Page 134 - You're Hired! Interview Answers

interviewer: So how did people respond? PeoPLe-BaSed QueStionS examPLe inteRview anSweRS

7 Poor answer:

“Well, clearly people were concerned; I could see a lot of worried faces around
the office but at least everyone knew where they stood.”

interviewer: did this affect performance?

7 Poor answer:

“I don’t think so; HR did a good job of explaining the timing and that the
process would be fair and transparent.”

interviewer: So how many people did you lose, what was
the reaction of those who stayed?

7 Poor answer:

“We lost five in the end and the four who stayed have reallocated the workload
so that the marketing plan is still pretty much on track.”

At this point the interviewer is likely to give up on trying to get this person
to describe the human elements of the situation. They will conclude that
the person is task focused but is not showing any signs of recognising the
motivational issues or the personal sensitivities of the individuals in the team.
So what does the interviewer actually want to hear in this situation? Some of
the key elements they need to hear in the answer include:

n recognition that people’s feelings and apprehensions matter in this
situation

n recognition that a ‘people’ response has been made to a ‘people’ problem;
for example communicating, talking, understanding, engaging, supporting

n that different options have been considered based on an understanding of
people’s likely reactions and recognising the need to keep the marketing
function running smoothly

n that there is some sign of interpersonal sensitivity, and awareness of how
people will be feeling.

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