| Q1. What did you not like about your last employer? | | | | Effectively the interviewer is therefore asking to list |
| A. OK, so the interviewer has asked you to say | | | | your strengths. Take the time to list your job strengths |
| something negative about your ex-employer. You | | | | and behavioural qualities. Start the sentence in the 3rd |
| need to turn this round so that it makes it sound like | | | | party with......'My references would say....' |
| the negative is in fact a positive! | | | | Any time you are able to reply in the 3rd party it |
| Remember you will not get any credit for complaining | | | | sounds like someone else is endorsing your candidacy |
| or describing a negative situation without adding a | | | | which in effect references do. Everyone will say they |
| positive ending. Here are some examples of what you | | | | will receive good references but if you say this using a |
| should say if you are faced with this question... | | | | 3rd party endorsement then you add greater credibility |
| Start with "Actually there are a lot of good things to | | | | to your statement. |
| say about my ex-employer, however if I needed to | | | | Q8. Why should I hire you? |
| highlight one area...... | | | | A. This is one question which you should have |
| "I used to get a bit annoyed when I noticed | | | | prepared for thoroughly. |
| inefficiencies in the processing workflows and controls. | | | | You need to have a personal pitch of 3 - 4 sentences |
| A number of times I made suggestions as to | | | | pre-prepared. This needs to relate to the job |
| improvements that could be made which would have | | | | description which you need to go through line by line. |
| saved money but the ideas were effectively | | | | Then add in the additional personal qualities that you |
| ignored."or | | | | bring to the role. Apply these to the personal summary |
| "I always tried my utmost to make sure that all | | | | statement. |
| customers were treated fairly and honestly but I | | | | It is always worth using a qualifying phrase such as |
| noticed a malaise creeping in which meant that some | | | | 'colleagues have said of me...I am a great motivator |
| staff didn't always try their best to meet the exacting | | | | team-builder/technician etc.'. It sounds better if there is |
| standards required. I feel this reflected badly on | | | | a 3rd party endorsement. It doesn't sound like you are |
| everyone." | | | | bragging but a colleague is speaking on your behalf. |
| Q2. I see from your resume that you have never | | | | In addition you will need to have relevant examples |
| actually been in this role in any of your previous | | | | which you can offer to expand on. The personal |
| companies. How are you going to manage? | | | | qualities for the role will be attributes such as |
| A. Firstly this is an obvious weakness. Weakness | | | | hard-working, motivating, good communication skills, |
| means risk to an employer and they are looking for | | | | desire to succeed |
| re-assurance that you will adapt to the new | | | | You should end your answer with a statement such |
| environment. | | | | as 'do you think these qualities are what you are |
| Relate your previous experience to similar situations | | | | looking for from a successful candidate?' |
| where you moved departments and had a new role | | | | It plants a seed in the mind of the interviewer that they |
| or were faced with new technology which you had to | | | | are. |
| learn quickly. | | | | If they reply that they were expecting other qualities |
| Turn this into a positive about 'how you are able to | | | | then discuss them and offer examples of how you |
| adapt to changing circumstances and have a flexible | | | | have these and examples of them in action. You need |
| approach. How you pick up new skills quickly. How you | | | | to leave the interviewer in no doubt you have the skills |
| enjoy the challenge of the ever changing technology'. | | | | and can demonstrate this with relevant examples. |
| Try to broaden the answer by saying 'we are all | | | | Q9. Why do you want to leave your current job? |
| faced with a fast moving and changing environment | | | | A. Negative connotation and expectancy that you will |
| which constantly presents new challenges. I have | | | | say something negative about ex-employer or |
| always been able to rise to these and perform | | | | ex-employee. Resist the temptation and keep the |
| effectively despite tight deadlines and little support'. | | | | answer upbeat concentrating on the advantages of |
| Importantly, then go on to list examples of similar | | | | what the new job would offer. You could mention the |
| experiences where you have demonstrated such skills. | | | | increased salary but do not dwell on it, emphasise the |
| This should close the issue in the interviewers mind and | | | | other benefits first. |
| paint a positive picture. | | | | "I enjoy my previous job and as I have demonstrated I |
| Q3. What is your typical working week in hours? | | | | make a solid contribution which is appreciated. |
| A. Whatever it takes to get the job done. However be | | | | However I am looking for more experience, a greater |
| careful not to suggest you work long hours purely | | | | challenge / increased responsibility / more dynamic |
| because you are inefficient. | | | | organisation that this role offers." |
| "I like to think I am and effective and efficient worker | | | | Make sure you have a list of reasons for joining this |
| who gets through a full workload each week. | | | | company. |
| However there are times when I need to work late | | | | You need to reply using one or a combination of the |
| and weekends and this is fine. This is often due to | | | | following five replies: |
| uneven demands on my time. I will put whatever effort | | | | Challenge: You need a new career challenge |
| it takes to complete my role." | | | | Travelling: The commute to work was taking too long |
| Q4. How long would it take for you to start making a | | | | or I was constantly being asked to travel with work |
| real contribution to the organisation? | | | | Career: I had reached the likely top and there was no |
| A. There is no point in blurting out an answer here | | | | room for advancement until someone else above me |
| because the contribution could be anywhere and you | | | | left. |
| could go off in the wrong direction. Bat the question | | | | Money: You feel you were not being paid what you |
| back to get a more precise idea and allow yourself | | | | were worth. |
| some time to think. | | | | Security: The organisation was unstable and my role |
| "In what particular area of my responsibilities did you | | | | may have been at risk. |
| have in mind?" | | | | Q10. Why as an organisation can we offer that is |
| "Of course there will be a short learning curve while I | | | | better than your current employer? |
| get up to speed but in the past I have prided myself on | | | | A. It is asking for a direct comparison between your |
| being a quick learner who can make an effective | | | | current employer and your future employer. |
| contribution in a short space of time. I see this | | | | An interviewer wants to hear that you are a valued |
| opportunity as no different although I accept it will be a | | | | member in your current / previous role. You have |
| challenge." | | | | worked for an organisation that has trained you to a |
| Prepare an example of how you had a similar situation | | | | high level and you have been providing a strong |
| where you had to learn a new skill quickly. | | | | contribution to their skilled workforce. They hope to |
| Q5. What have you learnt most from your past | | | | leverage these skills in their organisation. |
| career? | | | | A typical answer which deals with such a comparison |
| A. A truly open ended question and the opportunity to | | | | should read....... |
| talk positively. But you need to keep your answer at a | | | | 'My current organisation has been a great career |
| high level. | | | | move for me I have learned many new skills eg. x. |
| "I have learnt many things as you can imagine. But one | | | | There is a great team ethic and I feel I have made a |
| point always rings true. Every one needs to be treated | | | | strong contribution to their sales team / office / project |
| with respect, their opinion should be valued and they | | | | team etc. |
| should be encouraged to contribute to the good of the | | | | However I see your organisation and the role on offer |
| organisation." | | | | as a new challenge which can leverage my skills and |
| Q6. What would you most like not to do in this role? | | | | allow me to challenge myself set new goals and |
| A. Dangerous question. The interviewer is probing for | | | | further my career in a way that the current |
| things that you didn't previously like and then they can | | | | organisation perhaps doesn't offer." |
| ask a follow on question about why you didn't like | | | | Of course this answer needs to be tailored to meet |
| them. Beware of this trap. | | | | your particular circumstances. Start by listing what you |
| Turn the question round and give a 'model answer'..... | | | | like about your current organisation and the experience |
| 'In an ideal world.....I would like to avoid any bureaucracy | | | | you have gained. Compare this with the list of skills and |
| or red-tape which can delay decisions. Like anyone I | | | | benefits you expect to find in the new organisation. |
| am always keen for good progress to be made at all | | | | Use this list to tailor your answer. |
| times and everything to run smoothly'. | | | | Stay clear of talking about money. The sub text of this |
| ..........or perhaps you have an example such as this.... | | | | question and so many others like it is the interviewer is |
| 'I would like to avoid the situation in the last role where | | | | asking 'What's in it for me?' |
| we had tight deadlines and 3 of my staff went off on | | | | You should be replying "I am making a contribution and |
| long term sick with the winter flu last year. Although | | | | this is how........." include examples of how you can make |
| we achieved our targets it was only through hard | | | | the contribution, which backs up your claims. |
| effort, team-work and long hours'. | | | | By saying you want to leverage your skills in the new |
| See how these answers portray you in a good light | | | | role and show how you can make a strong |
| and turn a negative into a positive. | | | | contribution is precisely what the interviewer wants to |
| Q7. What would your job references say about you? | | | | hear. |
| A. Try to make sure that any job references have | | | | If you say or even imply the reason for the new job is |
| been sought and written before you go interviewing. | | | | that you are looking for more money or additional |
| This is not always possible but would allow you to | | | | benefits, then this does not imply you are making a |
| repeat their positive comments. | | | | contribution to the new organisation. |
| Where you do have job references then you can say | | | | You are in fact saying this is "what is in it for me" and |
| you have references and they are very | | | | does not address the interviewers needs! |
| complimentary around a number of aspects of your | | | | I hope you learned a lot from this article and it really |
| work. | | | | made you think about your job interview technique. |
| It is not a problem if you don't have references and | | | | There are other articles on a similar topic all for free |
| the question implies that you would probably imagine | | | | on this site. |
| what they would say. | | | | |