How To Answer Interview Questions 101

Where are you right now in your career? Are you a career shifter or career starter? Our Career Personas will help you define where you are on your career path and the next step to take!

These are exciting times here at Career FAQs! We’ve just launched our new website, re-designed to make it easier than ever to find course and career information. Take a tour through our new site and discover all the additional features and improvements.

If you have a disability or mental illness, entering the workforce can present tricky challenges.

Whether you’re happy in your job or are itching for new opportunities, signing up to LinkedIn and exploring its features can open up many opportunities for your career down the track.

What is your body language saying about you at work? Could it be holding you back? Here are a few moves that can give the wrong professional vibe and what to do instead. We've included specific body language tips to help you rock the interview too!

If the idea of small talk and idle chitchat renders you speechless, do not be alarmed. Networking doesn’t mean you have to be the centre of attention or the life of the party.

Do you feel professionally stale and unmotivated, like you’re going nowhere? Sounds like you’re in a rut – see what Jo has to say about getting your career mojo back.

Do you feel like you\'ve hit a bit of a wall in your career and want to advance but don\'t know how? Here are some tried and tested tips to get you on your way.

Dreaming of a career change? Don't know what you want to do? Or you have a cunning career plan already? Whatever your situation, a career coach can help. In this article, find out what exactly a career coach can do for you.

Whether you\'ve taken a break for maternity leave, to recover from illness, or to travel the world, at some point you\'ll need to reenter the workforce. We take a look at how to find a job when you’ve been out of the game for a while.

Being underpaid and can frustrating. You know your worth and want your paycheck to reflect that. Here are 7 signs you need to be looking out for if you think you're being underpaid at work.

Think you\'re worth more? Jo helps navigate the delicate task of asking for a pay rise.

Many people feel pressured to put in long hours, whether to get that sought after promotion or to ensure job security. But at what cost is this at? Take a look at just how detrimental overtime can be for your health and weigh up whether it is worth it for you.

Starting a new job? Follow our guidelines and you’ll breeze through your first day with ease.

In today’s competitive job market, you’ll need more than just a degree to grab the attention of employers. We take a look at what steps recent graduates can take to get ahead, and land that job.

YouTube is great for screaming goats, but can there be some career gems among the Jimmy Fallon skits and X Factor clips? Here are the top 10 career lessons from YouTube for your viewing pleasure.

The process of negotiating a salary is never straightforward and stress-free. It requires confidence, the right attitude and knowing how to approach your boss it crucial. See 9 things to NEVER SAY when asking for a pay rise.

Public relations pros love what they do. It's an exciting and rewarding industry and whether you like to write, pitch, research or strategise there's a role for you. We take a look at the different areas of PR, most popular jobs, income guides and the best courses to take for a carer in public relations.

If you are one of the over nine million Australians or 500 million people worldwide who use Facebook, you probably use the social networking site to keep up with your friends, write on each other’s walls and view each other’s photos.

Politicians have notoriously low job security, so if anyone knows how to get fired and move on, it should be them, right? For better or worse, Marni takes a look at what we can learn from our esteemed leaders of the past.

Can money buy you happiness? A study from Princeton University reveals the magic number when it comes to the ideal salary for maximising happiness.

Whether you're leaving on great terms or can't wait to get the heck out of there, here are the big Dos and Don'ts everyone needs to know when resigning. From giving the required amount of notice to tidying your desk before you go, these tips will help you leave with professional relationships intact!

Australians are good at lots of things. We are world class when it comes to relaxed attitudes, VB drinking and swanning around the beach at Christmas time. But networking is a lost art on Aussie shores.

Whether you are starting a brand spanking new job or you’ve been with the same company for the past 10 years, what you wear to work each day is important.

With the recent high-profile sexual harassment case of Kristy Fraser-Kirk against ex-David Jones CEO Mark McInnes, sexual harassment is on everyone’s radar.

Looking back on her brush with the boss from hell, Josie reflects on what she learned from the experience.

Sitting on your gluteus maximus all day in the office can be hard work and even harder on your health. We road test some desk exercises to help you counteract the dangers of prolonged inactivity.

Are you suffering from an undiagnosed condition at work? Maybe you’ve contracted something that has made you that person in the office and you don’t even know it. Marni investigates the worst of the office diseases.

We’ve all received this kind of email before. You know the one: it makes absolutely no sense and has you (and the rest of your team) scratching your heads and wondering what exactly your colleague or client wants you to do. Here\'s how to respond.

You ‘befriended’ your boss on Facebook, you set up a LinkedIn profile and you followed all the relevant people on Twitter. You knew it would only be a matter of time before your networking genius landed you your dream job in a leading company.

Does the vibe in your office sometimes feel like a scene straight out of Mean Girls? Jo has some handy advice on how to deal with the Regina Georges of the workplace.

Leading the marketing team at Belgrave Leisure is enough to keep anyone busy, but James likes to go the extra mile, read about his inspiring career story that spans over 18 years.

Resigning is something you need to get right - even if you can't wait to leave your job. Do it the wrong way and the repercussions could impact your future job opportunities. We've put together 5 steps for how to leave your job like a pro and keep your reputation intact.

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While working in an office environment it’s crucial to meet the dress code. After all, the way colleagues and clients view you can help make or break your professional reputation.

Workplace bullying is more common than many people realise, with WorkSafe’s annual research consistently showing that 14 per cent of Victorian workers had experienced bullying.

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Before you find yourself in the interview hot seat, prepare yourself for the flood of inevitable questions coming your way.

Can you ask that? Here's how to best recognise illegal questions next time you go for a job interview. From religion to marital status, age, disability and more, we show you what red flags to look out for.

One of the most dreaded of all interview questions is the ‘greatest weakness’ minefield. Many recruiters are, in fact, moving away from using a question that has become over-used and predictable, yet it is still one you have to prepare for.

The key to answering this question with your employability intact is simple – maintain a positive attitude. To help you out, here are some possible responses to cover different scenarios.

This is an example of a case interview question – the type used by management consultancies and sometimes investment banks when recruiting.

This question was made famous when Microsoft began using it as a job interview question.

Are you innovative and creative like Apple or bright and cheeky like Virgin? This interview question is a great opportunity to sell your skills and capabilities while showcasing your unique personality.

This isn\'t the time to start venting about your boss! Read over our sample interview question response for some tips on how to go about tackling this tough one.

This question is more than just an interview question – it’s something every job seeker should ask themselves before embarking on their job quest.

This behavioural-based interview question is quite commonly asked in the application for graduate, vacation or internship programs.

To answer this question, think of people who embody the qualities that you most admire and that would be most valued in the position you’re applying for. Explain why you look up to them and how they have influenced you either directly or indirectly.

This is an interesting interview question that is trying to assess your sense of personal control and effectiveness in the world.

What would you do if you went into an interview and were asked this question: how many meat pies were eaten in Sydney last week?

It is becoming increasingly common for interviewers to throw in some unusual questions during interviews rather than sticking to the tried-and-true. This could be for a number of reasons: they want to see if you can think on your feet, can think creativel

This question may seem pretty tricky to answer at first. Don’t worry, the recruiter does not expect you to know every aspect of the role that you are interviewing for.

More often than not, if they are serious about hiring you, the interviewer will call your previous boss to get them to answer this one.

This is one of those questions that, as broad as it is, you should have a well-prepared and specific answer for.

You should approach this question, as well as any question asking you to pick a colour or other object to represent you, as a way for the employer to gain an insight into your personality.

Despite its initial air of morbidity, this question has less to do with actually dying and more to do with your aspirations and motivations. Your answer will give the employer an insight into how you prioritise your life and what you hope to achieve.

Use your answer to this common question to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and re-emphasise your suitability for the position.

Things can get a little uncomfortable when a potential employer asks you this question.

When asked this question it\'s your chance to give a professional snapshot of your talents, qualifications and experience. Allow up to two minutes for this response. Be succinct and keep it relevant.

If this questions arises in an interview, it\'s a good opportunity for you to demonstrate your eagerness and positive attitude. This sample response will help keep you on track.

Warning: don’t use this question as an opportunity to whinge and moan about every little thing that irritates you. That will only make you look negative, petty and hard to please.

When asked this question, your research will come into play. Demonstrate your initiative and enthusiasm for the role with this sample response.

The way you answer this is obviously going to depend on the job you’re applying for, but in general it’s best to demonstrate that you are able to and enjoy working both independently and with others, as most jobs require you to do both at different times.

Such an interesting question deserves an interesting answer, but be careful not to get swept up in your imagination. The interviewer is trying to create a picture of who you are, so be careful how you portray yourself.

If you’re being interviewed for a job where you’ll be playing a managerial role, your prospective employer will want to know what kind of manager you admire and aspire to be.

You hate to admit it, but you\'re not exactly a tech guru. Find out how to demonstrate an aptitude and enthusiasm to learn new skills with this sample interview Q&A.

Although it sounds like a question from a cheesy dating program, this is actually an invitation for you to showcase your skills and qualities.

This question gives you the opportunity to express why you’ve targeted that particular company and what it is about it that appeals to you. The obvious first step is to do your research.

When the interviewer asks you this question, they’re getting to the key issue: why should they hire you and not someone else? Answering this persuasively could clinch the deal and make the difference between a job offer and a rejection letter.

Excellent communication skills are high on the list of sought-after qualities in employees. Here we offer advice on how to demonstrate your communication skills when asked in an interview.

If this question crops up, focus on your values and morals, cultural fit and personal traits relevant for the job.

If you’ve ever played a project manager, supervisory or managerial role at work, then this question is a piece of cake and you’ll have plenty of experience to call upon.

The purpose of this question is twofold: to find out about your professional dislikes, but also to gain some insight into why you are looking for another job.

This is a question that may come up if you are applying for a graduate, internship or vacation program. It’s best not to get caught out unprepared for this question, as it requires some thinking and reflecting.

When you are interviewed for any position the interviewer will try to scope out whether you are a good fit for the company.

This might seem like a tricky one because it boils down to either admitting that you are a mere mortal who has flaws and can be criticised, or claiming that \'criticism\' simply isn\'t in your vocabulary.

Make a list of the requirements of the job and demonstrate that you possess these, giving examples of how your strengths have helped produce excellent outcomes in previous positions.

This is your chance to let the employer know about some of your proudest achievements, and what you choose will reveal a lot about your values and what gives you satisfaction.

Set yourself apart from the pack! You may find yourself reiterating some of the things you said in response to \'Tell me about yourself\', but this time try to be more specific in linking your talents to the requirements of the position.

Think about a time you have come up against a challenge that you successfully resolved. Don\'t dredge up a catastrophe that resulted in personal or professional failure – stick to a story with a happy ending.

This is your chance to give your potential employer some insight into who you are as a person. After all, if they hire you they’re going to be spending at least 40 hours a week with you, so they want to know what sort of person they’ll be taking on board.

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to different people and circumstances, and handle unforeseen events with grace.

In an era when corporate responsibility and sustainability are becoming prominent in public consciousness, professional ethics are assuming greater importance to both employers and employees alike.

The \'where do you see yourself in five years?\' query and its alternatives – two years/three years/10 years – is a popular question amongst interviewers.

The point of this question is to learn a little about your interests and what makes you tick. This will also give the interviewer an idea of whether you will fit into the office. Choose three people who represent your interests.

An interviewer will ask this question if they want to find out whether or not you can work under pressure.

If a question like this crops up, it’s safe to assume that your interviewer is interested in more than just your well-intentioned resolve to quit smoking and join the gym.

The mention of salary in a job interview is a delicate subject that can often leave both interviewer and interviewee squirming in their chairs.

Don’t be spooked by this question. It’s no shame to acknowledge a previous failure as long as you demonstrate the right attitude towards such experiences.

This question gives you a free pass to spell out your best qualities without seeming to boast – after all, it’s what your friends or colleagues would say!

Any time you walk into an interview, you have to be prepared to talk through your resume with the interviewer. Here\'s how you need to tackle it.

If you were a car, would you be a sleek and speedy Jaguar, a solid and dependable Volvo or a practical and fuel-efficient little Smart car?

For whatever reason, some of you may be in the awkward position of not feeling comfortable using your last boss as a reference, and this can be a tricky issue to sidestep.