Behavioural Interview Questions - Consider The Employers Perspective

Congratulations you have made it

It's really a big achievement to make it through the hordes of people by getting to the interview phase. The celebration is however over quickly. Now you've got a new hurdle to get over, the job interview. Often, people who make it through the resume phase are horribly unprepared when it comes to answering interview questions. I feel it's because the majority of people don't answer questions from the perspective of the employers.

Precisely what does "perspective of the employers" mean?

Employers are only after one thing when they are looking to hire, solving their problem. The problem could be as simple as a vacant position or as complex as a multinational project that's gone off the rails. Either way employers have a problem, and they hope you can fix it.

Fix the problem

In the job interview your aim should be to answer all questions with the intention of fixing the employers problem. Here are a few ways you can answer some of the most common interview questions with the employers perspective in mind.

What do you know about the job?

The employer wants to see if you've done any basic research at all, you'd be surprised at the number of people who don't. With the expanse of free information available there is no excuse for not knowing what the company does. Right after you answer, go one better than just understanding what the company does, talk about how your skills can help with company objectives.

Tell me about yourself?

This is probably one of the most asked questions in an interview of all time. This question is also called a behavioural interview question. This is the icebreaker and so crucial for you to get right. It's common when you're out of interview practice to launch into a meaningful discussion about your career and how good you are. Instead take into account why you're being interviewed, yep to solve a problem. Give the employer what they want, talk about how your skills relate to the position and how you can help.

What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is another classic behavioural interview question. Nobody wants to admit to having a weakness. Turn this question around by demonstrating how you have worked through a weakness. Demonstrate how you approach a situation or challenge and identify what you should do, to work through it. This focuses on the approach rather than the actual weakness.

What do you like most and least about your current or last job?

You never want to be negative when answering this question. Not every job is perfect so its ok to point out a few things you don't like. Not surprisingly this will not go well if those same things you just described are present in the job you're interviewing for. Research and comprehension of the difficulties of the role will help your chances here.

Be prepared

If you recognise that these questions are probably going to be asked in your next interview, ask a fried to do a mock interview with you. If they analyze your answers they could identify areas you may improve on.

Always try to answer questions with the employer's perspective in mind. Ask yourself, how can I solve the problem?


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