Interview Common Questions Answered Uncommonly Well

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The biggest mistake that candidates make in the interview room is giving canned answers to interview common questions. This not only puts off the interview panel, but also sucks life out of the candidates because they only recite what they think the interviewer wants to hear. Candidates forget that they are unique and that the questions, even though common can be approached in the form of a powerful pitch that sets them apart from all other applicants. The secret to answering interview common questions is understanding what the interviewer is really after and giving well thought and personalized answers.

Questions the interviewer is likely to ask:

Click on the questions below for information and the recommended way of approach.

1. Tell us about yourself

Translation: Do you fit the profile of our ideal candidate?

Other versions of the question:

  1. What information about you should we know?
  2. What do we need to know about you?

Important Points to Remember

  • This is one of the most frequent interview common questions asked during interviews.
  • Your interviewer basically want to get a feel of your academic credentials, work experience, skills and career achievements.
  • They have obviously gone through your CV, but need hear it from you. This is a chance to give a pitch and convince them that you would be the best candidate for this position.
  • Arrange your thoughts in three parts where you introduce you experience and skills, state achievements and successes and end with a projection of your next step in your career.
  • Cohesive flow of thoughts is critical because mixing up events shows disorganization or possible dishonesty.

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question:

  • Steer away from giving too much information. Stick to facts and relevant information. Remember that it is an interview and not a social chat.

Sample Answer:I am a customer service team leader heading a team of 8 officers for 3 years now in the Insurance industry. I have a degree in Business management, a certificate in Customer Service and I have undergone several Customer Service and Customer Relationship Management workshops. My team mainly handles insurance claims from customers and coordinates with relevant insurance companies for settlements. I was awarded Best Customer Service Officer at the end of my first year in the job, and I have been recognized in my company as the Team Leader of the Year two years in a row. At this point, I envision the next step in my career in a different industry as yours to experience your kind of clients and improve my exposure to handling customers.

2. How did you hear about this position?

Translation:

Did you specifically search for our company or did you stumble on the advert? Are our advertising methods working? Are we searching in the right pool?

Other Versions of the question:

Where did you get information on this job?

 

Important to Note:

  • This may seem like an overly unnecessary question, it is a very common question and there is a strategic reason behind it by the interviewer.
  • The interviewer may want to know whether you were seeking the job actively or passively and whether you actually targeted their company.
  • They also want to know which of their job advertising method works best.
  • They might even have a rewarding scheme in their work place that rewards existing staff who recommend excellent candidates to fill certain positions.
  • Be specific and brief in your answer about the source, but do not dwell on unnecessary details unless asked to elaborate.
  • Use this as a marketing opportunity and talk about the particular details of this job that drew you to the advert.
  • At the same time, in a succinct way, define why you feel qualified for the position advertised and why you would be excited to join the team.

Pitfalls to Avoid when answering this question

  • Dropping names may backfire in your face, especially if the person you mention is currently in a strained relationship with the company
  • Always confirm with a current employee whether or not to mention their name.
  • If you somehow cannot remember the name of the site you got the advert from, do not make up a name. Just state that you currently cannot remember.
  • If you are aware of a strained relationship between the person who referred you and the company, do not refer to them.

Sample Response: I heard about this accounting position through a current member of staff here, Mr. John. We used to work in the same department at company XYZ where I was an intern then. After looking through your ideal candidate profile and doing a bit of research on your company, I am convinced that I am cut out for this role and I feel excited at the possibility of joining your team

4. Why do you want this job?

Translation:

Why did you apply for this position?

Related Questions:

Why do you want to work here?

Why are you interested in this position?

Important to Note:

 

  • The interviewer only wants to ascertain that you actually want to join their team for a valid reason.
  • To answer this question in a way that will create impact, look at it as an opportunity to showcase how your skills match perfectly with the organization’s culture, vision and values.
  • You can also portray how you joining the team fits in with your ultimate career goal and how enthusiastic you are at the opportunity.

 

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question

  • You failing to mention the company when answering this question is an immediate red flag to the interviewer. Yes clearly you have skills and your experience is acceptable, but if you cannot say how your skills will benefit your interviewer’s company they lose interest.
  • Giving away too much information is unnecessary. You don’t need to state how the company is close to your home, or how you will have an easy time dropping your children to school due to flexible working hours. All this is irrelevant.
  • You talking about your current or previous employer negatively. Even if you hate working at your current company, your interviewer doesn’t need to know.

Sample Response:I have always wanted to be part of a team that makes tangible difference in people’s lives like your organization does. When I saw the advert, I was drawn to the qualities your ideal candidate should have and I realized I possess them all and it would be my career dream to put them to work.

5. Why should we hire you?

Translation:

We have hundreds of applications for this position. Why should it be you that we choose?

Other versions of the question:

  1. What is it about you that makes you stand out?
  2. Why do you think you are the best candidate for this job?
  3. What are you bringing in this role?

Important to Note:

  • Always remember that the interview is not about you, but the company getting the best talent the market has to offer. The best approach is aligning existing skills and experience to the company’s needs and current pain.
  • The interviewer wants you to convince them that you are worth the recruiting trouble. They want to be sure that you can perform and that out of all the applications they have received, their best shot is seated right in front of them.
  • The interviewer needs to know that you will be an excellent addition to their already existing team.
  • They are, most of all, out to scout and recruit the best talent because it will make them look good at what they do and also make their work in the office easier.
  • Do not be too modest about your previous or current achievements. Throwing in a success story in your pitch will earn extra points for you.

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question:

  • Coming off as over confident and even corky. This usually rubs your interviewers the wrong way. Answers like “ Because I am awesome. I will give 101% of myself to this role and turn sales around. I am definitely the best candidate you have met so far and I don’t think you will meet anyone better.”
  • Overselling yourself to look like their most desirable candidate. This includes lying about your qualifications, skills and experience. The truth will eventually be known and the consequences may be dire for you.
  • The most common mistake that candidates make in the face of such a question is panic and fail to recognize the rare opportunity to market their skills. They then result to whinny answers that sound desperate and self-deprecating. These answers are like; “ Well, uh, I have a degree, I am intelligent and I have integrity. I am eager to do anything assigned to me and I would really like to join your team.”

Sample Response:What caught my eye most on the job advert was the fact that you were looking for Content Manager with impeccable writing skills and communication skills. My CV states that I have 3 years concurrently writing for 2 different companies on part time basis. However, I believe what really makes me stand out is my passion for content, my excellent communication skills and my keen interest in social, business and political trends. I recently helped my company win a Customer Service Write up award for the first time since they started participating. I value interactions with my internal and external customers and my work ethic is based on discipline, commitment and going the extra mile in tasks assigned. These values have guaranteed success and positive results so far.

6. What are your greatest professional strengths?

Translation:Is the candidate self-aware

Related questions:What do you think sets you apart from other applicants?

  1. Why should we hire you?
  2. Why you?
  3. What can you say makes you the perfect fit for this position?
  4. What arel your professional strengths?

Important to note:

  • Self-awareness is very critical in candidates during interviews. When interviewers ask about your strengths, they want to ascertain that the candidate is self-aware and more importantly can relate their skill set with the role.
  • Your interviewer wants to identify qualities, skills and experience that is only unique to you or that which you master really well. It is hence, your best time to shine.
  • Your interviewer is also keen on your communication skills. Your thought process when answering this question is key. Ensure your thoughts flow coherently. The secret to this is planning ahead. Ensure that you have a short list of your most relevant strengths on your fingertips.

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question:

  • Avoid making a long list of strengths. You should have at most five strengths that you can elaborately define and give examples of instances where you applied these strengths.
  • Do not give irrelevant strengths. For instance, saying you can walk on your hands for 400 meters while interviewing for an accountant position. Every strength you list should be tied to the current position.
  • Ambiguous answers should be avoided at all cost. Know your specific strength and have specific examples to accompany these strengths.
  • Avoid the temptation to give canned answers. These backfire in your face when asked to elaborate and you realize mid-sentence that what you are trying to explain has nothing to do with you or the position in discussion.

Sample Response: I possess outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills. Apart from the routine courteous conversation with clients and follow up, I used to go an extra mile to find solutions for unprecedented client problems. Once, one of our driver called and reported a stalling case that was likely to result in him delivering some merchandise to a client 2 hours late. I called the client and informed them of our predicament. They were understanding and even asked where our truck was so that they could pass by and collect the package. This way, we averted unnecessarily inconveniencing an esteemed customer.

7. What is your weakness?

Translation:

Is this candidate self-aware? Can they be problem solvers?

Other versions of the question:

  1. What do you consider your greatest weakness?
  2. Do you have a weakness that we should know about?
  3. If you were given the power to change one trait in your, what would it be?
  4. If your previous employer was asked to name the one thing you need to work on, what do you think they’d say?

 

Important to note:

  • Your interview has been on that side of the table for a while. They have asked this cliché question over and over and are probably praying at the moment that you don’t give them one of those canned answers like’ I am a perfectionist’.
  • Your interviewer also wants to find out if you are self – aware, so don’t make the mistake of saying you don’t have any weaknesses. It shows an utter lack of self- awareness.
  • Your interviewer knows you are wearing an interview mask that will eventually fall off once you are employed. They would like to get a peak of what the real picture looks like.
  • A good weakness should be fixable and you should be able to follow up with a statement saying how you are working on it. It should be authentic and acceptable for the position you are applying for.
  • You should define your weakness in a concise but impartial way. Going too much into detail may make you sound defensive.

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question:

  • Having one weakness in mind such that when the interviewer asks for another weakness the candidate looks at them like a deer caught in the headlights.
  • Giving weaknesses that are completely unrelated to the position and fumbling for words when asked how these weaknesses hinder performance. This portrays you as a fibber.
  • Giving weaknesses that deflect responsibility to you and make it sound like you are blaming others. E.g “I don’t like it when people don’t communicate. “ That is not a weakness but a result of a circumstance.

 

Sample Response:1. As a manager, I have realized that I tend to micro-manage and rarely delegate due to fear of my team members messing up a project. I have realized that this eats up most of the time that should be spent making strategies. I also realized that I am denying my team growth opportunities by learning from their mistakes. I have begun making conscious decisions to delegate and even though work output is taking longer, I feel that teamwork is more enhanced now in my department and I have cleared my work load for more strategic planning. I also started taking managerial workshops that help me discover how else I can improve my team’s performance.

 

Sample 2. I feel that I still have some ground to cover in public speaking. When called upon to present in front of large groups I get flustered and extremely nervous. I have been conducting research on ways to improve and I have gained a few tips that I am implementing. I also suggested to my manager that he allows me once in a while to introduce him in conferences. With time, I believe I will be able to confidently speak in public with no problem at all.

8. What is your greatest career achievement?

Translation:

Do you work on deliverables? Can you identify when you attain your deliverable?

Other versions of the question:

  1. Which accomplishment are you most proud of?
  2. If you were to retire today, which project will you look back at in your retirement party and feel absolutely accomplished?

Important to note:

  • This is the most important behavioral interview question your interviewer will ask. The answer you give not only provides an insight of your values, but a peak at your commitment, tenacity, persistence and ability to prioritize.
  • Your answer should be related to your career. If you are a beginner, talk about something you did that stemmed out of passion; like volunteering, or how you exceeded your supervisor’s expectations during internship.
  • You can also talk about a particular roadblock at work that you overcame. Success in handling customers or suppliers can also be termed as achievements.
  • Your answer should highlight the processes that led to you attaining the achievement in question.
  • Ensure that you have your three most cherished achievements and their details on your fingertips just in case the interviewer is interested in knowing more.
  • Make sure your achievements are tangible and measureable. E.g in sales give actual numbers, in customer service state awards given and if certificates are available, present them. However, be careful not to give away confidential information that might not only present legal consequences to you, but also make the interviewer wary that you have confidentiality issues.

 

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question:

  • Being unprepared for this question is a guaranteed failure. If this question finds you by surprise you will stumble through the answers and will most likely forget items that might actually make you stand out.
  • Have more than one achievement, in case the interviewer is more interested in your projects.
  • Avoid giving achievements that are not related to your career or the position you are applying for.
  • Do not give negative achievements. For instance, stating how funding for projects in your previous employment were always pulled out at the last minute which resulted in massive layoffs and you achieved by avoiding the layoffs.
  • An achievement is usually something outside your normal job description. Do not state how you performing what is expected of you as an accomplishment. E.g do not say ‘I was never late for the whole of last year.’ Or ‘I handed in all my accounting reports in time.’ Your interviewer wants to hear how you helped take the department you were in to another level, not how you helped maintain the status quo.

Sample response: “I have had several outstanding achievements throughout. My most recent and what I consider the most outstanding is when I led my department in winning the Customer Service Award in the region. I lead a customer service team of 15 members. Our services are carried out via phone, email and various social media platforms. We launched a social media campaign early last year and by the time competition for the award was set in motion at the end of the year, we already were a force to reckon with. We already had overwhelmingly positive reviews and there is a marked improvement in sales as a result of customer referral. Credit for the award goes to my team for unique and creative problem solving solutions, immediate response to queries 24 hours a day, timely and effective follow up and pure raw passion for customer satisfaction. I am proud to have led such an incredible team and I hope to bring with me the same passion and enthusiasm for customer service.

9. Where do you see yourself in the next 3/5/7/10 years?

Translation:

Do you actually have a plan for your career or are you just gliding through life

Other versions of the question:

  1. What is your growth plan?
  2. What direction do you envision your career to take?
  3. What do you seek to achieve in the course of your career?

 

 

Important to note:

  • The interviewer is checking to ascertain that you have a career trajectory planned out for yourself. They want to know that you are ambitious and that you seek growth, because growth for you means maximum utilization of your talents which will culminate in growth for their company.
  • The interviewer wants to know how the position you are interviewing fits in your grand career plan. This means that if you hold the position you are interviewing for in high regard, it translates to you performing well in the roles assigned. It is a show of commitment.
  • If the position falls in your great career plan, you are likely to be enthusiastic about it and excited by the growth opportunities it presents, hence you will be constantly motivated and are likely to face challenges positively.
  • Therefore, the paths you have set out should be realistic and actionable in relation to the industry your career falls in.
  • Your goals should also be realistic depending on the stage at which you are in your career. Where beginners straight from college may be forgiven for giving somewhat unrealistic projections, individuals who have been in the industry for some time will not be dealt with equal leniency.
  • You goal should be targeted. Do not use tired lines like “I see myself in a management position”Your answer should be truthful, reasonable and fluid with departmental limits. This means that you should give a perception of flexibility and ability to take up more roles apart from those listed in the advert. Remember that your interviewer has their ideal candidate in mind and are looking for the closest match to that. You shouldn’t come across as rigid or being a round peg in a square hole. You will lose out in opportunities for growth and exposure.

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question:

  • Jumping to long term goals without stating the short term ones, such that you are viewed as building castles in the air. There is nothing wrong with you planning to be the managing director of the company. Unless you are already in a senior management position, mentioning that you would like to be MD may seem a bit far-fetched. Specifically state short term goals that will help build the long term ones.
  • Giving goals unrelated to your career like telling the interviewer how many children you look to have in five years. Remember that interviews are always about the company and all your answers should be geared to how you are going to be value add to the company’s goals, vision and mission.
  • Giving rigid plans and goals. When an interviewer gets the impression that you have a specific path that you have your mind set on, they think you cannot be persuaded to take on additional tasks and become wary.E.g saying “ I would like to be a CEO, with at least 5 people reporting to me, earning 200k per month, paid vacations, and a company car.
  • Overthinking this question will make you nervous and you will end up with a blank head. Ensure that you have practiced answering this question ahead of the interview.

Sample response:I am keen on becoming the best I can be in what I do. I am seeking opportunities that expose me to further development of my skills, become involved in interesting projects and be part of a team that I can learn immensely from. Based on my research, your company is a force to reckon with in the industry and some of the biggest contributors to innovation in the industry work here. For me, that is my greatest motivation to build my career.

10. What does your former boss say about you?

Translation

What was your relationship with your former boss like?

Other versions of the question

  1. If I contacted your former or current boss, what is the one thing they would say about you?
  2. Can I contact your former boss?
  3. Would your former boss recommend you for this position?

Important to note

  • This is your chance to highlight all the praises your former boss gave you
  • Do not say that your former boss should not be contacted because it shows that you had a bad relationship
  • Focus on selling your key strengths
  • Do not say that your relationship with your former boss was bad or ended badly

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question

  • Do not badmouth your former boss
  • Painting a picture of a very strained relationship

Sample answer: My former boss and I had a very fruitful working relationship. We worked closely on several projects with them mentoring me closely. I learnt many things from them and went ahead to execute several projects highly and I am sure my skills be missed. As such, my boss highly recommends me for the position and would particularly highlight the fact that I am hardworking, dedicated, a fast learner and most of all, I always ensure that I complete my work on time.

11. Why do you want to leave your current job?

Translation: Have left your previous job in good terms? What kind of relationship did you have with your previous employer and colleagues. What is your personality, credibility and can you relate well to people?

Other versions of the question

  1. Why do you want to leave your current job?
  2. Would your former colleagues recommend you for this job?
  3. What skills do you bring on board from your current/previous job?

Important to note

  • Be honest and tactical when giving your answer
  • Focus on your positive contribution to your former boss
  • Some situations are beyond your control

Pitfalls to avoid when answering this question

  • Do not say that your current workplace is toxic/unfavourable

Sample answer: I have worked at company X for three years and was awarded the best employee of the year for my exemplary performance in teamwork and problem solving. Having successfully achieved that, I am ready for another challenge with your company and to offer my expertise in X field for the overall benefit of your organisation

Sample 2: I have been working hard for the past five years in a similar position, improving on key skills that are critical to this new position and creating a consistent positive impact on the organisation. With this in mind, that is the reason I am really keen to find a senior position with your company. Your company also offers an ideal environment and practical exposure that will allow me to be fully committed to this position and based on my track record, I am confident that i will meet the company’s objectives.

Mueke Katwa
I have two years experience in Business Support which covers Human Resource as a function; and a lifelong passion in creative writing.
 

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564 COMMENTS

  2. First i would like to appreciate you so much,those 9 questions are common in any interview.Please give me the answers so that in case i attend interview somewhere i called all the points through your guideline.I look-forward to share with you a lot.
    Thanks in advance,
    Regards,
    Vincent Matekwa.

    • Hi Vincent,

      We are working on giving you our readers insight on every imaginable interview question. We are working on posting more questions and probable answers soon. Keep visiting the Career Center for more information. We appreciate your readership and feedback.

      ^DM

  3. thanks for this information.

    But my question is, what is the correct answer to give if asked about, tell us about yourself?

    • Mr Omondi,
      About your self (sometimes introduce your self) Means that,
      Your name ……
      Your qualification…….
      Your Experience…….

      • Hi Mr. Omondi, Hi Mr Anthony,

        What Anthony says is true.
        You should have a short summary that sheds light into who you are, your experiences, qualifications and skills.
        You can get more guidance on this in the ‘Tell us about yourself’ question above.

        ^DM

    • Hi Florence,
      Thank you for reading.
      We will be adding more questions till we exhaust all possible interview questions, so keep it here for all the information you need.

      ^DM

  6. Good answers what if in future you come up with a case study interview like being call for an interview as a laboratory technician and give relevant answers to the question not that open and broad.

    • Hi Vincent,

      Thank You for your support.
      We will put your suggestion into consideration and prepare articles for specific fields as per your request.
      Keep it Brighter Monday, your career partner.

      ^DM

  7. Thanks brightermonday for sharpening my interview answering skills. Could you please help me know how the length of someone’s CV can either give or deny him or her a job.

    • Hi Sixtus,
      The length of someone’s CV depends on the stage at which they are in their career.
      A beginner who’s CV is longer than two pages most likely contain irrelevant items. A CEO whose CV is two pages might raise eyebrows.
      The most important thing to remember is that the HR personnel is bombarded with many CVs and they will shortlist only those that catch their eye. Make sure all the important information (use information in the advert to edit your CV) is in your CV and get rid of all unnecessary information.
      We will be posting sample templates soon to assist with that. Keep it here for more information.

      ^DM

  9. Morning, thank you so much for the brilliant research, can i please get the proper answers for the queries? I reall

    • Hi Carolyne,

      We appreciate your support.
      The answers for these questions are available. kindly click on each question to reveal the recommended way of approach and answers.
      Inform us in case you encounter difficulties.

      ^DM

  11. I thank the panel for this effort. K must say it exposure to interviewees various kinds of questions to expect. Kindly provide the questions and answers expected.

    • Hi Maureen,
      We appreciate your support.
      The answers to these questions are available.
      Kindly click on the questions to reveal the answers.
      Inform us if you encounter any difficulties.

      ^DM

  12. thanks for the piece, its really nice for those of us attending interviews. looking forward to more emerging interview sample questions and answers. its awesome.
    thank you once more

    • Hi Mr. Ogega,

      We are glad you find this information helpful.
      We intend to cover every possible interview question, so keep visiting our career center for more information.

      ^DM

    • Hi Mbale,
      Make sure you have researched on the salary before the interview.
      You can ask your professional connections in the same industry, or visit similar adverts that post salary scale.
      With such information, you will have a rough idea of what to expect. Conduct research about your potential and have a range. When stating your expectation, always let your interviewer know that you are willing to negotiate. To understand Negotiation, read https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/blog/negotiate-ideal-salary-interview/

    • Hi Peezy,

      The recommended replies are available.
      Simply click on a question and information about that particular question will be made available below it. If you encounter difficulties accessing the answers please let us know.

      ^DM

    • Hi Jovin,

      The questions are links to details about the question that you should know and sample responses are also included. Kindly click on the question and detailed information will be available for you to access. Inform us if you encounter any difficulties accessing the answers.

      ^DM

  17. I appreciate you brightermonday for those questions. Kindly, give me the correct answers to those questions. Thank you.

    • Hi Yvonne,

      The questions are links to details about the question that you should know and sample responses are also included. Kindly click on the question and detailed information will be available for you to access. Inform us if you encounter any difficulties accessing the answers.

      ^DM

    • Hi Irene,

      The questions are links to details about the question that you should know and sample responses are also included. Kindly click on the question and detailed information will be available for you to access. Inform us if you encounter any difficulties accessing the answers.

      ^DM

  20. I appreciate a lot for the above information. Kindly post the answers too. 2016 is a year of prosperity for me, I am in high spirits. Looking forward for more knowledge sharing.

    • Hi Amina,

      Keep up the positive spirit!
      The answers are available once you click on a particular question.
      Kindly click on the questions to access the answers.
      Inform us if you encounter any difficulties.

      ^DM

    • Hi Ammon,

      Thank you for your support.
      We endeavor to be the preferred career partner for those looking for jobs and those looking to move to the next stage of their careers.

      ^DM

    • Hi Saum,
      Make sure you have researched on the salary before the interview.
      You can ask your professional connections in the same industry, or visit similar adverts that post salary scale.
      With such information, you will have a rough idea of what to expect. Conduct research about your potential and have a range.
      When stating your expectation, always let your interviewer know that you are willing to negotiate.
      To understand Negotiation, read https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/blog/negotiate-ideal-salary-interview/

      ^DM

  24. I do appreciate for versed information you have given, having gone through questions and answers, now I have hint on how to response to certain queries in the interview. l hope and pray this will be my year. thank you so much again.

    • Hi Bonface,

      Thank you for reading.
      We seek to provide relevant and practical advise for those seeking answers like you.
      We wish you all the best in your career endeavors this year.

      ^DM

  25. Hey Brighter Monday!
    Great tips and solutions to the ” myths ” surrounding job interviews.
    Unfortunately, I have been giving the wrong answers during interviews and now know why they aren’t calling me back even when I keep calling to check on them!
    Anyway , keep up the invaluable service that you excellently provide to the community.
    Blessings

    • Hi Tony,
      Thank you for your feedback. We are glad to be of service to you.
      Please keep it Brightermonday for more enlightening information .
      We wish you all the best in your job search and career endeavor.

      ^DM

    • Hi Eunice,

      Thank you for the support.
      Keep it Brightermonday for all your career needs.
      We will be posting more of these questions very soon.

      ^DM

    • Hi Samuel,
      We appreciate your support and compliments.
      We endeavor to be the leading career partner to the job seekers and those seeking to move to the next stage of their career.
      Keep it Brighter Monday.

      ^DM

    • Hi Gaddafi,

      We appreciate the vote of confidence and we endeavor to create relevant and compelling content to advise and inspire our readers.

      ^DM

    • Hi Tabitha,
      We are glad to be of assistance and we wish you all the best in your interviews. Be confident and be yourself.

      ^DM

    • Hi Juddy,
      We are glad to have helped. Our Career center is rich with insights and information.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for all your career guidance.

      ^DM

  37. This is educative, I highly appreciate your efforts to coach us on common interview answers.
    Highly appreciate

  38. I appreciate the tips.It gives me confidence and the knowledge on how to answer interview questions..I am enlightened and better moving forward.

    • Hello Erick,
      We’re pleased to hear that you liked our article.
      Stay tuned for more insightful articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Eric,
      We’re glad to hear that you liked our article. Keep it BrighterMonday for informative articles.

      ^AM

    • Hi Onesmus,

      The problem with giving an entire history is that it is unsolicited.
      As a candidate, all your answers should be about the company you are interviewing with. The trick is keeping your interviewer’s attention. Most of the time, they only want to know how your being there is going to solve their pain. Unless asked, steer away from giving too much unnecessary information.

      ^DM

    • Hello Wafula,
      We’re glad to be of help to you. Keep BrighterMonday for more enlightening articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Rotich,
      We’re pleased to hear that we are having an impact in your career. Stay tuned for more incisive articles.

      ^AM

  47. This was so helpful it widened my mind on how to respond to interview questions in a better way. Your sample are perfect guide to those still tarmacking…

    • Hi Joyce,

      We are happy to be of assistance.
      We will post more questions and answers to assist you further.

      ^DM

    • You’re welcome Benta, and we wish you all the best in your interview.
      Kindly let us know how it goes.

      ^AM

  49. I want to meet you personaly for advise and assistance on how to tackle these simple questions but difficult to answer in a way in which the interviewing team can get convinced. I want to joint the discussion team.

    • Hi George,

      Our offices are open for candidates who need coaching.
      We are located in 14th Riverside Drive 1st Floor.

      ^DM

  52. Compelling content. Though I have a job now (Brighter Monday greatly inspired me from the onset of this new segment), I continue to follow BM religiously as I am always sure to be re-energized and rejuvinated. I always share with others. Kudos! Keep up the exceptional work

    • Hi David,

      Thank you for your continued support.
      We endeavor to be our readers’ career partner, to offer all the relevant guidance they might need.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more insightful content.

      ^DM

    • Hi Joan,
      We are glad to be of relevant help to our readers.
      keep it Brighter Monday for more inspiration.

      ^DM

    • Hi Martha,
      We intend to continue sharpening our reader’s skills with rich and well researched content.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more.

      ^DM

    • Hi Joy,
      We are glad to have been of assistance.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for all your career needs.
      Go forth and shine in your interviews!

      ^DM

  58. It has been of great help to me…I actually feel confident and energized that am gonna ace tomorrow’s interview…a thousand thanks and keep up the amazing work.

    • Hi Shasha,

      We are delighted to have been of assistance.
      We wish you all the best in your interview today!

      ^DM

  59. Thank you Brightermonday team,

    I hope this is gonna be useful to most of us who are still in job searching.

    Cheers,

    Richard

    • Hi Richard,
      Thank You for your support.
      We endeavor to provide our readers with relevant practical skills to help them win in different stages of their career.
      Keep visiting our Career Center for more insights.
      We wish you all the best in your interviews.

      ^DM

    • Hi Japheth,

      We are glad to provide the guidance you need.
      More questions and answers will be updated. Keep visiting our Career Center for more insights.

      ^DM

    • Thank You Lornah,

      Our goal is to be your preferred career partner by proving guidance through out your career.

      ^DM

  62. Wow…wow, I am glad I signed up for brighter Monday job updates. I highly value every single mail i receive from you. The insights you give us is simply out of this world. Am eternally grateful for ua polished views in all areas. For me this has come inn , just at the right time. It’s heaven sent for me, I now know how to answer common questions in an interview. Big ups for ua great generosity in sharing this.

    • Hi Gladys,

      We appreciate your support and sentiments.
      We endeavor to be your preferred career partner and our goal is to provide relevant and helpful insights all the time.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more insights.

      ^DM

    • Hi Priscilla,

      We are glad to have provided worthy guidance.
      We desire to be a lifetime career partner- right from the beginning till retirement 🙂

      ^DM

    • Hi Simon,
      Thank you for your support.
      We will publish all possible interview questions for our readers to prepare for interviews.
      Keep visiting our career center for more insights.

      ^DM

  67. This is one of the best sites for job seekers and possible employers.I have gained a lot since I joined you.once again thanks!

  68. Despite that have gotten a job though have applied many via brighterMonday..I really appreciate your good work and the opportunity you have given us job seekers
    Thanks a lot and God bless brightermonday team

    • Hi Kenneth,
      Thank you for your support so far.
      We are working each day to match as many employers with as much talent as possible in the market.
      Do not give up, keep sending your applications, and one day you will get that which is yours.
      Meanwhile, gather as much knowledge as you can and sharpen your skills each day with the tips we offer.
      All the best.

      ^DM

  70. Despite haven’t gotten a job though have applied many via brighterMonday..I really appreciate your good work and support that you have given us job seekers Thanks alot and God bless brightermonday team

    • Hello Kenneth,
      Thank you for the feedback, we appreciate your continued support.
      We noticed three things which if implemented will improve your employer response.
      First of all please update your profile up to a range of 98% to 100 % profile completeness.
      Secondly, it would be prudent if you could delete all the resumes on your account then upload an updated resume to your account.
      Finally, please subscribe to our job alerts and apply for jobs as soon as you get the alert on your email inbox.
      Hopefully, these simple yet effective measure would go along way in improving your user experience on our job site.
      Please feel free to get back to us for more assistance.

      ^AM

  71. Wow! what a great article! am happy for you guys I appreciate the fact that you do play a great role in helping us do what is required.

    • Thanks for feedback Martinson, we appreciate you continued support and readership.
      Keep it BrighterMonday for Edifying articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Carolyne,
      We are glad to be of help to you.
      We also wish all the best in your interview, and kindly let us know how it goes.

      ^AM

    • Hello Ken,
      We’re thrilled to be of help to your, keep visiting our Career Center for more educative articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Lillian,
      We’re pleased to hear that you liked our articles, stay tuned for more edifying article.

      ^AM

    • Thank you Nelly,

      Keep it Brighter Monday for more enlightening content to provide guidance in your career.

      ^DM

  85. Great job kudos the article is very helpful indeed.Thought you could comment something about this question frequently asked. How much are you expecting to be paid

    • Hi Kelvin,
      We endeavor to continue posting relevant and accurate information for all our readers in order to support their career growth efforts.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more.

      ^Dm

  90. Thanks so much for the infor, I find it so much useful at such a time when i waiting to sit for interview in two weeks time

    • Hi Eric,
      We are glad to be of assistance to you.
      Kindly read through our Career Center for more interview tips.
      We wish you the very best in your interviews.

      ^DM

  93. Thanks. Indeed I have learnt something. I would appreciate if I get more responses on an accountant position . To help in easily relating it to my career.

    • Hello Irine,
      Thanks very much for the feedback. Click here to view all the latest job opportunities in your field of profession.

      ^AM

  94. Thanks this a very good way to prepare people for an interview.However it is upon them to really demonstrate in answering fluently and confidently for them to succeeed.

    • Hi Eric,
      Thank you for reading.
      This is true. The questions and answers are just to give our readers clarity and provide guidance in approach of the questions.
      Every candidate should formulate answers that are personalized and customized for each interview they attend.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more career tips.

      ^DM

    • Hi Fransisca,
      We appreciate your readership. Keep visiting our Career center for more inspiring content.

      ^DM

  98. Thank you so much, this is so helpful. You can never know how hard it is to answer these questions unless you go for an interview.

    • Hello Derrick,
      Thanks for you readership and continued support. Kindly stay tuned for more informative articles.

      ^AM

    • Hi Lydiah,
      We appreciate your readership and continued support.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more inspiring information.

      ^AM

  108. I have decided to leave a reply because this is one of the best posts I have ever read on this subject. This knowledge should not be a mystery to people but many of us stumble along for years and miss many opportunities before we figure out what we were doing wrong. I will share the article with people in my network. Thank you.

    • Hi Charles,
      Thank you for your positive observation. We endeavor to be a career partner to those seeking jobs and those looking to grow their carers to the next level.
      We will be posting more questions till we exhaust all possible interview questions for our readers’ knowledge.
      Keep it Brightermonday for more and encourage people in your network to join.

      ^DM

    • Hello Akoko,
      We acknowledge and appreciate your readership.
      Keep it BrighterMonday for more inspiring articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Edward,
      We are glad to be of assistance to you.
      Kindly read through our Career Center for more interview tips.
      We also wish you the very best in your interviews.

      ^AM

    • Hi Timmie,

      Thank you for joining our platform.
      We endeavor to be our readers’ career partner, so keep it here for more information and inspiration.

      ^DM

    • Hi Antony,
      We will put up more questions for your reading.
      Please keep it Brightermonday for more inspiration.

      ^DM

    • Hi Winnie,
      Thank you for your support.
      We hope to be the go to career partner for job seekers and those seeking to go to the next stage of their career.
      Keep visiting our site for more inspiration.

      ^DM

    • Hi Stella,
      We appreciate your support. Our desire is to be our readers’ career partner.
      Keep it Brightermonday for more inspiration.

      ^DM

  121. of all things brightermonday has posted this has been so far very useful to,me.
    Thank you so much and im proud to be part of brighter monday

    • Hi Liz,
      We are glad to be of service.
      We are also very proud you are our member.
      We endeavor to be our readers’ career partner in their job search and their efforts to grow their careers to the next stage.
      Keep it here for more inspiration.

      ^DM

    • Hello Dave,
      We’re pleased to hear that you liked our article.
      Stay tuned for more informative articles.

      ^AM

  128. I am delighted in the answers. They have enlightened my skills in the interview room. Thanks to brighter Monday.

    • Hello Gideon,
      We appreciate your support.
      Continue reading our articles for more inspiring and insightful advice.

      ^AM

  129. Gosh, the common interview questions and answers are a MUST read for all who desire to find new jobs at any one time.

  130. That was educative , I have learned a lot more so when I expect to begin a new job in a week’s time. Thank you

    • Hello Patrick,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our article, we appreciate your readership.
      We also wish you the very best in your new job.

      ^AM

    • Hello Christine,
      We are glad to be of help you.
      To get you started in your career, kindly click here to view all the latest job opportunities in your profession.

      ^AM

    • Hello Adan,
      We’re glad to hear that our article has been helpful to you.
      Keeping visiting our career center for more insightful articles.

      ^AM

  134. Thank you Brighter Monday. The information is very useful. I am now directing the people I mentor here to get information for themselves. Keep up the good work.

    • Hello Amon,
      Thanks for the readership and continued support.
      Kindly encourage your mentees to visit our career center for inspiring articles.

      ^AM

  135. To be honest since i subscribed have applied for so many job bt not even an interview have i ever been called for. what next should i do?

    • Hello Janet,
      Thanks for sharing your feedback.
      We noticed three things which if implemented will improve your employer response.
      First of all please update your profile up to a range of 98% to 100 % profile completeness.
      Secondly, it would be prudent if you could delete all the resumes on your account then upload an updated resume to your account.
      Finally, please subscribe to our job alerts and apply for jobs as soon as you get the alert on your email inbox.
      Hopefully, these simple yet effective measure would go along way in improving your user experience on our job site.
      Please feel free to get back to us for more assistance.

      ^AM

    • Hi Davies,
      Thank you for reading.
      We will keep posting more questions till we have exhausted common interview questions.
      Keep it Brightermonday for this.

      ^DM

    • Hi Simon,
      Thank you for reading.
      We will be posting more questions so stay tuned for more helpful information.

      ^DM

    • Thank You John for reading.
      We endeavor to be your preferred career partner.
      Keep it Brightermonday for more inspiration.

      ^DM

  142. i have a certificate in electrical installation and i currently need a job from any good company through your helps. but i just dont know why am not getting

    • Hello Brian,
      Thanks for sharing your feedback.
      We noticed three things which if implemented will improve your employer response.
      First of all please update your profile up to a range of 98% to 100 % profile completeness.
      Secondly, it would be prudent if you could delete all the resumes on your account then upload an updated resume to your account.
      Finally, please subscribe to our job alerts and apply for jobs as soon as you get the alert on your email inbox.
      Hopefully, these simple yet effective measure would go along way in improving your user experience on our job site.
      Please feel free to get back to us for more assistance.

      ^AM

    • Hi Sam,
      Thanks for taking time to go through our article. Keep it BrighterMonday for incisive articles.

      ^AM

  144. incredible!!! thank u so much brighter monday for this interview guide. i have corrected myself in all those areas that made me fail my most recent interview. all areas were done wrong by me, its as if this advice wad personally drafted for me. Am confident that with this piece of valuable information, my next interview will be a success. keep up the good work brighter monday team
    PS: THANK YOU FOR TODAY’S CAREER EXPO TOO. your so valuable to Uganda’s employment sector.

    • Hi Rachel,
      Thank you for reaching out from Uganda!
      We are glad to be of assistance via the Career Expo.
      We endeavor to be our readers’ career partner and provide up-to-date and relevant solutions to their career problems.
      Keep it Brightermonday for more inspiration. We wish you all the best in your job search.

      ^DM

  145. I have a pressing question. I studied IT in school and did IT jobs like 3years ago. For the past two and a half years I have been working as Office Admin and Customer Service for a new company that I started with. My contract ends this month and with no possibility of renewal. I am currently job searching but torn between applying for IT or Admin jobs, since I do have skills in Admin but no papers. I have IT papers but last did IT jobs 3years ago.
    Kindly advice me.
    Thanks

    • Hi Jane,
      Thank you for your question.
      Before taking any step, you have to ask yourself what you enjoyed most doing? IT or Administration. This is key because working in an environment you enjoy contributes to your motivation. Once you have concluded what works best for you, cast your net in that direction to get the opportunities offered.
      Secondly, Ensure that you have tangible credentials for that area. While you might not have papers in admin, you can show prowess and experience by getting recommendations from current your employer and colleagues, ensure you outline your administrative experience on your CV and cover letter and have ready examples of scenarios to back up what you say during interviews. Administration is about organization, customer service, multitasking, attention to detail, problem solving, among other skills. Ensure you can demonstrate these skills. If you decide to go the IT way, ensure that you do sufficient refreshers and that you are up-to-date with current trends and technologies. Papers will not be the only thing interviewers look at in your interview.
      Also, it will be great to know that employers these days love employees who can be more and are not tied down by career descriptions. you can decide to be an administrator who is IT proficient and can provide excellent IT support in the office. Or be an IT expert who can double as an administrator. Whichever way you look at it, none of your skills will be wasted, plus they can both be used to increase your chances of getting a job.
      We hope your question is answered Jane. In case you need further assistance, do not hesitate to get back to us.

      ^DM

  146. Thank you so much Brighter Monday for the inspirations,have not yet gone for oral interviews but those Questions have been scaring mi on the way how to go about them just incase ..thk you at least now have got a hit God bless u

  148. Very good article. Provides a mental guide on how one should be prepared when approaching an interview. However, there should be a consideration of questions asked in relation to age. Most of the responses provided are ideal for fresh graduates job seekers. For somebody who has being in employment for long with lots of experience, they may not be applicable.

    • Hi Charles,
      The responses are meant to provide guidance on how to go about the questions. They should not be rehearsed and used word for word. candidate, whether fresh from college or with 10 years experience, should tailor their responses, avoid the pitfalls and give responses that are well researched.
      We will however try to give a more experienced version of this. Keep it Brightermonday.

      ^DM

    • Hello Biko,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our article.
      Keep visiting our career center for more informative articles.

      ^AM

  151. I have adiploma in accounting n finance, wil i be in position to get ajob,, and thank you for your good work brightermonday

    • Hello Richard,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our article.
      Keep visiting our career center for more insightful articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Michael,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our articles.
      Keep visiting our career center for more informative articles.

      ^AM

  155. Thanks for that insight.
    I however tried to enroll for receiving job openings on my email but seem to be stuck midway.I got the confirmation mail but I don’t receive the mails. Kindly assist.

    • Hello Edward,
      We apologize for the inconvenience. As a team, we value your time and as such we will ensure that you get unlimited access to all available opportunities on our website at no cost at all!
      Create job alerts by clicking on the circled icon at the top right corner of the page. Select the ‘My job alerts’ option from the menu that appears on your screen, or alternatively click on the link below.
      https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/alerts/create

      ^AM

  156. Very nice read. But could you please cover some answers for fresh graduates and entry level individuals who do not have extensive work experience. Those who are just starting out, even for internships

    • Hi Natasha,
      Thank you for reading.
      Your suggestion has been received and our team will work on article that takes care of fresh graduates.
      Keep it Brightermonday for more inspiration.

      ^DM

    • Hello Paul,
      Thanks for taking time to go through our article.
      Keep visiting our career center for insightful articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Abdul,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our article, we do appreciate your readership and support.

      ^AM

  159. Hello BrighterMonday
    thanks so much for this, i was employed before but quit for some personal reasons and now have been job hunting and the interviews have had, they’ve been asking me this question “why do you want to work again”? kindly advise me on how to go about this.

    • Hi Awiti,

      I assume the reason they are probably asking might be because you have not been formally employed for a while. The best way to go about this is to be honest without divulging too much. If you do not wish to divulge you can generalize your reasons e.g health, motherhood, studies etc. That way they might not ask further. Make sure you mention that you have currently sorted out your issues and are now ready to get back to formal employment.
      Also, ensure that you are working to catch up from where you left, because trends and changes in the industry do not wait. Do your research so that you are up-to-date with the areas of your interest.

      ^DM

    • Hello Norman,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our articles. Keep visiting our career center for more insightful articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Sally,
      Thank you for taking time to go through articles.
      We appreciate your readership and support.

      ^AM

  166. This is really good, you cant know how many lives/pple you touching by this advice, keep up the good work and God bless you always.

    • Hello Anne,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our articles. Keep visiting our career center for more insightful articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Mary,
      Thanks for taking time to go through our article.
      Keep visiting our career center for more informative articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Mathew,
      Thank you for taking time to go through our article and for expressing our interest in joining a start up company. The article is suppose to give an insight into what to expect before joining a start company. In this regards we would like to inform you that currently we do not have any vacant position, however you can click on the link below to view some great opportunities advertised on our website: https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/search/result?q=

      ^AM

    • Hello Nicodemus,
      Thank you for the feedback. keep visiting our career center for more informative articles.

      ^AM

    • Hi Nicodemus,

      We do appreciate your feedback. Keep visiting our career center for more informative information.

      ^TM

    • Hello Boblief,
      Thank you for the feedback. Keep visiting our career center for more insightful articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Betty,
      Thank you for the feedback and support.
      Keep visiting our site for more informative articles.

      ^AM

    • Hello Eric,
      Thank you for the feedback.
      We appreciate your readership, keep visit our career center for edifying article.

      ^AM

  173. Thanks a lot for the tips that has been my big problem during an interview. More so on the strengths and weakness. Am Eustace Lukati

  174. Thanks a lot for the tips that has been my big problem during an interview. More so on the strengths and weakness.

    • Hello Lukati
      Thank you for the feedback.
      We appreciate your readership, keep visit our career center for edifying article.

      ^AM

    • Hi Nelson,

      Thank you for the feedback.. much appreciated. Keep visiting our career center for more informative articles.

      ^TM

    • Hello Wayeko,
      Thank you very much for taking time to go through our article.
      keep visiting our career center for more informative articles.

      ^TM

  177. hi please advice on which career can one develop when working in the refrigeration and air conditioning field or at least having the above qualifications.and 8yrs experience.
    THANKS.
    thanks for your articles they are of great help to many

    • Good afternoon Mwangi,
      Thank you for reading through our article, we do appreciate your time. In accordance with your qualifications career wise you best suit to be an engineer.You can upgrade your CV by perusing further studies on engineering.keep visiting our center to get more insight.

      ^TM

  179. how do you negotiate for a salary especially when attending an interwiew.because quotinjg high or lower than what you used to earn will raise questions.

  180. Hi brightermon .have been applying for a drivers job in several company but it seems they turn me down because i mention in mycv that am a matatu driver can it be possible and i need to up grade my carrer as adriver..

    • Hi Joseph,

      The wording in your CV might be the problem. It is a good thing that you want to move to the private sector as it provides more chances for growth professionally. Since you understand the possible reservations of potential employers when it comes to matatu drivers, perhaps you should change the wording and indicate that you work with the Public transport service. You can specify during the interview and at the same time try to dispel any concerns about your conduct on the road.Ensure that you are a properly regulated driver with a clean driving record and with an understanding on road etiquette. Your potential employer will probably take you on a driving test. If you don’t practice acceptable standards it will be apparent.
      All the best.

      ^DM

  182. Hi brighter Monday ,
    its three years since i left job because of health issue but am trying to apply for administration jobs since i have a diploma and currently taking evening class for degree but am not getting, of which most of the positions advertised suit me by experience and qualification, is there anything that i should know about the current market on job search.

    • Hi Pauline,
      Thank you for your question.
      First we need to establish, what were you doing in those three years you were away from employment? Employers view large gaps in CVs as red flags. This is why you should be careful about what you write on your CV about the time you were away. If you were running a small business, indicate that in your CV. If you went back to school, indicate it. Do not leave that period blank. When called for an interview, explain your situation honestly without getting too much into detail. Ensure that you convince your interviewer that you are now well enough to carry the demands of the job without issues.
      We hope we have answered your query.
      All the best.

      ^DM

    • Thank you Lawrence, your feedback is highly appreciated. We have more installed for you, just keep it Brighter Monday.

      ^TM

    • Your welcome Angela. We are glad you are enlightened, keep it Brighter Monday for more inspiring articles.

      ^TM

  185. Hello, I would like to know how long can it take for one as a security personnel to get the job via your support and if the person fortunately gets the job outside the country who is responsible for other Governmental Documents like passport, work permit and many others?
    Thanks yours in service

    • Hi Odongo,
      Thanks for your feedback.
      This is our take for your 2 questions:
      1. Please note that time frame for getting a job is really not predictable because each company has its own HR policies which ultimately influence the time it takes you to apply for a job and being called for an interview. Besides, the job market also has its own dynamics like market saturation level which also influences the time it takes for you to get a job.
      2. There are some documents which will be processed by the employer while others will be processed by the job applicant. The HR policies of an organisation and the legal policies of a country are what determines who will facilitate which documents.

      ^EK

  186. Am looking for the roles and responsibilities on a job that was posted here but post was removed.How do I get them?

    • Hi Max,
      To answer the question about your salary expectation, first it is very important to understand that the employer is asking you this question to see if you understand your market value given your level of experience. Try as much as possible to avoid the urge of just mentioning figures and ranges for the sake of moving onto the next question. If have done your homework, you should have a fairly good idea of the kind of salary range for someone with your level of experience in the position you’re seeking. You are safer giving a range rather than a fixed figure.

      ^DM

  188. This is a great contribution from you.

    How about if are asked. Tell us about your normal days goes? Yet your job is not so much structured.

    • Hi Samuel,
      That is a frequently asked question during interviews. What your interviewers want to know is your work ethic and culture as an employee. They need to know that you understand your job and how your role fits into the company’s goals and mission.
      Basing on your unstructured job description, you can mention some of the tasks you do on average while giving priority to the most important roles. Do not list everything, just the parts you think are important and make you shine. Do not list irrelevant parts of your day like how you go for lunch and tea breaks etc.

      We hope we have answered your query.

      ^DM

  189. Am Wilson seriously hunting for a driving job in NGOs but never gone for any interview,what questions and answers am i ready to faceThanks

    • Hello wilson,
      Thank you for writing to us.
      These are some of the questions that you may asked.
      Why are you the best candidate for this job?
      What are your strengths/what are you best at? you can reply and say my key strengths are relationship management and product design and the role is to build relationships with clients.
      What is your expected salary? The first figure you mention will be the base mark for all salary negotiations that follow so be sure to ask for what you want.
      You should Expect such like questions or even more so most important aspect in an interview is to be confident dress to impress and a have that mentality that you are already hired.

      ^TM

  190. am greatly impressed with your take on the commonly asked questions and feel some confidence developing.
    what answer should i give if asked about my childhood life in an interview?

    • Hi Cerina,

      When an interviewer asks about your childhood, they want to hear about the extra ordinary occurrences that have contributed to who you are today, your passions, ideals and experience. Talk about the experiences that led to you choosing a certain career path. If for instance you loved taking care of animals from a tender age, and you are applying to a veterinary doctor or you used to tutor your younger cousins and are now looking for a job in teaching, etc. Bring out the experiences you had that are in line with your current job search.

      ^DM

  192. Thanks brighter Monday,you have restored my confidence to face any panel,however i would like to be guided on how to answer this question;
    1.how would you handle your direct reports who dislike you?
    2.Tell us about your first few days in office after induction?

    • Hi Mrengi,
      Thank you for reading our articles.
      To answer your two questions;
      1. How you handle direct reports who dislike you – “First of all, i perfectly understand that my reports are supposed to be my bosses and not my friends. This helps me view our interactions as business and never personal, and to know that their not liking me is not a bad thing particularly. I try as much as possible t do what is expected of me, to avoid further tension in the relationships. I also try to always have the good face, and keep an open mind.
      2. my first days after induction; “My first few days in the office after induction will be filled with discovery and understanding how the business works. I will ask a lot of questions to colleagues and my boss. I will also seek a meeting with my immediate boss to learn how they will evaluate me. at the same time, this is the best tie to identify a mentor and begin creating worthwhile connections within the business and its stakeholders.”

      We hope that helped. Do not hesitate to ask if you still need clarification.

      ^DM

  193. Thanks for your replies, Is selection of the best candidate for the position based on performance in an interview or can also be due to other parameters like Qualification may be over qualified, Salary expectation, etc.

    2. What is most likely to make you miss the shortlist?

    • Hi Cephas,
      Thank you for your reading.
      For one not to be included among the shortlist, may be as a result of the following factors.
      You didn’t seem to know which job you were applying for maybe you had little, or inaccurate information about the job.
      You didn’t do as what was asked of eg you did not include full names, email and tel no of the referees.
      You were trying too hard to impress employers eg including irrelevant details in your cover letter.
      These and some other factors contribute to quit a huge number of job seekers being left out.
      Strictly follow what the employer requests from you, ensure your CV and Cover Letter are well updated, and then send you credentials.
      Feel free to write to us in case you have other questions.

      ^TM

  194. Please may I know how to do an application letter to any Job.am scared to write an application letter because have never got any feedback from the ones that have ever written.
    Amidah.

  195. Thanks for making many of us have courage to face the interview pannel.do you hav cv proffesional writers and if so how much do they charge?

  198. Very informative! Tell us about yourself question to an interviewee can feel ambiguous. Thanks for the third point i.e. ” End with a projection of your next step in your career” to me is a very very helpful reminder. I very much appreciate!

    • You’re welcome Rose.
      We value your support and readership.
      Its our pleasure to ensure you get the best career advice.
      Keep writing to us, we highly appreciate you feedback.

      ^TM

  200. thank you brighter monday for the replies. you have realy helped me in gaining knowledge on answering some interview questions which i had no idea on how to answer.Thanks for the help.

    • Hi Angeline,
      Thank you for reading our articles.
      We endeavor to bring our readers relevant and practical tips.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more enlightening career advice.

      ^TM

  201. I have a question,after you have gone for interviews and then told to wait you will be called and then it takes longer than you expected,it is wise to follow up with an email or a call.Or that employer will think you lack virtues.Kindly enlighten me.

    • Hi Donatta,
      It is advisable to follow up with a potential employer if they do not get back to you in 2 weeks.
      It is even better to quickly send hem an email within 24 hours after the interview, thanking them for their time, reiterating your interest in the position and how much you look forward to their feedback. This way, following up is made easier.

      ^DM

  202. learning from these and planning to review my CV
    and may i ask the difference between a CV and a Resume

    • Hi Susanne,
      Thank you for writing to us.
      The major differences between CVs and resumes are the length, the purpose and the layout. A resume is a brief summary of your skills and experience over one or two pages, a CV is more detailed and can stretch well beyond two pages. The resume will be tailored to each position whereas the CV will stay put and any changes will be in the cover letter. Feel free to write to us if you need further clarification.

      ^TM

    • Hi Lillian,
      When you submit your resume, ensure that you have not included or added information that you are not qualified for or don’t have the experience.
      Here is template that will guide on how to write a cv/cover letter https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/blog/get-acv-template-works/.
      Since you are college graduate its appropriate for you to apply entry level jobs then once your are will versed and obtained enough experience then you can try middle management.

      ^TM

  205. hi. I haven’t worked before other than as an intern last year I have an interview coming up and I have another one I’m doing in writing and I am not confident enough as I feel I don’t have much skills to offer how do I position myself to land a job without much experience to show.thank you

  206. I Think on how one can present him/herself on answering or explaining strength and weakness in panel I would love that you give an example for me to understand it better.

    • Hi Okello,
      Thank you for showing interest and participating.
      We don’t have example’s its just self explanatory so review the points we have highlighted and im sure you will find the answers you need.

      ^TM

    • You’re welcome Linda,
      We would be delighted to have you contribute. join our BrighterMonday Forum here to create or join discussions.

      ^TM

  208. Hello,
    I have an interview coming up but it’s in a different field that I have studied. How do I position my self to suit their need for an ideal candidate.

    • Hi Jack,
      The best thing to do is conduct as much research as you can on the industry you want to go into. Conduct research related to the role you have applied for so that you are able to give relevant answers to the questions that might come up during the interview.
      Also, identify the skills you have learnt in your current industry that might be relevant in the other industry. This will increase your chances of getting the job since you have some skills that can be used to solve their problems.

      Other than that, be confident and knowledgeable on the company you are interviewing with.

      All the best.

      ^DM

    • Hi John,
      Thank you for showing interest to our job site.
      To register with Brighter Monday, Kindly follow the below procedure.
      – using the the URL below:
      https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/ …… click on the sign up tab to create your job seeker account.
      -Once logged in to your account, update your profile by clicking on “My Career Profile” (a complete profile should have a 99% profile completeness percentage)
      – Ensure that you upload a fresh C.V on your profile so that employers can get a chance of viewing it.
      – You can also create job alerts by clicking on the circled icon at the top right corner of the page. Select the ‘My job alerts’ option from the menu that appears on your screen.
      Share you feedback to us John, and if there is any question or point you would want us to clarify don’t hesitate, write to us and we will respond promptly.

      ^TM

  210. hi’ am ronnie fharldine, am asking that how do i answer a question that whats me to explain on my personal life like, what do u do for a living?

    • Hi Ronnie,
      If you are asked what you do for a living you should answer with your current job position. Chances are that you might either be employed or not. If not employed, your interviewers need to know that you are working on something. So, do not shy away from mentioning any income-generating activities that you might be into; maybe a small business, online work, volunteering etc.

      ^DM

  211. Hi
    I love the details , i read somewhere that we dont hire skills but attitude:passion for the job ‘,how do u assess attitude/ passion for the job yet our cv is 50 percent of skills and knowledge.

    • Hi Mark,
      Passion and attitude are assessed during the panel interview sessions. CVs are a representation of a candidate’s skills and qualifications, while interviews are not only used to prove these skills, but to assess their soft qualifications like culture fit, passion, attitude, work ethic etc. The questions asked during interviews can be used to infer the kind of information needed to identify these qualities.

      ^DM

    • Thanks Elizabeth,
      We are glad you are enlightened.
      We hope you implement all that you have learned here.

      ^TM

    • Hi Anthem,
      Thank you for reading our articles.
      We endeavor to bring our readers relevant and practical tips.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more enlightening career advice.

      ^TM

    • Hello Veronica,
      Thanks a lot for your feedback and support.
      We highly appreciate your engagement.

      ^TM

  218. Hello Brighter Monday,

    It would be unfair if I don’t appreciate the carrier tips you’re doing for us. Studying and getting papers is one and linking them to the right job is another thing.

    Have noticed we always fail to get jobs not because we don’t quality but our poor presentation right from C.v up to the Interview.

    Remember, those things are not taught at higher levels.

    Abig thanks.

    • Thank you Didas,
      We appreciate your sentiments and readership.
      Keep sharing them to us, we would love to hear from you again.

      ^TM

  220. Halo good afternoon, I’m Christine asking if you have services of CV/Cover letter improvements
    and writting.

    • Hi Harrison,
      Thank you for writing to us.
      Sorry to disappoint you but we do not offer sponsorship, how ever you can search and inquire from different learning institutions if they offer sponsorship. Brighter Mondays main focus is to help jobs seekers to secure jobs but we also encourage them to further their studies.

      ^TM

        • Hi Harrison,
          Thank you for writing back to us.
          Click here and you will be able to view the latest jobs we have posted under that category which you can then apply. for the job under health record kindly click this category to view jobs that fall under that. Kindly review your account and ensure that your cv and your profile are well updated.

          ^TM

  222. Bravo.This is a wonderful job .It awakens those who had lost hopes of ever being employed.I am now convinced of getting my dream job.

    • Thanks Kelvin.
      You will get that dream job Kevin but for you to get it the process has to start now. You have to step out of the comfort zone utilize all the available opportunities, increase your network also more importantly review your credentials(cv and cover letter) and make sure they well are updated. When you get that call to for go for an interview make sure all you learned here remains at your finger tips. We wish you all the best Kelvin.

      ^TM

  223. Hi Brighter Monday,
    What is normally the best response when asked about availability in case you are successful since most employers need to fill the vacant positions almost immediately.
    Is it in order to give two weeks or one month as required by law.

    Yours Fred Dolo

    • Hi Fredrick,
      Thank you for writing to us.
      While answering this question, there are a few things you should point out in order to convince the hiring manager that you are a good fit for the position.
      -Make sure that you are honest about your availability and divulge any time constraints you have.
      -Try and make it appear as if your schedule is relatively open so that it looks as if you are already committed to the position.
      -If you have time commitments, give a brief explanation about what they are and why they are important.
      -Give the hiring manager information about any time off you will need in the near future.
      Knowing this information will ultimately help the interviewer decide if your schedule will work with what is needed for the position.

      ^TM

  224. Hello. Your assistance is highly appreciated. But have am stuck somewhere. ‘why should we hire you’. How can such a question be tackled?

  225. Hello BrighterMonday.

    Very good advice. I was wondering whether you could cover interview questions for entry level positions and how best to answer given that experience may be limited.
    Regards,
    Natasha M.

    • Hi Linet,

      Just implement the tips you leaned here and you will not experience any trouble in that interview room.

      ^TM

  229. Helllow! Brightermonday!
    I want to say thanks for the confidence and tricks you provide for us.
    May GOD bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Hello Charles,
      Thanks a lot for your readership.
      We are blessed to have supportive readers like you..May God bless you too.

      ^TM

    • Your welcome Erick.
      We appreciate your feedback and we a sure you that there is more installed just keep it here.

      ^TM

  232. thanks brighter monday for the good work you are doing.i have been to several interviews but ihave never qualified for one

    • You’re welcome Linda,
      There could be a number of reasons as to why you never succeeded to getting hired and it is not based on your qualification because they wouldn’t go as far to call you to attend that interview if you didn’t match their criteria. So being nervous or panicking, not answering accordingly ,being over confident are likely the contributors. You should review and detect the possible reason and try your level best not to repeat them.

      ^TM

    • Thank you David.
      Your feedback is highly appreciated.
      Make use of the tips you read here, and they will get you far.

      ^TM

    • You’re welcome Charles.
      We value your support and readership.
      Stay tuned for more enlightening career advice.

      ^TM

  246. I thank brighter Monday for enlighting us, but you have concentrated to the educated person according to your samples of which is good, but what about these individuals who are just a mere staff in the company?

    • Hi liz,
      We are not biased to anyone liz.
      You only need to apply jobs that matches your skills. Just go through jobs we advertise and you will come across one which suites you. The link here shows community/Ngo jobs which we are sure if you search clearly you will be able to find one that suites you.
      Click the links below:
      https://goo.gl/XlhGLE
      https://goo.gl/44wHeH

      ^TM

  248. am so grateful for accessing this important information. I believe it’s going to be more useful to me as I have joined a group of those looking for jobs,thanks a lot brightermonday

    • Thanks for the feedback Wilickster
      You are at the right place, and if you fully utilize our website that is in terms of applying jobs which we advertise daily, then you will exit that group easily . All the best this year and feel free to write to us if you have any questions.

      ^TM

    • Thanks Nicky,
      We are glad you are enlightened.
      We hope you implement what you’ve learned. All the best this year!

      ^TM

        • Thanks ann, now that you are fully aware, it is our hope that you implement all what you read here and if you have any questions for us feel free to write to us.

          ^TM

  250. I have a question, am always going through job posts in this website I apply but I have never not even one called for an interview .what could be the problem? but again am glad coz it can be my c.v perhaps

    • Hi Penny,
      We understand your frustration and one major contributer to all that is your CV as you have said. Read from this article here https://www.brightermonday.co.ke/blog/cv-writing/ to get tips in drafting and also more importantly make sure that the jobs you apply are the ones that you have experience and qualifications for them.

      ^TM

    • You’re welcome Milei
      We hope you implement what you have read but If you need more advice on this feel free to contact us.

      ^TM

  252. I believe this is the best tip i have ever seen. There is one questions i was asked in an interview and i wasnt able to answer thanks to u guys i have been enlightened with your samples questions and answers am ready to face them once more!

    • Thanks Peter,
      We are glad that you are now well equipped.
      From us we wish you all the best and if you need further advice, feel free to write back to us.

      ^TM

  255. thanks alot brighter monday for the higlights of the interview questions and anwers. am sure never to miss out in any interview that comes my way after this.
    thanks and thanks.

    • Hi Hope,

      Great! Practice what you read and put them into consideration whenever you attend an interview. We tell you what, these questions are always repeated and when you tackle them right, you will see lots of opportunities presented to you. ^AN

    • Thanks for the feedback Memusi.
      What should follow next, is for you to implement all what you have learned.

      ^TM

    • Hi Peter,
      Thank you for reading.
      We are glad you have benefited from our website.
      Keep it here and you will benefit more.

      ^TM

  260. Very helpful .This has helped me to correct some errors I made on a previous interview and I feel it has sharpened me on the next interview .Thank you brigthermonday team

    • Hi Joseph,
      Thank you for the feedback.
      We endeavor to bring our readers relevant and practical tips.
      Stay tuned for more enlightening career advice.

      ^TM

    • Thanks Brenda,
      We are glad you are enlightened.
      Keep it Brighter Monday for more insights.

      ^TM

    • You’re welcome stellamaries.
      Please implement what you have read here and come out with a smile..all the best and be blessed.

      ^TM

  272. Your interview tips could not have come at a more better time. I appreciate you for the much needed intervention. Thank you.

  275. I have always loved Brighter Monday. I landed a job thanks to them. This is enlightening especially the first question… Tell us about yourself, this is what gave me a niche over the others

    • Hi Phoebe,
      Congratulations for securing a job through our platform.

      We are very pleased to learn that you have gained so much from our articles. Is it possible that you share tips on your experience of job search with us on our facebook page and encourage someone? Keep it locked for more!

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