Behavioral Interview Strategies
“Why are you applying to this firm?”
This question establishes two core characteristics: qualification and loyalty. A qualified employee has a background and goals that bring value to the company; a loyal employee is passionate about the company and fits well in its culture. The interviewer is testing your knowledge and interest in the firm and discovering why you are uniquely qualified for it. All firms know that you are interviewing with other companies. They want to know that they are not your “back-up” and that they have a reason to invest resources in you. To answer this question well, you’ll have to invest some time researching the company. Read the company’s mission statement and values on its website, but go beyond that— read interviews, articles, and blogs. Find out how the firm was started, what changes it has undergone, who has worked there and what they have done. Most importantly, know what makes this company different from its competitors. Companies often pride themselves on these differences, and they present an excellent opportunity to explain why you fit in. The ultimate goal is to speak about the firm as if you already work there. Key Points • • • Be an authority on the firm. Understand how the firm fits into your life goals. Be enthusiastic and show that you WANT to work there.
Approach 1. List 2-4 concrete reasons that you like the firm. a. These can include company culture, representatives you met at an info session, the type of work they do, and philosophy and values. b. Begin with more sophisticated reasons first (values, work), then enthusiastically state the secondary reasons (people, location, direction)
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2. Relate the company to how it fits in with your goals a. Talk about your passions and how the company fits in line with them b. Speak about things you would like to learn from the company c. Speak about how you would like to contribute to the company 3. Mention at least one interesting fact that you learned from your research about the company a. Talk about a particular executive at the company that you admire, an engagement or project the company took on, or a decision you found interesting. Pitfalls You Must Avoid • • Do not just talk about the industry the company is in; this shows you are not familiar with the company in particular. Don’t flounder, but don’t give the appearance that you robotically memorized their website—the goal is to speak about the firm as an enthusiastic authority, as if you already work there.
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Contact
Jun Loayza FD Edge Coach jun.loayza@thefdworld.com
Ebooks
The Top Ten Recruitment Mistakes
We can teach you everything about how to interview the right way. You may take our advice to heart, but chances are that you’re building a new skill set on top of bad interviewing habits. This Ebook will show you what recruitment mistakes you are doing and how to solve them.
The New Rules of Recruitment: Making Yourself Stick
The old rules of recruitment are dead. The way you portray yourself and the feelings associated with you are more important than the content of your words. The most important aspect of any interview is to create a relationship with the interviewer. Emotions are stronger than logic, and you need to create a positive emotion attached with your presence. This Ebook will show you exactly how to stick in the mind of the interviewer in a positive way.
Podcasts
The Human Side of Mercer
Have you ever wondered what human capital consulting is? Well youʹre in luck! Kevin Poff from Mercer Human Capital Consulting is our guest and speaks about what a human capital consultant really does. Kevin goes into great detail about what the recruitment process is like, what Mercer is specifically looking for in a new hire, and what drove him to choose a career with Mercer. Listen to Kevinʹs great tips and strategies about how to best make a decision about what career is the right one
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