15 Common Interview Questions in Kenya and How to Answer Them

Most interviews in Kenya, whether at a bank, an NGO, a county government or a start-up, use a familiar set of questions. If you prepare answers to these in advance, you will walk in calmer and answer more clearly. Below are fifteen of the most common, what the panel wants to hear, and how to approach each one.

A simple method for answering: STAR

For any question that asks for an example ("Tell us about a time when…"), use the STAR structure:

• Situation: set the scene briefly.
• Task: what you needed to do.
• Action: what you did (not the team).
• Result: what happened, with numbers if possible.

Prepare four or five real stories from work, attachment, volunteering or school. Most behavioural questions can be answered with one of them.

1. "Tell us about yourself."

This is not a request for your life story. Give a two-minute summary: your current role or studies, your most relevant experience, one achievement, and why you are interested in this job. Finish on the job, not your past.

2. "What do you know about our organisation?"

Read the website, the latest annual report or strategic plan, and recent news. Mention something specific, such as a new product, a project in a particular county, or the organisation's mandate. For government bodies, know their mandate as set out in law.

3. "Why do you want this job?"

Connect the job to your skills and goals. Be specific about what attracts you to the role and the organisation. Avoid answers that are only about salary or job security.

4. "Why should we hire you?"

Pick the two or three requirements in the advert that matter most and show, with evidence, how you meet them. This is your closing argument.

5. "What are your strengths?"

Choose strengths that matter for the role and back each with a quick example. "I am good with numbers: during my attachment I reconciled the petty cash records for six months and found a recurring error of KSh 12,000."

6. "What is your greatest weakness?"

Pick a real but manageable weakness and explain what you are doing about it. Avoid disguised boasts like "I work too hard". Panels have heard it many times.

7. "Tell us about a challenge you faced and how you handled it."

Use STAR. Focus on your actions and what you learnt.

8. "Describe a time you worked in a team."

Show that you can cooperate, share credit and handle disagreement calmly.

9. "How do you handle pressure or tight deadlines?"

Give a concrete example of how you planned, prioritised and delivered.

10. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Show ambition that fits the organisation: growing in the field, taking on more responsibility, adding qualifications. Do not say you plan to leave for something unrelated.

11. "Why are you leaving your current job?"

Stay positive. Talk about growth, new challenges or a better fit. Never criticise your current or former employer, however bad things were.

12. "What are your salary expectations?"

Research the market first and give a realistic range. We cover this in detail in how to answer "What are your salary expectations?".

13. "How would you handle a difficult customer or colleague?"

Show that you listen, stay calm, find the real problem and escalate when appropriate.

14. Technical or role-specific questions

An accountant may be asked about IFRS or tax deadlines, a nurse about clinical procedures, a developer to solve a problem on a whiteboard. Re-read the job description and revise the core knowledge it lists.

15. "Do you have any questions for us?"

Always ask one or two. Good options: "What would success look like in the first six months?", "How is performance reviewed?", or "What are the next steps in the process?"

Panel interviews in the public sector

Government, county and state corporation interviews are usually conducted by a panel of three to seven people, and each panel member may score you separately. Address the whole panel, not just the person who asked the question. You may be asked about the Constitution, values and principles of public service, or the mandate of the institution. Bring your original certificates and clearances; the panel often checks them on the day.

Online and phone interviews

• Use a laptop if possible, with the camera at eye level.
• Choose a quiet room with light in front of you, not behind.
• Have a charged phone with data ready as a backup in case the internet or power fails.
• Keep your CV and notes nearby, but do not read from them.
• Look at the camera when you speak, and pause slightly longer before answering in case of delays.

Practical tips for interview day

• Arrive 15 minutes early. For online interviews, test your connection, camera and microphone beforehand and find a quiet room.
• Carry original certificates, your ID and copies of documents listed in the invitation letter.
• Dress one level smarter than the everyday dress of the workplace.
• Switch off your phone.
• Send a short thank-you email the same day.

Never pay for an interview

A genuine employer will not ask you to pay for an interview, a test, a medical check or a "booking fee". If you are asked for money, stop and read our warning signs of a fake job advert.

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