Preparation will answer all interview questions

Have you ever been to an interview where you have been asked a question and thought, 'Why ask me that?'

From the recruiters' perspective questions that are asked have been carefully researched to illicit a particular response. For example, 'What would your leadership style be?' is a question that is sometimes asked when you are being interviewed for a non-managerial position. The reason is that the interviewer is trying to assess your potential to become a manager in the future.

Ultimately you need to demonstrate to the interviewer that you have what it takes - that you can do the job. You need to create a feeling within the interviewer that they would trust you to take responsibility and that they would be comfortable working with you.

If you look at recruitment advertisements in the press, the details of what an employer is looking for are contained within the advert. This is essentially a very overt clue as to what questions you will be asked during the interview. Use it! Key words like leadership skills, analytical thinking, time / project management, innovation and creativity, team working, planning and prioritising etc. are examples of the skills that are detailed in advertisements. Typically interviewers will have 3 or 4 questions covering each of these areas. Depending on your initial response they will probe deeper. Whilst this may not always be seen as a positive and may feel a little uncomfortable, it is normally a good sign that interviewers are looking for more information.

Tough questions & how to prepare

-'Tell us about yourself?'
A classic opener that normally throws people but is meant to give the interviewee a chance to relax and talk about something that they are comfortable with. Be sure your answer is relevant to the role you have applied for and more importantly succinct - they are not looking for the Oscar winning speech!

-'What are your weaknesses?'
Turn this into a positive. Discuss how you have turned a weakness or 'development need' into a positive over a number of years. Interviewers are assessing how quickly you can think on your feet and how well you have prepared.

- 'What is your greatest achievement?'
This is an opportunity to talk about your achievements, but, it also an opportunity for the interviewer to understand where you priorities lie and understand your perception of an achievement. Make sure you have a clear description of the background to the achievement and the hurdles you had to overcome.

-'What would you like to be doing five years from now?'
This is not a particularly good time to say that you would like the interviewer's job - even if this is a very real ambition for you! The safest answer in this instance is to say that you would like to become an expert in an area and become a valuable team member. It is also important to acknowledge that you would welcome promotions if the opportunity arose.

-'If I rang your current manager for a reference how would he / she describe you?'
Don't panic, the interviewer is not going to call your manager without your permission. Focus on describing your key strengths and your working relationship with your manager.

If at any stage you are not clear what the interviewer is asking you, seek clarification. If you answer a question and are unsure if your response has been thorough enough then ask the interviewers if they would like you to expand on your answer. Never start answering a question unless you are 100% clear as to what you have been asked.

The key to interview success is preparation. This may seem like the age old statement but it certainly is effective. Key clues to the format of the interview can be taken from the advert or job description. Know your CV inside out. Make sure that you can validate and expand on all details on your CV. Practise answering questions; write out your response, role-play with someone who understands the job. Research the company - be up to date with the information. Follow up and learn from the experience even if you are not offered the job.

Harry Walsh of Harry Walsh Associates Recruitment Agency offers the following tips for interview success, 'Make sure you can describe your present and previous jobs, make sure you understand the job you are being interviewed for and write down four or five questions you would like to ask at the interview'.

Practice will pay off and with enough preparation and when that difficult question is asked you might respond by saying 'I'm glad you asked me that…..'