3 Ways To Advance Your Job Interview Techniques

Advance Your Job Interview Techniques

The internet has changed the job interview.

For all job sector interviews, you as the candidate can simply Google “sector job interview questions” and within seconds you can have a list of potential questions that you will soon be asked. Following on from this, you may Google to the company history or even as on a forum for potential answers.

So why with all this information at your fingertips why aren’t you successful in the job interview? This is because you are searching for basic interview tips to secure the job interview. This isn’t good enough, as everyone else is using these same strategies.

Instead, ADVANCE your interview techniques

Need Help to Pass Your Next Job Interview?

You can book an ONLINE Interview Coaching Session and/or a Mock Interview with an interview coach by e-mailing employmentking@gmail.com all you need is a webcam.

  • Learn The 3 Step Process for Killer Interview Answers 
  • Double Your Interview Confidence with Specialised Techniques  
  • Mock Interview – Get Really Feedback on Your Interview Skills 

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 Advance Your Job Interview Techniques #1

Focus on Delivery

A job interview is a communication sales pitch. Where job applicants go wrong in the job interview is they always concentrate on only their interview answers, the words they use, rather than the delivery style of interview answers.

Communication isn’t just words. Communication is created with tonality, volume, gestures, body language and facial expressions (plus much more) What you say is important but as any orator will try to impress on you is the power of how you say it, the packaging to the delivery of your job interview answer.

Create a strong job interview answer, then focus on the delivery style; say it with confidence, say it with purpose, say it with emotion.

Advance Your Job Interview Techniques #2

Create a dialogue

An interactive interview creates rapport, increases likability and becomes more memorable

Failed interviewees will reflect and realise that they couldn’t stop talking. Their waffled answer turn the interviewer off, creating disinterest. To have a real impact in the job interview, talk less, ask more questions and create beautiful dialogue.

When asked a question give a string answer (focusing on your delivery style) and follow up by asking the job interviewer a question, relating to the question they asked you. As an example, if they asked you about your knowledge on a certain ICT system, ask them if they know about a new time-saving ICT system.

This style of interviewing is advanced and creates positive interaction. The interviewer, having a break from the normal interview style that they have heard for the past 2 days, creates a memorable job interview.

Interview questions and answers

Advance Your Job Interview Techniques #3

Key the glass half full…always

Time and time again when I deliver interview coaching sessions, clients tell me, how in the job interview they discuss sector problems, barriers and mistakes. I can never understand this perspective.

The job interview is the one place where you need the glass to be half full, no, over spilling with punitiveness. Explain your successes, show enthusiasm for your sector, answer problem questions with the frame of enjoyment – you enjoy solving problems.

Whatever you do in the job interview, do it with a smile, with positiveness and enthusiasm.

Employment King offer;

  • Interview Coaching in Manchester
  • Career Advice in Manchester
  • Online Interview Coaching
  • Interview Confidence Sessions in Manchester
  • Interview and Presentation Sessions in Manchester
  • Mock Interview Sessions in Manchester

10 Job Interview Questions and Answers for PA (Personal Assistant)

10 Job Interview Questions and Answers for a Personal Assistant

A personal assistant (PA), sometimes referred to as an ‘executive secretary’ will work closely with senior management team members providing administrative support.

The personal assistant is responsible for the support of a senior manager, supporting them with their time management, dairy management, and internal and external communication.

Employers are looking to hire a personal assistant who is deemed to be trustworthy, well organised, a strong administrator and someone who is able to take on extra responsibility in the absence of the managerial team.

It is these key skills and duties, as well as the personal assistant’s work ethic that needs to shine through during the job interview.

The key to passing job interviews in preparation and practice, this sounds obvious but is often overlooked, with the average interviewee spending around only 60 minutes preparing for their job interview.

This article will help you to prepare and to pass your next job interview in 3 separate ways.

1. You will learn over 10 common asked interview questions for a Personal Assistant position.

2. You will be given an explanation of the type of answer the interviewer is looking for ( a guide to what the employer wants you to discuss )

3. You will be given an example job interview answer for each individual interview question, allowing you to tweak this answer, making it relevant to your own experiences.

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Job Interview Questions and Answers for a PA (Personal Assistant) 

Job Interview Question 1: 

“Tell me about yourself?”

One of the most common asked questions in interviews normally asked at the beginning of an interview, this question gives you the opportunity to deliver a short statement about your experiences and skills relevant to the job position you are applying for.

  • Start with a “selling” line that will cover your duration as a PA as a whole 
  • Discuss 3 key points/experiences that will make you stand out 
  • Keep each point brief as you can explain each point again in more detail throughout the interview
  • You want to interest the interviewer and get them to want to know more about you
  • End this answer with a reason why you’re looking for a new job

Potential Interview Answer 

“I have over 15 years of experience as a personal assistant. During this time I have learned 3 key skills that I use in all PA roles, increasing efficiency. My key achievement during my 15 years of experience is (add key achievement)  I feel I would be an asset for your organisation because I can bring X (add unique selling point) to the organisation.  

Job Interview Question 2: 

“Why do you want this position?”

Your research will pay off with this question; explain you have always wanted to work for their company and the reason why. Discuss how your goal has always been to work in this organisation as you always wanted to (job criteria) and finally finish by explaining how your previous experience or qualifications will add value to the company.

Potential Interview Answer 

“I have worked as a PA for over 15 years in a variety of sectors. For me, my goal has been to work with your organisation, as I believe my vision is in line with your company mission. I know I can excel in any office environment, and some sectors offer a higher salary. But my work goal is very important to me, which is why I am applying for a position with yourself. I know we will collaborate successfully together  and for me being able to work with your company where you (add a key company value/goal) will give me job satisfaction. 

   

Job Interview Question 3: 

“Do you work well within a team?”

Some people are thrown when they are asked this question when they are applying for a PA position to work alone/under management. Every company works as a team,. To excel in the job interview give an example of when you have worked well within a team with a successful outcome. Explain the current situation (or problem) how the team approached this and the positive outcome)

Potential Interview Answer 

“In my previous company, I was involved in a new innovative project. The management team was concerned with a drop in profit over a 6 month period. A new innovative solution was required. At the ideas meeting everyone came up with different ideas but none was picked. This led to tempers being frayed. I then suggested that we wrote each idea of a flip-chart and everyone had to record the pro’s and con’s of each suggestion. This led to clarity and an idea being taken on-board. My manager said to me, that if I hadn’t made that suggestion they will still be there no arguing. 

Job Interview Question 4: 

“Did you get on well with your last manager?”

A personal assistant has to have the skills to build rapport and communicate strongly with the management team. If a PA and management team don’t get along it will create stress in the overall team. This question is to check if you can fit in well with a team, with their team. 

Potential Interview Answer 

“Yes, I always get on with everyone. I have found over my career that managers, as all people do, have different personalities, different motivational and stress indicators and work in different ways. My success comes from being able to work in style the manager preferences, rather than disrupting well-placed systems with my own method.”

 Job Interview Question 5: 

“What are your strengths?”

This is one of the most common questions you will be asked in a Personal Assistant job interview. Give an answer relevant to the skills and qualities relevant to the position you are applying to. The interviewer is trying to find if your strengths match the job. For example, if you are applying for a job where accuracy is an important issue, one of your strengths could be that you have an eye for detail. It may useful to find different words to describe similar attributes and qualities in order to avoid repetition.

Potential Interview Answer

“I have often been told that I have an eye for detail and that I am very accurate and precise. This was very important during my last role where I worked on large business accounts. An example of this was when (give example- state problem, your solution and outcome)” 

Interview Test

Job Interview Question 6: 

“What are your weaknesses?”

Again, another commonly asked question. A frequent mistake to make when answering this question is to say something negative like “I can sometimes let things get on top of me”. Be positive and sell yourself with every interview question, turn a negative into a positive. For example,

Potential Interview Answer

“In the past, I felt I needed to improve my typing skills because I aspire to be the best I can, I have recently enrolled on a typing course”.

This will show that you can identify your weaknesses but at the same time, you are willing to improve. Most importantly: do not mention a weakness that is any way related to the job you are being interviewed for! This might sound obvious but it is a common mistake!

Job Interview Question 7:

“Do you know anything about this organisation?”

Often one of the first questions you will be asked during the interview, employers want employees who will stay with the company, this question and answer will show the employer that you know the company’s history and feel they will be a good employer to work for.

It also shows the employer that you think ahead and carries out research. Answer this question with:

  • The length the organisation has been operating for.
  • How the company started
  • What services/products the company offers
  • Where they are going (have they won any new contracts)
  • All this information is normally found on the internet; on the company home page or about us page.

Potential Interview Answer

“I know a great deal about your organisation, before I applied for the job position I researched the company. I really like how the company started as a partnership company is an environmentally friendly company. I know the companies aspirations are (add aspirations often found in the company mission) and I feel with my experience we can collectively achieve these”

Job Interview Question 8:

“Do you think you have enough experience to work within a senior management team?”

If you’re asked this, then the interviewer does not believe you have enough experience. If you have you need to make this clear, explain about your previous experiences and give detail to the parts that are relevant to this new job role.

If you do not have the experience they need, you need to show the employer that you have the skills, qualities and knowledge that will make you equal to people with experience but not necessary the skills. It is also good to add how quick you can pick up the routine of a new job role.

Potential Interview Answer

“Altogether I have 15 years of experience in this industry with over 9 years working within senior management teams. My skills include exceptional written and oral communication skills, excellent word processing and IT skills, including knowledge of a range of software packages and the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.  I have always had an eye for detail and an ability to find errors easily, allowing me to be pro-active rather than reactive”

Job Interview Question 9:

“What is your biggest achievement?”

Pick one key achievement, something that you have undertaken that other PAs wouldn’t have. Keep this example work-related and think about your unique selling point. This is the question that when answered correctly will allow you to stand out from other job applicants. 

Potential Interview Answer

“I was once asked to give a presentation, at first I thought I wouldn’t be able to deliver it without embarrassing myself. I wrote the presentation and practiced it in front of small groups, until I had the confidence to deliver it to a large group. I was really pleased with the result on the day and I was good feedback from my line manager.”

Job Interview Question 10:

“Do you have any questions for me?”

Good interview questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.

Conclusion 

Many people are afraid of job interviews. The truth is if you prepare for your job interview, by predicting the job interview questions, you can easily prepare your job interview answers. If your job interview answers highlight your unique selling point, are stated in the positive and are said in a confident manner, then you can influence the job interview to increase job offer.

Interview Preparation Resources

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3 Key Things You Must Remember About Job Interviews

What You Must Remember About Job Interviews

I work with a lot of clients who fear the job interview.

It is this anxiety that ruins their job interview performance, resulting in another, often less skilled, applicant receiving the job offer. Often it’s  not the best suited interviewee who is successful, rather its the person who impresses in the interview that receives the job offer.

In the job interview you need to be on your A-Game. There are 3 things that you must remember about the job interview, 3 things that will help you feel more at ease, increasing your interview confidence.

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It is rare that the interviewer is trained to interview

The first thing to remember about the job interview is that the interviewer is just as nervous as you are.

We become anxious when we are in unfamiliar territory. In most cases the job interviewer hasn’t been trained to interview applicants. Because they don’t want to be seen as weak, they will try to mask their nervousness in the interview itself. But by knowing that they are just as anxious as you are will help you feel more confident.

Due to the lack of interview experience for most interviewers, you need to ensure that they hear and record all your key selling points. Use repetition for this. Throughout the interview give several examples of using your key skill/selling point to make the point clear – if you hire me I will do X for you.

Likability Influences

People who have a likable personality or more likely to be offered the job.

During the job interview you need to build rapport, find common ground and use intrigue and stories to create a likable and remember-able job interview.

It simple isn’t good enough to have 10 years experience, the employer is looking for someone with experience but also someone they believe will fit well within the team and someone with good work ethic.

Interview questions and answers

If you have it, say it

When  explaining what you can offer in terms of skills, qualities and experiences you need to state everything in detail.

So many failed interviewees skip over key criteria because they see it as an everyday task. It is these everyday task that the new employer require you to complete.

Remember they don’t know, they have never meet you and they have no idea of what your daily task are.

The employer wants to hire someone who can hit the ground running. Explain all the daily task, and then add on your unique selling point.

Most interviewers use a point system. If you say X, Y and Z you get full points. If you miss one out your points are reduced. The more you say the more they will know what you can bring to the team.

5 Influence Styles You Can Use in a Job Interview

5 ways to influence the interview outcome

You are influenced every day, thousands of times, and you probably aren’t aware of 90% of them.

We are influenced by images, words, social proof, repetitive slogans, scarcity and by a number of other things. People influence each other with tonality, gestures, commitment and their style of communication.  the power of influence has a massive effect on your day with you buying goods, voting for politicians and making choices because of the power of influence and psychology.

These same psychological tactics can be employed in the job interview, giving you the upper hand. Here are 5 different influencing styles you can adopt in your next job interview.

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Need Help to Pass Your Next Job Interview?

You can book an ONLINE Interview Coaching Session and/or a Mock Interview with an interview coach by e-mailing employmentking@gmail.com all you need is a webcam.

  • Learn The 3 Step Process for Killer Interview Answers 
  • Double Your Interview Confidence with Specialised Techniques  
  • Mock Interview – Get Really Feedback on Your Interview Skills 

job interview questions

 Assertiveness

We respond to authority.

By being seen as an authority in your sector you will gain compliance from the interviewer. Being assertive, stating, insisting that your ideas and suggestions will have a positive outcome once employed people to your authority.

Most of us are sheep and like to be sheep. Being a commanding Sheppard, herd the interviewer(s) to the pen of your choosing.

 Convincing

The best salespeople convince us that their product is the best product, even if it means spending a little more.

Put forward your ideas and offer logical, rational reasons to convince the job interviewer of your point of perspective. Once the interviewer is won over with one idea they are more likely to agree to other ideas due to the psychological law of compliance. This is why great salespeople not only sell one good, they also up-sell to their customers

Negotiation

An interview is a two-way conversation.

As with all debates, there are two sides to every story. If the interviewee states one fact, suggestion or idea and the interview has another viewpoint you can easily create friction, even fall out.

The secret to winning people over is negotiation. Look for compromises and find the middle ground

Relationship Building

A great communicator is someone who can build strong relationships with a complete stranger.

Nowhere is this more important than the job interview situation. Use common interest, your tone, facial expressions, body language, everything to build rapport. People will often favor people more that they like. This means that your interview answers will gain more points if the interviewer likes you as a person, compared to someone who takes an initial dislike.

Inspire Imagination

Humans are goal setters.

Often interviewees talk about past successes – this is good to a point. To really influence the interview, explain how your skills and past experiences will make an impact in the future within their organisation. Find future possibilities that will inspire the interviewer, show them how you will increase profit, create new business and save on overheads. Give them a positive future vision.

Interview Preparation Resources

Employment King offer;

  • Interview Coaching in Manchester
  • Career Advice in Manchester
  • Online Interview Coaching
  • Interview Confidence Sessions in Manchester
  • Interview and Presentation Sessions in Manchester
  • Mock Interview Sessions in Manchester

3 Sales Communication Techniques That Will Boost Your Interview Performance

Use Sales Techniques to Boost Your Interview Performance

The job interview is a 45-minute sales pitch

Possessing the art of sales is key to interview success. The better you sell yourself the more employable you will become. Many career professionals possess the experience and skills required for the position and should be offered the job role, but their lack of sales communication techniques let them down.

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Job Interview Sales Communication Technique 1

Speak up to show your confidence

Lesson one in sales is confident communication. What you say and more importantly how you say creates influence.

You will never persuade anyone if you mumble, stutter or speak in quiet tones.

Instead, pick power words – what you say creates an emotional impact. Use tone, projection and talk with gestures and facial expressions to communicate with confidence.

Over two-thirds of communication is non-verbal, this is why you need your tone to create a strong emotional response, increase volume to keep interested and say it with passion.

Job Interview Sales Communication Technique 2

Keep on point

Often salespeople lose a customer as they naturally go off point talking about criteria that don’t interest the customer.

In the job interview keep in mind the desired criteria for the position you are applying for. With this objective in mind, think before you speak and choose examples that relate to both the asked question and the desired criteria.

Also, use the power of three. Keep each sales point to three significant specific items “I’m a strong team player for three key reasons, one…”

Interview questions and answers

Job Interview Sales Communication Technique 3

Use a story

Stories, as all salespeople know, have a strong emotional impact and it’s emotional impact that creates desire.

To have the best impact with your interview answers, use a story rather than just giving specifics. Open with intrigue as suspense increases the interviewer listing to you. Explain the situation and goal, and give a detailed description of how you achieved the objective