hints and tips

There’s no rush. Take your time and think about the best answer for the question, don’t say the first thing that comes into your head.

Question 3

a) I'm not sure, I've not really thought about it.

b) I think they'd say that I'm chatty and outgoing and I work well in a team.

c) They would say that I am a good listener and very supportive.

d) I've been told that I'm hard working and enthusiastic. My boss knows she can rely on me to be on time and do my best.

Now we’re going to ask some more detailed questions about you, to help us find out how suitable you are for the job. We're looking for you to provide examples of real situations you’ve been in. What happened - and what was the result? Ready?

What skills and personal qualities have you brought to the teams you've been part of?

Hints and tips

Remember to use the STAR technique when answering questions: Situation, Task, Action and Result

Question 4

a) Well, I like to know that I'm pulling my weight and don’t like to be lazy. At home I help my mum with my brothers and sisters whenever I can as I'm a bit older. I get their breakfast and make sure they're ready for school when she's working. I like helping out like that.

b) I've never really worked as part of a team but I think I'm good at talking to people and organising things so I think that would help in a team.

c) I like being part of a team and think I'm a really good team player. I'm a good listener, so people seem to come to me when they have a problem or something they want to talk about. I think that's important in a team because there will always be times when people need someone to talk to.

d) I was in the badminton club and there weren't many people going along. I really enjoyed it so I encouraged my friends to give it a go and made sure everyone felt welcome. I was also very patient teaching them the rules.

Describe a time when you were in a team and you had to deal with a difficult situation?

Hints and tips

Remember the interviewer wants you to do well. Don’t be intimidated if you are new to interviews.

Question 5

a) I can't really think of an example, but I would speak to everyone involved to work out what the issues were and try to get them to see things from each others' point of view.

b) I was in a group for a school project where one girl kept taking over and doing all the work. I told her that the rest were getting a bit annoyed about it, she didn't realise we wanted to help out. Once we sorted that out, we all got on great and had a really good project.

c) My mum had volunteered me to help out with cleaning up the local play park. There were some people who were just messing around and not helping but there was nothing I could do about it.

d) I was helping out with organising the school prom. Some of the other people weren't doing much work and it was annoying me. I spoke to them and told them to start helping out because it wasn’t fair on everyone else.

Describe a time when you felt you worked well as part of a team.

Hints and tips

Be confident in your own abilities. Interviews are the time to talk about your skills

Question 6

a) When I was in the school drama club we worked together to design posters to put up around the school. It was my idea to make the posters and everybody did what they were supposed to.

b) I was part of a team looking at changing the school uniform. Some pupils were asked to get ideas from their classmates. I enjoyed talking to people, understanding their views and presenting them back to the task team.

c) I was part of an editorial team putting together a new school magazine. I worked with the people who wrote the stories to make sure that the photos I took tied in with the theme. The magazine sold well at the school fair and we raised money for school funds.

d) I can’t really remember a time when I worked in a team but I've got a Saturday job where I work on my own in a shop.

Have you ever had to communicate information to a group of people and felt afterwards that you could have done it better?

Hints and tips

Create a good impression by making eye contact and being aware of your body language. Remember to sit up straight, don’t slouch or fidget.

Question 7

a) I always feel like I could have done better. At school we all had to do a presentation in front of the class. I was a bit scared as I hadn't done that before. It didn't go very well.

b) Last year I was helping to show new pupils and their parents around the school. I knew exactly what I was talking about because that's been my school for years, but I got really nervous and didn't explain things well. If I was doing it again I'd practice more, and try to keep calm.

c) I can't really think of one but sometimes you don’t do as well as you could. If that happens you have to think about why and try to make sure that doesn't happen the next time.

d) My dance teacher asked for suggestions for songs we could use. I told her about one I really liked, but she didn’t use it.

What positive or negative feedback have you received about your communication skills?

Hints and tips

Use positive language, think about what you're good at and build it into your answers.

Question 8

a) I help coach a youth football team and the kids are always telling me how good I am at training them. I think it's because I get really involved in working with them and that encourages them to do well. I love football, and it's that energy and enthusiasm that comes across.

b) I spoke in front of the class but I was so nervous and my voice was shaking so much that no-one could hear what I was saying. The next time I practised a lot before I spoke and tried to calm my nerves. This time the teacher said it was a lot better.

c) I can't really think of anything, but always get good marks for essay writing and public speaking.

d) I was asked to give a talk to the class about my holiday. I didn't feel that worried about it though because I know everyone in the class.

Tell me about a time when you felt you communicated well?

Hints and tips

If you don’t have much work experience, you can use examples from school, a part-time job, or a club that you are a member of.

Question 9

a) In the classroom we were split into groups and given a task. Our group was pretty noisy and they weren't listening to what we were being asked to do. I always listen though, so I was able to tell them what we were supposed to be doing.

b) At assembly I spoke about the sports day to the rest of the pupils. I've not done this before so I was pretty nervous about it. I've spoken in front of smaller groups before but never that many people.

c) In the school film club, we had to choose a film. I talked about my favourite and described why I liked it. The rest of the film club chose to watch my film because of what I said. Everyone enjoyed it and it scored best out of all the films we watched that month.

d) I can't think of anything specific but in my part-time job I have to talk to customers all the time.

Describe a time when you needed help with something. What did you do?

Hints and tips

If you don’t understand a question, it’s ok to ask for an explanation or ask the interviewer to repeat it.

Question 10

a) I'm not very good at Maths and my friends started to make fun of me because I was always asking questions. Now I don't bother, I just try to work it out by myself.

b) I'd just started college and wasn't sure about all the classes I had to attend. I spoke to the student adviser and she explained what each of the classes were and why they were important.

c) I work in a small shop at the weekends. When I first started I was shown where all the stock was, but it was really quick and I didn’t take it all in. It was ok when we were quiet, but when we were busy and I couldn’t find things I got stressed out. I kept going though and eventually figured it out.

d) I was really struggling with Chemistry at school as I couldn't understand the formulas. The teacher suggested I go for assisted learning after school. Getting more practice really helped and at the end of the year I passed the exam which I was really pleased about.

What skills do you have that make you good at problem solving?

Hints and tips

Give full answers but don’t feel you have to continue talking once you think you’ve answered the question.

Question 11

a) The school had organised a fun run for charity. It was a really cold day and we were all freezing but there was nothing we could do about that.

b) I took over a friend's paper round but they didn't leave clear instructions about which houses got which papers. So I talked to the shopkeeper and worked out where the papers should be delivered. Now there's a record of who gets what to make it easier when someone else has to do it.

c) I'm good at finding a way of getting things done. When we needed new football kits I thought a sponsor might be able to help, so I wrote some letters to local companies asking if they could help. We got some money from a local business that paid for our new tops.

d) I'm logical and can work through tricky things on my own. I always try and make something positive come out of a problem.

Describe a time you've solved a difficult problem.

Hints and tips

The interviewer will take notes to record the answers you gave.

Question 12

a) A customer was really upset about a faulty product and they were shouting at me and demanding to talk to the manager. I managed to calm them down, then talked to my supervisor to arrange a replacement. The customer left happy.

b) In my dance group there was a girl who wouldn't turn up for training. We told the teacher that we weren't happy because it had an impact on all of us. The teacher spoke to her and she started coming regularly because I think she was worried she would get asked to leave.

c) I can't think of one, but I'm quite good at figuring out what to do in a difficult situation.

d) I was sitting next to someone and had to work with them but they really annoyed me because they talk so much. I'm not like that, I prefer quiet when I'm working, so I told them that when we were working we had to focus, but could chat during our breaks.

You’re almost finished. Just a few more questions from us and you’ll be able to get your results.

What can you bring to the job?

Hints and tips

Listen to the interviewer, they might not ask exactly what you have prepared for so be ready to adapt your examples to match the questions.

Question 13

a) I'm really sociable, I like to get on with people and have a laugh. I'm not sure what the job involves but I’m sure I'll be able to do it and get on with everyone.

b) I work hard and always put lots of effort in, I'm always keen to try new things and am always first to volunteer. I learn quite quickly and only need to see things done a couple of times to get the hang of something.

c) I'm a hard worker. When I find something I really like I put lots of effort in. People have told me I'd be really good at this kind of job.

d) Since I've been at college I've learned a lot more about working on my own. I'm good at research, planning tasks and meeting deadlines and I know that all of these skills are important to be successful in this job.

What motivates you to do a good job?

Hints and tips

If there is anything you’ve forgotten to include, or want to ask the interviewer there will be time at the end of the interview.

Question 14

a) I know that this company pays a bonus to people who do a good job, and I'd work really hard if I thought it was possible to earn more money.

b) People telling me that I'm doing a good job is enough to encourage me to continue doing a good job.

c) This job would be a good start for me. I'd like to go further in the future, so if I work hard now I think that could happen.

d) Whatever I do reflects on me, so I want everything I do to be really good. I put in lots of effort to make sure that what I produce is the best I can make it.

What makes you the best person for this job?

Hints and tips

Be yourself. The interviewer wants to find out more about you.

Question 15

a) I'd like to think I've shown you I've got the skills and experience required for this job. I'm good at communicating and working in teams. I'm good at solving problems, I'm flexible and enjoy learning new things. From what I know and what you've told me about the job, I think I would be an asset to your company.

b) I'm very good at a lot of things, teamwork, communication, problem solving.

c) I'm confident that you'll not find anyone better than me. I've got a lot to offer. I can usually turn my hand to most things.

d) I think I've shown you the skills that I've got through the answers I've given you. I'm good at teamwork, communication and problem solving. I've researched your company and think I would be a good fit.

Thank you very much for your time today. It was nice to meet you and you’ll hear from us very soon.

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