Question 1: Tell me about yourself.

Wrong answer: Well, I was born in Mombasa, but we moved here a couple of years later, after
my parents divorced. Im currently single, although I was engaged for two years, but he cheated
on me, so then

Possible answer: I graduated from Nairobi University three years ago, with a Bcom in
Marketing, and then spent a year at Company X, in the marketing department, then two years at
Company Y, also in marketing. Unfortunately, Company Y closed down, and then I heard about
this opportunity at your company, doing the thing I really lovemarketing....bla bla bla....you
get the idea!

Reason: In almost all cases, your answers to the HR managers questions should be related to
business, not to your personal life.

Question 2: Why do you want to work here?
Wrong answer: Its really close to where I live, and my sister works here. Also, youre the only
people employing right now.

Possible answer: Ive read that your company is the second most successful manufacturer in
product xyz, and I like the idea of working somewhere with a great future and lots of challenge.

Reason: This is where research is essential, and where you can show the employer that you
didnt just pick their companys name out of a hat that youve done research and really want to
work for them.

Question 3: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Wrong answer: Well, not still here, thats for sure!
Possible answer: I dont want to be someone who hops from job to job, like so many people do
today. Id like to stay at the same company for a long time, although maybe move up to higher
positions within that company eventually.

Reason: Show youre not a candidate to change jobs now and then. Show them their training
time and money wont be wasted on you.


Question 4: When people compliment you, what do they compliment you on the most?
Wrong answer: Usually on my naturally black hair unlike Wambui's in accounts department.
They also comment that my eyelashes are unbelievably long!

Possible answer: Ive been told Im very decisive. Also, that Im really good at motivating
people.

Reason: See Answer Number 1.
Question 5: What did you dislike about your last job?
Wrong Answer: My Asian boss was a slave driver. It was nag, nag, nag. Always on my back
about getting stuff done, hurry up, stop taking tea breaks, get in earlier. What a jerk!

Possible Answer: There were a few challenges, but nothing I couldnt handle.

Reason: No one wants to employ a whiner, or a high-maintenance person.
Question 6: What kind of experience do you have for this job?

Wrong Answer: That depends. What do you do here?
Possible Answer: I know youre looking for someone with B.A Degree in education, and who
has experience working with young children, and also a First Aid Certificate and CPR, and I
have all those. Also, I have worked at a busy private school for four years gaining experience in
teaching and administration.

Reason: Once again, show youve done your research, and that your skills match their
requirements.

Question 7: What would you say is your main weakness?
Wrong Answer: Well, I do drink/take drugs/steal office stationery/assault co-workers quite a bit.

Possible Answer: Obviously I have weaknesses, like everybody, but I really dont think I have
weaknesses that will affect my ability to do this job well.

Reason: This is admittedly a kind of trick question, and its hard to avoid the tendency to say
things like, Im too much of a perfectionist or I work way too many hours. You could try the
above answer, or come up with something even cleverer on your own. Either way, be prepared!

Question 8: Why did you leave your last job?
Wrong Answer: Im sorry but I cant answer that until the court case is over.

Possible Answer: Unfortunately my company was downsizing and as one of the newest
employees, I was one of the first to be laid off.

Possible Answer #2: I enjoyed my work at the last company, but there was no opportunity for
advancement, and eventually I felt it was time to leave.

Reason: Never badmouth your last employer. It makes you look disloyal and bitter. If you left
under awkward or difficult circumstances, take some time to think of a neutral, and non-hostile,
non-self-pitying way to explain the situation. Tell the truth, but keep it unemotional and be as
objective as possible.
Question 9: What kind of salary are you looking for?

Wrong Answer: I dont know. How much do you make?

Possible Answer: (if you dont have a clue) How much is the going rate for this position?

Possible Answer: (if youve done your research) I know that the average pay for this job is about
K'sh 60,000. Is that about what this position pays?

Reason:
Reason: You dont want to ask for such an exorbitant salary that you price yourself out of a job.
On the other hand, its important to show that you value what you have to offer. So go online
youll find government reports that give you the average salary or hourly rate being paid for your
position in your area
Question 10: Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer/ came up with an
idea that saved the company money/ had problems with a co-worker/solved a problem no
one else could

Wrong answer: UmI dont know..youre putting me on the spot. OH MY GOD!
You're making me nervous.

Possible answers: These are up to you. Before you go on any interviews, spend time thinking of
all the scenarios you can come up with of situations at work where you dealt with problems, or
had great success, or even small success. That way, youll have lots of scenarios to share with an
employer.
Reason: Telling the employer youre smart, a good motivator, innovative, a problem solver,
mean nothing without concrete examples. Think of some BEFORE the interview. It will make a
great impression.

There are so many other questions an interviewer could ask you. What is your energy level like?
What was a typical day like in your last job? Define an ideal boss. Describe how one employee
can affect the whole company. You can never think of them all, but if you do research, youll be
sure to ace at least a few of the questions, which is more than a lot of the applicants will be able
to do.

So, tell me a little about yourself.
Id be very surprised if you havent been asked this one at every interview. Its probably the most
asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to
give the interviewer your life story here. You dont need to explain everything from birth to
present day. Relevant facts about education, your career and your current life situation are fine.



2. Why are you looking (or why did you leave your last job)?
This should be a straightforward question to answer, but it can trip you up. Presumably you are
looking for a new job (or any job) because you want to advance your career and get a position
that allows you to grow as a person and an employee. Its not a good idea to mention money
here, it can make you sound mercenary. And if you are in the unfortunate situation of having
been downsized, stay positive and be as brief as possible about it. If you were fired, youll need a
good explanation. But once again, stay positive.



3. Tell me what you know about this company.
Do your homework before you go to any interview. Whether its being the VP of marketing or
the mailroom clerk, you should know about the company or business youre going to work for.
Has this company been in the news lately? Who are the people in the company you should know
about? Do the background work, it will make you stand out as someone who comes prepared,
and is genuinely interested in the company and the job.



4. Why do you want to work at X Company?
This should be directly related to the last question. Any research youve done on the company
should have led you to the conclusion that youd want to work there. After all, youre at the
interview, right? Put some thought into this answer before you have your interview, mention
your career goals and highlight forward-thinking goals and career plans.



5. What relevant experience do you have?
Hopefully if youre applying for this position you have bags of related experience, and if thats
the case you should mention it all. But if youre switching careers or trying something a little
different, your experience may initially not look like its matching up. Thats when you need a
little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are
people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal
management positions, and so on.



6. How are you when youre working under pressure?
Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work
well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working
under pressure. If you say you crumble like a pack of cards, this is not going to help you get your
foot in the door.



7. What motivates you to do a good job?
The answer to this one is not money, even if it is. You should be motivated by lifes noble
pursuits. You want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job. You
want to help others or be a leader in your field.



8. Whats your greatest strength?
This is your chance to shine. Youre being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so
dont hold back and stay do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a
great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary attention to detail. If
your greatest strength, however, is to drink anyone under the table or beat your opponent in a
game of FIFA11, keep it to yourself. The interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.



9. Whats your biggest weakness?
If youre completely honest, you may be kicking yourself in the butt. If you say you dont have
one, youre obviously lying. This is a horrible question and one that politicians have become
masters at answering. They say things like Im perhaps too committed to my work and dont
spend enough time with my family. Oh, theres a fireable offense.



Ive even heard I think Im too good at my job, it can often make people jealous. Please, lets
keep our feet on the ground. If youre asked this question, give a small, work-related flaw that
youre working hard to improve. Example: Ive been told I occasionally focus on details and
miss the bigger picture, so Ive been spending time laying out the complete project every day to
see my overall progress.



10. Lets talk about salary. What are you looking for?
Run for cover! This is one tricky game to play in an interview. Even if you know the salary range
for the job, if you answer first youre already showing all your cards. You want as much as
possible, the employer wants you for as little as youre willing to take.



You may want to say, well, thats something Ive thought long and hard about and I think
someone with my experience should get between X & Y. Or, you could be sly and say, right
now, Im more interested in talking more about what the position can offer my career. That
could at least buy you a little time to scope out the situation. But if you do have a specific figure
in mind and you are confident that you can get it, Id say go for it.



11. Are you good at working in a team?
Unless you have the I.Q. of a houseplant, youll always answer YES to this one. Its the only
answer. How can anyone function inside an organization if they are a loner? You may want to
mention what part you like to play in a team though; its a great chance to explain that youre a
natural leader.


12. Would you rather work for money or job satisfaction?
Its not a very fair question is it? Wed all love to get paid a Trump-like salary doing a job we
love but thats rare indeed. Its fine to say money is important, but remember that NOTHING is
more important to you than the job. Otherwise, youre just someone looking for a bigger
paycheck.

13. Would you rather be liked or feared?
The genuine answer should be Neither, Id rather be respected. You dont want to be feared
because fear is no way to motivate a team. You may got the job done but at what cost? Similarly,
if youre everyones best friend youll find it difficult to make tough decisions or hit deadlines.
But when youre respected, you dont have to be a complete bastard or a lame duck to get the job
done.

14. So, explain why I should hire you.
As Im sure you know, because Im great or I really need a job are not good answers here.
This is a time to give the employer a laundry list of your greatest talents that just so happen to
match the job description. Its also good to avoid taking potshots at other potential candidates
here. Focus on yourself and your talents, not other peoples flaws.

15. Finally, do you have any questions to ask me?
Ill finish the way I started, with one of the most common questions asked in interviews. This
directly relates to the research youve done on the company and also gives you a chance to show
how eager and prepared you are. Youll probably want to ask about benefits if they havent been
covered already. A good generic one is how soon could I start, if I were offered the job of
course. You may also ask what youd be working on. Specifically, in the role youre applying
for and how that affects the rest of the company. Always have questions ready, greeting this one
with a blank stare is a rotten way to finish your interview. Good luck and happy job hunting.