Keynotes & Questions

FOR INTERVIEWEES

You are going to meet your prospective employer.  As such you are also representing the Executive Search Consultant who has recommended you (namely Paul Wells Consultants). It is in both of our interests for you to do your best. Be assured of our full support at all times.

Remember, it’s the first 12 feet and the first 12 words that make a lasting impression.

Wear appropriate dress and accessories for the position for which you are being considered.

YOUR AIMS: 

To sell yourself

To evaluate the job, to see if you want it

PREPARATION:

Get to know the job description and the person specification.

Anticipate questions on “if you were faced with this situation, how would you tackle it?”.

Be prepared to quote examples of your achievements to back up claims you make about your attributes.  Prepare “one-liners” to demonstrate what you’ve done.

If it is a “Panel Interview” find out the names of the panel members so that you can refer to them by name when answering their questions.

Prepare questions on matters you need to know about the job; title, overall purpose, tasks, responsibilities, your immediate line manager, your subordinates, the method used for judging your performance.

THE INTERVIEW:

Don’t just answer questions, ask them as well – make it a discussion if you can.

Be positive, reassure, sell your attributes, and quote your achievements.

Don’t be negative and cause doubts – don’t criticise your organisation, your boss or yourself.

Compensate for any weakness that is mentioned by saying “That may be so, BUT…”

For sensitive questions, keep your answer short.

Answer such a question with a question, e.g. “You seem rather young for this job?” by asking, “In what ways do you see my age as presenting problems?”

Alternatively, make a short answer and ask a question about a quite different subject.  Interviewers rarely pursue the matter further.

At the end, ask if the interviewer has any reservations about you handling the job.  You should sum up how you see the position.  Confirm your real interest and enthusiasm and ask what the next step is.  Express thanks.  (Optional) Send the employer a letter straightaway.

You can be sure almost no one else will have been so thoughtful!

24 COMMON QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED AT INTERVIEW:

1.  What are your strong points?
2.  What are your weak points?
3.  If I were to offer you this position, would you take it?
4.  What special training would you need?
5.  What did you learn from your last job?
6.  What do you look for when seeking a new job?
7.  What appeals to you most about this job?
8.  What makes you think you can do this job?
9.  What did you do well in previous jobs?
10.  To be frank, you are too old / inexperienced / overqualified.
11.  What do you know about us?
12.  What were the major problems in your last job?
13.  What weaknesses do you think you may have for this position?
14.  What would you do if this (situation) occurred?
15.  Give example of (ability or skill claimed in your CV).
16.  What is your form of relaxation?
17.  Tell me about yourself.
18.  Why have you left/ do you want to leave your last/current employer?
19.  If asked to carry out instructions you disagreed with, what would you do?  Example?
20.  Which is more important to you – salary or job satisfaction?
21.  What was your last salary?  What are you looking for in terms of salary?
22.  What do people criticise in your boss / organisation / in you?
23.  If we were to talk to your boss, what would he say?
24.  If you joined us, how long could we rely on you to stay?