You need to demonstrate a genuine interest in the company and the role. Do not recite information from their website. 

Focus on the positive reasons for applying for this job. Do not be negative about former employers or colleagues, but

You may be asked how you see your career developing and what motivates you.

These are the questions with a typical format: Tell me about a time when you have demonstrated xxx skill. 

If you prepare, there should be no surprises with these questions. 

Competency question tips:

• Make sure that you describe what you did positively. 
• Get across your contribution, level of responsibility and achievements. 
• Draw on a variety of examples for different questions. 
• Do not exaggerate. The interviewer will spot it and will ask further questions.
• Keep your answers structured, focused and relevant.

Answer competency questions using the STAR rule:

• Situation. Describe the situation
• Task. Outline your objective/aim
• Action. Detail what you did. Use active language; I managed, organised, resolved 
• Result. Finish with the outcome

You should be ready to demonstrate knowledge of current business issues and ongoing affairs affecting the organisation and the sector. 

To prepare, we recommend:

• Read newspapers and business/finance news to give you a good overview. 
• Read business to business publications for your particular sector.

If you can not find the relevant publication for your industry, email us at bbs-careers@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Recruiters can look for:

• Evidence that you have an opinion on what is going on in your sector.  
• An understanding of high-level issues and the impact on your role, department, company or clients. 
• Awareness of how the business works and fits together.
• A genuine passion for that sector/industry. 

They may expect you to be able to talk about companies performing well or not. 

Preparing for all of this the night before will be hard. Try to include reading as part of your weekly activity.

These are more direct questions about your professional experience, achievements, technical expertise, academic progress and career or academic choices. 

Be prepared to explain something that might be considered unusual. 

Examples could include:

• Low academic grade.
• A change in direction. 

• Unexplained time gaps.

These require you to talk about the skills you can bring, your achievements, disappointments, areas for development etc. 

A thorough reflection of your experiences to date will help you prepare for these questions. 

Try to be positive, even when talking about something negative. Think about what you learned from the experience. 

In a case study, you are given a business problem to discuss with the interviewer. 

Top tips:

• Listen carefully.
• Make notes if appropriate.
• Ask questions and make it clear why you are asking them.
• Communicate your thought process.
• Do not make assumptions.
• Use your common sense. 

It is more about showing a sound approach to solving the problem rather than reaching a perfect solution.

Estimation questions are looking at your problem-solving skills.

Questions sound like this:

“How many disposable babies’ nappies are sold in the UK each year?”

You cannot predict the topic, but you can apply a common-sense approach. 

Listen carefully to the information and think through how you can approach the problem. You may be asked to work it out in your head. Use round numbers and make sensible assumptions.

It is not about getting an exact answer – it is about demonstrating a logical and analytical approach.  

You should never be asked about:

• Religion.
• Sexuality.
• Political affiliation.
• Personal circumstances, including marital status, whether or not you have children or plan to start a family.

If you are asked questions like this, you can decline to answer.