Page 113 - You're Hired! Interview Answers

thought-BaSed QueStionS examPLe inteRview anSweRS HR director to implement some change. The consequences of not doing so
could potentially have been a steady stream from our doors to our competitors.
So, to cut a long story short, I did some research into what approaches to
remuneration were commonplace in our industry, what the perceived upsides
and downsides of the different systems were, and with this information worked
with our head of HR and some remuneration specialists to devise a new
scheme. Our most recent staff survey has shown better results in this area,

and our business has continued to grow, despite some difficult trading times.”

The above example demonstrates succinctly the initiation of some change that
had an impact at the organisational level.

n Circumstances: review of staff survey indicated dissatisfaction with
remuneration.

n action: the interviewee then describes, in broad terms, what he did, i.e.
becoming involved and researching approaches to remuneration.

n Result: implementation of a changed process, and staff survey results with
more positive feedback from staff.

More generally, the interviewee has demonstrated awareness of internal issues,
looking outside the business and using that as a basis for driving change within
the business. Overall, the initiative seems to have had a positive impact. More
detail is clearly needed in this answer. For example, there is no detail about
what changes were actually made and how they were introduced. Information
on this would give the interviewer more confidence, as well as providing
subsidiary evidence on task- and people-based issues.

interviewer: tell me about a time where you have used
recent developments in your area to inform your decision
making.

7 Poor answer:

“It’s always important to keep on top of new developments in the field. We

actually have a department that deals with this and I often work in close
collaboration with them to introduce new products and services. For example,
I recently suggested to them that they look at improving our online discussion

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