en
Jobs

Our industry specialists will listen to your aspirations and share your story with Belgium’s most prestigious organisations. Together, let’s write the next chapter of your career.

See all jobs
Services

Belgium’s leading employers trust us to deliver fast, efficient hiring solutions that are tailored to their exact requirements. Browse our range of bespoke services and resources

Read more
About Robert Walters Belgium

For us, recruitment is more than just a job. We understand that behind every opportunity is the chance to make a difference to people’s lives

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters Belgium

Learn more

Most common interview questions

Interviews can be nerve-racking, especially if it's for a job you really want. Making a good first impression during a job interview can very well get you the job of your dreams. Although no two job interviews are alike, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will be asked. Preparing well thought out answers that you can deliver with confidence can help you calm your nerves and master the interview process. 

Here are 7 of the most common job interview questions and how to best structure your answers.

Tell me about yourself

This is usually the opening question and first impressions are key. Begin your answer with an overview of your highest qualification then run through the jobs you've held so far in your career. You can follow the same structure of your CV, giving examples of achievements and the skills you've picked up along the way. Don't go into too much detail, your interviewer will ask for you to expand on any areas where they'd like more information.

Look for three key qualities in the job description the employer is looking for  and provide examples of times you have used these strengths at work. 

What are your strengths?

Read the job description again, and pick the three biggest attributes that you think will get you the job and give examples of how you have used these strengths in a work situation. They could be tangible skills, such as proficiency in a particular computer language, or intangible skills such as good people management.

What are your weaknesses?

This question is best handled by picking something that you have made positive steps to redress. For example, if your IT ability is not at the level it could be, state it as a weakness but tell the interviewer about training courses or time spent outside work hours you have used to improve your skills.

Why should we hire you? What can you do for us that other candidates can't?

What makes you special and where do your major strengths lie? You should be able to find out what they are looking for from the job description. "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills and the ability to build long-term customer relationships" is a good opening sentence, which can then lead onto a more specific example of something you have done so far in your career.

What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in five years time?

It's best to talk about both short-term and long-term goals. Talk about the kind of job you'd eventually like to do and the various steps you will need to get there, relating this in some way back to the position you're interviewing for. Show the employer you have ambition, and that you have the determination to make the most of every job you have to get where you want to be.

Why do you want to work here?

The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought. If you've prepared for the interview properly, you should have a good inside knowledge of the company's culture, values, mission statement, development plans and products. Use this information to describe how your goals and ambition matches their company ethos and how you would relish the opportunity to work for them. 

What salary are you seeking?

Find out how much someone with similar skills and experience is worth by using one of the many job market resources available today such as our Salary Survey. Try not to give any specific numbers in the heat of the moment - it could put you in a poor position when negotiating later on. Your interviewer will understand if you don't want to discuss this until you are offered the job. If they have provided a guideline salary with the job description, you could mention this and say it's around the same area you're looking for.

More tips?

Consult our career advice section or download a free copy of our complete interview guide for all our best advice.

Share this article

Related Solutions

Sign up for job alerts
Salary Survey
Career Advice
Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Related content

View all

Interview tips

Preparation is the first essential step towards conducting a successful interview. The better prepared you are, the more confident you'll be. Below we cover pre-interview tips, interview techniques to get you through, how should you close an interview and what to do post the interview. Effectively p

Read More

6 interview questions you should never ask

During a job interview, although the company is assessing whether you will be a good fit for the team, you are also making sure the company and role will suit you and your lifestyle. To gain as much as you need to during your interview, it’s important to have a back pocket of interview questions for

Read More

8 classic interview mistakes

We asked our experts for the classic errors to avoid when it comes to an interview – together with some tips for making sure they don’t happen to you… Not doing your research The biggest mistake all our experts mentioned is going into an interview unprepared. This might mean failing to research the

Read More

I'm Robert Walters Are you?

Come join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.