This is a hugely popular interview question and at first glance looks little more than an “ice breaker”. In reality it’s probably one of the more challenging questions asked as it’s not immediately obvious what the interviewer is looking for. What do you focus on – your professional or personal life? How much detail should you give? How long should your answer be?
Losing your job is ranked by experts as one of the most stressful life events that people experience. Being made redundant can knock your self-esteem, strain your personal relationships and of course negatively affect your bank balance and quality of life. To compound matters, just as you’re learning to cope with the aftershock of this trauma, you’re required to be at your personal best to perform well in interviews and convince employers that you are their ideal candidate.
Using the services of an interview coach has become very popular. Employers have become increasingly specific in their requirements and the most attractive companies have rigorous recruitment and selection processes creating a very competitive environment. It’s a very personal service which directly addresses why your interviews are not being turned into job offers and works with you to overcome these obstacles.
This is a very popular interview question and when answered well is a great way to mark you out from other job applicants. Employers are interested in establishing what you know about their company as it helps them determine:
How interested you are in working for the company. Making the wrong decision reflects very poorly on a recruitment manager and they will do everything possible to minimise this risk. By showing a genuine interest in the company, you will position yourself as a credible applicant with a desire to succeed, fit in and develop with the role.
Your commercial awareness. By demonstrating in interview that you have extensively researched the company and have taken the time to understand their positioning in the marketplace, their key business drivers and the commercial pressures they face – you will show your ability to think outside the box and the value added you are bringing to the organisation.
What’s the biggest mistake we make in interviews?
Interviewing for the job we’re in, not the job we’re going for.
The easiest way to avoid falling into this trap is to approach the interview as you would any part of the business – strategically. Look for overlaps between your current role and the desired position, then show you’ve the abilities required to adapt to the higher level of responsibilities demanded.
Areas to look out for:
Stakeholder management:
Strategic input:
Emotional Intelligence:
Hybrid working has placed increasing demands on organisations; changing how we collaborate with colleagues and blurring the boundaries between work and home.
More than ever, employers are placing a premium on emotional intelligence in their selection process to ensure their teams have the inbuilt flexibility required to weather any unexpected storms, yet remain on course.
With this in mind, what are the three top qualities employers look for?
How well do you work under pressure?
Why do employers ask this question?
In a period of economic instability, efficiency becomes a focal point for management and employees are often expected to take on more responsibility and a greater work load. Greater economic uncertainty means that traditional ways of operating are challenged, new ideas and practices are implemented; all of which creates unpredictability in what was previously a stable work environment.
Take Control of Your Future & Unlock Your Full Potential. I work with clients face-to-face and on skype or zoom.
Could you benefit from interview coaching?
Maybe you haven’t interviewed in several years and you’re rusty or you’re already good at interviews but want to get that extra edge to land you the job.
