Question Time

Anticipating the Questions

Interviewer’s are trying to find out about you, your knowledge of the job, NYCC and your wider knowledge about related current issues. Anticipating the questions you may be asked, and planning your answers will calm your nerves

Questions about you

Having a clear idea of who you are and what you want from life and work is essential.

Common questions that interviewers ask about you are:

Tell me about yourself. Don’t give a life history starting with your childhood pet and ending with what you had for breakfast. Break the ice and show that you’re normal.
Why do you want this job? Be enthusiastic and stress how your skills are a perfect match.
What are your long-term aims? Keep this relevant to the job you're after, ambition is a good quality but the employer will want to know that you are serious about the job in question.
What can you bring to this job? Highlight your relevant skills, strengths, experience and qualities.
What are your strengths/weaknesses? Give two or three strengths that match the job and one 'positive' weakness e.g. a weakness that you’ve corrected or something which you want to overcome, for example 'I'd like to have more skills and training in budget management'.

Questions about the job or the organisation

These questions will test how much research and thought you have given to the job and the organisation. The questions that you will be asked will depend on the nature of the job, if it is technical, then you should expect technical, subject-related questions. If it involves dealing with people, you may want to prepare yourself by thinking of situational questions such as dealing with a difficult customer.

They may also ask:

What attracted you to this organisation? Career development opportunities, or a desire to work with and for the community or the variety of experience are all good answers, avoid benefits such as salaries, holiday entitlement and flexitime.
What do you think the most important qualities for this job are? Match up your qualities and experience to the jobs everyday tasks outlined on the Job Description. This will let the interviewer be able to see you doing the job.

Your chance to ask the questions!

At the end of your interview you will be given the chance to ask questions- make sure that you do! This is your chance to check that this is a job and employer that suits you, and demonstrate your curiosity and enthusiasm.

Good questions:

Can you describe a typical day?
What kind of opportunities are there for growth/advancement in this organisation?
What careers have people who have done this job before gone on to?
What is the organisational and departmental culture like?
When can I expect to hear your decision?