• Show genuine interest in the company and role. Do not recite information from their website. 
• Focus on positive reasons for applying.
• Be prepared to discuss your career development and motivations.

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. Here are some top tips:

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
• Highlight your contributions, responsibilities, and achievements.
• Provide varied examples and avoid exaggeration. The interviewer will spot it and will ask further questions.
• Keep your answers structured, focused and relevant.

You should be ready to demonstrate knowledge of current business issues and ongoing affairs affecting the organisation and the sector. Here are some top tips:

• Stay informed about current business issues and industry trends.
• Read newspapers, business news, and sector-specific publications.
• Demonstrate your understanding of high-level issues and their impact on the business.
• Demonstrate a genuine passion for that sector/industry. 

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

Interviewers 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 questions ask you to reflect on the skills you bring, your achievements, disappointments, and areas for development.

Thoroughly reflecting on your experiences will help you prepare. Stay positive, even when discussing negative experiences, and focus on what you learned.

In a case study, you’ll discuss a business problem with the interviewer. Here are some top tips:

• Listen carefully: Pay close attention to the details.
• Make notes: If appropriate, jot down key points.
• Ask questions: Clarify any uncertainties and explain why you’re asking.
• Communicate your thought process: Share your reasoning.
• Avoid assumptions: Base your answers on the information provided.
• Use common sense: Focus on demonstrating a sound approach rather than finding a perfect solution.

These questions assess your problem-solving skills. They might sound like, “How many disposable babies’ nappies are sold in the UK each year?” You can’t predict the topic, but you can apply a common-sense approach:

• Listen carefully: Understand the question fully.
• Think through your approach: Plan your method.
• Use round numbers: Simplify calculations.
• Make sensible assumptions: Base your estimates on logical assumptions.

It’s not about getting an exact answer but demonstrating a logical and analytical approach.

You should never be asked about:

• Religion
• Sexuality
• Political affiliation
• Personal circumstances, including marital status or family plans

If asked, you can decline to answer.