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For job seekers
Seven interview questions you will almost certainly be asked — and how to answer them
Most interviews are built from the same handful of questions. Prepare these seven and you’ll walk in calmer — and walk out with a better chance of an offer.
Emma ClarkeSenior Consultant, Office & Administration
After placing thousands of people into new roles, our consultants hear the same questions come up again and again. The good news? That makes them easy to prepare for. Here’s what interviewers are really asking — and how to answer with confidence.
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
This isn’t an invitation to share your life story. Give a 60-second summary: what you do now, one or two things you’re proud of, and why this role is the right next step.
2. “Why do you want this job?”
Show you’ve done your homework. Mention something specific about the company — a value, a product, the way they treat their people — and link it to what you want from your next role.
3. “What are your strengths?”
Pick two strengths that matter for this job and back each one up with a short example. “I’m reliable — I didn’t miss a single shift in my last assignment” beats a list of adjectives.
4. “Tell me about a time you dealt with a problem.”
Use the STAR method: describe the Situation, the Task, the Action you took and the Result. Keep it short and finish with what you learned.
Consultant’s tipWrite down three STAR stories before the interview — one about teamwork, one about a problem you solved and one about a time you went the extra mile. Most competency questions can be answered with one of them.
5. “What’s your biggest weakness?”
Be honest, but choose something you’re actively working on, and explain what you’re doing about it.
6. “Where do you see yourself in a few years?”
Employers want to know you’ll stay and grow. Talk about the skills you’d like to build and the responsibility you’d like to take on.
7. “Do you have any questions for us?”
Always say yes. Ask about training, what success looks like in the first three months, or what the interviewer enjoys about working there.
The candidates who stand out aren’t the ones with perfect answers — they’re the ones who have clearly thought about the job.
Your PeopleForward consultant can run a practice interview with you before the real thing. Just ask.
Written by Emma Clarke
Senior Consultant, Office & Administration at our London branch.
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Marcus Ellis
The tip about a two-minute answer to “tell me about yourself” got me through my forklift interview last week. I start on Monday!
Reply to Marcus EllisEmma Clarke Author
Congratulations, Marcus, that’s brilliant news. Good luck with the first week, and call us if anything comes up.
Reply to Emma ClarkeHannah Lowe
Useful list. I’d add one: ask what a good first month looks like. Interviewers always seem pleased to hear it.
Reply to Hannah LoweGrace Walsh
Is it all right to ask about pay in a first interview for a temporary role? I never know how it will come across.
Reply to Grace WalshEmma Clarke Author
For temporary roles, absolutely: the rate and the shifts are part of the job. We share both before you go, so you shouldn’t need to.
Reply to Emma Clarke