Why do you want to change employer and join our organization and what as an organization can we offer that is better than your current employer?
This questions requires a direct comparison between the past and current employer. Of course it is subject to opinion. You need to spell out your skills and attributes which you can bring to the new role and how you will leverage these skills for your new employer. Explain what you have learned and what you believe will be a great attribute to the role you are applying for. they are looking for employees who are assets to their workforce, not just someone who is average. you need to prove this.
Typically your reply will be…. ‘I am delighted with what I have learned in my current role. I have gained great experience in using ‘x’ and ‘y’. Use examples. I am delighted with my current employer and believe that this role has allowed my to enhance my career prospects by nurturing my skills and teaching me new things which I previously did not know or have detailed experience of.
Your company offers me a great opportunity to use the skills I have learned and build on these for the benefit of myself and the organization. I will be able to challenge myself further and produce even higher results. ” Tailor the reply to meet the particular characteristics of the role. List the positive points of the role and the experience you have gained. from it. Go on to make a comparison on what you can expect to achieve from the new role. Lastly avoid mentioning money or financial gain. One of the underlying subterfuges is the interviewer is asking ‘What’s the benefits for me?’
Include plenty of examples of the contribution you currently make and the skills you have. Use these to back up your claim. Leveraging your skills is exactly what the interviewer wants to hear. Address the wants and desires of the interviewer not of yourself for maximum effect.
The negative questions are the worst possible questions for an interviewee. How about this second question and how would you tackle it? What would you most like not to do in this role?
A nasty question. The interviewer probes for negatives and then pounces to delve deeper. It can be unsettling. Beware of this trap. Continuous negative questioning sets a negative mood and harm your chances of interview success.
Quickly turn the question round in your favour and give a ’slick positive answer’, which oozes positivity. ….’Ideally…..I would avoid any bureaucracy or needless procedures which are worthless and delay productive decision making. I like others am always keen for progress to be made at all times and moving forward’.
‘In my last role we always had tight deadlines and 3 of my staff went off sick last year. Although we met our targets it was through hard work, team-work and late nights’. See how these answers show you in a good light and turn things positive sounding. Always prepare an answer otherwise you could see yourself stuttering!
Another key point is that the length of the answer is sufficient to give the interviewer enough information. If the answer is too brief the interviewer will feel that you have avoided the answer. If the answer is too long then you are spending too long discussing something that is potentially negative. A second important point is that anyone who talks too much in an answer can be perceived as lying. Of course that would only apply to a question where you have something to hide.
What personal qualities or attributes will you bring to the role or job and ……..Why should I hire you? (is the same question just phrased differently).
This is where you need to have a personal pitch of 2 -3 sentences prepared. This needs to relate to the job description. Go through the qualities listed line by line. Then add in the additional personal qualities that you bring to the role. It is always worth using a qualifying phrase such as ‘colleagues have said of me…I am a great motivator/team builder/technician etc.’. It sounds better if there is a 3rd party endorsement. It doesn’t sound like you are bragging but a colleague is speaking on your behalf. In addition you will need to have relevant examples which you can offer to expand on. The personal qualities for the role will be attributes such as hard-working, motivating, good communication skills, desire to succeed You should end your answer with a statement such as ‘ do you think these qualities are what you are looking for from a successful candidate?’. It plants a seed in the mind of the interviewer that they are.
If they reply that they were expecting other qualities then discuss them and offer examples of how you have these and examples of these in action. You need to leave the interviewer in no doubt you have the skills and can demonstrate this with examples.
A job interview often comes down to the job interviewer probing for weaknesses. Here is a question often posed that needs rehearsing before the interview…..”I see from your resume that you have never actually been in this role in any of your previous companies. How are you going to manage?”
Firstly this is an obvious weakness. Weakness means risk to an employer and they are looking for re-assurance that you will adapt to the new environment. Relate your previous experience to similar situations where you moved departments and had a new role or were faced with new technology which you had to learn quickly.
Turn this into a positive about ‘how you are able to adapt to changing circumstances and have a flexible approach. How you pick up new skills quickly. How you enjoy the challenge of the ever changing technology’.
Try to broaden the answer by saying ‘we are all faced with a fast moving and changing environment which constantly presents new challenges. I have always been able to rise to these and perform effectively despite limited product knowledge, tight deadlines, little support etc’. Importantly, then go on to list examples of similar experiences where you have demonstrated such skills. This should close the issue in the interviewers mind and paint a positive picture. Remember you would not have an interview if the interviewer truly thought you could not do the job!
Final question is what do you think the company expects from you in terms of responsibilities?
The interviewer is looking for an answer which includes personal skills such as hard work, enthusiasm, professionalism, passion, honesty. Additionally you can express your enthusiasm for the companies products and services and comment on how you see your responsibilities as adding value or increasing sales/profits/turnover. Of course your answer will need to be tailored to the situation.
Again, close your answer asking the interviewer if that was what they were expecting or you as the main responsibilities.
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