Interview Questions #2
Last Sunday I shared my HR and hiring manager knowledge in interview situations.
Even if some of you are not employees, you can use many of the ideas as a freelancer. For example, “Tell something about yourself.” As soon as you have to present a pitch, ask yourself: what do I tell, what don't I tell, and in which detail? In today's post, the second part of typical interview questions, there are undoubtedly inspiring questions for freelancers, too.
No matter in which setting you have to convince sponsors, be prepared!
Why do you want to change your career?
How often do you want to change careers because you are fed up with what you have done over the last few years? So it seems obvious to answer, 'I want to experience something else.' Well….When I hear this answer, I often think: Go to the zoo, where you experience seeing something different. Please be more creative ;-)
Highlight your motivation:
Emphasize your passion for the new field and the specific exciting aspects.
Discuss how the new career aligns better with your long-term interests and goals.
Address growth and learning:
Mention your desire for personal and professional development.
Explain how the new career offers opportunities for growth, learning, and skill development that your current or previous field may not have provided.
Connect transferable skills:
Highlight the skills and experiences from your current or previous career that are transferable and valuable in the new field.
Show how your existing skills make you a unique and well-rounded candidate for the new role.
Express alignment with values:
Discuss how the values and culture of the new industry or company resonate with you.
Explain how the change is a natural progression in your career based on your evolving values and interests.
Avoid negative comments:
Refrain from speaking negatively about your current or previous career or employer.
Focus on what you are moving towards rather than what you are moving away from.
Research and knowledge:
Please demonstrate that you have thoroughly researched and clearly understand the new career.
Reference specific aspects of the new field that appeal to you.
Tailor your answer:
Customize your response based on the specific requirements and characteristics of the job you're interviewing for.
Align your reasons with how they make you a better fit for the position.
Practice beforehand:
Rehearse your response to ensure clarity and confidence during the interview.
Seek feedback from a friend or mentor to refine your answer.
I recommend …
"I am excited about transitioning to [new career] because I've always been passionate about [specific aspect]. My previous role has equipped me with strong skills in [relevant skills], and I see this change as a natural progression in my career. I am eager to embrace new challenges, contribute my [transferable skills], and further develop in a field that aligns more closely with my long-term goals. I am drawn to [specific aspects of the new industry] and believe that my background in [current or previous career] uniquely positions me to bring a fresh perspective to this role."
Why do you want to work with us?
“I need a job that pays my bills.” This is true. And honest. And sometimes I would like to hear something like that because this is why people work. But could you stand an 8-6 job just for the salary with tasks that bore you and in a toxic working environment? I assume only for a short time. And this is the problem: Companies must employ staff for at least two years to make it worthwhile. The hiring process, onboarding, and work materials are expenditures. And ultimately, even NGOs make money from their employees.
So, it's essential to tailor your answer to reflect your genuine interest in the company and demonstrate that you've done your research. Here are some tips on how to structure your response:
Research the company:
Understand the company's values, mission, products, or services.
Learn about the company culture and any recent achievements or initiatives.
Show enthusiasm:
Express genuine excitement about the opportunity to work for the company.
Highlight specific aspects that appeal to you, such as its industry reputation, innovative projects, or company values.
Align your skills and goals:
Connect your skills, experience, and career goals with what the company seeks.
Explain how your background makes you a good fit for the position and how the company aligns with your long-term objectives.
Emphasize mutual benefit:
Communicate how your contributions can benefit the company and contribute to its success.
Mention how you see the role as an opportunity for professional growth and development.
Give specific examples:
Provide concrete examples of projects, achievements, or experiences that demonstrate your skills and make you a valuable asset to the company.
Express admiration:
Compliment the company on impressive achievements, products, or initiatives.
Show that you've taken the time to understand and appreciate their work.
I recommend …..
"I am excited about the prospect of working with your company because of its strong commitment to innovation and impressive track record in [specific industry/sector]. Your recent [mention of a recent project or achievement] caught my attention, and I believe my skills in [relevant skills] align well with the needs of the [specific role]. I am eager to contribute my [mention specific skills or experiences] to help drive success in your team. Additionally, I value your company's collaborative and dynamic culture, and I see this as an excellent environment for my professional growth."
When was the last time you f***ed something up?
‘What?'. Who would ask such a question with precisely these words? I was asked that question in an interview. And I f***ed it up—the interview. Because I was brutally honest, I won't repeat this story here. I should have answered more strategically and told the interviewer a nice story, collecting sympathy points and listing everything I learned to be a better person. And this is what recruiters are looking for: Your ability to learn from experiences, take responsibility, and handle challenges.
Be honest, but not too honest and transparent:
Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes, and it's a natural part of professional growth.
Be honest about a specific situation where you encountered difficulties or made an error.
Choose a relevant example:
Pick an example relevant to the job or demonstrates a skill set necessary for the role.
The mistake doesn't have to be significant but should provide a meaningful learning experience.
Take responsibility:
Clearly state your role in the mistake and take ownership of your actions.
Avoid blaming others or external factors. Instead, focus on what you learned and how you improved.
Highlight the learning experience:
Discuss the steps you took to rectify the situation and the lessons you gained from the experience.
Emphasize how the mistake contributed to your personal and professional development.
Show growth and improvement:
Share how you've implemented changes or developed new strategies to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
Discuss any training, courses, or feedback you sought to enhance your skills.
I recommend ….
"In my previous role, there was a project where I underestimated the timeline needed to complete a task, resulting in a delay for the entire team. I take full responsibility for the oversight. I immediately communicated with my team about the situation, explained the reasons behind the delay, and worked with them to find solutions to expedite the process. After that experience, I implemented a more detailed project planning approach, breaking tasks into smaller milestones and regularly checking progress. This allowed me to manage timelines better and significantly improved project efficiency. I learned the importance of thorough planning and effective communication in preventing such issues."
There is a gap in your resume. Please explain.
This is not a question; this is a command. It also shows the corporate culture in which busy bees are always expected to work. If this request is not a red flag for you, then I would continue the interview. But don't answer like that: “Oh, it was the best time of my life. I was partying till 8 in the morning, worked in a bakery for a few weeks to earn some money to travel around Australia, where I worked on a weed plantation.” This is a lovely first sentence in a coming-of-age novel, but please don't tell this in an interview because this would destroy the manager's idea of a loyal, hard-working, and dedicated employee.
You can respond effectively by considering the following six steps:
Be honest:
Acknowledge the gap in your resume honestly. It's better to be upfront about it rather than trying to conceal or provide misleading information.
Explain the reason:
Provide a brief and straightforward explanation for the gap. Be clear about the circumstances, whether it was due to personal reasons, further education, or travel.
Highlight positive activities:
If the gap was due to personal or non-professional reasons, you can mention any activities or skills you developed during that time. This could include freelance work, volunteering, courses, or relevant projects.
Emphasize professional development:
If the gap was for professional development, such as pursuing further education or training, highlight how it has enhanced your skills and made you a stronger candidate for the position.
Connect to the job:
Tie your explanation back to the job you're interviewing for. Explain how the experiences during the gap have prepared you for this role and how you are eager to apply those skills.
Show your commitment:
Assure the interviewer that you are fully committed to returning to the workforce and that the gap will not impact your dedication to the job.
I recommend …..
"I appreciate you bringing up the gap in my resume. During that period, I [briefly explain the reason for the gap, e.g., took time off for personal reasons/pursued further education]. While not formally employed, I remained actively engaged by [mention any relevant activities, such as freelancing, volunteering, or skill development]. These experiences have allowed me to [highlight skills or knowledge gained] that I believe will contribute positively to this role. I am fully committed to re-entering the workforce and excited to bring my skills and experiences to [company name]."
This was the second part of the interview questions. Interviews are never a walk in the park. Therefore I could support you in how to be better prepared. If you are interested in other aspects of changing your careers, please comment or write a direct message to me.
What was your worst interview questionn? Share your experience!
Stay tuned for the next post. I will talk about cheating in the application process.