What makes this sort of questioning useful is that it gets you to explain how you have approached problems and tasks in the past, which can provide insights into how you are likely to perform once in post.
You need to avoid the main mistakes that interviewees can make. Here are a few of them:
Answering questions with opinion instead of facts
For instance, ‘I believe it is important to be motivated and hardworking…’ Potential employers want to know what you did, not what you think about it.
Answering questions with facts but not evidence.
For instance, ‘I worked at xxxx Birth Centre from 2012 to 2016 as a midwife where I was responsible for assisting low risk women give birth. Then I moved to…’ Your employers want to know how you did things, not just what you did. These sorts of details will make you seem much more like a real person and not a walking CV!
Answering questions using jargon or inaccessible language.
For instance, ‘I was responsible for implementing the MAT611 system and rolling out the inter-departmental policy for safety under framework 4.7’ Even if you are applying for a move within your existing organisation, your interviewers may not be familiar with specific or new departmental protocols .
Answering ‘what have you done’ questions with hypotheticals statements
For instance ‘if I was going to be involved in xxx I would definitely do xxxx …’ Employers using this type of question want to know what you have done, not what you might do.
Not answering the question you have been asked.
Listen to what is being asked and make sure your answer matches. Don’t give the detail or example you’ve got in your head and want to cram in at all costs! Sometimes you have to tailor what you have prepared to what they are asking you about, so be ready to be flexible.
Using weak examples.
Your answer might fit with the question, but that’s not enough. It also needs to be a strong answer! avoid answering with evidence of things you did in the role which would be generally expected of you- try to find evidence of you going above and beyond what would be expected, or what most staff would do.
Being shy or overly modest.
You need to use this chance to show the panel who you are and what you can do. If you are modest about your achievements and downplay them, that is what the panel will take away from their meeting with you. If you don’t tell them what you have achieved and the difference you have made, how else are they ever going to know?
