Interview Preparation for the Semi-Structured Interview

The Semi-Structured Interview

The most important aspect of a semi-structured interview is that the interviewer has a lot more discretion and control over the direction they want take with the interview. Like a structured interview, the interviewer will come to a semi-structured interview prepared with a standardized list of questions, but unlike a structured interview, the interviewer has the authority to alter or deviate from these questions or even replace these with other questions of their choosing as they see fit based on the answers we give. In the semi-structured interview, the impression that the interviewer gets from us will determine the nature of the questions that they ask and the direction that the interview takes. While we can still usually expect to find some competency and behavioural based questions in this type of model, because of the leeway that the interviewer has, it can make the overall structure of the semi-structured format unpredictable – and places additional emphasis on rapport building with the interviewer. The good news is that where the focus of a structured interview is to answer every question as best as we possibly can and to stay on topic, a possible advantage with the semi-structured format is that it can leave us with more scope for rapport building; because with the semi-structured model the interviewer is looking to ask questions based on our responses – and as such, this can consequentially provide us with greater opportunities to engage in conversation over the course of our interview

Semi-structured interviews are categorised by a prevalent use of open-ended questions.
The interview may start with you talking about your past and most recent work history; (based on the employment history in your C.V, you’ll outline the job roles you’ve held, the skills needed for them, and the responsibilities that these positions entailed).
From there, the interviewer may want to go more in-depth and get your feelings on certain aspects of those roles, or get you to elaborate on the challenges you faced while carrying out those duties, and the skills or qualities you used while performing them.
The middle part of the interview may see a variety of open ended and standardized questions. The standardized questions are to help the interviewer provide structure at this point in the interview. The types of questions at this stage may be used to revisit answers and other things you’ve mentioned during the first part of the interview, and the answers you provide here will determine the most significant part of the interviewer’s assessment of you.
The final part of the interview will be used by the interviewer to clarify any points, concerns, or other areas they feel it may be useful for them to revisit.
Keep in mind that this type of interview format indicates that your interviewer has a high degree of expertise or technical proficiency in the job field they are interviewing you for. This is why the interviewer has a lot of freedom in the questions they ask and in how they get to conduct the interview. If you’re going for a job that requires specific technical knowledge, with this type of interview format it will be difficult to convince the interviewer to hire you if you do not have the required skills that they need

Below you will find questions and answers to some of the most commonly asked questions in the semi-structured interview. Alternatively, why don’t you look at the link at the bottom of the page for the steps we recommend you take to prepare for your next interview

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR THE SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW



1. What can you tell me about this company?

What is this question
The interviewer asks this question to get a sense of whether or not you’re really interested in the company. It is a straightforward question, and how well you answer it will impress upon the interviewer as to whether or not you have a genuine desire to want to work for them. It also demonstrates that you are willing to take the time to learn about the company, which in turn also impresses upon the interviewer as to your suitability for the role

How to answer this
Keep everything you say here positive and upbeat.
Researching the company using the ‘about us’ and ‘history’ tabs on a company’s website, or searching online using the companies name, should usually give you more than enough information to use. Compose your answer by compiling 1-2 paragraphs about the company regarding its products and services, values and culture, mission objectives, or current news and events with this information. This is one of the questions you should be able to recite easily when asked, so make sure you practice this answer before the interview

Example
‘Your company started in the recruitment industry 5 years ago, and since that time it has always strived to take an innovative approach towards how it operates. Your goal is to become an industry leader in secretarial, HR, and administrative office support, and you only recruit top-quality candidates for the entry level, managerial, and executive level positions that you hold. Your company values honesty in its people, and innovation in the services it provides, and in 2019 was rewarded for the incredible contributions it’s made when it came runner-up in the National Recruitment awards. I feel I have the values and skills your company is looking for and believe its well on the way to achieving its goal of becoming one of the biggest recruitment firms in the country, and that’s something I definitely want to be a part of’.

2. What made you apply with us?

What is this question
Similar to, ‘why do you want this job?’, the question, ‘what made you apply with us?’, focuses more on the company rather than the job itself. That’s a good sign, because it means you are dealing with a career orientated employer, and with the questioning focused on the company, the employer is clearly looking for someone who has a career with them in mind. This would normally also infer it’s a good company to work for and one that will treat it’s employees well. Just remember that the interviewer asks this question for the same essential reason, to help them further assess whether or not you are a good fit for the company and for the job in question…

How to answer this
You should express both an interest in the job, as well as in the company itself.   
Try doing this by expressing your admiration for the company, (use the information you have gathered while researching them to help you do this). Solidify your answer by mentioning some of the most relevant skills and qualities you possess that you feel make you a suitable candidate. The two objectives you have here are to try and convince the interviewer that you are a good fit for the role, and that you have a genuine interest to work for the company too

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

3. In what ways are you qualified for this job?

What is this question
The interviewer is further trying to assess your eligibility for the role. The way you answer this question also gives them a good idea as to what your motivations for applying with them are, and as to whether or not you have a genuine interest in the role itself

How to answer this
A good way to structure your answer is to start by recapping any strong points where you’ve performed similarly related duties well in previous roles. You should avoid generic responses such as ‘I’m highly motivated’, ‘I’m hard-working’, ‘I’ve got good communicative skills’, and instead get into specifics. You need to try and convey your best points by providing strong verbal examples, and to this end, this question also gives you a good opportunity to effectively sell yourself here as well. While you need to keep everything you mention here relevant to the job description, it doesn’t necessarily all need to be work related – if you can think of a skill or experience that’s relevant outside of a work-related environment, feel free to use it. For example, ‘as captain of the school football team, I exhibited top-class leadership and motivational skills on a weekly basis’. Again, it’s about matching your selling points and past achievements to the question and aligning them with the job description as best you can

Example
‘I believe I’m well qualified for this job because of the past experience I have in the sales industry. The job description states that someone is needed who is a self-starter and has experience in b2b marketing and CRM software applications. I have 5 years experience in telesales, where I used CRM to upsell accountancy software packages. When I joined the team, our sales were down 11 percent for the quarter, and morale was low. Working with minimal supervision, I managed to become the lead salesperson within 6 months of joining the company. I was able to do this because I am a very disciplined person, and I take a very serious approach to my work, part of which involves me reflecting on all the actions I undertake whether these be good or bad. This enables me to set effective personal targets for myself, such as analyzing previous sales data for missed opportunities, honing the scripts that I use when speaking with prospective customers, and more simply – focusing on being myself when delivering my sales pitches’.

4. Why do you think you are a good fit for this role?

What is this question
One of the main objectives the interviewer has when interviewing a candidate is to evaluate how well they will meld with the pre-existing company culture, and how closely their skills and experience match the duties required for that particular role, (essentially, how good a ‘fit’ they are for the role). Although there are numerous things they will look for and ask you when doing this, a more straightforward way for them to evaluate this is to simply ask you about what you think makes you a good fit for the role which is what they are doing here

How to answer this
Whether it’s directly or indirectly worded, whenever a question arises that’s primarily focused on how good a ‘fit’ we are for a role, we should always be looking to match our most relevant skills and experiences to the duties listed in the job description. We should then be looking to follow up on the things we’ve mentioned by giving either specific or generalized examples of this

5. Can you give me give some examples of teamwork?

What is this question
Teamwork, (the ability to work as part of a team) is an essential part of any work environment, and you will frequently see this word referred to not only in many job descriptions, but also on many candidates resumes as well. This is a straightforward question, and the interviewer is looking for you to provide evidence that you can work as part of a team. It is a somewhat open-ended question, and a secondary purpose of this is that they want to make sure you understand what teamwork actually is

How to answer this
You need to be looking to give examples of times where you have demonstrated your teamworking abilities. With the way this particular question is worded, you can generalize your answer, meaning you can give examples that are not specific to a particular situation, talking about traits you have exhibited in a general sense, rather than giving examples specific to a particular situation

If you prefer, another way you could go about answering this is to provide 2 or 3 short specific examples of times where you have exhibited teamworking abilities. Remember that these don’t have to be examples based on employment duties. They can be based on any tasks you have performed outwith your working environment too, such as team working traits you have exhibited as a member of a social or sporting club, at cultural or civic events, on behalf of volunteer organizations, or in other walks of your personal life. Remember that whenever providing specific examples you should always try and use the S.T.A.R example response method

Example – General
‘I use teamwork all the time in the things that I do. For example, one of the first things I always make a point of doing whenever meeting people for the first time, whether it’s in a work-related environment or a personal capacity, is to introduce myself to them – and for the first few weeks after that I’ll always listen closely and try to look for things we have in common. I find that by listening to people and getting to know their interests it’s much easier to start up a genuine conversation and establish common ground with them. This is an approach that I’ve always found to be very effective, and I can honestly say I’ve never had a problem integrating into any team or social environment’.

6. How long do you expect to work for this company?

What is this question
This is another question that implies a career orientated employer, which is good for you as a prospective candidate. This is a very straightforward question, and the interviewer is trying to determine how long you plan to stay in the job. Unless it’s a temporary job, an employer is almost always looking for an employee who aims to stay with the company over the long term.
(When you consider the time and costs associated with hiring and training new employees, as well as the quality and experience that longer serving employees provide a company with, it makes sense that employers will prioritize candidates who are to looking to stay with them over the long term)

How to answer this
While this is a very straightforward question to answer, it’s also a very important one too. From the interviewer’s perspective, if you’re not looking to be there for any given length of time, there’s not much point in them considering you as a serious candidate for the role. In an interview, you should always strive to answer all questions honestly. To this end, you can rationalize your response to this question in the following way – if you’re not expecting to be with a company for any given length of time, you probably shouldn’t have applied for the position or gone to the interview in the first place. With this rationale in mind, you should be looking to give the interviewer an answer that is positive and upbeat, try and sound enthusiastic about your future with the company, and you can do this by elaborating on what you want from a career with them. Following the interview preparation steps 1 and 2, researching the company and familiarizing yourself with the job description, it should enable you to provide a strong, convincing answer that will allow you to talk about the things that you like about the company, as well as how long you intend to stay there for

Example
‘I intend on staying with you for as long as I can if I land this role. You’re a company I’ve wanted to work for for many years, and one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to apply for this role is that I’m looking for a career with opportunities for training and advancement. I’ve researched you before, and the fact that this is such a massive company with over 3,000 employees gives me a great deal of confidence that you’ll be able to provide that. I also love the diversity and innovation that drives this company forward, and it’s another reason why I’m hoping to build a long and successful career with you. The fact that you’ve invested over 150million in infrastructure projects in the last 5 years is a clear sign that your company is preparing for the future, and I’d love to go there with you

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

7. Which make better employers, large or small companies?

What is this question
This is another way for the interviewer to assess how well you might fit into the culture of the company. How you answer this will also give them further insight into how you view the role and the company itself

How to answer this
There is a very good chance that your answer to this will be naturally positive without you even trying. A word to the wise, if it is, that’s great, a good and honest answer is always the best and most easy type that you can give. However, if you are inclined to answer otherwise, remember one of the cardinal rules of interviewing, keep everything positive.
It should be easy to rationalize your answer to a question like this. Try and think of the advantages associated with the type of company you are applying for. For instance, smaller companies might make you feel more valued, and can have a more family friendly feel to them.  Larger companies on the other hand can have a wider reaching affect throughout society, giving more meaning to the work that you do and providing you with better job satisfaction. Other ways to answer this may be more subjective, and might be based on personal experiences you’ve had with companies in the past. For example – you might have experienced that smaller companies are more flexible when it comes to families and childcare. Or you might have experienced larger companies have more opportunities for training and career progression. The key to a good answer here is to accentuate the positive aspects of the company you are applying with while taking care to avoid bringing up negative aspects associated with other company types

Example – Small Business
‘I’ve had good experiences working in small business environments over the years, whereas in my experience some large organizational environments can have quite an impersonal feel to them. While I wouldn’t necessarily say one type of employer is better than the other, I would say that working for a smaller employer can definitely make me feel more appreciated as an employee, not only because it can sometimes feel like my contributions are more valued, but because working within such a closely bonded team can make it feel more a like family. I take great pride in my work, and I have to say that without having to maintain a large infrastructure and high operational costs, small businesses really can have a huge advantage over larger companies. A more local or regionalized infrastructure means a small business can focus more on its customer base and provide a better, more efficient service for them’.

Example – Large Business
‘I believe larger businesses can definitely make better employers. One of the things I like best about working for a large organization is that not only can the work be more varied, but there are also more opportunities to do different things within the business such as working in specialized roles, taking on additional responsibilities, or working on different types of exciting projects. I’d also like to add that I’m very ambitious; I’ve worked very hard to get to where I am today, and I want to progress even further over the course of my career. Not only do I believe a larger workplace can provide a much more lively and diverse working environment, but I also feel it’s much better in regard to what opportunities it offers employees in terms of training and chances for career progression’.

8. How would you describe yourself?

What is this question
The interviewer might use this question in a couple of different ways.
They might use it as an opening question, an effective icebreaker to help you feel more comfortable and get you talking. Or it might also be used in a more direct way as a means of assessing your personality and character attributes. Both will give the interviewer a good feel as to how well you will fit into the culture of the company, and of how well equipped you are to be able to perform in that role

How to answer this
Try to give the interviewer an insight into your interests and personality, mentioning things that underscore your strengths and individual qualities. This is what the interviewer is looking for in your answer, and talking about yourself in an open and honest way like this will help relieve some of the tension of the interview, not to mention that an effective personalized answer can do a massive amount to help you build rapport with the interviewer too

Remember that knowing the job description is an essential part of providing an answer that the interviewer will be impressed with here. While you want to give an honest appraisal of yourself; you also need to align your qualities with the skills and requirements set out in the job description. If you can sound genuine, while at the time invoking personal interests and qualities that align with the role, then the interviewer is sure to be impressed with your answer

Example
‘I’ve always used my methodical approach and my strong intellect to accomplish tasks and produce results both in my work life as well as my personal life too. I have an innate ability to work well under pressure, which I feel makes me a great fit for this role. My interests include reading, science, and sports – and I follow the National British and American football teams and travel to see them whenever I can. Wherever I find the time, my other big hobby is watching all the latest blockbuster movies. I noted from the job description that the role also requires a people person who is able to meet with clients on-site and show them around your facilities, and I’m definitely that kind of person to – I just love roles that require meeting new people. For instance, in university I acted as an Inductee Welcomer for freshman undergraduates. This involved me meeting and welcoming the new inductees on our campus and showing them around – I’m very outgoing which is why it’s something I loved to do. Overall, I’m really comfortable with the duties listed on the job description and feel they meld well with my articulate and professional nature, and its why I’m certain I’m the kind of person those well suited to this type of role

9. Why you want to work here?

What is this question
Almost identical to the wording, ‘why do you want this job?’, the question ‘why do you want to work here?’ is asked because it will help the interviewer further assess if you are a good fit for the company and for the job in question

How to answer this
The most effective way to approach this question is by emphasizing two distinct things. Firstly, start by expressing your motivation to work in that job/ and or, a motivation you’ve had to work for that specific company. From there, the other angle you should take is to try and touch on as many of the skills and qualities you have as possible that make you a good fit for the role.
Your objective when answering this question is to impress upon the interviewer that you possess more than enough of the skills and qualities needed to perform the role competently, and on top of this, that you have a genuine desire to want to work for them

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

10. If we hire you, what can you contribute to this company?

What is this question
A common principle that many interviewers use when deciding on a new hire is to determine if that candidate can bring anything to the company which it doesn’t already have, (in terms of skills, personal qualities, or experience) and that is one of the things they will be looking for in your answer. This is a challenging question, and they’ll be assessing your answer to see if what you’ll bring can help the company achieve its goals and improve it as an organization overall

How to answer this
This is a question that’s all about emphasis. You want to highlight your strengths and main selling points, and at the same time effectively link these by emphasizing how they will help you perform the main duties required for the role. The most effective answers to this question will include examples of situations where you have managed to apply your skills and expertise in practical situations. A knowledge of the company and its goals, along with a familiarity with the job description, (interview preparation steps 1 and 2); will help you to provide an answer that your interviewer will be highly impressed with

11. What challenges are you looking for in this job?

What is this question
This question is asked by the interviewer to assess how well you will fit into the company and into the role itself. The way you answer this question will also give the interviewer a very good feel for how much you are interested in the actual role as well

How to answer this
Start off by outlining challenges that are relevant or specific to that role. From there you should be expanding on the relevance of these challenges by a. explaining to the interviewer how you plan to use your skills and experience to deal with them, and b. talking about what you find formative about these challenges and about the things you feel you might enjoy about them. (Remember that emphasizing what you find formative about these challenges and expressing your enthusiasm about the prospect of dealing with them is a key aspect of this answer)

You can enhance your answer further still by providing the interviewer with relatable examples where you’ve been confronted by challenging situations (these can be personal examples, although ideally they should be work related) and in these instances you should detail the skills or qualities you used to successfully deal with/ or resolve those situations, as well as outlining something that you gained or learned from them too

12. What interests you about this job?

What is this question
The interviewer is looking for signs that you are truly interested in the role. The answer you give will also help them determine whether or not you understand the main requirements needed to perform that role well

How to answer this
This is a question that’s best answered by basing your response from the outline of the job description. Be specific about the interests you mention. Once you’ve outlined what interests you, expand on it by emphasizing any personal skills or qualities you feel might complement or reinforce those interests

Example
‘I feel this role will give me the chance to be very proactive when it comes to performing my duties, while at the same time also giving me the freedom and flexibility to perform them to the best of my ability. In particular, I am very excited about using the B-Sync interactive system to help ensure all of your customer’s needs are met. Having previous experience using similar systems means I understand their importance and capabilities very well. I also have sound working knowledge of FCA regulations, and I’m looking forward to applying this knowledge in the most effective way I can to provide your customers with the best service experience possible’.

13. What is the biggest challenge you have encountered in a work-related capacity?

What is this question
The interviewer is evaluating you based on your competencies. While not a competency-based question in the strictest sense, the interviewer is looking to understand what type of experiences you’ve had in the past, and what types of circumstances you can competently deal with, as a means of assessing whether or not you have the necessary skills and qualities needed to perform the role

How to answer this
Make sure the example you give is based on the requirements of the role. You need to be specific with the example, so make sure you go into details here. Using a S.T.A.R based competency structure is normally the most efficient way to answer a question like this. You are trying to give the interviewer the impression that your answer exemplifies the way you handle situations like this on a regular basis. You should seek to personalize the answer by giving an insight into your feelings and the rationale you based your actions upon at the time, this way the interviewer gets an insight into your thinking and into how you operate. It will also add a greater depth to your answer and make it sound even more genuine. If you have limited or no experience in a work-related environment, you will have to base your answer around a personal example instead. While a non-work related example may not earn you maximum points, giving an answer of some descript is always so much better than giving none at all, and by providing your interviewer with an answer to evaluate it guarantees you will be able to move up accordingly on their assessment sheet

14. What is the biggest accomplishment you’ve managed to achieve throughout your professional career? (Competency-based interview question)

What is this question
The interviewer is evaluating your ability to perform the role. This question gives them a good insight into your past work history and professional accomplishments which they will use to evaluate your suitability for the role in the question

How to answer this
This is a competency-based interview question. Interviewers ask such questions because they want to know about a real-life experience where you were challenged or where you excelled at doing something. Answering competency-based interview questions is very important because the interviewer will take what you have said as evidence that you have the requisite experience performing those competencies, and what you should keep in mind is that those competencies are almost always essential for the job you are applying for. Whenever answering a competency-based question you should always utilize the S.T.A.R technique. This is where you construct your answer in a purposefully structured way. The structure is always the same – Situation, Task, Action, Result

In the first part of your answer, start by explaining the SITUATION you found yourself in at the time; this sets the scene and provides a context for the rest of your answer. This should be done within the first 3 – 4 sentences.
The next part of your answer goes on to explain your TASK. This defines the challenge or difficulty you were faced with and putting this across well sets you up nicely for the next part of your answer. Ideally, you want to explain the task within 2-3 sentences.
Next, is the ACTION you took in that situation. This part of the answer defines the actions you took and categorizes the experience or skillset you used to resolve the difficulty or challenge you described in your task. The action is the most important part of your answer, so try and incorporate specific details here as it will add depth and lend credibility to what you say. You should take anywhere from 1-2 paragraphs to describe the action you used to resolve the problem you encountered.
Once you’ve described the action, finish up by talking about the RESULT those actions produced. It is very important that the result ends in a positive or constructive way. Try to do this by focusing on what was gained, or what was learned, as a result of your actions. A well delivered closing will provide an authentic and purposeful feel to the entirety of your answer, and as such, it means it’s equally important to have a strong result as it does to have a solid action in any competency-based answer you give. Try and keep your result between 4 – 6 sentences long

Remember – practice makes perfect.
A comprehensive and well-structured answer like this requires proper preparation.
S.T.A.R interview examples are best delivered when they are properly rehearsed before an interview. As an interview candidate, you will have no way of knowing specifically what questions will be asked of you. Because of this, people who use S.T.A.R interview examples tend to choose 7 or 8 competency or behavioural based examples to rehearse before the interview that cover as wide a variety of different scenarios as possible. In this way, by rehearsing a range of different situations, they give themselves the best possible chance of matching one they’ve rehearsed to any question the interviewer asks where the S.T.A.R method is required.
Lastly, when reciting any competency or behavioural based example, be sure to personalize your answer to the fullest extent by referring to yourself in the first term ‘I’.

15. Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a colleague, how did you resolve it? (Behavioural based interview question) 

What is this question
The interviewer is asking this because they want to know how you might interact with other team members, in particular, they are interested to know how you will respond in a challenging or difficult circumstance involving another colleague. They will be evaluating your answer to see how this might affect your performance in the role, and will be looking to see if you employ any conflict resolution methods to de-escalate the situation in your answer.
(While its very rare that you will ever be asked a question like this, it is interesting to note that the only reason the interviewer will normally ever ask something like this is if they feel it may be relevant to the role)

How to answer this
Just like in a competency-based question, with a behavioural-based interview question you should be looking to employ the S.T.A.R technique in your response. While that means you’ll structure your answer in the same way, the focus with a behavioural-based question should be on your individual qualities and traits. This means the answer itself should focus on the emotional and behavioural qualities you employed to resolve the situation, rather than on a utilization of skills and technical knowledge.
Remember that in answers where the S.T.A.R response is utilized, the examples you give are almost always essential to the role that you are applying for. Answering behavioural-based interview questions is very important because the interviewer will take what you have said as evidence that you are able to deal with customers and situations in the way that you have described. Where utilizing the S.T.A.R technique the structure is always the same – Situation, Task, Action, Result

In the first part of your answer, start by explaining the SITUATION you found yourself in at the time; this sets the scene and provides a context for the rest of your answer. This should be done within the first 3 – 4 sentences.
The next part of your answer goes on to explain your TASK. This defines the challenge or difficulty you were faced with and putting this across well sets you up nicely for the next part of your answer. Ideally, you want to explain the task within 2-3 sentences.
Next, is the ACTION you took in that situation. This part of the answer defines the actions you took and categorizes the experience or individual qualities you used to resolve the challenge you described in your task. The action is the most important part of your answer, so try and incorporate specific details here as it will add depth and lend credibility to what you say. You should take anywhere from 1-2 paragraphs to describe the action you used to resolve the problem you encountered.
Once you’ve described the action, finish up by talking about the RESULT those actions produced. It is very important that the result ends in a positive or constructive way. Try to do this by focusing on what was gained, or what was learned, as a result of your actions. A well delivered closing will provide an authentic and purposeful feel to the entirety of your answer, and as such, it means it’s equally important to have a strong result as it does to have a solid action in any behavioural-based answer you give. Try and keep your result between 4 – 6 sentences long

Remember – practice makes perfect.
A comprehensive and well-structured answer like this requires proper preparation.
S.T.A.R interview examples are best delivered when they are properly rehearsed before an interview. As an interview candidate, you will have no way of knowing specifically what questions will be asked of you. Because of this, people who use S.T.A.R interview examples tend to choose 7 or 8 competency or behavioural based examples to rehearse before the interview that cover as wide a variety of different scenarios as possible. In this way, by rehearsing a range of different situations, they give themselves the best possible chance of matching one they’ve rehearsed to any question the interviewer asks where the S.T.A.R method is required.
Lastly, when reciting any competency or behavioural based example, be sure to personalize your answer to the fullest extent by referring to yourself in the first term ‘I’.

16. If one of your colleagues was to describe you, what would they say?

What is this question
The interviewer wants to know what skills and qualities you possess and generally wants to get a better feel for you as a person. By asking you to describe this through the perceptions of someone else (in this case a colleague), they are giving you a more challenging style of question to answer. Because you are not speaking about yourself directly, in the interviewers mind this will lend to your answers authenticity. Remember that your interviewer will be deriving inferences from everything you say here and to this extent how you respond will be very impactful to their overall assessment of you, that’s why they might also compare your answer against any references you’ve provided them with as well

How to answer this
It goes without saying, with a question like this, keep everything positive. Try to bring your strongest traits into this answer as they align with the duties set out in the job description. With that being said, don’t over embellish, because your answer needs to be convincing as well as impactful. From the outset, while a question like this can seem really challenging, in actual fact, it presents a very good way for you to sell yourself in the interview, and if answered properly, it can provide you with an excellent format to emphasize your strongest skills and qualities with. Although the answer to a question like this usually evokes a largely intuitively response, there are certain things you yourself can do to help prepare to answer such a question beforehand. A good familiarity with the job description, along with a good familiarity of your own C.V, as set out in interview preparation steps 2 and 3, will not only help you answer this question, but will also give you a clear direction in which to naturally take your answer. Interview preparation step 4, asking colleagues and supervisors what they think of you, is not only useful for answering an interviewer’s question’s in general, but is invaluable when it comes to answering this specific question in particular. That’s why, if it’s brought up in your interview, following our recommended interview preparation steps will ensure you are well prepared to answer this question or any of its possible variants…

Example
‘Because of my methodical approach, my strong attention to detail, and my willingness to always step up and get involved, they would tell you I have strong leadership skills and would never hesitate to offer assistance whenever it’s needed. I’m very open and talkative with my colleagues, and I can always be relied upon to do what I say. That’s why they would also tell you that I’m someone who is fun and pleasant to be around, whether it’s a casual discussion, or whether I’m offering them my professional observations or assistance. For instance, there was one occasion where a colleague of mine had submitted a report they had been working on all week onto a shared file, but when their supervisor opened the master copy, their work wasn’t there. I suggested a couple of fixes from across the desk, but when these didn’t work, I went over to help as she had been frantically looking for this for about fifteen minutes and was starting to get worried. Thankfully though, within a couple of minutes, I had managed to locate it by opening a new tab and restoring the most recent version of the last document that had been sent. Needless to say, my colleague was really happy with me, and very, very relieved’.

17. If your manager was to describe you, what would they say?

What is this question
The interviewer wants to know what skills and qualities you possess and generally wants to get a better feel for you as a person. By asking you to describe this through the perceptions of someone else (in this case your supervisor), they are giving you a more challenging style of question to answer. Because you are not speaking about yourself directly, in the interviewers mind this will lend to your answers authenticity. Where this question is focused on a supervisor rather than a colleague, the interviewer will be listening closely to see what skills and qualities you introduce into the answer, as well as listening for anything you mention regarding contributions you’ve made to your team or department. Remember that your interviewer will be deriving inferences from everything you say here and to this extent how you respond will be very impactful to their overall assessment of you, that’s why they might also compare your answer against any references you’ve provided them with as well

How to answer this
It goes without saying, with a question like this, keep everything positive. Try to bring your strongest traits into this answer as they align with the duties set out in the job description. With that being said, don’t over embellish, because your answer needs to be convincing as well as impactful. From the outset, while a question like this can seem really challenging, in actual fact, it presents a very good way for you to sell yourself in the interview, and if answered properly, it can provide you with an excellent format to emphasize your strongest skills and qualities with. Although the answer to a question like this usually evokes a largely intuitively response, there are certain things you yourself can do to help prepare to answer such a question beforehand. A good familiarity with the job description, along with a good familiarity of your own C.V, as set out in interview preparation steps 2 and 3, will not only help you answer this question, but will also give you a clear direction in which to naturally take your answer. Interview preparation step 4, asking colleagues and supervisors what they think of you, is not only useful for answering an interviewer’s question’s in general, but is invaluable when it comes to answering this specific question in particular. That’s why, if it’s brought up in your interview, following our recommended interview preparation steps will ensure you are well prepared to answer this question or any of its possible variants…

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

18. What sorts of things do you do in your spare time?

What is this question
The interviewer is trying to learn more about you as a person. While this is the type of question that can serve nicely as an opening question, in a semi-structured interview it may be used elsewhere, and the answer you provide will not only give them an insight into your personality, but can also serve as a basis for them to draw additional inferences into how well you might fit into that role as well. (This is especially true for more informal job roles)

How to answer this
The best way to answer a straightforward question like this is with an honest answer. With this particular question, it’s as much about remembering what you shouldn’t say as what you should. It should be common sense, but don’t mention any activities or interests that are inappropriate for an interview setting. Your answer should come across as lighthearted and engaging, so it goes without saying, keep everything positive. In order to give the most effective answer you possibly can you should try and focus on the interests and hobbies that will cast you in the most positive light possible. Matching your interests to the role is perfectly acceptable, and in many cases, a common-sense thing to do. Interests that reflect an intellectual aptitude such as reading or writing, express an interest in current affairs such as keeping up with the latest news or sports, or relatable hobbies that reflect interests in healthy pursuits such as sports and keeping physically active, are normally perceived very favorably by interviewers. Moreover, matching your interests to the role aside – the answer you give needs to convey to the interviewer that you’re a normal and well-balanced individual, one who is able to converse about everyday things and who can integrate seamlessly into that working environment

Example
‘One of my favorite hobbies is reading books, and I love a good science fiction or fantasy novel. I’m also a bit of a futurist, and I’m keenly interested to see how future technologies will affect life here on earth. Aside from that, I believe in staying in shape and keeping my body healthy, and I try to go to the gym regularly’.

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

19. What are your salary requirements?

What is this question
There are a couple of different contexts in which this question might be asked

Firstly, it might be asked as a standard interview question. This is the normal context in which you will encounter this in an interview setting, and the interviewer asks this to assess if your salary requirements match what they are offering as a way of determining if the role is suitable for you. If your salary requirements don’t match what is being offered, then the employer takes the chance that as an employee you may be less productive, and also runs the risk that you might look elsewhere and leave that role as soon as you find something more suitable

The second context in which this question might be asked is that of a salary negotiation question. Salary negotiation questions are almost always exclusively asked in roles with high figure salaries, where the company is hiring for an in-demand skillset and is looking to negotiate an appropriate level of compensation with the candidate. As such, you should be able to intuitively tell based on the role you are applying for as to which of these contexts this question is being asked.
As a salary negotiation question, it will only ever be asked in a very narrow band of roles. These will almost exclusively be executive roles, managerial roles, and high-end fields of technical specialization; and might include jobs for the following:
Contractor (miscellaneous industries), cyber security, editorial roles, executive roles, investment/ wealth management, lawyer/ law specialization, leadership roles, lecturer/ professor, managerial roles (in high-end positions), medical (certain fields of specialization), programmer, project/ product management, scientist (certain areas of specialization), software engineer, etc..

How to answer this
When considering how to answer this question let’s take two things into account

Firstly – in most jobs that people apply for they will never have to negotiate their own salaries as this will either be handled under a collective bargaining agreement, or will simply not be an option at all

Secondly – you will usually know whether you are negotiating for your salary beforehand (this is because it normally mentions on the job description if a salary is to be discussed)

The standard advice when discussing salary questions is to be quite vague and non-committal, but this is not always the case and depends on the context in which this question is being asked.
As a regular interview question, you gain nothing from being vague and evasive, and you have everything to lose. In this type of circumstance, the best way to respond is with a straightforward answer. And the basis to a good answer for this particular question is to research salary in the industry, which should be done as part of your interview preparation beforehand. This will give you an understanding of the spectrum of salary ranges in that industry. Considering that from an employer’s perspective cost effectiveness will always be a factor, you want your answer to fall well within the median range for what that employer is willing to pay, which you should base on the industry standard unless you are able to find more specific information on what that company normally pays. You might be able to get this information through the company’s own website (some large companies have their own online hiring portals that list their available job openings and salary ranges). You might also be able to find this information by looking through different jobsites for jobs listed by that specific company – although this method can be very time consuming with no guarantee you will find additional salary information. Therefore, when deciding on how to base an answer on salary, using the industry standard is usually the easiest way to go about doing this.
(Ensuring your answer falls within the median of what the company is willing to pay means that you will not only satisfy their criteria in terms of affordability, but will also satisfy the interviewers concern that the role will be suitable for you in terms of the compensation it provides you with)

Example – A standard interview answer
‘I’m looking for a salary in the range of £22,000 to £25,000. Based on what is the industry standard for this job, coupled with my own research into industry standards based on the experience I possess, I believe this would be fair compensation for the dedicated level of performance your company will receive from me in return’.

Example – A salary negotiation answer
A standard interview answer is different from a salary negotiation example. For advice on how to answer this question as part of a salary negotiation please see the Salary Negotiation section

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

20. Do you have any questions for us?

What is this question
This question should always come at the very end of your interview.
The interviewer is extending you the courtesy of asking if you have any questions for them. They are doing this to give you the opportunity to get answers to any queries you might have, or to clarify anything you’re unsure of

How to answer this
You never want to respond by telling the interviewer you have no questions at all. This question is all about having something to say when you are asked. Having something to ask the interviewer shows them that you have been engaged in the topics you’ve covered during the interview, and it also signals to the interviewer that you are interested in the job itself. Not having anything to ask signals the exact opposite. The interviewer is giving you this opportunity to clarify any points, clear up any concerns, and most importantly to ask about things that interest you about the role and the company. That’s why you should always prepare and rehearse 2 or 3 questions to ask them at the end of your interview.
There are a few effective tactics you can employ when composing your questions. To start with, you can base some of your questions around what you learn about the company during STEP 1 of your interview preparation – Research the company. Also, you can choose questions from Interview Professionals Top List of Questions for the Interviewer. Ideally, any questions that you ask should tie in with yourself and reflect well on your motivations and aspirations for the role. Be sure to stay away from asking about salary or benefits, and make sure the questions you ask are open-ended to give your interviewer the chance to respond with long, well thought-out answers

(If you think of another question before the interview starts, or if you pick up on something that is said during the interview that you want to clear up (outwith salary and benefits related questions), don’t be afraid to deviate from the list of rehearsed questions that you’ve prepared. Remember that the interviewer is giving you this opportunity to clarify any points and clear up any concerns that you may have about the role. So while it is fine to take this opportunity to impress upon the interviewer that you are not only interested in the role, but that you are looking to make a name for yourself within the company, don’t neglect to ask questions regarding genuine concerns or issues that you have as well)

Example
‘Yes, thanks for asking, there are a few questions I have for you. Firstly…’

Now that you’ve seen some of the most common questions asked in the semi-structured interview and the most effective ways to answer them, next, why not have a look at the steps we recommend you take to prepare for your next interview in the link at the bottom of the page

INTERVIEW PROFESSIONAL’S – RECOMMENDED PREPARATION STEPS FOR YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW