Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Whether you’re applying for your first job maybe via Jobtown site or aiming for a career move, being ready for common interview questions can make all the difference.
This guide covers 100 top interview questions to help South African job seekers prepare with confidence. Use it to practise, reflect, and walk into your interview ready to impress.
How to : find Jobs after Matric
Why You Need to Prepare for Interview Questions
Hiring managers use interviews to:
- Understand your personality and work ethic
- See how you communicate and solve problems
- Check your qualifications and motivation
By preparing for the top interview questions, you can reduce anxiety and respond clearly and professionally.
Section 1: Common Personal Questions
These questions help employers learn more about you as a person.
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why should we hire you?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Why did you choose this career path?
- What motivates you?
- What do you like to do outside of work?
- How would your friends describe you?
- How do you handle stress?
Section 2: Job-Specific Questions
These test your understanding of the job and the company.
- What do you know about our company?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What attracted you to this role?
- What do you think this job involves?
- Have you done this type of work before?
- What skills do you bring to the position?
- What makes you the best candidate?
- How would you handle a slow day at work?
- How do you manage multiple tasks?
- Are you comfortable working shifts or weekends?
Section 3: Behavioural Questions
These look at how you’ve handled situations in the past.
- Tell me about a time you worked in a team.
- Describe a time you solved a problem.
- Tell me about a mistake you made and what you learned.
- Give an example of when you went the extra mile.
- How do you deal with difficult customers?
- Tell me about a time you met a tight deadline.
- Describe a time you received criticism.
- What’s the toughest decision you’ve made at work?
- Have you ever disagreed with your manager?
- Describe a time you had to learn something quickly.
Section 4: Work Style and Values
These questions assess if you’re a good fit for the company culture.
- Are you a team player or do you prefer working alone?
- How do you stay organised?
- What does good customer service mean to you?
- How do you handle pressure?
- What does success mean to you?
- How do you stay motivated during boring tasks?
- Are you comfortable taking instructions?
- What type of manager do you work best with?
- How do you stay focused at work?
- What values are important to you in a job?
Section 5: Questions for Entry-Level or Matriculants
These are useful if you’re just starting your career.
- Why did you decide not to study further?
- What subjects did you enjoy most in school?
- Tell me about any leadership roles at school.
- Have you done any part-time or volunteer work?
- What did you learn from your school experience?
- How do you plan to grow in your career?
- Are you willing to start at the bottom and learn?
- What do you hope to learn in your first job?
- How do you handle tasks you’ve never done before?
- What excites you about joining the workforce?
Section 6: Teamwork and Communication
Many jobs require teamwork and people skills.
- How do you communicate with teammates?
- Describe a successful team project you worked on.
- What do you do when you disagree with a co-worker?
- How do you handle gossip or conflict at work?
- What makes a good team?
- How do you give feedback to others?
- Are you comfortable speaking up in meetings?
- How do you handle rude customers or clients?
- Have you ever had to help a struggling teammate?
- What do you do when team goals are unclear?
Section 7: Customer Service & Sales
If you’re applying for retail, call centre, or sales roles.
- How would you deal with an angry customer?
- What does great customer service mean to you?
- How do you handle complaints?
- Describe how you’d sell a product to someone.
- How do you make sure customers are satisfied?
- How would you handle a customer who wants a refund?
- Can you upsell or suggest alternatives to clients?
- What do you do if you don’t know the answer to a customer’s question?
- Have you ever received praise from a customer?
- How do you build trust with customers?
Section 8: Problem-Solving and Initiative
These questions show how you think on your feet.
- Describe a time you took initiative.
- What do you do when you don’t understand a task?
- How do you solve problems without supervision?
- Tell me about a time you had to think quickly.
- What’s your process for solving difficult tasks?
- Have you ever fixed something no one else noticed?
- What do you do when things go wrong?
- Do you prefer routine or variety in your work?
- How do you approach learning something new?
- Describe a situation where you used creativity.
Section 9: Questions About Availability and Salary
These are often asked near the end of the interview.
- When can you start?
- Are you available for overtime or weekends?
- What are your salary expectations?
- Are you applying for other jobs?
- How long do you plan to stay in this role?
- Can you relocate or travel if needed?
- Are you currently employed?
- What’s your notice period?
- What are your working hour preferences?
- Do you have any commitments that might affect your work?
Section 10: Questions You Should Ask Them
Always prepare questions to ask at the end of your interview.
- What does a typical day look like in this role?
- What kind of training or support is offered?
- What are the team’s biggest challenges right now?
- How is success measured in this role?
- What is the company culture like?
- Are there opportunities for growth or promotion?
- How does the company support new employees?
- What is the next step in the hiring process?
- Who would I be reporting to?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
Final Tips for Interview Success
- Practise your answers out loud
- Dress neatly and arrive early
- Be honest—don’t pretend to know something you don’t
- Stay calm, focused, and professional
- Always follow up with a thank-you message
