Cummins Mellor Recruitment

It seems it is important to remember that it is not only the candidate who needs to prepare for an interview… but the interviewer.

Poor Preparation (42%) and irrelevant questions (43%) have been identified as the most off-putting interviewer habits, and this lack of effort is reportedly causing stress.

With over a third of interviewers forgetting a candidate’s name, and over a quarter confessing they had gone into an interview unprepared, this can risk the company professionalism and put off a perfect candidate.

Cummins Mellor Recruitment have complied a list of pertinent questions which will give you the answers you need to pick out that ideal match.

What appealed to you most about this position?

• Ask for a 5 minute concise summary of their CV
• What’s the best thing about your current job? – give an example (what do they really like doing)
• What’s the worst / most frustrating thing about your current job? – give example (how they dealt with it)
• Tell me about a difficult work or personal situation in the past and how you handled it? (creativity, tenacity)
• What would your manager say about you?
• Why would you want to work here? (listening – facts, persuasiveness )
• What areas of your skills need improving? (honesty)
• What skills do you have that aren’t being utilised in your current role?
• What is your Unique selling point (What makes you different than the other applicants?
• Describe a situation in your career when you have added the most value?
• What is the biggest hurdle that you have had to overcome?
• Describe the most challenging change management exercise you have undertaken?
• How would you describe your management style?
• What are your views on training within the workplace?
• What are your tips for business success?
• What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
• Why should we consider you? (persuasiveness)
• Any reason not to join & start immediately?
•  Name 3 things you dislike and why?
• Why should I use their company / buy from them? (persuasiveness)
• Give me three words that your best friend/partner would use to describe you?
• What legislative changes would you implement in order to benefit British businesses?
• What regrets do you have within your career to date?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 / 10 years?