Page 166 - You're Hired! Interview Answers

tips for self-evaluation, self-disclosure and motivation ques- non-ComPetenCY-BaSed QueStionS knowLedge-BaSed QueStionS
tions

n Recognising some weaknesses or gaps in your portfolio of skills shows
objectivity, but don’t overdo it. If you can, show how you have recognised
this deficit, what you have been doing about it and how it has improved.

n Try to be objective in describing yourself ‘on a good day’ and ‘on a bad
day’, but again, don’t overdo it. Don’t make any of your weaknesses sound
fatal but do show how you manage them. For example ‘I know I can be a
bit of a perfectionist but I have learned to manage this so that I don’t get
hung up on detail any more’.

n Have at least one ‘significant learning experience’ up your sleeve. In other
words, something that went wrong but that has left you a better person
as a result. (In the Civil Service they used to say that no one got to be a
Permanent Secretary without showing that they had survived – and learned
from – at least one major crisis in their career.)

n In the same way, have at least one ‘significant success’ available to be
discussed. Analyse the situation in advance so that you can quickly
describe the part you played in the success; if you can, break this down
into task, thought and people and build your answer using CaR.

You will sometimes be asked about your ambitions or about the progression
you expect to achieve. Your best guide here is to be honest; glib answers stand
out like a sore thumb.

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