Ace the Interview
A collection of 88 posts
How To Answer The “Why Do You Want To Be A Manager?” Interview Question
Do you have what it takes to be a leader? You’ll have to prove you do if you’re interviewing for a management position. I’ve interviewed (and been hired!) for about half a dozen management positions throughout my career. Without fail, I was asked, “why do you want to be a manager?”. It’s a safe bet a recruiter will ask something similar in your next interview if you're on the management track. Some other ways they may ask the same question include: What kind of manager are you? How would your team describe your management style? What are your key strengths as a manager? This is a tough question, especially if you’re new to management, but it’s crucial you get it right. You have to demonstrate confidence, organization and that you can handle the job's responsibility while showing humility, empathy and encouragement! And if you don’t manage to get it right, you can kiss that opportunity goodbye. Tricky as it may be, let’s show you exactly how to prep your answer. In this article, we: Explain why recruiters ask, “why do you want to be a manager?” Reveal the top 10 skills recruiters are looking for in a manager today. Go over the best approach to answering the question, with great examples of how to craft your answer. Give 3 great examples you can apply to different job situations. Management position job interviews are among the most critical steps to advance your career. You have to be prepared. Use our career counselling service to get ready for your interview. We’ve helped thousands of people succeed in their job search, prep for interviews, negotiate the details of their contracts, and otherwise hit their career targets. Contact us if you want to do a deep dive on how to succeed in interviews or if you're curious about other ways to navigate your career path better. Why do recruiters ask "why do you want to be a manager?” Hiring managers ask, “Why do you want to be a manager?” because management positions are the most important roles they have to fill. They need to find a candidate with the right mix of hard and soft skills but who also matches the company culture and goals. Asking this direct question is one of the fastest ways a recruiter can gauge whether you’re the right person for the role. Your answer needs to convince them your interest in the role goes beyond just a paycheck and demonstrate you have an interest in leadership. The recruiter will also check that your management style and goals align with their corporate culture and mission. It’s essential for the company’s success that everyone is on the same page about how to move forward. Qualities they want to see from your answer Management expectations have shifted in the 21st century. Where a top-down structure with a no-nonsense leader used to be the norm, most companies have shifted to be flatter, more flexible organizations with authentic and inspiring leaders. Every company has its own management expectations and style - from rigid and conservative traditional workplaces to more progressive and laid-back ones. But all good managers lean on a mix of similar hard and soft skills to get their job done. When considering a management position candidate, the recruitment team will typically be on the lookout that you have some combination of these essential leadership skills: Motivating others Fostering potential Inspiring trust Taking on and delegating responsibility Strategic thinking Goal and expectation setting Giving (and receiving) feedback Team building Positivity Authenticity Keep these essential skills in mind when considering your answer. Look back on your work history to find examples where you’ve demonstrated them and identify goals to set for yourself as a manager. The best approach to answer "why do you want to be a manager?” Because every company will have different expectations, and every one of you will have different traits, there’s no ‘best’ answer to this question. But by following the steps we’ve put together below, you can tailor a response that shows how you’re the perfect fit for the job. Research the company Researching the company you’re interviewing for a management role with is absolutely crucial to landing the job. No company will hire a manager who knows nothing about them or how they operate. You want to learn everything you can about the company’s product or service, industry, and their place in it. You also need an idea of how they operate internally: the company culture and mission, how formal or laid back they are, and their management style. Use what you learn to build each of the next aspects of your answer. Identify overlaps The strongest managers represent their company’s culture and goals and pass them on to their teams. Look for ways your interests, work history, and management style overlap with the company’s processes and operations. The more you can show the recruiter that you align with the company’s goals, the more they will see you’re a natural fit. It demonstrates the value you’ll bring to the role. Example: Be specific Building on the type of example above, offer specific, relevant examples of how you applied your leadership qualities or led teams in the past. Examples lend you credibility and prove to the recruiter that you’re a strong candidate for the role. Using the STAR method, you can weave a quick story that shows how you successfully navigated an issue and present the positive outcomes to establish yourself as a bonafide leader. Example: Match their management style Another reason to research the company is to find out in advance what type of management style the company applies. Once you know, you can show how it works with your style and identify goals for improvement. Diving into a discussion on management style will demonstrate that you understand the role more than most people do. And talking about your management development and growth goals will show that you’re a motivated professional who plans to keep adding value to the company once they hire you. Example: Reinforce your soft skills Across all industries, companies are taking a more compassionate and empathetic approach to management. The most successful managers have strong interpersonal skills and can build trust and gain team respect. Once you’ve established that you can push your team to get the work done, show the recruiter you know how to support your team when they’re not in top form. Whether it’s family, health, or other personal issues, offer another example of how you can get your team through these tough spots for the company’s long-term success. Example: With the 5 tips above in your pocket, you’re ready to tailor a great answer that will impress in your next job interview. That way, once you sit down with the interviewer, you’ll be prepared to answer whichever version of the “why do you want to be a manager?” question they ask. If you want to learn more or have any other questions about job interviews, we’ve put together the best of our expert advice on the most common questions we get on the topic to help you ace your interview. Example answers to "why do you want to be a manager?” Example #1: For progressive companies. Use this answer where you want to demonstrate to the recruiter that it’s your goal to you’re your team to complete projects successfully and maximize their potential Example #2: More traditional companies Use this answer where you want to impress a more traditional company that is looking for a manager that will reach goals and boost earnings Example #3: Where there have been recent changes Sometimes, companies hit a rough patch and need to find new management to help rebuild morale, increase efficiency, or reach other goals. If that’s the case, try this answer. Takeaways Managers need a mix of hard and soft skills to meet the expectations of the modern workplace. Show that you are an authentic, understanding, and empathetic leader who will inspire and build your team’s morale to boost productivity and meet goals. Learning as much as possible about the company in advance is critical to plan a tailored answer. Identify how your interests and management style overlap with the company’s culture and goals to demonstrate your value in the role Give specific examples of past success to lend credibility to your answers Whether you're looking for a first job, and new job, or moving up where you are, it’s a nerve-wracking and sometimes confusing experience. We know you may not have all the answers, but we’ve been doing this for a long time, and are ready to help you out. We’ve helped 1000+ people like you find success in the hiring process through our career counselling service. Whether you need help in the job search stage, prepping for interviews, or negotiating compensation, we’ve got experts ready to help you strategize your next move.
How To Answer The “Are You A Team Player?” Interview Question
Teamwork is an important part of almost every job there is. Unless you work for yourself and by yourself, you’re part of a team! Recruiters want to be sure from the outset that you’ll fit on the team they’ve built, so they’ll often ask, “are you a team player?” in your interview. Some other ways they might phrase this question include: Do you work better by yourself or as part of a team? How would your coworkers/manager describe working with you? Do you enjoy working as part of a team? What kind of work environment do you prefer? Thinking about how to answer this common job interview question is a great way to prepare for your upcoming interview. Regardless of how they ask the question, you need to show the recruiter you are a team player. In this article, we: Explain why recruiters ask, “are you a team player”? Show you the best approach to answering this question. Include 5 examples of how to answer, "are you a team player?” Whether you’re beginning your career or years along and looking for a change, preparing for a job interview can be a critical step in reaching your next career goal. Use our career counselling service to prepare for your next interview or any other career steps you’re thinking about. We’ve helped thousands of people succeed in their job search, prep for interviews, negotiate the details of their contracts, and otherwise hit their career targets. Get in touch with us to start navigating your career path with ease. Why do recruiters ask, "are you a team player?” Recruiters have a few tried and true questions you can expect to be asked at one point or another in a job interview. While some of them are tricky as hell, this one is not. The reason recruiters ask this question is straightforward. They're gauging whether you have the interpersonal skills to communicate, collaborate, and generally work well with other employees. Although the level of interaction and collaboration differs for each job and company, the recruiter wants to know how you’ll fit in their company's culture and role. You can prep a strong answer for any situation with a little advance research. Best approach to answer "are you a team player?” Before you go into your next interview, you should make a plan for how you intend to answer some of the common questions interviewers tend to ask. Use the following tips to help plan your answer to “are you a team player?” so that you’re comfortable in the interview. Research the company and the role Because each employer and every role is a bit different, your first step is to research the company and position. You want to learn about the company culture and some of the day-to-day expectations for your job. You can learn about the company culture by checking out the ‘about us’ page on their website or from any stories and bios they’ve included on their site. Read between the lines to get an idea of whether it’s more conventional and conservative, or modern and laid back. You can easily find out about the role by reviewing the job description posted and doing a quick internet search about the position. Look for info on typical expectations: whether there’s a lot of standing, operating a machine, deskwork, group work, or other duties to expect. You can also use this as an opportunity to connect with your network. Reach out to people in person or through social media to see if anyone knows what it’s like to work at that company or in that type of job. The info you collect will give you a solid idea of what teamwork means at that company and for that role. With that knowledge in hand, you can craft a tailored answer that showcases your best qualities for the job. Look back on your past Based on the culture and duties you identified in your research, think back on your personal, school, and especially work history to find experiences that overlap. More recent experience will make for better examples, so work backwards from your most recent job or extracurricular activity. Pick times when you worked as part of a team that has some similarity to what your research shows you should expect. The important thing is to be able to describe how your experience shows you’re a good fit in general for the role they’ll expect you to be doing. There’s no need to find specific matches; general similarities are perfect. If it’s a busy place with a big team and you’ve played soccer, there’s your match! If there will be a lot of time on your own at one of several workstations in a shop and you were a prep cook at another job, order up! To impress the recruiter, you should also consider describing your experience through a STAR story. This is a simple method of explaining a Situation, Task, Action, and Result that gives you control to highlight the qualities you want to show off. Own the story Use your answer to go beyond just saying, “yes, I’m a good team player…” and trailing off into the distance. Describe additional strengths that demonstrate just how desirable a candidate you are. This is another great reason to apply the STAR method. Use the story you tell to illustrate how you have any of these other soft skills associated with being a strong team player: Communication… the foundation of effective teamwork Time management Problem-solving Listening Critical thinking Collaboration Leadership Tie it up with a bow Remember, the recruiter is trying to see whether you’re a good fit on their team. Just because you’ve taken the time to make the connection between the story you decided on and the role you’re applying to doesn’t mean they’ll see it instantly. Directly relate your story to an important aspect of the job you're applying to. Whether it’s to one of the duties in the job description, the role in general, or the company culture, tie the story back clearly so the recruiter understands your connection. Be honest A great thing about researching the role and thinking about your work history is learning whether you’ll like the job. Consider your personality type and preferred work setting, and if you discover something you know you won't be able to handle, it may be time to look for better options. Being honest with yourself means you’ll also be honest to the recruiter. When they ask whether you’re a team player or what kind of work environment works best for you, you’ll be ready with a well-considered, honest answer about what your strengths are on a team. Stay loose Because a recruiter can ask this question differently, it’s best to jot down some bullet points about the story rather than script a complete answer. You’re far better off remembering 4-5 key points that will satisfy any question they ask instead of tripping yourself up trying to adapt a script you wrote out. Besides, this will keep the interaction natural and authentic, and you’ll avoid sounding like an AI chatbot wrote your answer. Recruiters often consider more than just your words. Keep the conversation engaging and friendly to score huge bonus points. This question is just one of many questions we get over and over about job interviews. If you want to learn more, we’ve put together the best of our expert advice on the most common we get to help you ace your interview. Example answers to "are you a team player?” Get an idea of what a recruiter wants to hear when they ask, “are you a team player?” then lay the foundation for your perfect answer. Example 1 This is a great response for a social butterfly who’s always keen to help their team. Example 2 This type of answer would work in most situations. It would be great for people who don’t want to promise the moon but can also interact with their team. Example 3 Here’s a great option if you’re going for a supervisory role or moving to a more senior position in an office or creative workplace. Example 4 Consider this example if you’re moving up from a mid-level seniority position and your work is hands-on. Example 5 This example is great for your first job. It relies on extracurricular activities and relates them to work. Takeaways When a recruiter asks, “are you a team player?”, the answer is always yes - with an explanation of how. Be honest about the type of team player you are, and use those strengths. Research the company and job you’re interviewing for to understand their expectations. Draw on past work or personal experiences to build a story that explains how you’re an asset to their team. Use a STAR story to add more context and demonstrate other valuable characteristics. Teamwork is so important in the workplace nowadays. It’s vital you demonstrate that you can play well with others. If you would like more help getting prepared with this and other interview questions, contact us about setting up a mock interview. We’ve helped 1000+ people like you find success in the hiring process through our career counselling service. Whether you need help in the job search stage, prepping for interviews, or negotiating compensation, we’ve got experts ready to help you strategize your next move.
How to Professionally Decline a Job Offer You Already Accepted
One of the most exciting things in your professional life is receiving an offer for a new job opportunity and accepting it. However, sometimes you might second guess your decision, and decide the job is not the right fit for you. If that happens, you need to know there is a professional way for you to decline the job offer you already accepted. In this article, we are going to help you with that, looking into the following questions: What are the most common reasons for declining a job offer you already accepted? How to professionally decline a job offer you already accepted? And we are going to leave you off with a great template and an example to prepare you to professionally decline the job offer you already accepted. So, if you are ready, let’s dive in. Common reasons for declining a job offer you already accepted No matter how well you plan your file, it sometimes happens for things to be out of your control. Let’s take a look at the 4 most common reasons for declining a job offer you already accepted. Personal reasons One of the most common reasons for declining a job offer, even if it is your dream job, is something unexpected in your personal life. The possible reasons here are countless, but here are a few examples: Family emergency Sudden health decline Relocation to a different city No matter the personal reason, the employer would most likely understand that you turned the job down out of necessity. Unsatisfactory conditions In today’s job market, it is possible for the process to move along faster than you can digest it. In that case, you might receive a job offer just a few days after your interview, and before you had the chance to really think about it. And noone would blame you if you just accept it in the thrill of the moment. However, when you give it a thought over the next few days, you might find that: The position is not as great as it seemed when you accepted it The work environment does not suit your preferences The work shifts are not what you feel comfortable with You would prefer a flexible working time, but the company does not offer one The job would require you to relocate to a different city, but you are not ready to do so The company would disturb your work-life balance When considering these separately, they don’t seem like deal-breakers, but as long as they start piling up, you know it is time to professionally decline the job offer. Unsatisfactory compensation Even if you are perfectly satisfied with the job offer and all your future responsibilities in your role, there is still one potential deal-breaker – if the company can’t or is unwilling to provide you with a competitive salary. They might try to compensate with a great benefit package, but noone would blame you if you start doubting whether you should decline the job offer, even after initially accepting it. After all, no matter how much the job fits you, you can’t be expected to work with unsatisfactory compensation. Receiving a better offer from another employer If you are actively looking for a new job, you might find yourself in one tough situation – you have received and accepted a job offer, but then a better one comes along from another company you interviewed for. However, no matter how awkward it might be to decline the first offer for a better one, it is an absolutely valid move on your side. How to professionally decline a job offer you already accepted? No matter how hard it might seem to decline a job offer you already accepted, there is a way to do it professionally, and to do so, you need to follow just a few quick steps. Think it through before you act Before declining the job offer you already accepted, you need to be a 100% certain that you can’t or don’t want to take the job. Once you decline the offer, there is no going back, and the offer is gone forever. Declining the job offer you already accepted can also negatively impact your chances of being considered for future positions in the company. That’s why you need to carefully consider all the pros and cons of the situation, and only after that take the final decision and act on it. Carefully read your contact If you have signed any document regarding the job offer and your acceptance of it, you need to take a minute and carefully go through the documents. Some contracts state that you only have a specific window of time during which you can reject the job offer you have accepted. You need to consider this, and just to be safe – check with a lawyer to make sure you will not suffer any legal consequences of rejecting the job. However, if you have not signed any legal document, and have just received a verbal offer, you are in the clear. Do it quick Even though you should carefully consider the position and read any documents you have signed, you also need to act quickly. The sooner you notify your employer that you are declining the job offer, the better chances there are that they will respect your decision. Furthermore, they will likely need to find a replacement for the position you had an offer for, so they will really appreciate you notifying them early. Be honest and concise In this case, it is really important for you to make your reasoning for declining the job offer short and honest. Don’t go into too much detail, but make sure you provide them with the actual reason for your decision. However, you need to remember that you should never say anything negative about their company. Express your gratitude Last but not least, make sure you express your gratitude for being offered the position in the employer’s company. Make sure you outline everything you liked about their company, and overall keep a positive tone. You would want to leave things off on good terms, as you never know if you might want to work with them in the future. Template for professionally declining a job offer you already accepted And now, as promised, let’s check out a template for professionally declining a job offer you already accepted. Example for professionally declining a job offer you already accepted And now, let’s see the template in action with one great example. Takeaways We are all done, now you know how to professionally decline a job offer after you already accepted. Let’s go through all the important steps you need to take one more time: Think it through before you act – make sure you are certain in your decision, as you can’t change it back Carefully read your contract – if you have signed any documents, go through them carefully, or consult a lawyer to make sure that you will not suffer any legal consequences of rejecting the job Do it quick – contact the employer as soon as you have reached your final decision, they will appreciate you contacting them as soon as possible, as they would most likely have to find a replacement for you Be honest and concise – make sure you provide a brief and honest reasoning for your decision Express your gratitude – show the employer that you are grateful for the offer, and outline all the things you like about their company Check out our template and example for professionally declining a job offer you already accepted, and prepare your own whenever you need it.
Mastering the 'Sell Me This Pen' Interview Question
Going through job interviews, you will encounter many different questions. One of the most challenging ones is the prompt from the interviewer “Sell me this pen”. You will most likely encounter it if you are applying for a sales position, but it might also come out of the blue. It might seem scary at first, but if you are well-prepared, you can nail it. In this article, we are going to help you get there by exploring the following questions: Why do recruiters want you to “Sell them this pen”? What is the best approach to “Sell me this pen”? And once we have these answers, we will wrap things up with some great example answers to get you started. So, if it all sounds good, let’s dive in. Why do recruiters want you to “Sell them this pen”? It will not be a surprise to you that the recruiter does not actually want you to sell them a pen, but rather to evaluate some critical skills for positions like sales and marketing. The question is not so much about the pen, so don’t focus on it. It is all about your approach. Your answers primarily shows whether you can sell, and what sales strategies you use. But that’s not all, recruiters also get some essential information about skills like: How convincing you are Your ability to think on your feet Your communication abilities The question might not be about a pen, but rather about an apple, or anything else around you, but the thing you need to remember is that you need to show your sales technique, rather than talking about the pen. Best approach to “Sell me this pen” Now that you understand why recruiter want you to “sell them this pen”, it is time to learn what is the best way to do so. You can nail your answer in just a few simple steps. Don’t decline to answer You might feel uncomfortable answering this questions, or you might not feel like showcasing your skill set, but refusing to answer is absolutely not an option. This question is as important for you, as it is for the interviewer, and you need to take it seriously. You need to show them that you are comfortable as a salesperson, and that you are willing to sell anything. Show you are optimistic and enthusiastic When you start your answer, make sure you present the product in an enthusiastic and optimistic matter. You need to ensure that both your voice and your facial expressions show that, as these are just as important as the words you are going to use. If you feel comfortable about it, you can also include some gestures to reinforce your belief in the product’s value. Consider the customer’s needs What you need to remember to nail your answer is that you would not want to sell a pen to someone who doesn’t want a pen. However, that does not mean that you should just give up. Instead, you need to consider the customer’s needs in order to figure out how they would decide they want it. To get the best out of your answer, you should first start with asking a few initial questions to get to know the customer and decide on the best approach. Here are a few questions you can ask to get you started: What excites the customer about the pen? Why would you be talking to the customer in the first place? What would be a deal-breaker for the customer? What are the biggest pain points for the customer? Once you have all that initial information, you can decide on a sales approach and figure out the best way to reach the desired outcome – buying a pen. Be prepared for refusals What you need to remember is that not every time you sell something, you would be able to finish the sale. And it is possible that the interviewer would choose to go in that direction, and say that they don’t want the pen. However, that does not mean that you should give up right away. There are a variety of reasons why they might not want the pen, including: They don’t know how much they need it They don’t understand the price structure, and think they can’t afford it They might not like the color or the design You need to make sure they understand it all, and always be prepared with similar options in different styles to offer. But, if after all that the customer still does not want the pen, you need to be prepared to take no for an answer. Create urgency One last trick you can use to convince the customer to buy the pen is to create urgency and tell them they have to act now, or the opportunity might be gone forever. After creating the urgency, you would also want to add in some special offer or time-sensitive deal, so that they have to act fast. Example answers for “Sell me this pen” And now that you know everything needed to “Sell the recruiter this pen”, it is time to check out some great example to get you started on your own answer. Example 1Example 2Takeaways We are all done, now you know how to nail your answer when prompted to “sell this pen” during an interview. Let’s go through all the important steps you need to take, to make sure you’ve got everything right: Don’t decline to answer – no matter how you feel about the question, you are being asked to “sell this pen” for a reason, and the worst thing you can do is decline to do so. Show you are optimistic and enthusiastic – you need to show the interviewer that you are happy to offer them the pen, not only with your words, but also with your voice and gestures Consider the customer’s needs – try to learn more about the customer with some initial questions, and pick the right sales strategy to get them to want the pen Be prepared for refusals – not every sale ends successfully, but before giving up, make sure you explain everything to the customer. However, if their answer is still a “no”, you should be prepared to take it Create urgency – try to intrigue the customer by offering them a time-limited deal, and also sweeten the deal with some special offer they would only get now. Take one more look at our example answers for “sell me this pen”, and prepare your own for your next job interview.
How To Answer The “What Do You Think This Company Could Do Better?” Interview Question
Do you enjoy being put on the spot and asked uncomfortable questions? Great, then you’ll love when the interviewer asks, “What could this company do better?” But, if you’re like most people, when the interviewer asks this question, you’ll be sweating bullets trying to think of a good answer. Let’s face it, they’re basically asking you to point out their company’s shortcomings. Some other ways they might ask the same question include: What do you think we could do better? What would you do differently if this were your company? How do you think you could improve our company if we hired you? Luckily, with some simple preparation, you can show you’ve done your homework on their business, understand the industry, and highlight your skills. Let’s see how you can plan a delicate and professional answer to hits those marks. In this article, we: Discuss why recruiters ask you, “What could this company do better?” Show you step-by-step how to answer this question. Include 5 examples of great answers to the " What could this company improve?” interview question. Preparing for your job interview is one of the most critical steps in reaching your career goals. Use our career counseling service to prepare for your next interview or any other career steps you’re thinking about. We’ve helped thousands of people succeed in their job search, prep for interviews, negotiate the details of their contracts, and otherwise hit their career targets. Get in touch with us to start navigating your career path with ease. Why do recruiters ask, "what do you think this company could do better?” There are two main reasons hiring managers ask this question. Both offer you an opportunity to impress them. First, they want to know more about you. They’re reading between your answer's lines to see what you’re like and how you might fit into their company culture. Depending on your answer, they may decide you have tact and excellent communication skills or that you’re condescending and full of yourself. Worded correctly, you can show genuine interest in their business instead of coming across as a know-it-all they don’t want on their team. Second, they want to know what you think of the company. After all, they’re considering hiring you because they believe you understand something about their business, so they stand to gain from your insights. What is the best approach to answer "what do you think this company could do better?” Because you’re being asked to point out flaws in the company you’re interviewing for, this question can be uncomfortable and a minefield. No sweat, right? Follow these simple steps to plan an answer that impresses the recruiter: 1. Do your research The only way you’re going to be able to put together a good answer is if you research the company in advance. You’ll need an idea of how they operate and fit into the industry to give an answer that impresses the recruiter. Look online or reach out to your network to gather information about the business’s products, revenue, image, goals, market, employees, competition and reputation. These areas will give you an idea of where they might come up short. 2. Be specific Use what you learned about the company to identify specific aspects about it you admire and others you’d suggest changing. If the recruiter asks you this question, they want you to give them a concrete answer, not beat around the bush with a vague one. 3. Consider the company values Companies operate differently from one another, and you want your answer to align with their values and goals. Because your personal mission statement will differ from their corporate mission, look into the company’s values to suggest improvements they’d actually be interested in. The reverse of this is also true, which is another reason to research the company. It would be best if you don’t make suggestions that go against the company values since that would be a red flag that you won't fit in there. 4. Start with a positive Lead with a relevant complement to frame your answer in a positive light. This shows the recruiter that you know your stuff and can give constructive criticism without coming across as one-sided and negative. 5. Be critical (to a point) Based on what you learned about the company, describe one specific thing about them you would do differently. But remember, you’re being judged on how you approach this answer, not just the content, so offer your insights without going on about them. 6. Bring it back to you Once you’ve answered their question, shift to how you could help make those changes. Moving the focus to you ensures you aren’t too negative about the company. It also puts you ahead of the competition by letting you pinpoint some of your strengths. Use this opportunity to tell the recruiter precisely what sets you apart. Answering this question is one piece of the puzzle. If you’re unsure about another aspect of your job interview, look over the best of our expert advice on the most common questions we get to ace your interview. Example answers to, "what do you think this company could do better?” These examples follow our steps of starting with something positive, moving on to moderate criticism, and then highlighting how your skills could help. Adapt these answers or craft one yourself that follows these basic rules. Example 1 – Updating outreach This answer is perfect if you’re interviewing for a role in marketing, HR, or any management level. It shows you’ve done your homework on the company and points the recruiter toward a valuable skill that makes you a unique candidate. Example 2 – Transition period There’s always a transition period when a company goes through changes. That’s a perfect time to show potential employers you have the soft skills they need to help them build a strong workforce. Example 3 – Sales Recruiters love to hear that you’ve used their products because it shows that the company is more to you than just a paycheck. This answer also demonstrates how your insights as a customer and employee offer them a unique opportunity. Example 4 - New to the industry Sometimes you don’t have years of experience to fall back on, but that shouldn’t limit how much you can impress a recruiter. This answer shows that despite being new to the industry, you’ve done your due diligence in looking into them. Even more, it shows you have the humility and confidence to admit when you don’t have the answer. Example 5 – Social motivation This answer demonstrates so many levels a recruiter will love to see. It shows your interest and knowledge in the company, your motivation to support its values and your interest in being with it for long-term growth. Takeaways Lean into specific opportunities to improve the company; the recruiter doesn’t want you to avoid this question with a vague answer. Research the company’s products, revenue, image, goals, market, employees, competition and reputation to craft an informed answer. Start with something positive, present a shortcoming, and then offer to use your skills to solve it. The recruiter is judging how you’ll fit into their team, so the goal is to sound knowledgeable without coming across as a know-it-all. Moderate your answer by moving quickly from constructive criticism to offering a solution. We’ve helped 1000+ people like you find success in the hiring process through our career counseling service. Whether you need help in the job search stage, prepping for interviews, or negotiating compensation, we’ve got experts ready to help you strategize your next move.
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