So, why not make a grand impression during your first round
of interview?
Interview can be nerve-racking even for a seasoned
professional. The chief aspect of an interview process is to
provide the hiring person an opportunity to see that you have
the required skills and competencies of the role. Interviews
not necessarily involve formal questions. The executives also
like to use behavioural interviewing to weed out candidates
for positions. It is technically a new method of job screening.
It might sound interesting but this is one of the toughest parts
a candidate confronts.
Behavioural questions replace the typical traditional method
of interviewing a candidate such as what are your strengths?
Tell me about yourself or what is your passion? Well, these
questions can be answered with a vague reply filled with the
right buzz words. Managements eventually discovered that
these types of questions do not reveal whether the candidate
has the required skill set to succeed in the job. Rather, these
questions reveal that the candidate is good at telling his
manager what they want to hear.
So next time when you prepare for your interview do not
forget about the tricky behavioural questions. Here are a few
examples of such interactive questions and the best possible
responses.
Question: Supposedly, you had confronted a problem in
your last job, how did you resolve it?
This is the right opportunity to show your problem solving
skills and critical thinking. It is best to demonstrate a problem
that you had tackled and that will be applicable in your new
job.
Answer: My department was showing a stagnant sales cycle.
I immediately brought the issue to the attention of my
manager with a list of solutions.
"I was given the authorization to implement my suggestion.
As a result, within a span of time, the department was able to
see an increase in the annual sale by 5% without incurring any
additional costs. I firmly believe this is a crucial problem-
solving experience you aim to bring to your team".
Question: Tell me about the most stressful situation you
had faced earlier:
Answer: this question assesses your coping skills. Try to
exhibit the positive behavioural competencies such as
decision-making, conflict resolution or even conceptual
thinking. You can always control your responses and say;
"I was managing the design and implementation of a new
website project. Initially, the project had all the key players
involved. Gradually, the major decision makers started
disagreeing about the goals and objectives of the project.
However, I stayed calm and immediately designed a strategy
involving key people who would offer an insight and new
perspectives. The project instantly got a backup and in the
end we were able to meet the deadlines".
Question: What did you like best and least about your
previous job?
Answer: this is one of the trickiest questions that can reveal a
lot about you. Don't be negative while talking about what you
like the least. Keep it brief. Instead highlight the things you
like the best that will appeal to the hiring manager.
The best response can be "I thoroughly enjoyed leading my
team and motivating the group to work together towards
achieving the desired goal. However, I am looking forward
for a change that will offer greater responsibilities and
challenges.
Question: When were you most satisfied in your job?
Answer: your answer will reflect what actually motivates
you. Therefore, your answer should make the interviewer gain
some insight about your personality.
"I was quite satisfied with my previous job because I worked
directly with the client and their problems. This was an
important part of my job. However, as there is no limit to a
satisfaction level I keep chasing for the same with greater
responsibilities.
Question: Why do you want to work and here and why
would we hire you?
Answer: this is a great opportunity to sell and make the hiring
person realize that you have a goal in life and are not sending
resume just because there is an opening.
"I have selected some of the key companies whose mission
statement is in line with me. Your company is one of them
and is high on my list of desirable choices. Moreover, with
my five years of work experience I am confident about
making a difference in your company".
The secret is to use all your life experiences as examples for
your answers.
Via: Corbis Images
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