Hi everybody!
My name is Richard McMunn, and in this training video, I'm going to teach you how to answer
any kind of interview question whatsoever.
It's a relatively short video but I promise you, if you have an interview coming up, it
doesn't matter what it is, I promise you if you watch this from beginning to end, it will
significantly increase your chances!
So, welcome to this tutorial.
That's me there on the right-hand side.
My name is Richard McMunn.
I'd like to say in this particular video we're going to focus on getting you to answer every
question, every interview question that comes your way, so you don't want to miss it.
A couple of things: please do make sure that you SUBSCRIBE to the channel, click the red
button below the video and also if you LIKE the video, please do give it a thumbs up because
that motivates me to do more.
Also, if you have an interview coming up please tell me what it is in the comments section
below the video and I will give you a list of interview questions to prepare for.
OK, let's get straight into it.
So, there are essentially two different types of interview questions, and this is helpful
for when you go along to your interview, and you will be able to spot them when they ask
the interview question you'll know whether it's a motivational interview question or
whether it's a behavioral interview question.
Now motivational ones are easier to answer than behavioral ones.
So, a motivational one for example would be at the start of the interview: they could
say “OK, let's start off – Tell me about yourself?”
So that's a motivational question.
Also, another one is “Why do you want this particular job?”
And also, “What are your strengths?” or even “What are your weaknesses?” and also
“Why did you leave your last job?”
Those are motivational interview questions.
They're assessing your motivation for wanting the job.
Now the second type is behavioural, and these are situational-based.
They're more in detail and they will say “Describe a situation when you worked as part of a team?”
or it would say “Give an example of when you have been flexible in a work-related scenario?”
for example.
“Describe a time when you delivered excellent customer service?”
Now when answering these questions, you have to be specific.
This is really, really important.
So, success tip number one: for both interview question types use the job description to
answer them.
Really important - it's a simple thing to do but hardly anybody does it.
So, you have a look at the job description.
You can even look at the job on line or if they've e-mailed it to you then you read the
job description.
Let's assume for the training purposes you're going for a job which is entitled ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT.
So, it's an admin assistant role.
You have a look at the job description and it say you can manage the daily workload and
tasks successfully, you answer the telephone, respond to emails, use effective communication,
you maintain and check stock to determine inventory levels, you maintain professional
standards at all times and deal with staff, clients and customers and you contribute to
the organizational goals by working as part of a team.
And when you're preparing for the interview question “Tell me about yourself?”, you
can answer this to get 100 percent marks relatively easy.
So let's take a look at my sample answer to this question using that job description and
then we'll dissect it and I'll explain why we'll get the best marks possible here we
go.
“I'm a skilled professional and hardworking person who is capable of managing all my duties
and tasks successfully.
I have excellent communication skills both while using on the phone and also whilst answering
emails.
I understand the importance of maintaining a professional approach to work and also was
dealing with clients and customers.
I have a keen eye for detail and will not make mistakes when checking things over.
Now, whilst I'm comfortable working on my own, I do enjoy working as part of a team
to complete company goals and projects.
So if you respond using that kind of answer to “Tell me about yourself?” you will
see that you are smashing it by matching clearly the job duties a job description because it
says that you can manage a daily workload and tasks successfully, and you've said “I'm
capable of managing all my duties and tasks successfully.”
Then you've got the one there: answers the telephone and it says “I have excellent
communication skills both while on the phone and also answering emails.”
Next, while maintaining professional standards you say, “I understand the importance of
maintaining a professional approach to work and also whilst dealing with clients and customers”,
and finally, “contributing to the organizational goals by working as part of a team”, and
you say “I'm comfortable working on my own I do enjoy working as part of a team to complete
company goals and projects.”
So, you are systematically and subtly working through the job description and just ticking
it off.
So, if I was interviewing you, and every interviewer will have a copy of the job description in
front of them at the interview, they will because they are looking for these key skills
and experiences and your expertise to match your responses.
So, you do that for every single question.
Now let's take a look at another question and have a motivational one.
We're going to come on to the behavioral ones.
If you are enjoying this tutorial, and please don't forget to give it a THUMBS UP, very,
very much appreciate it and tell me what interview you've got coming up in the comments section
below.
So next: “Why do you want this job?”
A real common interview question.
So, if you use the same admin assistant role this would be my response.
“I have studied the job description in detail and it closely matches my skills experiences
and expertise.
For example, you are looking for someone who is capable of managing a lot of work, a large
workload whilst also working as part of a team to contribute positively to the organizational
goals.
I also very much want to work in an organization that sets itself high standards.
I have high standards too and most of my job satisfaction comes from maintaining professionalism
and also communicating with staff and customers to help them get what they want or what they
need.
So, in a nutshell I feel I am someone who has everything you are looking for and I feel
confident I will hit the ground running whilst also making a positive impact on the team.”
That's a great answer to “Why do you want this job?”
And all you have done is you have aligned it to the job description.
Okay, so that's motivational interview questions.
Let's now move on and take a look at behavioral interview questions.
Now if you want a copy of these slides, please say “yes please” in the comments section
below, say “Yeah, I'd like a copy of these slides and I'll give you a link that you can
download these so you can revisit them and it will help you join your preparation.
So, don't forget, behavioral interview questions are “Describe a situation when you worked
as part of a team?”
“Describe a time when you've worked hard under pressure?”
“Describe a time when you completed a difficult task whilst working with others?”
“Describe a time where you have adapted to change in a work situation?” or “Describe
a time when you delivered excellent customer service?”
So, success tip number two.
Use the star technique or the star method when answering behavioral or situational type
interview questions.
So it stands for SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULT.
And if you follow this then you will answer these kind of questions perfectly.
So: SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULT.
What do they mean?
Well, when you start off and respond to any behavioral interview question you tell the
interview panel what the SITUATION you were in.
Then you tell them the TASK that have to be done.
Then you tell them what ACTION you took and then you tell them the RESULTS of your actions.
So, when you get a behavioural kind of interview question just think to yourself, right, I
need to start here SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULT.
So, if the interview question was “Describe a time when you worked as part of a team?”
this is how you would answer it.
I've put SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULT on the left hand side and let's break it down.
Here's my answer: “Once at work my manager wanted a group of five volunteers to carry
out an urgent stock check of all company goods.
The stock check needed to be done quickly because the computer system that usually keeps
a check of stock had gone down.
I volunteered along with four other team members.
Now the task required us all to methodically work through each item of stock in alphabetical
order checking them off against a defined worksheet.
The task had to be completed within three hours, so we needed to work very quickly.
I decided to brief the team on the task that had to be done and also allocate specific
tasks based on each team member’s strengths.
As we all worked through the task, we supported each other and helped out if someone was struggling,
or if they were falling behind time.
Now the end result was that we managed to complete the task fully with just ten minutes
to spare.
And at the end of the job we got together to discuss if there was anything we learned
from the task and also if we could improve things if the same situation arose again in
the future.
Now the important thing when responding to this is you're telling them what you would
do, not what you have done in that kind of situation.
Don't say “Oh, if that situation came up, this is what I would do!”
Now these are behavioral kind of questions because they want to see how you would react
in a certain situation and if you can give them EVIDENCE, which this kind of response
does, then that's great.
So, if they said to you at the interview question “How would you deal with a difficult or
angry customer?”
And you said “Okay, I've been in that situation before and I certainly wouldn't put up with
it.
I would tell them where to go!”
Then of course you're not going to get the job.
You're not going to get it.
So, you have to use SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULT and always make sure the result is
positive following your actions and you will pass your interview I can assure you.
So, to get more free training, but also this is important: If you'd like to watch one of
my top-rated videos here on YouTube that has a load of interview questions and answers,
so you know how to answer.
Now let's start working through some sample questions and answers.
Watch this video here by the Red Arrow: just click that link and it will take you straight
through to it.
If you want some free interview training from me, I have an online course at the website
PassMyInterview.com.
I'll put the link in the description below the video.
Like I say don't forget to subscribe.
Please do give the video a thumbs up as I appreciate that and tell me what interview
you've got coming up in the comments section below, and I will give you a list of questions
to prepare for.
Guys, thank you for listening and watching as always, I very much appreciate your support
on this channel CareerVidz.
I wish you all the very best for you passing your interview.
Thank you.