Year one analyst

1. How will you be an asset to this organisation?

This isn't about whether or not you're qualified to undertake the work – it's about how you'll fit in with the company's culture and what added value you'll bring beyond being a competent colleague.

A good answer involves an element of tooting your own horn. That can make some people feel uncomfortable, but remember that the other candidates will be doing it too, and who's going to shout about your best qualities if you don't? Think about what you do that makes you different. Are you a social butterfly who loves arranging fun things to do? A quirky thinker who brings ideas nobody else has considered? Or someone who can think fast under the most stressful situations? Now's the time to let them know.

2. Why should I hire you?

The interviewer wants to know how you will do the job better, quicker and faster than any other candidate. Out of 10 people equally qualified, what gives you the edge?

Read the job description and work out what problem the company is addressing by hiring for the role, then think about the skills and experience you have that prove you're the best person to help them solve it. Bring real examples from your career to date, demonstrate the soft skills you'll use to your advantage, and outline how you'd approach scenarios or tasks listed in the job advert.

3. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

This is to get an idea of your ambitions and your drive. Your answer needs to be realistic, and it should also reflect something you can do within the company – so if it's UK-based with no plans to globalise, don't say "I'd love to be living overseas!"

Good ideas to get you started are:

I'd like to be leading a small team.
I want to be taking the lead on major projects.
I hope to be known as the go-to person for my specialism (whatever that may be)
4. Can you explain these gaps in your CV?

They're quite common, but sometimes gaps in a CV can be seen as a red flag. Whether it's a gap year, a sabbatical or just bad luck, if you have a big gap there's a high chance you'll be asked about it so the interviewer can find out how reliable you are as an employee.

The key is to be open, honest and natural with your answer. Talk about the reason behind your career break, what you did with the time and what you learned during it. The most important thing is to show that you made careful decisions and planned ahead, so they trust you won't suddenly decide to swan off to Thailand for six months on a whim.

5. What makes you different from other candidates?

The interviewer wants to hear about how your unique skills, strengths and experiences will make you the best person from the role. Remember, they're looking at you in the context of the role you've applied for, so keep it relevant.

Put yourself in a position of strength by correlating your skills to the job you're applying for, what the company does or the wider industry. Before prepping your answer, learn as much you can by studying the job description and the company's website. If they're planning to open an office in Paris, now is a good time to big up your qualification in French.

How to answer competency-based interview questions
Competency-based interview questions draw on real-life scenarios to find out more about your knowledge, skill set and workplace behaviour. They usually start with "tell us about a time when..." or "tell us about a situation when..." followed by a scenario relevant to the job you're applying for.