IDEA 4

This question really is one to prepare for carefully. The time will never be wasted, since this question will always crop up in one way or other. The best way to prepare is to find someone to roleplay the interviewer and then try out with them the actual words you're going to use. If you can get someone in the same industry that would be best, but anyone with good experience of organisations or business should be able to help.
AND WHAT'S IN IT FOR THEM?
Your unique selling proposition is you and your skills and experience. Try to work out a way of illustrating that everything you've done points at you being the right person for them. Perhaps start from specific experience. For a team leader in credit control: 'My experience in the credit control department of a builders' merchants was, frankly, a hard school. The building industry is always suffering from companies going under. I know about collection periods, credit ratings calculated from company reports and, of course, I've heard every excuse under the sun for not being quite ready to issue the cheque. I think that as team leader I would be able to help others to learn from that experience.'

Now relate the specific skills to the goals of the organisation. 'I understand the benefits to you of getting payment in on time or even before time because I've controlled cash flow for an organisation and seen the impact it can have on profitability.'

You can also be more open about your skills where you're sure they're appropriate. For a production manager: 'I've always scored well in problem solving and from what you've said you need to find some new ways of cutting down the waste at the end of the production line.'

Something more personal can emphasise your uniqueness. For a training deliverer: 'The fact that I've done a bit of amateur dramatics helps me to understand the "performance" side of running a training course.' Now bring the three things together: ëSo you see why I was excited when I saw your job ad; you seem to need a person with pretty much the experience, skills and interests that I've developed.'
Try another idea...
If the job you're going for involves a degree of creativity you could use IDEA 28, Tell me of a time when you generated a creative solution to a problem to give you some more ammunition.
Defining idea...
"And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you ñ ask what you can do for your country." JOHN F. KENNEDY
How did it go?
Q I've thought long and hard about this. There's rather a good job in a company that's not doing very well. I think part of the problem is that their values don't include a focus on teamwork. They have a reputation for ëhire and fire' and come over as a bit ëevery man for themselves.' When they ask this question should I point out that while I'm not sure I share their current values I think I can introduce some new ones that will help to improve their performance?
A Possibly. Our first reaction to this was NO, wait until you've got the job and then sell the changes that you think they need to make.' But on second thoughts you could be right. Depends if you think that someone in the room is thinking the same way as you, in which case go for it. You could get the pleasant surprise of one of them telling you that they know they need to change in this area ñ in which case your preparation is ideal. (Sorry to be sceptical, but you should also bear in mind the words in script font at the top of this Idea.)

Interview Tips


Is there anything you want to ask me?
This often comes near the end of the interview. If everything's gone well then make sure you don't at this point snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. On the other hand, if you think there's a problem, here's a good opportunity to go back into an area where you think they have doubts about you.
The worst answer here without any doubt is ëno.' It can look as though you're not much interested in the job, and it can indicate poor preparation.

By this time you ought to be having a sensible and interesting discussion with good rapport. So give two answers to this question: an open question that keeps the discussion going and a closed or more specific question that will elicit more insight into what it's like working for these people. After all, there are two decisions to be made here: they make the first decision, whether to offer you the job; then you have to decide whether to work for them.