As a resume writer, I know that the resume is only half of the task of getting a job. Nailing interviews is crucial. Do your research and script the replies. Practice them.

Can you tell me about a time where you encountered a business challenge? How did you overcome it?

Behavioural question alert! This is your opportunity to use the CAR method: Context, Action, and Result. Choose an example that demonstrates where you have solved a business challenge using a skill that the employer is looking for. Provide the background, describe what action you took and the professional result you achieved.

What are the most important things you are looking for in your next role?

Start with your skills. Identify a skill that you exceed in and talk about how you are looking for a role that will utilise and further develop that skill. You should also explain your motivations and how this role can help you achieve your long-term goals. Always ensure that your answer is relevant to the company and the role in question.

Why are you leaving your current job?

It’s critical to frame your answer in the positive. Never say anything negative about your current employer, no matter how strongly your feelings for leaving are. Instead, focus on the specific, positive things that a career change brings to the new role, for example, professional development opportunities or the excitement of a new challenge.

What are your salary expectations?

Do your research beforehand. If you come prepared with reasonable salary expectations, you and your employer will know straight away if you are going to feel sufficiently compensated in the role. For more information, read our article ‘When should you start discussing salary in an interview?‘.

Do you have any questions for me?

It’s important to come with a list of pre-prepared interview questions . Some of these might already be answered during the course of the interview, so check these off as you go, to avoid asking the same question twice.

If there are two things worth spending extra time on in advance of the interview, it’s behavioural interview questions and interview questions for the interviewer.

Behavioural interview questions are commonly used by managers to understand a candidate’s previous behaviour, as an indication of what their future behaviour might be like.

While these questions can be tricky to answer, they also offer a great opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Check out the definitive guide to answer behavioural interview questions, which includes some clever acronyms to help you prepare your answers.