Interview Preparation for the Unstructured Interview

The Unstructured Interview

Unstructured interviews, (also sometimes referred to as ‘non-directive interviews’) don’t follow a set list of questions and are purposefully designed not to follow along a formal line of questioning. Instead, an unstructured interview is most commonly likened to a conversation that’s held between an interviewer and their interviewee, with the interviewer occasionally directing the conversation in a way that enables them to gain an insight into that person’s qualifications and character. An unstructured interview is a much more informal way of evaluating a candidate’s eligibility for a role and is mainly used in casual job types such as some restaurant and hospitality positions, over the counter shop assistant positions, temporary labor work, zero-hour contract work, and lower paid sales roles

The interview may start off with the interviewer making a statement or mentioning a fact about the job or industry in question. This serves as a nice opener to start the interview off and put you at ease. After this, the interviewer may encourage you to share your feelings and opinions regarding this statement or fact. From there, a conversation will begin to develop around your past and present work history, your feelings about the role, and the qualities and experience you possess that make you such a great fit for it. While in most types of interviews the interviewer will attempt to form a basic rapport with you, this is normally very formalized and perfunctionary, and almost always feels very cordial to the candidates being interviewed. An unstructured interview format is probably the only exception to this because the interviewer speaks in such a casual and friendly tone that it usually makes it easy for you to feel like you are having a genuine conversation with them. Unstructured interviews can either be longer or shorter than other types of interviews given the fact that there is only a very basic structure for the interviewer to follow. During the unstructured interview, you can sometimes expect to have moments of normalized conversation that may or may not even be related to the job itself. While this is completely fine, as it will help you build a genuine rapport with your interviewer, you should always be mindful of the fact that you are still in an interview setting and should always strive to tie as much of the conversation as possible to your own qualities with a view to how they make you a great fit for that particular role

There are advantages and disadvantages with an unstructured interview format both for yourself as well as for your interviewer. One of the biggest advantages from the interviewer’s standpoint is that they can get a much better feel for you as a person, while for you as an interviewee it’s usually a more relaxed atmosphere which in many instances will help you feel more confident and can result in you performing better in your interview overall, and many times will also enable you to develop a much stronger level of rapport with your interviewer as well. One drawback with the unstructured interview format is that they can vary unpredictably in length due to their lack of structure. However, with this being the case, it does provide a distinct advantage in that it can help you gauge how well your interview has gone. If the interview goes well and you get on well with the interviewer, your interview can sometimes go on for longer than other types of interviews – conversely, if the interview doesn’t go so well it could end up being a lot shorter. While the interviewer will normally bring a list of areas that they want to cover to the interview with them, and while this does enable them to retain some sense of a structure throughout the interview, as stated previously, unstructured interviews can take longer to conduct and businesses that utilize these types of interviews have a very cynical awareness of this fact. One of the main accusations levied against the unstructured interview by some within the recruitment industry is that it’s unreliable. This is because as the interview itself is not structured, it means most of the questions are unstandardized and can vary greatly from interview to interview. As an interviewee, this can either work for or against you. It simply means that each interview will go in its own separate way based on the type of conversation you have and how well you get on with the interviewer

There are other disadvantages and potential concerns from the viewpoint of a business as well. Another of these concerns is that due to the informal tone of the interview the interviewer might inadvertently lead you into a certain way of responding to their questions, which is one of the main things that any professional interviewer is trained to avoid. Another potential concern is the danger that the interviewer might stumble into a line of inappropriate questioning or onto an inappropriate topic that may be offensive to the interviewee such as race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Following on from this is the risk that an interview candidate might either unintentionally or purposefully get into an argument with the interviewer regarding a topic or point discussed due to the informal nature of the interview itself. A business that chooses to use the unstructured interview format also runs the risk that candidates might leave the interview with a negative perception regarding the professionalism of that company. Conversely, this same relaxed factor may also prove favorable in enticing prospective candidates to look more favorably upon the position for which they are applying. To summarize, the unstructured interview format is heavily used in many lower paid and casual job types, as well as in many hospitality roles and different types of menial positions. While this can lead to a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere which tends to enhance your performance, remember that it’s still an interview and you need to be on your guard as there will be times when the interviewer will deliberately lure you into a false sense of security in the hopes you will reveal something about yourself that you otherwise would not have done. Also, remember that despite the conversational tone and informal nature, the same principles of regular interviewing still apply. Namely, keep everything positive, regardless of whether you are discussing something personal or work-related – and if you get a question that involves a negative point regarding a former job or employer, always strive to put this in a constructive light. For those people with limited interview experience, the unstructured interview can be both fun and formative – and for those who are veterans in the interviewing room, going through the unstructured interview again can be a refreshing and insightful time, especially as there is always the prospect that you will land the job you’re looking for at the end of it

Below you will find questions and answers to some of the most commonly asked questions in the unstructured 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 UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW

1. Why don’t you start by telling me a bit about yourself?

What is this question
This question serves as an icebreaker, and it’s a clever one because it not only serves as a good starting point for the interview, but it also serves to get you, the interviewee, comfortable as well. So, it gets you talking while at the same time giving the interviewer a good insight into your character, background, education, and employment history. Being that this question is open ended, it provides you with the opportunity to set the tone and structure for your answer. What also makes this question clever is that the way in which you do so will give your interviewer important indicators about your personality and experience – so from the moment you start talking, they will be assessing these things to see how good a fit you are for the company. Covering such a potentially broad spectrum of topics is also good from the perspective of the interviewer, as it gives them the opportunity to note points of interest or highlight things they may want to come back to later

How to answer this
Be conversational. Don’t be afraid to personalize your answer; in fact, in the informal setting of an unstructured interview, it’s normally best to be as conversational as possible. Try and get the interviewer interested in who you are. Start off by giving a brief overview of yourself, where you’re from, and any notable places you’ve lived. Next, mention or 2 or 3 of your main interests, perhaps providing a little insight into why you like them, and what skills or lessons you’ve gained from them. Make sure you give emphasis to any skills or experience that is relevant to the role you’re interviewing for. From here you should be able to move seamlessly onto your education and work background. Only mention the jobs that are on your C.V. It also makes it much stronger if you can close the answer with a relevant goal or aim you have for the future. As always, you should prioritize your time when answering this question to draw attention to the roles and experiences that best emphasize the skills and qualities that are relevant to the role you are applying for.
(In an unstructured interview, it’s entirely possible that at times your interviewer might comment on notable things they pick up on in your answers, and due to its informal nature, you should anticipate them sometimes interjecting or asking follow-up questions even while you’re still in the middle of giving them your answer. If so, be sure to capitalize on this as much as possible. Remember one of your main goals here is to build rapport and have as much of a conversation with your interviewer as possible)

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

2. How did you hear about this position?

What is this question
Following most interview formats, this is another icebreaker question. It keeps the conversation between you and the interviewer moving forward, it keeps you talking, and in doing so helps you feel a bit more at ease. It also enables the interviewer to start building a bit of basic rapport with you, which in the unstructured interview is desirable from the interviewer’s point of view as well as from your own. In the unstructured format, the interviewer is still interested to learn about other useful recruitment sources that might be out there, which is the other reason why this is asked

How to answer this
Keep your answer brief and simple, a straightforward answer is all that is required here.
If you saw the advertisement on an online job site, say so. If you heard about the opening through a friend or family member, definitely tell the interviewer this. A good way to think of it is that any time you’re given the opportunity to respond to a question, it gives you a chance to put your own positive spin into the answer

Example
‘I found this opening through the 1wayjobsite. I like to use it because it lists jobs that are comprehensive and fully explain the roles so that I can evaluate the descriptions and decide if the position is a good fit for me’.

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

3. What are your interests and hobbies?

What is this question
This question is asked to find out about you as a person, and in an unstructured interview, because of the conservational tone, your interviewer will often take a more interactive approach when asking this question, enquiring into your own interests while at the same time sharing an insight into some of theirs too

How to answer this
Answer honestly and be as conversational as possible. Talking openly about your likes and interests is always a great way to get a conversation going, and you’ll tend to find in this informal setting that divulging your interests and hobbies is a 2-way street. Given the informal nature of the unstructured format, these sorts of questions give you an excellent chance to get closer to your interviewer and build a genuine rapport with them. Remember to refrain from mentioning anything that comes across as inappropriate or negative. The more you can talk with the interviewer and build a rapport with them, the better the chance you will have of landing the job

Example
‘Sports are my passion. I enjoy watching all kinds of different sports. Not only football, but tennis, weightlifting, skiing; anything competitive that they show on T.V, I just love to watch it. Not only does this give me some great stuff to talk about with my friends, but I like to think that it also gives me a competitive edge when playing sports as well. Painting, and reading full length romance novels normally takes up the rest of my time over the course of any given week’.

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

4. What made you apply for a job here?

What is this question
While there are many similarly worded variations of this question, in this particular iteration, the interviewer is looking for evidence that you have a genuine desire to want to work for them, and that you also have a proper understanding of what is required of you in that role

How to answer this
Incorporating positive facts you’ve learned during your research of the company is always a very effective tactic. This will impress upon the interviewer as to how enthusiastic you are about the company. Follow through by talking about key aspects of the job that interest you, as referenced to from the job description. Your goal is to give the interviewer the impression that you are both comfortable and enthusiastic with the duties required.
By talking about them in a positive manner, and by touching upon what you enjoy most about them, you’ll be able to effectively convey what performing the key duties associated with that role means to you. Reinforce your answer by giving positive examples of situations where you’ve performed similar duties in past roles, relaying the positive and formative experiences you’ve had when performing those duties to your interviewer

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

5. What experience do you have of working in this role?

What is this question
The interviewer wants you to provide them with verbal evidence that shows you have the necessary experience to perform the duties required. It goes without saying that a question like this is very important and how you answer it will reflect heavily on the overall outcome of the interview

How to answer this
It is important that the topics you bring into your answer are linked to the requirements of the role. Go into detail; outline the specific responsibilities your experiences have entailed. Explain and emphasize any accomplishments or progression you’ve made over the course of performing those duties. Most importantly, your answer needs to contain solid examples of experiences linked to duties that are of similar or exact nature to the ones set out in the job description. The experience you outline can either be past or current, and ideally work-related, although if you can’t think of any work-related examples, providing the interviewer with a personally-related example will ensure you are at least given some credit for your answer

6. If you had to pick one word that best describes yourself, what would it be? Follow up, why?

What is this question
The interviewer is looking for an understanding of how well you know yourself. By having this information, it not only gives them insight into your character, but it also helps them see how you perceive yourself and what you feel best defines you. Having this information helps them gauge if you have the right type of character and underlying personal qualities needed to perform the role

How to answer this
The use of key ‘magic’ words is certainly one tactic you can employ in your response. Words such as proactive, reliable, team-player, self-starter, are among those normally picked up on in an interview, and they are always received very positively.  When answering this, remember that the specific word you use to describe yourself is not what’s most important. The most important part of your answer is in how you explain why you have chosen this word, and also in how you associate it to yourself. You should also try as much as possible to associate what you describe with the key duties of the role. While there are numerous words you can choose from to answer this, it can be helpful to remember that the easiest way to answer a question like this is to be honest and truthful in your response. Remember that it’s also important to follow the instruction your interviewer has given and limit yourself to focusing on using only a singular word otherwise you will be marked down heavily in this answer

7. What would you say your greatest strength is?

What is this question
The personalized way in which this question is presented necessitates the need for your answer to come across as open and honest. This is another type of question that is asked so that the interviewer can gain an insight into your character, and as such, they will assess whether or not you have the right type of qualities needed to perform the role

How to answer this
Don’t be afraid to share insight into your feelings or convey an emotional undertone in your response if you feel it’s appropriate. A degree of personalization is inferred anyway because of the way this question is worded. Remember to focus your response on a singular strength only. You can use ‘magic’ words in your answer if you wish, but the main thing you should be focusing on is projecting confidence and assuredness into the way you deliver your response. In order for this answer to be effective, again, it is essential you match your main strength to one or some of the key requirements of the role. The impact your answer will have lies in you how well you explain this strength, and to how well you can link it to your ability to perform in that particular role. Again, providing concrete examples of times where you have used this strength to your advantage in work or personally-related situations is one of the most effective ways you can answer this question

Example
‘I have many strengths and qualities, all of which I believe enhance the performance and level of service and I am able to provide to my clientele. If I was to pick just a single one though, I would have to say it’s the charismatic ability I have of talking people around into my way of thinking that is my greatest strength. Having this kind of skill allows me to build rapport with so many different types of people. Not only does this ability come in very handy in my personal life, but throughout my professional career, I’ve found it extremely useful for motivating subordinates or the people working alongside me and pushing them to get the best from themselves, especially under challenging circumstances. I can recall one particular occasion where we were all working on a project that nobody wanted to really do, there were only 10 of us and we had over 500 files to work through and finish in just under a week. I remember encouraging everyone and telling them it was doable. I also recall using humor too, telling them that once we’d finished the assignment, we’d all be entitled to a paid vacation and free massages at the office for the next month. It got a few laughs and by using teamwork, mutual encouragement, and focusing on the task at hand, we ended up getting through all the work in time. I always find it very fulfilling to be able to use my charisma in such a fun and constructive way, and I’ve seen over the years that having this ability makes a big difference in how I am able to perform my role’.

8. What is your proudest work or personally related accomplishment?

What is this question
Aside for gaining a feel for your past work experience and competencies in previous roles, the interviewer is looking to see if there is anything that sets you apart from other candidates; following one of the most common interviewing directives, they are looking for evidence that you will be able to add value to the company by adding to the existing pool of talent they already have in place

How to answer this
We need to provide the interviewer with a well-constructed and detailed example as evidence of this accomplishment. The best way to do this is to use the S.T.A.R example response method. Most of us have straightforward and linear job duties which means we may not have striking examples of times where we have saved our company 25% over the past 12 months, or increased productivity 15% in the last quarter. With that being said, many of us will have stories of a time where we have excelled at a role we have performed, or have a personal accomplishment that we’re proud of

(In this particular scenario, the interviewer is happy to accept either a work related or a personally based example, which is appropriate in the more relaxed atmosphere of an unstructured interview format – however in more formal interview settings you should anticipate your interviewer to ask you to provide a work-based example)

9. Are you able to work in a fast-paced environment?

What is this question
The question itself, although genuine enough, is a slightly leading one, and therefore perhaps a poor choice whenever it’s asked in an interview, which it invariably will be. Such a question gives you a clear indication as to the type of environment you will be working in, and the interviewer will be asking this for exactly that purpose – to evaluate how well you are able to work in a fast-paced environment. There is only one way to answer a question like this, which is with a yes

How to answer this
If such a question is put to you, be prepared to take full advantage of it. Your aim is straightforward, because of the way a question like this is worded, the interviewer is looking for basic reassurance that you can perform the aforementioned duties more than anything else. The easiest way to convince them of this is by answering in a confident manner, and by reinforcing this answer with a short example of a time you where you’ve comfortably worked in a fast-paced environment

Example
‘Yes, I can tell you that I’m definitely able to work in a fast-paced environment. Indeed, all of the jobs I’ve worked over the course of my career have all been in very challenging, fast-paced working environments. I find I can work easily in this type of environment, probably because I’m a very hard-working and diligent person. While it can be challenging, I enjoy it because I feel it makes the time go by faster, and on longer shifts you tend to find you build a stronger rapport with your coworkers too. For example, in my last role I was working 10 hour a day shifts. We were constantly pushed to meet targets from the beginning to the end of each shift, picking items from a list on tickets we were given, and moving these items as quickly as was safely possible to the back of the warehouse for loading. The goal on each shift was to get through as many tickets as possible, and although it was hard work, it never felt like my shift lasted that long because I got so much done that the time went by so quickly’.

10. What sort of experience and qualifications do you have?

What is this question
This is a generalized question, focusing both on experience and qualifications while not prioritizing one over the over. The interviewer is looking for you to provide them with evidence that you possess the necessary qualifications and experience that they are looking for. While in most types of interview formats your eligibility would have already largely been established during the application process, this is not necessarily always true when participating in an unstructured interview

How to answer this
Start off by highlighting your experience. You need to keep this relevant to the role, so a good familiarity of what the job entails becomes very important here. The most effective way to outline your experience is by providing short, basic examples that reinforce your answer. In this regard don’t hold back, sell yourself as much as you can.
(Although not stipulated in this question, if you feel it’s beneficial to mention a specific work-related experience but you can’t think of one, never hesitate to fall back on a personally-related example instead. That way you’re guaranteed to get at least get some amount of credit, whereas not providing any answer will get you no credit at all).
From here finish off your answer with an accurate and detailed account of the qualifications you possess. It’s okay to be thorough, but only touch on those qualifications that aren’t relevant to the role, going into detail and providing examples of where and how you’ve used more relevant qualifications. Don’t forget to personalize this part of your answer by touching on what motivated you to get these qualifications, and what it means to you now that you have them

Example
‘I have strong experience providing effective, high-quality staffing support for various temping agencies. I have over 2 year’s experience in this capacity, which is entirely office based, and aside from having a genuine passion for the work that I do, I have a solid amount of experience when it comes to filing, faxing, answering phones, writing reports, or performing any other miscellaneous office duties that may be required. My longest assignment was 9 months at Eredeish 777 Prospectors, where I supported their administrative department by maintaining and updating their employee records, assisting with Ad hoc office duties, and supporting the company payroll officer. My educational background and qualifications are also very well suited to this role as well. I have 3 higher A levels in math, English, and chemistry, and 2 B level highers in history and geography. On top of this, I also have a bachelor’s degree in office administration; it’s one of my proudest achievements and I find that having this educational background comes in very useful in this line of work which is great’.

11. What do you think you will be able to add to the company?

What is this question
In a highly competitive job market, an interviewer isn’t merely looking for someone who is qualified to do the job, they are looking for an ideal candidate who will be able to add something extra to the role. As such, it is the type of question that embodies the interviewer mindset perfectly. The interviewer is looking to see what sets you apart from other candidates…

How to answer this
While this can seem like a potentially daunting question, you can actually turn it into a great opportunity to sell yourself in an interview. This question is focused entirely on you as a candidate, and as such, you should take advantage of its open-ended nature and highlight your strongest attributes, best personal qualities, and most relevant skills and proudest personal or work-related achievements. Remember the most important thing about this answer is relating how you can use those qualities and experiences to enhance your performance in that role

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

12. Do you know anyone who works here?

What is this question
The interviewer is asking if you know anyone who works for the company

Interviewers will often listen out to see if their interviewee mentions anything regarding friends or family, and this question is an extenuation of this. It is asked because in the vast majority of industries being referred by, or knowing someone, who works for the company is a big plus. Employing a friend or family member of someone who works at a company is seen as a good hiring practice, and such candidates are regarded as having the potential to be more loyal and reliable because they already have an established connection to the company through a friend or family member

How to answer this
Honesty is the best way to approach your answer here. If you don’t know anyone at the company, it’s going to be anywhere from difficult to impossible to make up a story and convince the interviewer otherwise. While it is a bit of a missed opportunity to impress the interviewer with your inside connections, there is nothing you can do here other than tell the truth and prepare for the next question. On top of this, remember that occasionally the interviewer may wish to follow up with a person that you’ve referenced as a friend or family member, which is another reason why you should always be honest with the interviewer here

Sometimes knowing someone who works at the company can count against you too.
In these instances, you should be aware of this beforehand as it should be indicated on the application you fill out before the interview. In such circumstances it becomes even more important to be upfront with the interviewer, as neglecting to do so could not only lead to instant dismal as soon as you land the role, but there is also the real possibility that the person you know could also get into trouble as well because of the legal ramifications involved

While this is another factor to consider, more often than not knowing someone who works for a company can be a really useful card to have up your sleeve going into an interview, and while in itself this won’t guarantee you the job, it does give you a big advantage over other candidates. That’s why if you have been referred for a position by someone you know, or you have a friend or family member who works for that organization, you should capitalize on it as much as possible by relaying the great things they’ve told you about the organization, and then try to build a conversation with your interviewer around that

Example
‘Yes I do. My cousin works as a Travel and Administrative advisor in your HR department. He’s part of the team that oversees the travel arrangements for the employees in your company. He’s told me many times what a great company this is to work for. He loves the customer led approach your company takes, and since he started working here, I’ve noticed he’s now a lot more proactive and energetic. From what he’s told me it sounds like the services you offer are becoming even more personalized, and with more face-to-face customer contact, I get the impression that you’re striving to do everything you can to deliver world beating solutions ahead of your industry competitors. It sounds like a really exciting approach you’re taking to stay one step ahead, and I’d love to be a part of what you’re trying to achieve here, not only because my cousin recommends you above all else, but because I firmly believe I have the right qualities needed to excel in this role’.

13. If I asked your previous manager to describe you, what would they say about you?

What is this question
The interviewer wants to know what skills and qualities you have and generally wants to get a better feel for you as a person. By asking you to explain this through the perception of another individual, (in this case your supervisor), they are giving you a more challenging style of question. In the interviewer’s mind however, this also lends to the answers authenticity due to the fact that you are not speaking about yourself directly. They’ll also be listening to see how much of a team player you seem to be, as well as how much your manager seems to rate your qualities and the contributions you make to your team. They may also compare what you say against the comments made by any references you have provided them with, and the interviewer will be reading into the things you say and drawing inferences from your answer to this extent

How to answer this
It goes without saying, with a question like this, keep everything positive. Focus on mentioning your strongest traits as they align with the duties in the job description. With that said, don’t over embellish, because your answer needs to be convincing as well as genuine. A question like this can seem quite challenging from the outset, but in actual fact it presents a good way to sell yourself in the interview, and if answered properly, it can provide you with an excellent format from which to emphasize your strongest skills and qualities. While a question like this usually evokes a largely intuitively response, there are certain things you yourself can do to prepare for answering this question and others like them. Ensuring you have a good familiarity of the job description, along with a good familiarity of your own C.V, will enable you to answer this naturally and will give you a clear direction in which to take your response. Try transforming your answer into more of a story here. There are a couple of different tactics you can employ to do this. Quoting from a particularly flattering performance review is one method you can use to answer this question. Another effective method you can use starts before the interview even begins, and starts with you asking your supervisor for their opinion of you. The feedback they give you will provide an impactful and constructive springboard you can use to form the basis of your answer with. It’s best to approach your supervisor by asking for constructive pointers in regards to what you could be doing better first, and from there then ask their opinion of what you are already doing well. What they say can provide some very useful and thought-provoking insight which is not only useful for answering this particular question, but many other types of interview questions as well

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

14. Are you able to do shift work?

What is this question
This is a straightforward question that gives your interviewer an understanding of how flexible you can be with your working hours. They are asking to see if you have experience of doing shift work, and they also want to try and get an understanding of how comfortable you are with doing shift work as well. If you are asked this question in an interview, it gives you an indication of the type of hours you may be asked to work

How to answer this
If a job requires shift work, it will usually be indicated on the description before you apply. The best way to answer this is by familiarizing yourself with the job description beforehand and fully considering your circumstances, then giving your interviewer an honest answer about what you can or can’t do

Example – Answer Yes
‘Yes. I had a thorough look over the job requirements before I applied to make sure the role was right for me. I have little in the way of personal commitments outside of work, I have done shift work before, and I am happy to make myself available whenever I am required’.

Example – Answer Flexible or No
‘While I have personal and family commitments outside of work, I’d love to land this role and believe that I can thrive in this position. I’ve considered my commitments fully before I applied for this role and will make myself available as much as my circumstances allow. I am available to work any time as required during the week but not over the weekend due to my family commitments’.

15. 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 unstructured 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