Career pivot part 3 tough interview questions
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The document provides advice for career changers on how to answer tough interview questions. It discusses common recruiter concerns about career changers like lack of experience and how long they will stay. It recommends focusing answers on the benefits you can provide, connecting your past experience to the current role, emphasizing cultural and personal fit with the company, and presenting a plan to quickly settle into and contribute to the new role.
Career pivot part 3 tough interview questions
- 1. Tough Interview Questions for Career Changers
- 2. Yue-Wen LIM 25 year corporate career “veteran” www.LifeWork-consulting.com yw@lifework-consulting.com http://careerhmo.com/coach/yue-wen-lim/ Yue-wen@careerhmo.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/limyw
- 3. First of all… Congratulations on getting the interview! You have gone against the odds There is something that the recruiter has seen in you despite limited previous experience Now is the time to sell them what you have and how this can help them
- 4. Recruiter Key Concerns About Career Changers Lack of prior relevant experience? How long will you stay? How will you fit in? How will this candidate make me look good?
- 5. Key Questions for Career Changers Why do you want to switch careers? Why do you want to work here? Why should we hire you? How long will you take to settle in
- 6. Why do you want to switch careers? Tell a story…connect the dots Create a connection from past to present Have a theme Avoid over-emphasizing personal feelings (eg personal fulfilment) Talk about value you bring to the table ie “What did you do wrong in your last job?”
- 7. Why do you want to switch careers? Your history is not a liability but a strength
- 8. Why do you want to work here? Why did you chose us for this new career? The role is more junior / the pay is lower How long will you stay? Emphasize the Fit As a problem solver: how your skills can help solve the company’s problems Cultural fit: how your working style and values matches the company Personal fit: eg like the products/services, great location
- 9. Why do you want to work here? The job looks great to me because of xyz…. Eg I can use my skills / experience…. Eg Learning & growth opportunities Eg Fits your personality, preferences (culture) Eg Location is 5 minutes away, I love using the products…
- 10. Why do you want to work here? Show belief in achieving growth in the organisation “I plan to add value in this position, develop my skills to help grow the company, and eventually move into roles of greater responsibility” Show desire for job stability “In my last job, I stayed for x years. I plan to stay as long as I can. I don’t want to change jobs if I can avoid it..”
- 11. Why should we hire you? ie “With your limited experience, how can you contribute”? Be confident Talk about benefits first (ie how you can help improve the company or the life of the person hiring you) Then talk about features (ie your transferable skills) “Features may have gotten you in the door for the interview, but benefits will get you the job”
- 12. A personal example Benefits Features I will solve your high staff turnover issue I have extensive people management experience and a successful track record of building effective teams I will help you expand your brand presence internationally with a lower marketing budget In my previous roles, I leveraged on non traditional marketing strategies which had greater ROIs and impactful results I will increase the quality of your MBA student intake In my past roles, I moved the customer base to a higher level by re-crafting outreach messages and targeting the right segments
- 13. How Long Will you take to settle in? ie “when will you start to contribute”? Present your plans & goals for the role when you come onboard Shows your commitment for success Becomes a discussion instead of an interview Shows you understand the job, can do the job, and will do the job – instead of risk, you become an asset!
- 14. How Long Will you take to settle in? Elements of your activity plan: Getting to know the business and the company Evaluating any changes or improvements needed Implementation, initiate, bringing in results Key question to interviewer: “if I were to be able to carry out the plan, do you think I would be successful in this job?”
- 15. Summary Address interviewers key concerns about career changers Demonstrate commitment and show pro-activeness Become an asset – not a risk!