Common Interview questions
Question: Tell us about yourself.
Don’t explain about your family background and where you have been studying or living. What the employer is looking for in this question is to observe you, and see how you could be a beneficial employee for their organisation. Instead, talk about your capabilities and essential skills.
Bad Answer:
I’m the 4th born from an 8 children family. I studied at Mkwawa Secondary school and Iyunga respectively. After leaving school, I applied for the University of Dar es Salaam, and I have now graduated in Politics and Public Administration
Good Answer:
I’m a hardworking person, and I always commit to seeing tasks through to completion. I believe in working hard, but doing this as part of a team to ensure effective and efficient results. To work within a team I believe in good communication, and I have excellent communication skills which I use as a tool for my relationship with people and the working environment.
Bad Answer:
I’m the 4th born from an 8 children family. I studied at Mkwawa Secondary school and Iyunga respectively. After leaving school, I applied for the University of Dar es Salaam, and I have now graduated in Politics and Public Administration
Good Answer:
I’m a hardworking person, and I always commit to seeing tasks through to completion. I believe in working hard, but doing this as part of a team to ensure effective and efficient results. To work within a team I believe in good communication, and I have excellent communication skills which I use as a tool for my relationship with people and the working environment.
Question: Why should we hire you?
Here you need to explain what distinguishes you from other candidates, and how you will make a beneficial impact on an organisation or company. Talk about previous experiences of success you have had in your career.
Good Answer:
I have been working in this industry for 2 years, and I am satisfied with achievements that I have made. One highlight of my career was setting up an organisation's website before joining college for my Masters. I have a passion for the position I am applying to, a large amount of relevant experience, and training from my M.A. I believe that these combined attributes will enable me to be a beneficial employee for your organisation. My communication skills and interpersonal skills make me an effective team player. Finally, I am highly literate in IT which will help me to be a productive member of the organisation.
Good Answer:
I have been working in this industry for 2 years, and I am satisfied with achievements that I have made. One highlight of my career was setting up an organisation's website before joining college for my Masters. I have a passion for the position I am applying to, a large amount of relevant experience, and training from my M.A. I believe that these combined attributes will enable me to be a beneficial employee for your organisation. My communication skills and interpersonal skills make me an effective team player. Finally, I am highly literate in IT which will help me to be a productive member of the organisation.
Question: What salary are you looking for?
Bad Answer:
Before, I was earning 800000/= Tsh, so now I would like to get at least 900000/= Tsh.
Good Answer:
I am much more interested with the job first. Honestly speaking, I do expect to be payed relatively to the organisations appropriate range, which will be in line with the cost of living in this city. I was previously earning 800000/=TSH, so i would hope that the salary is in line with this. However, my focus is on my passion for the job!
Before, I was earning 800000/= Tsh, so now I would like to get at least 900000/= Tsh.
Good Answer:
I am much more interested with the job first. Honestly speaking, I do expect to be payed relatively to the organisations appropriate range, which will be in line with the cost of living in this city. I was previously earning 800000/=TSH, so i would hope that the salary is in line with this. However, my focus is on my passion for the job!
Question: What is your greatest weakness?
Bad Answer:
I work too hard. This answer may be taken as a joke, and you may not be taken seriously.
Good Answer:
I’m not a naturally talkative person, so this has sometimes prevented my from being entirely comfortable when socialising and working in a team. To help me improve my confidence in working with people, been working with a friend of mine who is a public speaker. I join him on his events every Saturday and Sunday. So far, I have yet met many people and improved my confidence in networking greatly.
I work too hard. This answer may be taken as a joke, and you may not be taken seriously.
Good Answer:
I’m not a naturally talkative person, so this has sometimes prevented my from being entirely comfortable when socialising and working in a team. To help me improve my confidence in working with people, been working with a friend of mine who is a public speaker. I join him on his events every Saturday and Sunday. So far, I have yet met many people and improved my confidence in networking greatly.
Question: Tell us about a time when you failed, and what lessons you learned form it.
Bad Answer :
I was suspended and later discontinued from high school, so i didn’t graduated with my colleagues. I blame this failure on hate from teachers, I was upset and felt like giving up from school.
Good Answer:
When I was in college, I missed a presentation session. I was sick, but didn’t let my instructor know as I had not any hospital evidence since I just used pain killers from a nearby pharmacy. It appeared to my instructor like I was not serious. As a consequence I missed presentation marks and received minimum rate marks for my course work. I carried over the course which meant I had to spend the whole semester next year re-studying the course. From this I learned that communication is key, and to be open and honest to my team. I also learned to be disciplined in everything and not take anything for granted.
I was suspended and later discontinued from high school, so i didn’t graduated with my colleagues. I blame this failure on hate from teachers, I was upset and felt like giving up from school.
Good Answer:
When I was in college, I missed a presentation session. I was sick, but didn’t let my instructor know as I had not any hospital evidence since I just used pain killers from a nearby pharmacy. It appeared to my instructor like I was not serious. As a consequence I missed presentation marks and received minimum rate marks for my course work. I carried over the course which meant I had to spend the whole semester next year re-studying the course. From this I learned that communication is key, and to be open and honest to my team. I also learned to be disciplined in everything and not take anything for granted.
Question: What are you motivated by?
Bad Answer:
Performing a good job, and then receiving a higher salary.
It’s not that this answer is wrong – it’s just that it wastes an opportunity. This question is
practically begging you to highlight your positive attributes. So don’t give a vague, generic
response – it tells them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an
opportunity to give the interviewer some insight into your character, and use examples
where possible.
Good answer:
I’ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a new task that I have no idea about, then finding out how to tackle it and solve the problem. It gives me a chance to think critically, and it increases my understanding of this career.
Performing a good job, and then receiving a higher salary.
It’s not that this answer is wrong – it’s just that it wastes an opportunity. This question is
practically begging you to highlight your positive attributes. So don’t give a vague, generic
response – it tells them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an
opportunity to give the interviewer some insight into your character, and use examples
where possible.
Good answer:
I’ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a new task that I have no idea about, then finding out how to tackle it and solve the problem. It gives me a chance to think critically, and it increases my understanding of this career.
Question: How would your friends describe you?
Bad answer:
"I’m a really good listener."
While being a good listener is a great personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t
care all that much. It’s unlikely that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll
want to keep your answer relevant to the job you’re interviewing for – and as specific as
possible. If you can, insert an example.
Good answer:
My friends would describe me as a person of justice, I don’t tolerate seeing someone going through injustice. When I was in high school, I always fought for students who had been punished unfairly.
They would also say I’m a leader and person to come to for advice. When I was at high school I was a leader of many organisations and school prefect. I advised my fellow students on different matters like having discussions about studies with students from other schools.
Lastly, my friends would say I’m a friendly and helpful person.
"I’m a really good listener."
While being a good listener is a great personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t
care all that much. It’s unlikely that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll
want to keep your answer relevant to the job you’re interviewing for – and as specific as
possible. If you can, insert an example.
Good answer:
My friends would describe me as a person of justice, I don’t tolerate seeing someone going through injustice. When I was in high school, I always fought for students who had been punished unfairly.
They would also say I’m a leader and person to come to for advice. When I was at high school I was a leader of many organisations and school prefect. I advised my fellow students on different matters like having discussions about studies with students from other schools.
Lastly, my friends would say I’m a friendly and helpful person.