Although it’s impossible to know exactly what will be covered in a graduate-job interview, it’s a good idea to anticipate some of the areas you’ll be asked about.

Read through the following questions and think about how you would respond. Be aware, though, that interviewers will notice if you’ve memorised the answers to commonly-asked questions word-for-word.

• What did you find most enjoyable or challenging about your course?
• Why did you choose to study that course / those subjects?
• How did you benefit from your work experience / vacation employment?
• What motivates you?
• Give me an example of a time when you handled a major crisis or problem.
• Would you say you were a follower or a leader?
• Do you work better alone or as part of a team?
• What do you think makes a good team?
• Give me an example of when you set yourself a challenging goal, and explain how you achieved it.
• What do you think your particular strengths / weaknesses are?
• What sort of things put you under pressure? Give me an example and explain how you coped.
• Have you ever had an extremely tight deadline to produce work?
• What are your biggest achievements to date?
• Have you ever had a position of responsibility?
• How do you handle criticism?
• Give me an example of an occasion when you showed initiative.
• What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever had?
• Why are you interested in this career?
• Explain why you’ve applied for this graduate job.
• Tell me what you know about us.
• How will employing you benefit our organisation?
• What do you feel are the most important aspects of this graduate job?
• Where do you expect to be in five years’ time? What will you be doing?
• What do you think makes a good employer?
• Are you flexible to move / travel?
• Are there any questions you’d like to ask?