"Be familiar with common question types and prepare examples in advance. Rehearse key points so your answers are natural, not memorised."
Match your experience and capabilities with those requested by the employer in the job description and ensure your responses are specific to you and are not 'stock' answers.
A selection of general interview questions are listed under the categories below:
Category | Example Questions | Tips for Answering | Sample Strong Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
Skills | Tell me about yourself; What are your main strengths/weaknesses; How do you handle stress? | Focus on relevant skills; use specific examples; be concise. | “I have 5 years’ experience in asset finance, specialising in structured leasing solutions. My main strength is analytical problem-solving, demonstrated when I streamlined a leasing approval process, reducing turnaround time by 20%. My weakness was public speaking, which I’ve improved through workshops and presenting at team meetings.” |
Employer-Focused | Why do you want to join our company?; What do you know about us? | Research the company; show genuine interest and alignment. | “I admire your company’s innovative approach to sustainable leasing. My experience in developing green financing solutions aligns with your current initiatives, and I’m excited about contributing to your strategic growth plans.” |
New Job | What will your main tasks be?; What challenges do you foresee? | Relate your answer to role requirements; demonstrate problem-solving. | “I understand this role involves client relationship management and portfolio growth. I anticipate the main challenge will be integrating into the existing team while quickly learning your systems, but I’ve successfully managed similar transitions before.” |
Ambition | What are your career goals?; Where do you see yourself in 5 years? | Show motivation, realistic growth, and alignment with company goals. | “I aim to become a team leader within five years, contributing to strategic client growth while mentoring junior colleagues. This aligns with your company’s focus on internal talent development.” |
Experience | Walk me through your CV; Why did you change jobs? | Highlight achievements; explain transitions clearly. | “In my last role, I led a team that increased asset recovery rates by 15%. I sought a new challenge to broaden my experience in commercial leasing, which is why I am excited about this position.” |
Motivation | What motivates you?; Are you willing to relocate/travel? | Show enthusiasm; link motivation to role and company. | “I’m motivated by achieving measurable business results and solving complex client problems. I’m fully open to travel as needed to support client relationships and business development.” |
Product/Service | What do you know about our products/services?; How could they improve? | Demonstrate research and constructive insights. | “Your lease portfolio is impressive, especially the mid-market segment. One opportunity I see is expanding flexible financing solutions to under-served SMEs, which could increase market share.” |
Teamwork | What makes a good team player?; Do you work better alone or in a team? | Provide examples of collaboration and leadership. | “A good team player communicates openly, supports colleagues, and shares credit. I thrive in collaborative environments and recently led a cross-department project that improved client onboarding efficiency.” |
Personality | How would you describe yourself?; How do you handle criticism? | Be honest; illustrate with examples; show self-awareness. | “I am detail-oriented and proactive. I take criticism as an opportunity to improve and recently implemented feedback from a manager to refine reporting processes, resulting in more accurate data delivery.” |
Interests | What are your hobbies?; Are there conflicts between work and personal interests? | Keep it brief; show balance and relevance. | “I enjoy running and volunteering in financial literacy programs. Both keep me disciplined and give me perspective outside work, without impacting professional commitments.” |
Unusual/Hypothetical | If you were an animal/car/biscuit, what would you be?; How would you handle being stranded? | Be creative; link answers to skills, personality, or problem-solving. | “I’d be a border collie—focused, intelligent, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. If stranded, I would assess resources, prioritise needs, and create a practical plan to navigate the situation safely.” |
If you would like to discuss these or any other points in relation to general interview questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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