Page 108 - You're Hired! Interview Answers

Although this is not an example of proactive action, it demonstrates a thought-BaSed QueStionS examPLe inteRview anSweRS
willingness to look at a situation and to problem-solve, resulting in more
business that later translated into an overall organisational impact. From this
perspective it demonstrates leadership in creating a new way of doing things
and driving business improvement. It also fits the CaR model:

n Circumstances: the example provides the context of a pre-existing, good
client relationship that has been ongoing for a number of years. It also
provides the reason for the client call.

n action: the example then goes on to illustrate what actions the interviewee
took in terms of trying to meet the client’s needs by exploring possibilities
with other technology suppliers.

n Result: the interviewee was able to provide more sophisticated IT-based
HR solutions.

interviewer: Can you give me an example of a time where
you needed a solution to a problem where no precedent
had been set?

7 Poor answer:

“We had no career break policy at all, and I knew that career breaks are

becoming more popular. I therefore decided that one was needed and drafted
out a broad policy that I presented to the senior management team. They
thought it was a good idea and I therefore set about writing it in more detail. I
put together a proposal outlining the business benefits, as well as outlining a
financial model that would help us to better understand what the cost to the

business was likely to be.”

With a bit more detail, this could be a strong answer. There is evidence of
proactive action, consultation with other people and a structured approach to
introducing the change. The need for change was linked to potential business
need and there was talk of an analytical approach. Were the response fuller
and given in terms of CAR, it would be much stronger.

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