English For Interview

A 6D2B Van Phuc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
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E info@impactus.com.vn
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ENGLISH FOR INTERVIEW
Table of Contents
I. The practicalities .....................................................................................2
II. How to Research a Company for a Job Interview .....................................3
III. 7 Things to Research Before Any Job Interview ........................................7
IV. Try to anticipate questions ......................................................................9
V. Dealing with gaps in your application .................................................... 14
VI. Skills that employers look for ................................................................ 18
VII. Answering motivational questions ..................................................... 21
VIII. Dealing with competency based questions ......................................... 23
IX. Strength-based questions ...................................................................... 25
X. Answering questions that require judgement ........................................ 28
XI. Expect the unexpected .......................................................................... 30
XII. Brilliant questions to ask the interviewers .......................................... 32
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I. The practicalities
Preparation is the key to a successful interview so don’t overlook the practical details or
leave things to the last minute.
• Make sure you know where to go and how long it will take to get there. Aim to arrive
at least fifteen minutes early.
• Decide what you are going to wear beforehand and try it on for comfort (there’s more
information on this next week).
• Do your revision. Read over your application and think about the questions that you
might be asked.
• Take a copy of your application or CV, and if required, examples of your work.
• If you can, try to find out about the format of the interview, how long it will last, and
who will be interviewing you.
• If you are making a presentation take a copy along on a memory stick and hard copy
handouts.
• Think more deeply about yourself, the role or course, and the organisation or
institution you are applying to.
Most of us experience some nerves in the run up to an interview but if you have prepared
thoroughly and retain a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the job or course, then you will
have done your best - and that’s all you can really do!
© The University of Sheffield
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II. How to Research a Company for a Job Interview
You may have heard the advice that it’s important to have some questions for the hiring
manager when you’re interviewing for a job. It’s true that interviewers will expect you to be
curious and interested in their organization, and they'll expect to show that by asking
questions, but it’s also true that you should come to the interview with a good baseline of
knowledge about the company.
Hopefully, you’ll learn a lot about the company during the interview—like whether the
organization and the company culture are a good fit for you, for example. But during the
interview is not the time to learn basic information about the company. You should know all
that before you set foot in corporate HQ.
The good news is that it’s easier than ever before to learn about an employer before the job
interview. Take some time, in advance, to learn as much as you can online. Then, tap into
your real-world network to see who you know who can help give you an interview edge over
the other candidates. Do your research, and you’ll make a much better impression on the
hiring manager. Here are tips for researching companies before the interview.
Visit the Company Website
Start by visiting the company website. There, you can review the organization's mission
statement and history, products and services, and management, as well as information about
the company culture. The information is usually available in the "About Us" section of the
site. If there's a Press section of the website, read through the featured links there.
Pay attention to themes that come up repeatedly on the site. As much as any stated corporate
values, the words companies choose to describe themselves are telling. Do you want to work
at a place where people are “driven to excellence,” or does that make you feel tired? Do you
like the idea of working with people who consider their coworkers family, or do you need
more distance between your job and your personal life? Of course, organizations use
hyperbole when talking about themselves...but it’s often pretty telling hyperbole.
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Browse Social Media
Next, check the company's social media accounts. Visit their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
pages. This will give you a good sense of how the company wants its consumers to see it. Like
or follow the company to get updates. You'll find some information you may not have found
otherwise.
You may also uncover some red flags. If the organization doesn’t have a professionally
managed social media presence, for example, or if it’s updated sporadically and
inconsistently, they might not be totally in control of their public image.
Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn company profiles are a good way to find, at a glance, more information on a
company you're interested in. You'll be able to see your connections at the company, new
hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and company statistics. If you have
connections at the company, consider reaching out to them. Not only can they put in a good
word for you, but they may also share their perspective on the company and give you tips
that will help you ace the interview.
Take a look at your interviewer's LinkedIn profile to get insight into their job and their
background, as well. Look for any common links between you. Do you know the same people?
Did you go to the same school? Are you part of the same groups, online or off? Those common
links could help you establish rapport during the interview process.
Get an Interview Edge
Consider looking up the company on Glassdoor. Their Interview Questions and

Reviews section has a goldmine of information for job seekers.
You can find out what candidates for the positions you are interviewing for were asked and
get advice on how tough the interview was. Use reviews to help get a sense of company
culture. That said, take them with a grain of salt—employees are often most likely to leave
reviews when they are unhappy. As you read reviews, look for repeated themes. The more
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mentions a given subject gets (whether it's praise for flexible hours or frustration with senior
management) the more likely it is to be accurate.
Use Google and Google News
Search both Google and Google News for the company name. This can be invaluable. You may
find out that the company is expanding into Asia, for instance, or recently received a round
of start-up funding. Or, you may find out that a recent product underperformed or had to be
recalled. This knowledge can help shape your responses to interview questions.
Tap Your Connections
Do you know someone who works at the company? Ask them if they can help.
If you're a college grad, ask your career office if they can give you a list of alumni who work
there. Then email them, send a LinkedIn message, or call and ask for assistance.
Get to Know the Industry and Competitors
As well as researching the company, it makes sense to review the overall industry. If you're
interviewing for a job at a mortgage company, for instance, it's helpful to be informed about
current homeownership trends. Get to know the company's biggest competitors and identify
their successes and flaws, too. Insight into the company's industry and rivals are bound to
impress interviewers.
How to Use This Research During Interviews
During a job interview, interviewers ask questions to get to know candidates. But their main
goal is to determine if a candidate will be a good fit for the position and company.
Your company research will make your responses to questions compelling and show that
you'll be helpful to their goals and bottom line.
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Plus, your knowledge will help you give a specific answer if you're asked why you'd like to
work for the company. You can share details about things you find admirable about the
company, its mission, or its culture.
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III. 7 Things to Research Before Any Job Interview
Do you have a job interview coming up in the next few days? Then you better keep reading
to learn about a secret weapon that will give you a huge advantage during your interview.
Researching employers is one of the best ways to become a stand-out candidate during the
hiring process. By putting on your detective hat and investigating potential employers, you’ll
discover details about the employer that will better prepare you for any interview.
Now, you’re probably wondering, “Why should I spend time researching employers?” First,
company research is the best way to learn about what the company does and what they look
for in a candidate. You’ll also be better prepared to answer questions and position yourself
as the best candidate.
As you prepare for your upcoming interview, here are seven things you should learn about an
employer:
1. The skills and experience the company values.
First and foremost, you should know what the company looks for in a qualified candidate.
This enables you to position yourself as the best candidate for the position.
To discover the skills and experience the employer values, read between the lines of their job
postings. You can also find out information on the employer’s career page to get an idea of
the type of employees their desire. In addition, reach out to current employees who work
there and ask them about what their employer values most in the workplace.
2. Key players of the organization.
The key players within an organization are those employees who hold important positions in
the company. These individuals can be managers, department directors, and especially the
CEO/president of the company.
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You can find out who the key players of the organization by reading the employer’s “About”
page and employee bios. It’s also a good idea to check out what these individuals say on
Twitter and LinkedIn to learn what employees say about the company online.
3. News and recent events about the employer.
When you go into a job interview, it’s always a good idea to be knowledgeable about the
company’s latest news and updates.
Most companies have a page on their website dedicated to press releases and events. This is
a great source for you to find out information regarding the company’s latest news and
updates.
4. The company’s culture, mission, and values.
Job seekers should be able to confidently say they’re good fit for the company’s culture during
any job interview. In fact, a Millennial Branding study says 43 percent of HR professionals
believe cultural fit is the most important quality job seekers can have during the hiring
process.
As you research the employer, pay attention to what’s written on their website regarding the
company’s values and mission. You can also learn more about the company culture by
following the organization on its social media networks.
5. Clients, products, and services.
As a potential employee, you need to have an idea of the type of work you’d be doing once
hired. By having a general idea of who the company’s clients are and the types of products
and services are offered, you’ll be more prepared for the interview, too.
To find out the company’s offerings, you can usually find them on the company’s website.
You can also read through the company’s blog, case studies, and white papers to give you a
better idea of their accomplishments.
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6. The inside scoop.
To ensure you’re fully prepared for the job interview, websites such as Glassdoor help job
seekers discover the inside details of a company that can’t be found on the employer’s
website.
When using websites like Glassdoor, you can typically find information such as salary figures,
employee functions and duties, company reviews, details about the hiring process, and more.
7. The person interviewing you.
Finally, you should find out who the interviewer will be. This will give you an advantage during
the interview because you’ll have a better chance of connecting with them and sparking a
meaningful conversation.
Now it might be a little tricky trying to find out who the interviewer is, but you should be able
to locate the person’s name with a little investigation. First, try locating the person’s name
from email you received regarding the interview. If you can’t find any information, reply to
the email politely requesting the name of the person who’ll interview you.
Once you acquire the interviewer’s name, do some research on LinkedIn and Twitter. This will
help you learn about the interviewer’s background, their position with the company, and even
some common interests you both share.
IV. Try to anticipate questions
As part of your preparation, re-read the job or course description again so that you have a
good understanding of exactly what is involved and what will be expected of you.
Try to anticipate the key questions you might be asked by the interviewer, list what you can
offer and identify concrete examples of your suitability for the job or course you are applying
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for. Most importantly, you will need to think about how you can tailor your answers to what
the selector is looking for.
A key part of interview preparation is thinking about the topics and questions that may come
up and how you can use the opportunity to market yourself as the most suitable candidate.
This kind of preparation is difficult and quite time consuming, but if you can’t honestly say
you’ve thought through what the job/study/research would involve and how best you could
meet its demands, then you shouldn’t really complain if you don’t succeed at interview.
The questions that an interviewer asks are likely to be quite detailed and some may be
hypothetical. They are likely to be based around key topic areas such as:
• your skills, education, abilities and personal qualities
• your knowledge of the job/study/research you are applying for
• what you know about the organisation and the industry or subject area it operates
within
• your motivation for applying, along with your work or study preferences and interests
• your work experience
It may help to note what the recruiter is looking for from the job or course description and
then write down bullet points of how you meet this criteria.
Here are two examples if you are attending an interview for a job
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Skills, knowledge, experience etc How I match the requirements
Staffed the customer service desk at

BestEverFoods and maintained a helpful,
approachable manner.
Dealt with a broad spectrum of customers via

face-to-face and phone enquiries.
Must be able to provide excellent
customer service Thanked by my manager for going out of my
way to help an elderly customer who had lost
her purse and was very upset. Kept calm,
found her a seat, put out a call to all staff to
be on the look out and retraced her steps.
Found her purse in the cafe where she had
been sitting.
As part of my work experience at Redlink

Outfits I was asked to create a Google form
asking colleagues to prioritise their training
Must have experience of using Google requirements for the next year.
forms
Hadn’t used Google forms before, so
researched it thoroughly via Google support
and liaised with my line manager to make sure
that I understood the requirements.
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Skills, knowledge, experience etc How I match the requirements
Colleagues were able to input their

requirements into the form and I analysed the
data, producing a summary of key training
requirements for the next year.
We’ve created a blank template like the one above that you can use when preparing for your
own interview. Download the template below and save it for your portfolio. If you are unable
to open the template, we have provided an alternative in PDF format.
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Requirements for the job or course
Job or course title
Skills, knowledge, How I match the criteria

experience etc.
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V. Dealing with gaps in your application
If there are time gaps in your application, you should think about how you can talk about
this positively in an interview.
You may have gaps for any number of reasons such as ill health or exams not going to plan.
Perhaps you decided on a career change or took time-out to travel or raise a family.
Be prepared to expand upon what you wrote in your application. Remember, it was good
enough to get you an interview. If you had to overcome any obstacles, describe how you did
this and any coping strategies you developed in the process to show your problem-solving
skills. Above all, show the positive aspects of this experience, what you learnt about yourself
in the process, and why this is now the right move for you.
Gaps in my application Explanation
Started a primary teacher training course but

Left a teacher training course after after one term I realised that working to a formal
one term curriculum with children wasn’t for me, so I
decided to leave.
Spent six months working in a call centre -

developed excellent communication skills. Then
spent three months travelling around Vietnam
and Cambodia where I needed organisation,
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decision making and problem-solving skills, in

order to arrange travel and accommodation.
Realised that although I didn’t want to teach I did

want to work with children in a supportive role so
contacted my local careers service and talked
through my options with a careers adviser, to
ensure I was making an informed choice.
Did some voluntary work for a local children’s

charity dealing with eating disorders to gain
relevant work experience and then applied for a
course in social work.
My partner worked away from home for long

Spent four years bringing up a young
periods of time so I had sole responsibility for
family, prior to them starting at
childcare. Developed organisation, decision
nursery
making and problem solving skills.
Started a cookery class and developed an interest

in baking and decorating cakes. Volunteered for
the community organisation ‘Free cakes for kids’
for families who would find it difficult to provide
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a celebration cake for their child. Liaised with

partner organisations such as Young Carers, or
the Children’s Centre to find out a child’s
favourite theme, then created a cake in time for
their celebration.
Currently completing the first year of a part-time,

BA History degree at the University of Sheffield,
providing me with a broad understanding of
Western history from the Roman Empire up to
the present day. Working on a group project on
the impact of the Black Death on European trade
which we will present to the class. Developing
team working, time management, research and
presentation skills, all of which will be useful in
my future career.
We’ve created a blank template like the one above that you can use to explain any gaps in
your application. Download the template below and save it in your portfolio. It is also
available as a PDF file.
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Gaps in my application
Situation Explanation
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VI. Skills that employers look for
Remember that from reading your application, the recruiter already believes you could be a
good match for the skills they require. Now is the time to convince them.
Here, we have provided a list of the skills most commonly sought by recruiters, although be
aware that each recruiter may have a slightly different definition of such skills.
Communication
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing.
• Willingness to question and listen to others to aid your own understanding and that
of others.
• Ability to convey complex information at the right level so it is understood by others.
Teamwork
• Ability to form relationships at all levels and motivate and support other team
members.
• Willingness to ask others for advice or help when solving a problem.
• Ability to work fairly and productively alongside others.
Organisation and time management
• Setting objectives and planning activities and resources to achieve a goal.
• Ability to manage time effectively to prioritise activities and meet deadlines.
• Achieving a productive and satisfying work-life balance.
Problem solving
• Ability to understand information quickly and accurately.
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• Appreciation of all the variables affecting an issue.
• Ability to evaluate and choose workable solutions to problems.
Motivation
• Energetic and enthusiastic approach to work/tasks.
• Desire to continuously learn and develop and evaluate own performance.
• Perseverance in the face of obstacles.
Leadership
• Having a clear vision with the ability to enthuse and influence others by gaining their
trust and support.
• Ability to listen, share and delegate when appropriate.
• Willingness to take responsibility for a task or project to ensure it gets done.
Creativity, flexibility and openness to change
• To be original and express different views, ideas or solutions.
• Willingness to challenge the status quo when appropriate and consider change.
• An openness to others’ ideas with a willingness to adapt.
Confidence / assertiveness
• Willingness to express needs, views and feelings clearly, confidently and courteously.
• Appreciation of the value of one’s own abilities and role.
• Willingness to put forward ideas and stand firm on a minority or unpopular view when
appropriate.
Interpersonal, intercultural and global awareness
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• Awareness and tolerance of the diverse needs, feelings and views of others.
• Willingness to support, help and share information with others.
• Ability to communicate and work with people from different social and cultural
backgrounds and from different countries.
Numeracy
• Ability to interpret statistics and numerical data.
• Ability to solve numerical problems.
• Familiarity with the ways in which numerical information is gathered and presented.
Information and IT literacy
• Confidence when using information technology with an ability to learn new packages.
• Ability to identify how IT can be applied to improve efficiency and solve problems.
• Knowing where and how to find relevant information.
Business / commercial awareness and professionalism
• Understanding of the need for high quality customer service and innovative
approaches.
• Awareness of how economic and political issues can affect organisations and their
products or services.
• Recognition of the importance of a professional and responsible approach to your own

role within an organisation.
You can download this list of key skills below and save it for your portfolio.
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VII. Answering motivational questions
Motivational questions are designed to check how serious you are about applying for a
particular job or course. These questions could include:
1. Why do you want to do this job / course?
2. What do you know about our organisation / institution? Why would you find us
interesting to work for / study with?
3. Which aspects of the job / course interest you most?
4. What do you think will be the main challenges of this job / course? Why does that
appeal to you?
5. What steps have you taken to find out more about the job role / course?
6. Which aspects of your previous work experience / course have you enjoyed and why?
7. Tell us about a current news story that has caught your attention and why it interests
you. How might it relate to our organisation / institution?
Questions like this highlight how important it is to do plenty of preparation so that you
understand what sort of job or course you are applying for and know as much as possible
about the organisation or institution.
Applying for a job

If you are applying for a job, think about:
1. why you are interested in the main duties of the job
2. the organisation’s values and culture and how these fit in with your own
3. why the core business activities of the organisation appeal
4. training and development opportunities
5. the aspects of the job that may be challenging

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Launch this interactive exercise to look at some sample motivational questions and read our
analysis of the answers given.
Trainee journalist for the Great Outdoors magazine
Why have you chosen to apply to our organisation?
I love most outdoor sports, particularly cycling and road running and spend most weekends
pursuing them in the Derbyshire Peak District. Additionally, having studied English at college,
I have developed an interest in writing news content and have published my own blog for the
last two years covering outdoor pursuits. I have also undertaken voluntary work at my local
newspaper which has confirmed my choice of career.
I am particularly interested in working for the Great Outdoors magazine. As a subscriber, I

enjoy reading your interesting, innovative content. Following research, I was impressed by
your organisation's future plans to expand into health and well-being which I believe would
be an exciting new area of growth as readers become interested in healthy lifestyle choices
that complement their sport.
You also have an excellent reputation for staff training and development and I feel I could
successfully develop my career with you.
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VIII. Dealing with competency based questions
Competency-based questions are commonly used by employers to check that candidates

have the competencies or qualities that are required for a particular job, usually detailed in
the job specification or advert.
The interviewer is looking for evidence that you have the skills that they need and so may ask
questions such as:
1. Give an example of when you worked in a team to complete a task. What was your
role and what did you contribute?
2. Tell us about a situation where you’ve had to overcome a difficult problem.
3. Give an example of a situation where you solved a problem in a creative way.

4. Tell me about a time when you achieved success even when the odds were stacked
against you.
5. Give an example of a time you handled conflict in the workplace.
6. When have you completed a difficult task under pressure?
7. Describe a time you delivered a brilliant customer service.
8. Describe an occasion when you have had to manage your time to achieve a deadline.
What happened and how did you meet the deadline?
9. Can you give an example of when you have done work that required a high degree of
accuracy? How do you ensure that your work is accurate?
10. Outline a situation where you’ve had to communicate complex information in an easy-
to-understand way.
11. Tell us about a time when you have had to deal with someone who was angry or upset.
How did you deal with it?
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Competency based questions using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Example question Answer

S
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How to Succeed at:
Interviews
Examples of competency based questions

Teamworking
Question
Give an example, from outside of your studies, of when you have worked in a team. What was your role
and what did you contribute to the team’s performance?
Answer
As a committee member of the Drama Society I recently worked with the other members to organise a
community event. Our aim was to run some workshops for local primary school children. The group met
initially to plan and allocate tasks. My role was to generate the funds for the event. I established a plan for
this task with a time-line of what I had to do and by when. I contacted the local Chamber of Commerce
who put me in touch with local companies and I managed to generate £200 sponsorship money which
covered our costs and enabled us to have money to be used for prizes. Our group met weekly to discuss
progress and stayed in touch in the interim via Facebook. This ensured that if one team member was
having problems completing their tasks on time then others could provide additional support.
The event was a great success with very positive feedback from the pupils and teachers. The team
members said that they appreciated me taking on the task of raising funds, as this was something that no
one else wanted to do, and that the prizes had significantly contributed to the success of the event.
Analysis
 It answers the question and focuses on team working
 It uses the STAR structure
 Clearly explains her individual role and how it contributed to the team
 Gives clear details of the outcome
Planning skills
Question
Describe a challenging project or activity which you have planned and taken through to a conclusion. What
was your objective, what did you do and what was the outcome? Include any changes you made to your
initial plan.
Answer
As a member of my College Theatre Society I helped organise a visit to the West Yorkshire Playhouse for
twenty five people to see Hamlet.
1 © The University of Sheffield

My role was to arrange travel and accommodation for anyone wishing to take part. I promoted the event
by using posters across the campus and emailing Society members, emphasising the main benefits of the
visit. I also set a deadline for payment to create an efficient cash-flow. Based on this I arranged a mini-bus
and negotiated a reduced rate booking at the Leeds Youth Hostel.
As an additional ten students expressed an interest after the deadline, I decided to change my plans. To
cope with this, I ordered a larger bus and secured extra accommodation with the Hostel. The visit was a
huge success receiving positive feedback and staying within our budget, while generating £25 revenue for
the Society from a raffle held on the trip.
Analysis
 Uses STAR format; answers all elements of the question
 Uses positive / action words in places
 Includes specific information such as figures for revenue generated, and the number of members
involved
Time Management
Question
Describe a situation where you have had to manage your time to achieve your goals. How did you achieve
this?
Answer
In my first year, I joined the University Football club and was selected for the First Team. We decided that
in order to be fully competitive we would need to train twice a day and every weekend. I realised that in
order to achieve this goal and not adversely affect my studies I would need to be disciplined and focused.
At the beginning of each semester, I scheduled every training session, match, lecture, seminar and essay in
my diary. When the morning sessions ended at 9am, I went to lectures or the library. The fact that I had to
finish at 5pm in order to return to training meant that I was far more focused. If we were away at
weekends I learnt not to waste any time and took my work with me and read whenever I could.
I was very successful in adapting to this schedule. I found that under pressure I studied more effectively,
and my work was of a higher quality. In addition I learnt the value of time management and developed the
discipline to stick to a routine. I discovered that it was possible to succeed at both my studies and my sport.
I sometimes had to say no to other social activities in order to achieve my primary goals but I felt that this
was worth doing. In my second year we won the Inter-University First Team Trophy at a national
competition and I achieved over 65% in my course work.
Analysis
 It answers the question and focuses on time management and achieving goals
 Uses the STAR structure
 It is positive and the candidate indicates that he/she understands what is meant by time
management
2 © The University of Sheffield

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IX. Strength-based questions
A number of employers have introduced ‘strength-based questions’ into interviews. They

focus on what you enjoy doing and what you are particularly good at rather than what you
can do, so be prepared to be open and honest.
Consider your achievements not just in your studies and at work but also in activities such as
sports, interest groups or volunteering. Think about what aspects you enjoy and why you are
good at them. This should help you to understand your strengths and prepare you for
strength-based questions.
Types of questions that are looking for strengths include:
1. How do you know if you’ve had a good day?
2. Describe something that you learnt recently.
3. What work-related activities energize you and which ones do you find draining?
4. What activities come naturally to you, working in a team or working on your own?
Which one brings you more enjoyment?
5. Would you prefer to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond?
6. Describe your favourite interest outside of your work or studies.
7. What have you done that you are most proud of? Why was it significant?
8. What are your greatest strengths? When do you use them?
9. What are your weaknesses?
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Why are employers choosing to use strength based interviews?
• Questions asked at strength-based interviews are harder to predict so applicants

come less prepared and are more authentic.
• Interviewees are easier to ‘read’. For instance, it’s difficult to fake enthusiasm when
describing something that isn’t genuinely a personal strength.
• Applicants need to have well-developed self-awareness in order to perform well at
the interview. This is something that is necessary for success in the work place and
can’t be done in a rush the night before an interview!
• There are no right or wrong answers, just answers that indicate whether an applicant
is a ‘good fit’ for the role and organisation.
• Questions can, on the face of it, be easy to answer e.g. What activities come naturally
to you? What on your ‘to do’ list are you likely to enjoy most?
• Follow-up questions are less likely to be asked so applicants need to try and give a full
answer.
What the is recruiter looking for?
• Body language – does the candidate look interested, engaged, are they animated,
leaning forward etc.
• Energy – does this appear to dip when talking about something that isn’t a strength?
• Good examples to back-up points made – this is where STAR/CAR can still be used to
structure answers
• Tone of voice
• Enthusiastic, descriptive language – ‘x comes naturally to me’. ‘I love…’ etc.
In describing your strengths, you may be able to provide evidence of the skills and experience
asked for in the job description, such as team work, project work, communication skills or
customer service.
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For example:
• You enjoy playing the violin as part of an amateur orchestra.
• You may feel that you’ve had a good day after completing a difficult project on time.
• You would describe yourself as a good listener, who is able to communicate with
people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• You are particularly proud of your customer service skills and have gone out of your
way to help people recently.
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X. Answering questions that require judgement
You may occasionally get asked a hypothetical question at interview, where you need to
use your judgement to decide on the actions you’d take in a given situation. Alternatively,
you may face questions where you have to give your opinion on a topic or issue that is
relevant to the job.
Hypothetical / issue-based questions can be used to assess your values, motivation,

knowledge of the job / sector and your verbal reasoning skills. Answers to questions like these
do not prove that you have the skills or competencies to do the job, but they do explore your
judgement and whether you can form and defend your opinion based on a sound rationale.
Here are some examples of the type of questions that may be asked:
1. Imagine you are asked to organise a street party. How would you go about it? (event
planner) - hypothetical
2. What would you do if your manager asked you to do something that you felt was
unethical? (trainee solicitor) - hypothetical
3. How do you see social media developing in future? (marketing executive, public
relations company) - issue-based
4. How do you view the role of the classroom assistant (trainee teacher, applying for a
course) - issue-based
5. Do you think doctors surgeries should open late evenings and every weekend?
(student applying for a medical course) - issue-based
6. What do you think are the main challenges facing students today? (recruitment
assistant, university) - issue-based
To prepare for this type of question, research the sector that you are applying to. What is in
the news at the moment, are there any ‘hot’ topics?
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Here are a few tips to help you answer this type of question.
• Give yourself time to think about what is being asked of you and why.
• Try to relate your answer to your experiences or factual knowledge. You may not have
real life experience but perhaps you have work shadowed someone in a relevant job
or have read something recently.
• Try to structure your response, keep to the point and don’t waffle.
• Make sure you apply your own judgement in order to put forward your views and
make a reasoned argument.
• Sum up your answer clearly.
• Expect your ideas to be challenged by the interviewer. They are not trying to catch
you out, just seeing if you can argue your case and appreciate other viewpoints.
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XI. Expect the unexpected
Sometimes interviewers ask questions that are so unusual you’d never predict they’d come
up at interview.
This is often done to test how quickly you can think on your feet and to see how well you
respond when put under a bit of pressure. Examples include:
• If you were stranded on a desert island with enough food and water, what 3 things
would you choose to have with you?
• If I were an alien, just landed on earth, what do you think are the three key issues I
would need to know?
• In a news story about your life, what would the headline be?
• If you won £20 million on the Lotto, what would you spend the money on?
• If you were a piece of fruit, what sort of fruit would you be?
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• How do I rate as an interviewer?
The trick when answering these questions is firstly, don’t panic, and secondly, to think about
how you can use the opportunity to demonstrate a positive personal characteristic or skill
that you know the recruiter is looking for.
Here is our attempt at answering an unexpected question.
What sort of fruit would you choose to be?
I would choose to be an orange as they have a bright welcoming colour that makes them
stand out. My recent work experience as a supermarket assistant showed that it was
important to be welcoming, helpful and friendly towards customers at all times. Oranges are
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also the shape of a ball which I associate with my love of football and being a good team
player. I think an orange has hidden depths and values that you only discover once it is peeled.
Questions that ask for feedback on something like the interviewer’s performance may well
be testing your diplomacy and whether you can offer constructive advice.
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XII. Brilliant questions to ask the interviewers
At the end of an interview, it is common for the interviewer to ask you if you have any
questions for them. This is an ideal opportunity for you to show genuine interest in the job
or course so it’s always a good idea to try to ask one or two questions.
It can also be a good opportunity to reveal positive aspects about yourself that the
interviewer’s questions may not have elicited. Chosen carefully, you can use your questions
to demonstrate your commitment and your eagerness to develop your skills and knowledge.
If, by the end of the interview, all your pre-prepared questions have been answered and you
can’t think of anything else to ask, then be honest and say that all your questions have been
answered for now, but you will contact them if you need to ask them anything further.
Hopefully, if you have pre-prepared five or six questions, then not all of them will be
answered. However, only ask one or two of them at interview – a long list of candidate’s
questions can be off-putting for an interviewer and will annoy them if they are running to a
tight schedule.
Here are a few questions asked by candidates and what we think of them.
Question 1: What is the main function of the department that I will be working in?
Our view: This is an example of a question that you shouldn’t ask! It is the sort of question
where the candidate could easily have found the answer on the website or other literature
about the organisation. Questions like these show that the candidate hasn’t done much
research into what the organisation does nor how it operates, implying a lack of interest.
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Question 2: I see on your website that you work with employees to develop individual
training and development plans. Could you tell me more about what training and
development I might expect to help me progress in the organisation?
Our view: This is a good question as it shows that the candidate is keen, plans to stay in the
job and is interested in moving up in the organisation. It is also phrased in such a way as to
show that the candidate has read the organisation website and would now like to find out
more details, which probably couldn’t be found elsewhere in their literature.
Question 3: What sort of opportunities are there for me to gain relevant work experience
whilst I am studying?
Our view: This shows that you are motivated and keen to develop relevant skills during your
studies. However, do your research and check out the department’s and/or Careers Service
website beforehand as the information may already be there.
Question 4: What salary, pension and other benefits may I expect to be offered by your
organisation?
Our view: Although this is a valid question, the end of an interview is the wrong time to be
asking it. Bringing such topics up before you have been offered the job will make the
interviewer feel as though you are keen to find out what the organisation can do for you
rather than using the interview as a way of highlighting what you can do for the organisation.
Candidates should leave topics like this until they have been offered the job.
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Question 5: I read in the newspaper last week that you are expanding into Europe. Is the
organisation expanding into any other markets? What effect do you think this will have on
the organisation in the short term and long term? How might this affect its employees?
Our view: This question starts off quite well. The candidate is demonstrating that they keep
up with the latest developments in the organisation (and the industrial sector in general),
showing the sort of commercial awareness that the interviewer will be looking for. However,
the questions then start to become too in-depth and too numerous. This could well put the
interviewer on the spot and annoy them as it would take a while for them to answer –
potentially making them run late for other interviews.
Question 6: Would you mind if I briefly tell you about another of my achievements that I
feel is relevant to the job / course, but which I haven’t yet had chance to talk about?
Our view: Although you should try to make sure you get across all your key selling points
when answering the questions posed by interviewers, there may be occasions when this isn’t
possible. If there are a spare couple of minutes at the end of the interview, you could use the
opportunity to tell the interviewer about other key achievements, experience or attributes
that you have. Make sure that what you highlight is relevant to the job or course you are
being interviewed for.
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A 6D2B Van Phuc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi

P +84 964 886 432

ENGLISH FOR INTERVIEW

I. The practicalities .....................................................................................2

II. How to Research a Company for a Job Interview .....................................3

III. 7 Things to Research Before Any Job Interview ........................................7

IV. Try to anticipate questions ......................................................................9

V. Dealing with gaps in your application .................................................... 14

VI. Skills that employers look for ................................................................ 18

VII. Answering motivational questions ..................................................... 21

VIII. Dealing with competency based questions ......................................... 23

IX. Strength-based questions ...................................................................... 25

X. Answering questions that require judgement ........................................ 28

XI. Expect the unexpected .......................................................................... 30

XII. Brilliant questions to ask the interviewers .......................................... 32

© The University of Sheffield

II. How to Research a Company for a Job Interview

Visit the Company Website

Browse Social Media

Get an Interview Edge

Consider looking up the company on Glassdoor. Their Interview Questions and

Use Google and Google News

Tap Your Connections

Get to Know the Industry and Competitors

How to Use This Research During Interviews

III. 7 Things to Research Before Any Job Interview

1. The skills and experience the company values.

2. Key players of the organization.

3. News and recent events about the employer.

4. The company’s culture, mission, and values.

5. Clients, products, and services.

6. The inside scoop.

7. The person interviewing you.

IV. Try to anticipate questions

• your skills, education, abilities and personal qualities

• your knowledge of the job/study/research you are applying for

• your work experience

Skills, knowledge, experience etc How I match the requirements

Staffed the customer service desk at

Dealt with a broad spectrum of customers via

As part of my work experience at Redlink

Skills, knowledge, experience etc How I match the requirements

Colleagues were able to input their

© The University of Sheffield

Requirements for the job or course

Job or course title

Skills, knowledge, How I match the criteria

V. Dealing with gaps in your application

Gaps in my application Explanation

Started a primary teacher training course but

Spent six months working in a call centre -

decision making and problem-solving skills, in

Realised that although I didn’t want to teach I did

Did some voluntary work for a local children’s

My partner worked away from home for long

Started a cookery class and developed an interest

a celebration cake for their child. Liaised with

Currently completing the first year of a part-time,

© The University of Sheffield

VI. Skills that employers look for

• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing.

• Ability to convey complex information at the right level so it is understood by others.

• Willingness to ask others for advice or help when solving a problem.