How to Answer Work Experience Interview Questions
During job interview you will be asked questions related to previous work experience and your answers will play significant role in selecting you for job offer. A number of recruiters buy into the notion that previous employment experiences largely determine whether an applicant will become valuable future employee in their organisation. Answering work experience interview questions strategically and to the point will help you come across as a candidate who stands good chances to secure the job. Here are a few questions ready for:
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Describe workload in your current job?
When you attempt to answer this question show that you can manage workload well and that everything is done on time. Prove you can stay well organised under time pressure and that you can still prioritise tasks and duties for clients so that important things get done in time. During the interview demonstrate that you are driven person capable to set deadlines and schedule workload according to highest-lowest priority tasks. Provide some examples on how you organise the work i.e. dividing it into manageable bit sized chunks and then working on the task until completition to cross it off the list. Show enthusiasm to overcome challenges that have arisen throughout the day and prove that you have the ability to complete them without stressing out or having to stay late.
In your current job, what were your three most significant accomplishments?
There are wide range of achievements one can talk about and they don’t always have to relate to money i.e. increasing sales figures or profit margins. Even marginal achievement counts. To give you the idea ask yourself the following; what special things have I done to set myself apart from rest of the team at workplace? How did I benefit the organisation with my performance?
Try to answer these questions and you may come up with some solid achievement you even didn't know about. It is important to note to outline the accomplishment that relates to company/work experience rather than your personal accomplishments i.e. master dissertation or other academic attainments. For example a good answer would be to touch upon how you have helped to cut costs and increase profit margins for your department. Always explain interviewer how you did it describing your actions and quantifying the outcome with facts and figures. Another good example you may provide would be on how you lead the team of employees (students) to accomplish particular project or task and how you kept employees motivated to get best out of team to make the work/project a success. You can review our tutorial on how to write job accomplishments for further helpful tips.
What did you like most and least about your last job?
Perhaps the first thing that come to many people mind when asking what did they enjoy least about their last workplace might be the hands off approach by the management, lack of structure or perhaps personality clashes. Nevertheless when answering this question stay positive and don't fall into trap disclosing negative information about yourself neither of the company you worked for. Briefly touch upon the subject but don't go into much detail. For example, one may mention that limitation of his or her last job was lack of on-job training given. Don't simply only list weaknesses of your last workplace but also mention how you have overcome challenges encountered. This will allow your skills such as determination, persistence and creativity shine through.
When being asked what you liked most in most recent employment convey to interviewer that previous job allowed you to demonstrate many of the behavioural competencies that are required for job at hand. Give specific examples how last job or previous work experience allowed you to strengthen your skills that will enable you to succeed in this role. Be positive and communicate number of behavioural competencies necessary for the position.
Why are you leaving your current job?
Demonstrate that you are not leaving the company because of poor job performance, personality clashes with colleagues or any other related problems that might be there. Never criticize anyone in your organization and be very positive about the job you did have or role you played within that organization. When answering this question do not go into much detail and be careful not to get emotions involved. For example, say that being in current job was huge growing experience, however, it no longer provides suitable challenge and now it’s the time to move on and advance career further. During the interview provide examples how this new position, based on your current work experience, will advance your skills and abilities to further stages.