2. What motivated you to apply for this position?

This question gives you the chance to show what drew you to this specific role and company. Reviewing the job description, key selection criteria and the organisation’s website can help you highlight why you’re excited about this opportunity. Think about how your own goals and interests align with what they’re looking for, and what made this role stand out to you.

Example answer:
“I applied for this role because I’m excited about building my skills in customer service, and I think this job would give me a great chance to do that. I like that your company values helping others, and I’d love to be part of a team that has such a positive impact. I’m also interested in learning more about working in a fast-paced environment, and I think this role would be a great start.”

4. What are your strengths?

Think about three strengths that can really benefit the company and the job you’re applying for. Try to give specific examples from your past work, study, volunteering or even sports teams. Instead of simply mentioning a strength, explain how you demonstrate it in real-life situations. Make sure your strengths match what the employer wants in a candidate.

Example answer:
“One of my strengths is my ability to adapt to new situations. For instance, when I started a part-time job at a café, I had never worked in a busy environment before. I quickly learned how to handle the rush during peak hours and even helped train new staff. I believe this strength would be valuable in your team, especially in a fast-paced setting as I’m comfortable with changes and can think on my feet.”

6. What are you most passionate about?

This question is a great opportunity to share what truly motivates you. Interviewers ask about your passions to understand what drives you and how that aligns with the role and the company. Your answer can reveal a lot about your values and interests, so think about what excites you most, whether it's a specific field, activity or cause. Sharing your passion can help the interviewer see how you might fit into their team and contribute to the company’s mission.

Example answer:
“I'm really passionate about technology and how it can improve people's lives. I love learning about new apps and tools, and I've even created a few simple projects myself. I think this passion for tech can help me contribute to your team's innovative work and find solutions that make a difference."

8. What is one of your greatest achievements?

Here, focus on an achievement that are meaningful to you and relevant to the role. Whether it’s from work, study or a volunteer position, choose an accomplishment that highlights your strengths and values, and shows the unique contributions you could bring to a role.

Example answer:
"One of my most rewarding accomplishments was when I worked as a part-time cashier at a local store. During the holiday season, we had a huge rush of customers, and I was able to help keep things running smoothly. I took the initiative to organise the checkout lines and even trained a new employee on how to use the register. At the end of the season, my manager thanked me for my hard work, and it felt great to know I made a difference in our team during such a busy time.”

10. Why are you leaving your current job?

Employers ask this question to understand your motivations for seeking new opportunities. Whether you are looking for more growth, a change in direction or a better fit, it’s important to keep your answer positive and focused on your career goals.

Example answer:
"I’m currently in a part-time role that’s been a great learning experience, but I’m looking for a position that offers more responsibility and aligns better with my career goals. I’m really excited about the opportunity this role offers for growth and development."

12. Tell me about a time... (Behavioural questions)

Behavioural questions help interviewers understand how you’ve handled different situations in the past, giving them a sense of how you might approach similar scenarios in the future. These questions often start with phrases like “Tell me about a time when…” or “Can you give an example of…” and can cover topics like teamwork, problem-solving, or handling challenges. 

Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help you organise your response effectively and stay focused on the key details. For example, they might ask, “Tell me about a time when you worked under pressure” or “Can you describe a situation where you solved a difficult problem?”

Example Answer:

Situation: "During my part-time job at a local café, we were short-staffed one busy Saturday morning. We had a line of customers waiting, and I noticed that my co-worker was feeling overwhelmed."

Task: "My task was to help serve customers quickly while ensuring they received great service."

Action: "I stepped in to assist my co-worker by taking orders, preparing drinks, and even cleaning tables. I communicated clearly with the team to coordinate our efforts, making sure we didn’t miss any orders.

Result: "As a result, we managed to serve all the customers promptly, and they left happy. The café owner praised us for our teamwork, and we received several positive comments online afterward. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration and staying calm under pressure."

14. What are your salary expectations?

When an interviewer asks about your salary expectations, they want to understand what you think is a fair pay for the role. It’s completely normal to feel unsure about this, especially if you’re applying for an entry-level job. You might not have much experience with salaries, so it’s okay to express that. Consider doing some research on typical pay rates for similar roles to help guide your answer. You can also mention your willingness to discuss it further, as it shows you’re open and flexible.

Example answer:
"I'm not really sure about a specific salary range since this is my first job, but I’ve done some research and entry-level roles in this field typically pay between $X and $Y. I’m really excited about the opportunity to work here and would love to discuss what you think is fair based on my skills and the role’s responsibilities."