Practise answers to the questions most interviews cover, then add the ones for your sector. Write short notes for each answer. Your notes stay on this device only; nothing is sent to us.
Questions almost everyone is asked
Tell us about yourself.
Tip: Name, your trade, how many years you have worked and the kind of places you have worked. Keep it under a minute.
Why do you want this job?
Tip: Talk about the work itself and what you can offer, not only about pay.
What did you do in your last job?
Tip: Name the main duties, then give one real example of something you did well.
Tell us about a problem you solved, or a mistake you learned from.
Tip: Say what happened, what you did and what changed afterwards. Honest and short is best.
Are you willing to work shifts, in hard conditions, or away from your family?
Tip: Answer honestly. Do not promise something you cannot keep, because the contract and the work will test it.
What would you do if you did not understand an instruction?
Tip: Ask politely and repeat it back in your own words to check you understood.
When can you start?
Tip: Check your notice period and your passport and visa timing before you answer.
Do you have any questions for us?
Tip: Ask about the main duties, hours and rest days, housing and who you report to. Settle pay and terms in writing.
Construction
What kind of sites have you worked on, and what was your part?
Tip: Name the type of building or work, the size of the team and your role in it.
Which tools and equipment can you use safely?
Tip: List them honestly. Say which ones you have training or a licence for.
How do you keep yourself and others safe on site?
Tip: Give a real example: protective equipment, checking equipment, reporting a hazard.
How do you read a drawing or follow a measurement?
Tip: Explain how you check measurements twice before you cut, build or fix.
How do you work with a team when the deadline is close?
Tip: Show that you communicate, help others and still do the work carefully.
Hospitality
What kind of place have you worked in, and what did you do each day?
Tip: Hotel, restaurant or other; the number of guests; your tasks from start to end of a shift.
How would you deal with a guest who is unhappy?
Tip: Listen, stay calm, say sorry for the problem, and tell them what you will do next.
How do you keep your work area clean and safe?
Tip: Mention washing hands, clean surfaces, food or room standards you have followed.
What languages do you speak, and how well?
Tip: Be honest about your level. You may be asked to speak in the interview.
How do you manage during a very busy shift?
Tip: Explain how you prioritise, ask for help and stay polite under pressure.
Healthcare support
What kind of care or support work have you done?
Tip: The setting, the people you supported and your daily tasks, without giving private details about any person.
How do you keep personal information about the people you care for private?
Tip: Say that you do not share personal details and that you follow the rules of the place you work.
How do you keep the place and yourself clean to prevent infection?
Tip: Hand washing, gloves, cleaning routines you have followed.
What would you do if someone you are looking after becomes unwell?
Tip: Stay with them, call the right person at once and report exactly what you saw.
How do you treat people who are scared or in pain?
Tip: Patience, a calm voice, listening, and respect for their wishes.
Facility management
What buildings or facilities have you looked after, and which tasks did you do?
Tip: Cleaning, maintenance, repairs or checks; the type and size of the building.
How do you decide what to fix first when several things go wrong?
Tip: Safety first, then what affects the most people, then the rest. Say who you tell.
What basic repairs and checks can you do yourself?
Tip: Be specific and honest. Say what you would pass to a specialist.
How do you record your work?
Tip: Checklists, logbooks or reports. Show that you keep a clear record of what you did.
How do you handle chemicals, equipment or machines safely?
Tip: Labels, protective equipment, storage and asking when you are not sure.
Security
What kind of places have you guarded or patrolled, and for how long?
Tip: The type of site, your shift pattern and what you were responsible for.
What would you do if you saw something suspicious?
Tip: Stay calm, do not put yourself in danger, report to the right person and write it down.
How do you stay alert during a long night shift?
Tip: Routines, patrol rounds and checks. Show that you take the shift seriously.
How do you speak to a visitor who does not follow the rules?
Tip: Polite, firm and clear. Explain the rule and call your supervisor if needed.
What training or licences do you have?
Tip: Name them and the year. Do not claim a licence you do not hold; it can be checked.
Specialised trades
What is your trade, and how did you learn it?
Tip: Training, apprenticeship or years of work, with certificates where you have them.
Describe a recent job from start to finish.
Tip: What the job was, how you planned it, the tools you used and how you checked the result.
How do you check the quality of your work?
Tip: Measuring, testing, comparing with the plan, and fixing anything that is not right.
What do you do if a tool or material is not what you expected?
Tip: Stop, check, tell your supervisor and do not guess when safety is involved.
What safety rules matter most in your trade?
Tip: Give two or three real rules and say how you follow them.
Warehousing and logistics
What kind of warehouse or delivery work have you done?
Tip: The type of goods, the size of the place and your tasks: receiving, picking, packing, loading, driving.
What equipment can you use, such as forklifts or hand trucks?
Tip: Say which ones, and which ones you have a licence or training for.
How do you make sure the right item goes to the right place?
Tip: Checking labels and counts twice, and writing down any difference.
How do you lift and move heavy things safely?
Tip: Correct lifting, asking for help, using equipment, and keeping walkways clear.
How do you handle a mistake in an order or a delivery?
Tip: Tell your supervisor at once, record it, and help fix it quickly.
Check each answer
Is it short, less than a minute?
Does it include one real example?
Is every word of it true?
Could you say it calmly, out loud, in simple sentences?
These are practice prompts, not a prediction of what any employer will ask. Read our guide on preparing for an overseas job interview, and ask your specialist what to expect for your role. Read the interview guide →
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