Interviews can be daunting, but one aspect that you can rely on is the question set. This presents a valuable opportunity for you as a candidate. Given the questions will be a central feature of the interview, you can begin to prepare thoughtful responses in advance.

Interview question sets are easy to find and practice on line but finding ways to effectively answer these questions is often not that easy. AT BKL we believe in empowering you as a candidate by sharing insights into how to answer our questions in a way that will set you apart.

The General Questions 

These are the 'given' questions that you can expect in any interview. Questions like,

"Can you tell us a bit about yourself?" or "Can you tell me a bit about your recent positions?” 

The key to answering these effectively is to focus on relevance. The interviewer wants to understand how your background and experience will align with the role that you are applying for. The trick is to keep your explanation concise while highlighting the most pertinent skills you have gained from your work experience.

💡Pro Tip: Start with your most recent position and work backwards. Explain your role and your responsibilities and how they relate to the job that you are applying for. Your most recent experience should showcase the strengths that make you an ideal fit.

Technical Questions 

These types of questions are designed to test your knowledge and thought process in a particular area. They aim to understand how you would mentally approach and handle a given situation. These questions can be tricky because you want to provide sufficient detail while also addressing the core question succinctly. To help structure your response effectively, we recommend using the CARL method:

C - Context: Set the scene by describing a relevant situation you've faced before. A - Action: Explain the specific actions you took to address the situation. R - Results: Share the outcomes or results of your actions. L - Learning: Discuss the key lessons or insights you gained from the experience.

For example, if asked, "Can you tell me about a time when you recently received interview feedback, what did that look like?"

You could respond:

"In my previous role (Context), I proactively sought feedback after interviews to improve my technique. After implementing the CARL method for structuring responses (Action), I learned that providing concise yet informative answers is crucial (Learning & Result)."

To give a more practical example in a technical environment, a common question might be: "How do you manage multiple different projects or accounts that may overlap in deadlines?"

"In my previous role, I often juggled various projects with overlapping deadlines across days, weeks, and months (Context). These projects ranged from interview feedback analysis to risk assessment for lack of preparation. To effectively manage these tasks of varying sizes and effort levels, I scheduled and prioritized them using the Eisenhower matrix (Action). This approach ensured I focused on the right project at the right time. However, I also learned to factor in buffer time for unforeseen circumstances, as not everything goes according to plan (Learning & Result)."

💡Pro Tip  Technical questions are assessing a particular skill you will need to be successful in the position, you can prepare for these skills questions be looking at the job description and thinking about how you would demonstrate your abilities to match the You Will section of our Job Descriptions 

Behavioural Questions 

At BKL, we recognize that success in a role goes beyond technical abilities and encompasses behavioural traits, especially when working within a team environment. To assess this aspect, we ask candidates to complete a personality inventory before the interview. There are no right or wrong answers, but responding to behavioural questions can often be challenging.

Our behavioural questions will typically present you with a scenario and ask how you would handle that particular situation, similar to questions phrased as "Can you tell me about a time when...". These questions aim to understand how you would respond in various situations.

For example, you might be asked, "Can you tell me a bit about how you tend to manage stress at work?".

To answer effectively, you can adapt the CARL method:

"In my previous roles, I found myself feeling the most stress during busy periods with multiple deadlines and competing expectations (Context). During those times, I made a conscious effort to prioritize self-care by maintaining a healthy routine and ensuring I was functioning at my best (Action). After those intense periods, I would reflect on what I could potentially do differently next time to better manage the stress (Learning & Result)."

When responding to behavioural questions, it's crucial to identify the specific trait or behaviour being assessed (in this case, stress management) and provide a response demonstrating how you would handle that situation.

💡Pro Tip  The distinction between technical questions and behavioural questions lies in the information they aim to assess. Technical questions evaluate your learned skills, knowledge, and expertise in a particular area. Behavioural questions are designed to understand your approach, mindset, and how you would respond to specific situations or challenges in the workplace.

For example, a question like "What has been your experience with Excel?" is a technical question, as it assesses your proficiency and familiarity with a specific tool or skill that can be taught and learned. In contrast, a question such as "What was the last piece of feedback you gave to a colleague?" is a behavioural question, as it requires you to provide an example of how you responded to a real-life situation, showcasing your interpersonal skills, communication abilities, and decision-making process.

How long should my responses be?

When answering interview questions, it's important to strike a balance between being concise and providing sufficient detail. Generally, your responses should be no longer than two to three minutes.

However, being concise does not mean limiting your answers to just a few words. The key is finding a balance between being concise and providing enough context and substance to address the question effectively.

If during the actual interview, you feel that your answer may have been too brief, don't hesitate to ask the interviewer, "Would you like me to expand more on that?" This proactive approach demonstrates your willingness to provide additional context and ensure that you have adequately addressed their question.

A final note.

Interviews can be daunting experiences, and no amount of preparation may seem enough when you walk through the door. However, it's crucial to remember to relax. Feeling nervous or overwhelmed can hinder your ability to present your best self.

If you find yourself feeling anxious during the interview, don't hesitate to take a moment to collect your thoughts. Feel free to sip water to pause and take a deep breath. This brief pause can help you regain your composure and focus.

Remember, the interviewer's goal is to gain insight into your abilities, experiences, and personality. They want to understand how you approach and handle various situations, as well as assess your fit for the role and the organisation. The interviewer is not there to trip you up or put you on the spot. They want to see the best version of you, and by remaining calm and composed, you will present your best self, leaving a lasting impression.

💡Final Pro Tip  Even if you are nervous, confidence and passion for what you do and what you want to achieve will always stand out.