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Structuring Your Interview Answers

Once you receive your Interview Invitation, you still have work to do, the first being to practice answering tricky interview questions. T

o do this you need to know what type of interview questions you will be asked, you can read 101 Interview Questions and I would add what is even more important  then knowing the interview questions is knowing how to structure your interview answer.

To gain an insight into the specific question you will be asked, re-read the job specification that came with your job application pack.

All the Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experiences on the job specification will be turn into interview questions this is because the employer feels that their new employee needs the required knowledge or experiences to fit in at the level the company is operating at.

The key to passing job interviews is Communication, the employer needs to understand what you are trying to communicate to them; communication is not about what you are saying, it’s about what the other person interprets what you are saying which means you need to structure you interview answer in such a way that employer has no doubt you can do the specific part of the job that the interview question related to.

Answering Interview Questions

You may be asked direct interview questions; what, where, why, who or competency-based questions; give me an example, describe a time when you, summaries your previous role and duties

It’s not about the type of question you are asked it’s about how you structure your answer which means you need to know how to answer interview questions.

I would add you need your answer to come across loud and clear by delivering 3 key pieces of information per answer, any more then this can confuse the interviewers mind, as the brain can find it hard to remember a large amount of information in one go.

Start by answering the question in the first sentence                      

Q: Are you a good team player?

A: Yes I am a good team player, in my last position I worked in team environment throughout the project…

Q: What is your knowledge of diversity and equal opportunities regulations?

A: I possess a deep understanding of diversity and equal opportunity regulations; I find it really important to keep unto date with changes to regulations…

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

A: I am really keen to turn this position into a career, in 5 years time I will have a full understanding of the job sector and will be applying for a promotion within this organisation.

Q: Describe a situation where you dealt with an angry customer.

A: In my last position I would work on the complaints department every Monday and would often come across “angry” customers; I was always able to quickly calm customers down and resolve their issues by…

Next, add a little more detail – this should intrigue the employer and hit several of the job specifications essential criteria

  • Give an overview of the situation – In many cases this is done when you answer the question in your first sentence.
  • Explain any “problems” or “barriers” you had to face and overcome “the company had never had a contract like this before” “sales had started to drop, so the manger asked me to join the team..”
  • Explain what YOU did “I was responsible for..” “I took initiative..” “it was my idea to…”
  • Explain the positive outcome from your actions; where possible quote figures and percentages or give third-person feedback “this led to an increase in sales by 35%” “the team manager fed back that this resulted in an increase in company shares”

Finally, summaries by referring back to the question (this can also come across as you thinking of your answer on the spot, not using a prepared answer)

  • “Does that example highlight the team player skills you are looking for?”
  • “I have a wide range of knowledge of diversity and equal opportunity regulations, would you like me to quote any more?”
  • “Overall I am happy to stay in this company and work my way up the career ladder”
  • “To summaries, I have come across a wide range of angry customers, but once you know how to calm and resolve their issues you increase your customer retention”

As you can see from the 4 examples above, some of the summaries end with a question; this is a great additional trick to check if you have hit the interviewer’s required points to their question.

If you have you often hear “Yes that was a nice answer” or “I think we have covered everything” if you haven’t you will often be told “I was looking for an example when you X” you can then give a new example covering X or the interviewer may ask you a second but more specific question.

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Interview Coaching and Advice in Manchester

Employment King has helped thousands of job seekers to gain career success with our highly successful career and interview coaching progamme.

A female applicant attending a panel job interview.

We believe that everyone deserves to receive a job offer in a sector they are passionate about and skilled in. 

Job interview coaching can help you achieve your career dreams. Available in Manchester.

Career advice and interview coaching sessions are delivered by a trained coach.

Interview Coaching Sessions.

Choose one of three programmes:

Manchester Interview Coaching Session: Upgrade Your Interview Skills.

1 Session

  • Attend a mock job interview with an interview coach.
  • Professional feedback focusing on the strength of your interview answers.
  • Gain personalised interview advice and tips to take your job interview to the next level.

The upgrade session is best suited for career professionals who know they should be gaining job offers but, due to their interview skills, fail to secure offers of employment.

One session lasting 60 minutes, delivered online.

Manchester Interview Coaching Session: Interview Boost.

Two interview coaching sessions:

Session 1 – focuses on sector-related interview questions and how to deliver high-scoring interview answers.

Session 2 – increases job interview confidence through techniques to help overcome job interview anxiety.

The boost package is two interview coaching sessions that focus on improving the overall performance of an interviewee. Ideal for applicants who fear the job interview process.

Each interview coaching session last 60 minutes per session.

Manchester Interview Coaching Session: Interview Reboot.

3 interview coaching sessions that will take your interview skills to a professional level:

Session 1 – Job interview analyst to breakdown an interviewee’s strengths and areas of development, including the structure of the interview answer, confidence level when answering questions and delivering interview presentations, and the likelihood of receiving a job offer.

Session 2 – A focus on creating high-scoring interview answers that reference the job criteria which increases the likelihood of receiving a job offer. Learn about the structure of an interveiw answer, embedding storytelling into job interview answers and how to be seen as highly valuable.

Session 3 – Improve communication in terms of confidence and delivery. This session can be focused on overcoming job interview anxiety, improving confident communication, and how to feel relaxed during the job interview.

Each interview coaching session last 60 minutes per session.

Career Coaching Sessions in Manchester.

Specialised career by a trained career guidance officer.

Each session will be tailored to the needs and circumstances of the career professional.

Choose 1, 2 or 3 career coaching sessions.

  • Review your workplace values and understand your workplace motivators.
  • Match careers to your personality type. Gain new career ideas.
  • Discuss career and higher educational pathways, job duties and entry routes. Plan your career route.

Each career coaching session last 60 minutes per session.

BOOK YOUR ONLINE CAREER ADVICE AND/OR INTERVIEW COACHING SESSION TODAY

Price Plan – no payment required until an agreed date and time for your career advice or interview coaching session has been confirmed.

To book your career advice and interview coaching session, please complete the coaching inquiry form below.

Session Cost

1 x Session Was £299.99

Now Only £149.99

2 X Sessions was £369.99

Now Only £249.99

3 x Sessions was £499.99

Now Only £299.99

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    Advanced Interview Techniques Training Course

    Why do so many people struggle in the job interview?

    Do you get nervous before the interview or do you struggle to answer the interview questions?

    Do your interview answers let you down or do you always under-sell yourself?

    How bad does it feel when you walk out of the interview knowing you could of done better?

    Knowing that you haven’t got the job even though you could do this role with your eyes closed? Knowing that someone less skilled then you will be offered your position?

    What if you could learn how to structure the interview answer so each answer highlights your key strengths?

    How would knowing how to embed sales psychology into your interview hep you gain more job offers? Could learning how to influence the job interview using psychology, NLP and hypnotic persuasion patterns help you pass your next job interview?

    Some interview training courses teach you how to prepare for job interviews; going to bed early, ironing your clothes and researching the company, I agree this is important and you can find all these basic tips on the Internet, the Advanced Interview Techniques Course takes its one step further by teaching you the psychology of interviews and how to influence and persuade interviewers.

    Advanced Interview Techniques

    A full day of interactive techniques to secure you more job offers     

    • Gain instant rapport with the interviewer; learn how body language can increase likeness, gain agreement through sneaky language patterns, and master how to change your approach so the employer feels emotionally connected to you, on occasions – securing on the spot job offers!
    • learn how to read the employer, how to get the interviewer to agree with everything you say and how with one question understand the key to securing a job offer from every interviewer
    • You will also learn how to reduce your pre-interview nerves using fast phobia techniques and how to access your inner resources instantly; positivity and confidence, so you are performing at your optimum at every job interview

    I will confess you will be learning some “dark” influencing and persuasion patterns used by pick up artist, persuasion professionals and master influencers, I would add these patterns are dangerous and should be only used to highlight your strengths and talents not to control your interviewer gaining instant job offers.

    There is a full breakdown about what you will get on this course on the attachment at the bottom of this page, and I would add you have already realised that this is no ordinary interview technique course, haven’t you?

    Finally, we want you to get an investment from your money, before you book your place on the advance interview techniques course, I want you to first think about how you can use persuasive language patterns and interview psychology to pass your next job interview and gain job promotions?

    This course is so popular it has now been published by MX Publishing

    “The 73 rules for Influencing the Interview using Psychology, NLP and Hypnotic Persuasion Techniques” 

    To enquire about upcoming courses complete the contact form box below.

    The Advanced Interview Technique Course will be available at £250 per participant

    Early Bird Discount, This Month 35% discount for a One Day Course, Delivered by The Author himself Book Now for Only £149.99

    You can now teach yourself how to pass interviews, with our latest book “influencing the interview” developed with the content used on the Advanced Interview Technique Course

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    101 Interview Questions

    101 Interview Questions

     PDF VERSION

    What Interview Questions you will be asked in a job interview.

    Knowing the questions you are going to be asked during an interview is essential, once you know the interviewers question you can prepare your interview answer.

    I would add what is more important than knowing the interview question is knowing why they are asking the question in the first place, as this will tell you what experience or skill you need to highlight with your answer.

    Today you will learn the most common 101 interview questions; all you need to do is prepare your answers.

    101 Job Interview Questions

    • Tell me about yourself?
    • Why did you pick our company to apply for?
    • Why should we hire you?
    • What is your current experience in this role?
    • What are your strengths?
    • What are your weaknesses?
    • If you could sum yourself up in one line, what would it be?
    • Do you have any questions for me?
    • Have you ever done anything you are embarrassed about?
    • Why do you want to work here?
    • Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
    • Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
    • What has been your greatest accomplishment?
    • What is your long-term goal?
    • Why are you a good communicator?
    • Do you consider yourself to be a good manager?
    • What is your definition of great customer service?
    • Describe a time when you dealt with conflict.
    • Why did you leave your last position?
    • How would your co-workers describe you?

    Tricky Question, Killer Answers

    • How would your manager describe you?
    • Are you a team player?
    • What is your philosophy towards work?
    • Can you work well under pressure?
    • How do you manage projects?
    • Do you consider yourself successful?
    • Give an example of when you have had to work alone
    • How do you motivate people?
    • Have you ever delivered a presentation?
    • Describe a situation you took full responsibility for a project
    • How do you define success?
    • What motivates you to do your best on the job?
    • How do you establish a working relationship with new people?
    • How long do you expect to work for us?
    • What are some of your expectations for your future employer?
    • How do you handle that stress?
    • Describe a work-related problem and how you solved them.
    • Do you possess any relevant work experience?
    • Have you ever dealt with an unsatisfied or angry customer?
    • How do you think you will compensate for your lack of experience?

    How to answer any interview question

    • Why did you choose your career?
    • How have you changed during your career?
    • How do you approach challenging problems?
    • How do you evaluate yourself?
    • How do you ensure you meet sale targets each week
    • If you disagree with your supervisor on an important issue of the job, what will you do?
    • What do you know about our company?
    • Do you understand the meaning of equal opportunities and diversity?
    • How to answer tricky interview questions    
    • Tell me about a suggestion you have made and the outcome from this  
    • Tell me about a time that you contribute to a team activity
    • What is your main career aim?
    • How can social media websites promote our business?
    • What was the most useful criticism you received? Who was it from?
    • How would you describe the pace at which you work?
    • Describe a typical workday.
    • What amount of money are you worth?
    • What has disappointed you in a job?
    • What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
    • Are you willing to travel?
    • What do you feel about diversity in the workplace? Do you think it is important?
    • Do you consider yourself overqualified for this position?
    • Do you know anyone who works for us?
    • What one word describes you?
    • Do you possess a criminal record?
    • How do you prioritize your work to meet deadlines?
    • What is your typing speed – words per minute?
    • How do you handle rejection?
    • How long have you been looking for a job?

    How to answer tricky interview questions   – over 60 questions and answers

    • Tell me the difference between good and exceptional.
    • What is more important to you, the money or the work?
    • What did you do when you had a deadline and didn’t make it?
    • Would you consider yourself an organized person?
    • What ITC packages can you use?
    • Describe what qualities would you like to see in a supervisor?
    • What new skills have you developed recently?
    • Would you say you are under qualified?
    • How do you relate to your co-workers?
    • Please explain the gap on your CV?
    • Give me an example of when you have handled large amounts of money
    • How do you relate to your boss?
    • How would you promote our services?
    • If you were hiring someone for this job, what would you look for?
    • What position do you take when working on a team?
    • Have you ever been fired?
    • Can you explain how you initiate communications with customers?
    • What can you contribute to our company?
    • Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
    • What would you do if your employer instructed you to do something that was unethical
    • What significant trends do you see in our industry?
    • Do you know the history of this industry?

    How to answer tricky interview questions    

    • In hindsight, how could you have improved your performance at previous jobs?
    • Why did you stay in this position for such a short time?
    • Name reasons why you would leave a job?
    • Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline
    • What does excellent customer service mean to you?
    • What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
    • Please list three areas of yourself,  you feel have opportunities for improvement
    • What would you consider as your biggest achievement to date?
    • Please tell us about any relevant experience.
    • What do you like least about your job?
    • Can you provide examples of when you have given outstanding customer service

     Tricky Questions Killer Answers

    Interview Additional Support:

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    Are you one of these 10 people who will never pass a job interview?

    10 People Who Will Never Pass a Job Interview

    Employers often feedback that time and time again the same type of person is refused a job offer, even though job hunters now have access to a wide range of interview techniques through Employment E-Books, Interview Articles and Career Coaches.

    Don’t make the same mistake as others and come across at the job interview as one of these 10 people who will never secure a job offer:

    • Someone with poor personal appearance – no effort made with their appearance, interviewees have been known to turn up in jeans and t-shirts
    • Showing a lack of interest and enthusiasm – Yawning during interviews and answering questions with “yes” and “no” answers shows a lack of interest – you need to sound passionate and answer all interview questions with examples
    • Being late to the interview – again employers see this as a lack of interest and commitment
    • Discussing money throughout the interview – employers agree that people who over-emphasis on money are more likely to leave the job in the first couple of months leaving the employer with the job of re-recruiting
    • Criticising past employer – this is often seen as passing the blame onto someone else – you need to discuss what you did for self-development: Interview Questions and Answers
    • Lack of confidence, lack of eye contact and showing nervousness – there are several techniques to help you prepare for an interview and to increase your interview confidence; a common mistake many interviewees make is failing to practice their interview questions  
    • Being a ‘Know-it’ all – the opposite to having a lack of confidence is being overconfident which can lead to you coming across as aggressive, employers look at which interviewee will fit in with the team and company environment
    • Asking no questions about the job – employers are looking for someone who is interested in their company and the job sector, this is because someone who is not interested will not work at the same level as someone who wants to make this job sector their career.
    • Unable to sell themselves; poor voice (often to quite or to loud), poor diction, poor grammar on CV and Cover Letter and no evidence-based interview answers: employers look and recruit people who have a career plan, job goals and can prove with evidence that they are the best person for the role. Interviewees need to understand what the employer’s essential criteria are and to discuss these points throughout the interview.
    • Having strong prejudices and opinions; you can often recognise when someone has a strong opinion or prejudice and I would add these strong opinions often come out during a job interview. When your opinions do not match that of the interviewer you will quickly lose rapport and any possibility of a job offer.
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    Job Application Form Details

    Generally speaking, career professionals only stay in one role for around 3 years before “job hopping” to a new external or internal vacancy this is because the days of a “job for life” are far behind us.

    One of the common mistakes that must be avoided, made by job hunters if losing their application form details, many job hunters will spend hours writing a CV or Application Form,  secure a job role and then destroy their application form and hard work. Two to three years later they start applying for new vacancies, completing new application forms only to find they cant remember their referees address or what year they completed a certain qualification.

    We have made a list of all the essential information you will need for a job application form, along with some additional job application form tips. Keep this secure! You will need it again.

    If you’re ready for a career change and feel unsure what your next step up the career ladder should be, contact a Career Coach for expert advice.

    The Basics; Personal Information:                                        

    • Name
    • Address
    • Phone Number –Mobile and Home Number
    • E-mail Address
    • Eligibility to Work in UK
    • Criminal Convictions – are they spent?

    Position Applied For Information:

    • Title of the job you are applying for
    • Job Reference Number
    • When you can start work

     

    Education:

    • Schools, Colleges and Universities Attended including Dates
    • Qualification Type
    • Achievement Level
    • Any in-house Certificates

    Employment Information:

    • Company Name, Address, Phone Numbers and E-Mail
    • Line Managers Name
    • Dates of Employment
    • Salary – at time of leaving  
    • Reason for Leaving
    • Periods of Unemployment
    • This is needed for the previous 5 years as a minimum

    References:

    • Referees Name
    • Address and Contact Details
    • How you Know this Person (Friend, Manager, etc )

    Tips for Completing Job Applications:

    • Complete all boxes or record NA if the question is not applicable to you
    • Follow all instructions IE using black ink
    • Write clearly using capitals
    • Send a covering letter
    • Check for spelling and grammar mistakes
    • Record employment history and education in chronological order
    • Check your referees’ are still contactable and happy to provide you a reference
    • Target your application form to the job role you are applying for
    • Ensure you have evidence that you posses the essential criteria on the job specification
    • Sign and date your application form

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