Interviews Category

Questions NOT to ask at interview

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Take care to avoid discussing these topics in your interview

  • Don’t ask about salary at the first interview (unless this is raised by the interviewer).
  • Don’t ask about benefits
  • Don’t ask about hours of work
  • Don’t ask anything too personal
  • Don’t ask a question that shows that you really haven’t done your research, such as what regions the company has a presence in?

If you would like more help with interview preparation or a FREE Interview Impact Check-up which will help you evaluate your development needs, call 020 7979 7718 or email enquiries@citycv.co.uk

Posted in Interviews, Questions

List of questions to ask at interview – examples

Monday, June 28th, 2010

  • Why has the position become available?
  • What do you feel I would need to accomplish in this role to be regarded as “excellent”?
  • How do you feel I could add the most value to your team? Where do you feel I will have the most impact?
  • What would I be doing within my first two months?
  • What are some of the qualities that you celebrate in your employees?
  • How do you encourage your employees to develop?
  • What are the team’s / organisation’s goals in the short term and in the future?
  • I understand that your main competitors are x, y and z. What do you feel are your USPs? What gives you the competitive edge?
  • How does this position fit within the overall team structure?
  • How would you describe the work environment / the team?
  • Is there much interaction between different divisions within the firm?
  • What do you feel are the best things about working here?
  • If I am successful today, what are the next steps?
  • Does the business/ team have plans for future expansion?
  • How is the current climate (insert something current and relevant here such as the VAT hike / BP oil spill / public sector redundancies) affecting the strategy of your team/company?
  • How is the current economic climate affecting your clients and how does this impact you?
  • What are the challenges your business is facing at the moment? How does this impact the role?
  • What aspirations do you have for the successful candidate?
  • What are the main objectives of your team / this position?
  • What do you  feel are the key skills essential for success in this role?
  • What obstacles do you forsee in reaching the role’s/team’s objectives?
  • How would you describe the organisational culture?
  • Are you happy that I have covered everything? Can I provide any more detail?

· Why has the position become available?

· What are the main objectives of the position?

· What are the key skills essential to do this role?

· From my answers to the questions today how do you think my skills/experience matches up to your requirement?

· What obstacles are there in reaching the role’s objectives?

· What aspirations do you have for the person you hire?

· Where will the job fit into the team structure?

· What’s the best thing about working at your company?

· Are there any plans for expansion?

· How do you build good relationships within teams?

· How would you describe the company culture

· What will I be doing in the first 3 months?

· Is there anything at this stage that would stop you offering me a second interview / the job?

· Where do you expect me to make the biggest impact?

· Is there any more detail you would like? / Are you happy that I’ve covered everything?

Posted in Interviews

What questions to ask at interview

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Have you ever wondered what to ask at the end of an interview? How to sound intelligent, thoughtful and interested? What should you ask and what does the interviewer want to hear?

An interview is your chance to find out about the company and whether it offers the right fit for you. It is also the opportunity to demonstrate that you have done your homework, researched the company, looked into their market and the environment that they operate in. If you would like to know more about the position, this is your chance to ask.  Focus your questions around areas that show you have a real interest in growing and progressing with the company.

Asking good questions at interview is a perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your intelligence, ability to think strategically and sophistication.  Choose questions which will show you have initiative and highlight your understanding of the role, the industry and your passion for the job.  Ask questions appropriate to the level of the position.  As roles become more senior, questions to ask at interview should become deeper and more complex.

Posted in Interviews, Questions