6 TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND HOW TO ANSWER THEM

Why did you leave your last / previous job?

You must prepare a story dealing with the reason for leaving your last company, particularly if it was due to redundancy – and you must clear it with the person who will give the reference form that company. If you are still employed it is equally important to be sure you have thought through your reason for leaving.

Your story must be delivered in your own words and you must be seen as:

·         Comfortable

·         Credible

·         Comprehensive

Remember – keep it concise – rehearse it - tell it, then shut up. Don’t leave room for supplementary probing questions, try to finish your explanation by focusing on the future and bringing it back to the interviewer’s company and the post you are discussing. This way, it is much more likely that the interviewer will pick up the hint and talk about his own company, or the role, having been satisfied with your explanation.

Suggested answer:

“My position was declared redundant at the end of April, which means I am available immediately to take up my next career move. I would like to take a couple of minutes of your time to explain the circumstances leading up to that redundancy, so that you have all the relevant details.

As you may know, my company has been based in northern England for several years, but following the acquisition by ABC Widgets in Belgium last year, there has been a strategic decision to move all manufacturing from Manchester to Antwerp. The entire manufacturing team has unfortunately been a casualty of this relocation. The Belgium parent did offer myself and two other colleagues the opportunity to transfer with the business to Antwerp. I thought about this opportunity very carefully, but after much consultation with my family, decided that the timing was in direct conflict with my two children’s school studies. My wife and I decided that it would not be in their best interest to disrupt their studies by relocating to Belgium.

I have been retained on a consultancy basis since they value my knowledge and expertise of the manufacturing function. However, they have confirmed that I can reactivate my career within the UK and take up any new appointment at very short notice.

That’s why I am talking to you today. I am really keen to secure the Manufacturing Director post here at XYZ Components and believe that my experience and skills are a very close match to your requirements. I can take up the appointment almost immediately and would be confident of making an early contribution in the role.”

How would your previous bosses describe you?

Here is a real opportunity to sell yourself in a positive manner at interview. Stop short of being arrogant or boastful, but take this opportunity for self promotion. 

You ought to know what are the key requirements for the ideal candidate they are seeking and therefore you should pick out those personal qualities, skills and behaviours that you possess which dovetail with their ideal candidate specification. 

Suggested answer:

“In my current company we are actively participating in a 360 degree appraisal process so it is only recently that my boss has had to describe me. His description would be very consistent with previous bosses and I think they would all highlight my high levels of energy and enthusiasm to complete tasks and projects on time. They would describe me as a structured thinker, yet capable of being creative when required. Finally, I think they would undoubtedly point to my proven ability to take the company’s strategy and deliver it effectively through my team.”

Tell me one thing you find stimulating about your present job.

Try to be concise with your answer and not fall into the obvious trap of listing several aspects of your present job that you find stimulating. Select an aspect of direct relevance to the role for which you are being considered. 

Suggested answer:

“There are many things but the single most stimulating aspect for me is the buzz I get when I win new business from a new client.”

What does your husband/wife think about the work that you do?

This question is designed to uncover what level of domestic support or otherwise you enjoy within your working career. Therefore, you must take this opportunity to demonstrate that you have support in your career from your husband/wife/partner.

Suggested answer:

“My spouse has known for some years how important my career and job satisfaction are to me. Therefore as long as I am happy and energized by my work, my spouse feels equally pleased. Both of us work and we each have demanding careers; our support for each other is mutual.”

What are your strengths?

Another self promoting opportunity to demonstrate that you tick several of the required boxes. You need to select genuine strengths that you possess but make sure that they are of direct relevance to the role for which you are being considered. Do not rush this answer and when you explain your strengths, perhaps you would be best advised to name your top three strengths, and after describing the third, ask the interviewer if they would like further examples.

What are your weaknesses?

Beware this question. You are there to promote your strengths, skills and abilities, not to shoot your self in the foot. A fulsome answer to this question would undoubtedly disqualify you as a serious candidate for the post.

Having said that, you cannot give the Superman answer which is: “I don’t have any weaknesses.” Clearly this is not a credible answer, since all of us have some weaknesses somewhere.

We suggest that you do not answer the question immediately and let the interviewer see that you are having to think hard before coming up with your response. When you do respond it is often wise to preface your answer with: “The only one I can bring to mind at the moment is ……………”

Try to select a single possible weakness that would not be damaging to the position being discussed and many candidates will select an aspect of their personality / performance which could equally be interpreted as a strength.

Suggested answer:

“The only one I can bring to mind at the moment is people have said I am a workaholic. This is usually at quitting time, when I am still working hard at my desk, as colleagues leave for home.”

We hope the above tips are thought provoking and helpful to you when preparing for that all important job interview.

Much more help is available to you at www.executive-career-coaching.co.uk where you will discover:

·        Career advice and practical guidance

·        Downloads of tools and techniques that really work

·        An opportunity to enrol on one of our Seminars or Workshops in a city near you

·        Articles to help you set out your CV professionally, create an effective self marketing plan of action or prepare for job interviews