Be honest with yourself: Why do you want this role? Are you really interested in what the position entails? Are you impressed by the company’s view on social and corporate responsibility? Or is it just a really impressive increase in salary? We would advise that besides the pay package, you should always look at all aspects of a job such as cultural fit, management style, Benefits, growth opportunities etc. before making a decision as these factors are equally critical to your career.

In order to tackle this question, you should know exactly what will be expected of you. Be prepared and do some research. Have you seen a job description? Have you researched the company’s website? Do you know people who work there who have recommended the company as a good employer?

Avoid being on the defensive with answers that begin with because, such as: ‘Because I think I’d be good at it; ‘Because it seems like a good opportunity for me’ or ‘Because it pays well’.

A recommended answer to this could be: ‘Having read the job description and having looked at your company website, the role attracted me as I feel that I have the suitable skills but I am also very interested in what additional responsibility/exposure I will gain.’

Adapt your answer to suit the role. Will you have increased responsibility? Will you now only be supporting one senior director instead of a team of 50? Will you have a more varied work scope with the opportunity to be involved in company projects and events?

This question is all about selling yourself. Why should someone hire you? Are you brilliant at organisation? Are you proficient at Microsoft Office with excellent knowledge of PowerPoint and Excel? Are you creative and do you really think you could add value to the company?

By looking at the job description that was given to you, try pointing out your strengths by using examples of work you have previously done in relation to the requirements for this role.

You could say something like: ‘I believe that I meet the requirements listed in your job description and I feel that I would really excel in this role as I particularly enjoy working in this industry (or role type). In my previous role I was responsible for… (Use exact examples of how you can prove your value).

It would be good to show enthusiasm for the role and to sound confident in your answers. If you cannot convince yourself that you would be perfect for the role – it will be even more challenging to convince someone else.

This is known as a negative question, one that interviewers use often to test your ability to keep your cool. Let’s face it: We all have weaknesses, and no one is perfect. But that does not mean you should allow your weaknesses to get in the way of your dream job. Instead, you can try to spin your weaknesses into something positive.

Look at the job description at hand and choose one required responsibility you feel you could improve on. For example, are you afraid to make public presentations? Does your time management need a little work? Do you feel you would benefit from Microsoft Office training?

A possible answer (depending on your weakness) would be: ‘I am aware that my systems skills, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint are not up to advanced level but this is something that I’m working on by teaching myself in my spare time’ or ‘I think time management is something that I could work on. I’ve been doing some research on planning and am getting better at prioritising my work.’

Avoid being a ‘perfectionist’ or saying things like, ‘I have no weaknesses that I know of’. This only makes you come across as arrogant and overconfident.

Always remain positive when discussing your reasons for leaving. This is not the time to rant about how unfair last year’s bonus was or how unreasonable your current boss is.  Whatever reason you may have for leaving, make sure you give your answer a positive spin. If you are feeling undervalued in your role or had a personality clash with your boss or colleague, consider how this would sound to a potential employer, and make sure that your answer is worded to put you in a favourable light. You should have a structured response to this question before you attend an interview.

Simply stating that you would like a ‘new challenge’ or ‘change of environment’ can sometimes also send out warning signals to employers, as they may be concerned about hiring a job hopper who is constantly on the look out for something more challenging. If you do answer, ‘I’m looking for a new challenge’, be prepared for counter questions such as:

    * Why are you looking for a new challenge?
    * What would you describe as a new challenge at this stage in your career?
    * Why did you not approach your current employers about gaining such a challenge?

Focus more on why the new role is perfect for you and less why your current role is not.

You need to tread carefully on this one. This is not the opportunity to tell the interviewer your life story.

‘Well, I’m from a family of six and I live with my eldest brother near the East Coast Park and have recently just returned from a family holiday to America’ is probably not the answer they were looking for. When interviewers ask this question, they are actually more interested to know about how you work, what you enjoy in your career and as a person, how well you would fit in with the culture of the company. They also really want to know what interests you, how skilled you are and what strengths you would bring to the organisation.

Be mindful of the type of role you are applying for and adjust your responses accordingly. Avoid expressing your enthusiasm to work as part of a team in a busy noisy office environment if you are aware that you will be a one man band sitting behind a cubicle in a very secluded room.

A good answer to this could be something like: ‘I’m a very dedicated worker; I enjoy being part of a team and working in a challenging and dynamic environment and I also work well independently. I like meeting new people and particularly enjoy being involved with administration for projects and events.’ 

This question is a favourite among interviewers. Unfortunately, many candidates are usually not prepared for this question, and few actually know where they want to be in five years’ time.

A suggested answer for this could be: ‘I’d like to think I will be working for a successful organisation such as this but in a role with increased responsibility’ or ‘I’d see myself leading a team and taking on a regional role”.

You could also tailor your answer to suit the specific role that you are applying for. If you are being interviewed for an administration or personal assistant’s role, succession to that would be to become an office manager or administration manager. If you are aware of the company’s structure and know that administrative staff are likely to be promoted to business executives, mention it as your desire to reach that position one day.

A lot with this question is in the way you answer rather than in what you say. Be positive and confident rather than defensive and unsure. Try not to give the interviewer the idea that you are still trying to ‘find yourself’ as that can make you come across as indecisive.

Finally, always remember that the interview is a two-way process, so it is important to have a list of questions you can ask your interviewer at the end. These could include:

• What two/ three key competencies are you looking for in a successful candidate?
• How long have you been with the organisation? What motivated you to join the organisation?
• How are the team dynamics like? What are you like to work for?
• Have you had an assistant in the past that you have got on really well with and what particular qualities would you insist on for your next hire?
• Do you have any reservations at this point about my skills or experience?

An interview does not have to be a gruelling process if you are well-prepared and knows exactly why you are going for the role. The key to a successful interview is to be positive and constantly market yourself by focusing on your key strengths and achievements, and how you can add value to the employer.