Questions to answer during
the interview
If asked questions, always back up an answer with relevant examples or reasons; do not just say “yes” or “no”. Volunteer information, and try to keep answers to no more than one minute long.
Describe your answer with specific examples. What the situation was, what you did about it, and how it added value to the company.
Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions. If you do not understand the question, ask him or her to please repeat it.
Do not answer too quickly.
Always be positive in your interviews. Do not talk negatively about your past or current employers, the prospective employer or their employees.
This will scare the interviewer, and you will leave the client with a negative impression. If there is something you strongly disagree with during the interview, do not raise an objection at that point or disagree immediately. Make sure you understand the situation before being discouraged. Hold it back until after the interview, when you can clarify the issue with your Consultant or with the HR officer. If you are uncertain, ask for another interview to clarify.
When asked about your reasons for leaving a company, it is very important never to blame, criticize or say “promises weren’t kept.” Be prepared to substantiate your reasons for leaving. People often say they want a new challenge. Be prepared to explain your understanding of a challenge. To say that you moved for more money is not a good idea. This will make you sound interested only in the money and not the opportunity.
When clients ask you to talk about your strengths and weaknesses, do not give a personal characteristic as a weakness; rather, make it work related. For example, “My sense of urgency is sometimes interpreted as impatience by others.” Keep all your examples work related. People do judge, although not consciously. Your strengths and weaknesses should reflect what you are like in a business environment.
If you are asked to list your strengths or positive characteristics, it is important to show how this strength will compliment or benefit the work you do or the company you will work for.
Try and use different examples and not the same situation again and again. Going through the Natural Aptitude Planning (NAP) process will help you prepare different examples.
When you are asked by a client to describe who you are as a person, make sure you are careful to stick to your working background and not discuss your personal life. Use what you have learned from your NAP process.
Be alert when you are asked where you see yourself in five years time. This is a dangerous question. If you come across too ambitious, clients will be scared that they might not be able to keep or retain your skills. If you come across too weak or look disinterested, they may think you lack ambition and a sense of urgency.
A good way to answer is to ask what their expectations for the role would be. Alternatively, you can say that you really want to become the best at this particular position in the industry and that you want to learn as much as possible and grow with the company.