Top 20 UK Job Interview Questions with Tips and Sample Answers
Kindergarten | Primary | Secondary | AdultPrepare for your next UK job interview with confidence. These 20 common interview questions come with tips and sample answers to help you succeed and practise English along the way.
20 Common UK Job Interview Questions
Below are 20 questions frequently asked in UK job interviews. Read the tips and sample answers carefully, and practise speaking them out loud for fluency and confidence.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Tip: Give a brief overview of your professional experience relevant to the role.
Sample Answer: “I have a background in project management, working five years in tech. I led a team delivering software updates that improved client satisfaction by 15%.”
2. Why do you want to work here?
Tip: Show you’ve researched the company and align your goals with theirs.
Sample Answer: “I admire your company’s innovation and sustainability focus. I’d love to bring my skills in process improvement to help achieve your goals.”
3. What are your strengths?
Tip: Highlight strengths that fit the job.
Sample Answer: “Adaptability is my key strength. I managed several projects simultaneously, adjusting quickly to challenges.”
4. What is your greatest weakness?
Tip: Be honest but show improvement efforts.
Sample Answer: “I can be a perfectionist, slowing me down. I’m learning to balance detail with efficiency.”
5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Tip: Show ambition aligned with the company.
Sample Answer: “I aim to take on a senior project management role, leading larger teams and complex projects, ideally here.”
6. Why did you leave your last job?
Tip: Stay positive, focus on growth.
Sample Answer: “I’m seeking new challenges and opportunities to contribute to larger-scale projects.”
7. Tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation.
Tip: Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Sample Answer: “A supplier delay threatened our project. I arranged an urgent meeting, renegotiated deadlines, sourced an alternative supplier, and we finished on time.”
8. Why should we hire you?
Tip: Emphasize skills and unique qualities.
Sample Answer: “My data analysis experience and project management skills can bring valuable insights and streamline processes.”
9. How do you handle stress and pressure?
Tip: Show calmness and problem-solving ability.
Sample Answer: “I prioritise tasks, break them into manageable parts, and focus on solutions, not problems.”
10. What is your salary expectation?
Tip: Be prepared with a range and flexible.
Sample Answer: “Based on experience and industry standards, £40,000–£45,000, but I’m open to discussion.”
11. How do you prioritise your work?
Tip: Explain organisation and planning methods.
Sample Answer: “I combine urgency and importance to set priorities, ensuring deadlines are met and keeping my team informed.”
12. What motivates you?
Tip: Share drivers aligned with the job.
Sample Answer: “I enjoy challenges that develop new skills and seeing tangible results of my work impacting the business.”
13. How do you handle feedback or criticism?
Tip: Show openness to learning.
Sample Answer: “I view feedback as growth. After improving my communication skills through a course, I enhanced team collaboration.”
14. Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team.
Tip: Focus on collaboration.
Sample Answer: “I coordinated a product launch with a cross-functional team, holding regular meetings and leading communication between marketing and development.”
15. What do you know about our company?
Tip: Research mission, values, and news.
Sample Answer: “Your company is known for a customer-centric approach in UK retail and recent e-commerce expansion.”
16. Tell me about a time you took initiative.
Tip: Show leadership or proactivity.
Sample Answer: “I proposed a new reporting system, automating tasks and reducing time by 20%.”
17. What is your management style?
Tip: Tailor to role and experience.
Sample Answer: “I encourage collaboration and ownership while guiding my team and ensuring open communication.”
18. What was your greatest professional achievement?
Tip: Highlight relevance.
Sample Answer: “Leading a product launch that exceeded sales targets by 25% while coordinating multiple departments.”
19. How do you stay organised?
Tip: Demonstrate practical strategies.
Sample Answer: “I use tools like Trello, regularly review priorities, and track deadlines carefully.”
20. What are you passionate about?
Tip: Align passion with role or company values.
Sample Answer: “Creating meaningful user experiences and simplifying complex problems for users.”p>