The aim of an interview is to obtain as much information from you as possible in an allocated time frame. The employer will base the decision on a number of areas including skills, knowledge and abilities, personality and cultural fit, attitude, presentation, availability and references. A range of questions will be asked of you to assess as many of these things as possible and as such a typical interview will contain many standard questions, for which you can be prepared.
Here are some potential questions to practice your answers.
Tell me about yourself
What kind of position are you looking for?
Why do you want to work in this industry/company?
Why did you leave your last position?
What did you like least/most about your last position?
Can you give me some examples of the most difficult problems you encountered in your previous position? How did you resolve them?
Why should we hire you instead of other applicants?
What can you offer this company?
What do you know about the company?
Why did you apply for this position?
What skills/qualities do you think would be important to this job?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in 2 to 5 year’s time?
Whilst you may not be asked all of these questions, you can expect to be asked some of them, or a variation on them. Think about what your response may be and rehearse how it may sound.