Trick question: What would you have changed in your previous position?
8 January 2013
Read by 2165 persons
This is not the time to complain about your former boss. Instead, describe the situations that annoyed you in your job and emphasize what could have been improved.
The future employer wants to know here the aspects that displeased you in your last job to verify if you could be happy within their company. "The goal of the job interview is to achieve a perfect match that reconciles the candidate's expectations and the employer's offer," says Jean-Philippe Gauthier, recruitment director for Robert Half, Finance and Accounting. "The employer uses all means to find out what you are looking for."
Focus on the facts
Take the opportunity to express what you would have liked. "But don't denigrate your former boss," warns Mr. Gauthier. "Stick to the facts." For example, don't say: "My former employer didn't give me enough responsibilities," but rather: "I would have liked my last job to offer me more challenges."
"You can also say that you have an entrepreneurial spirit and that you would have liked an environment that gives more room to initiative," illustrates the recruiter. "Thus, you do not denigrate your former employer. You are talking about a fact and expressing a need. The future employer can in turn assess whether the values of their company correspond to your desires."
Score points
Annie Chauvette, a manpower consultant for the Centre d'intervention des Basses-Laurentides for employment, suggests using this question to highlight your good ideas. "Take the opportunity to say what you would have changed, for example, in the work methods to improve service, profitability or efficiency at your former employer.
Jobboom.com
Posted online January 8, 2013.
The future employer wants to know here the aspects that displeased you in your last job to verify if you could be happy within their company. "The goal of the job interview is to achieve a perfect match that reconciles the candidate's expectations and the employer's offer," says Jean-Philippe Gauthier, recruitment director for Robert Half, Finance and Accounting. "The employer uses all means to find out what you are looking for."
Focus on the facts
Take the opportunity to express what you would have liked. "But don't denigrate your former boss," warns Mr. Gauthier. "Stick to the facts." For example, don't say: "My former employer didn't give me enough responsibilities," but rather: "I would have liked my last job to offer me more challenges."
"You can also say that you have an entrepreneurial spirit and that you would have liked an environment that gives more room to initiative," illustrates the recruiter. "Thus, you do not denigrate your former employer. You are talking about a fact and expressing a need. The future employer can in turn assess whether the values of their company correspond to your desires."
Score points
Annie Chauvette, a manpower consultant for the Centre d'intervention des Basses-Laurentides for employment, suggests using this question to highlight your good ideas. "Take the opportunity to say what you would have changed, for example, in the work methods to improve service, profitability or efficiency at your former employer.
Jobboom.com
Posted online January 8, 2013.
