Brad Remillard, an executive recruiter with over 25 years of experience, has conducted over 10,000 interviews and been involved in more than 2,000 executive searches. Brad previously served as President of CJA Executive Search, which was recognized as one of the top search firms in Southern California. In 2005 he co-founded IMPACT Hiring Solutions a retained executive search firm and best practices hiring company. He is co-author of two books on hiring. You're NOT The Person I Hired. His second book helps candidates dramatically reduce their time in-transition is, This Is NOT The Position I Accepted In 1999, Brad co-founded the American Association of Senior Executives (AASE), one of Southern California's largest career management and business resource organizations exclusively dedicated to VP and C-level executives. The AASE has assisted more than 1,500 corporate executives manage their careers. Brad has personally coached many of these executives on success-based interviewing, 21st Century networking techniques, and career transition. He is a frequent speaker on the subject of career management and executive networking.
This is so often the first question asked in an interview. It may not be worded exactly like this, but in one form or another, many if not most interviews start this way.
Knowing this question is coming, why do most candidates get so frustrated answering this question?
It is, for the most part, a break the ice question. It gets the candidate talking, gives time for everyone to relax, is wide open, and generally a meaningless question. However, just because it is meaningless, doesn’t mean you can ignore it. In fact, this is an excellent opportunity for you to engage the interviewer.
You have a golden opportunity to hit the salient points in your background, open a discussion around what defines success in this role, and to get the interviewer excited about this interview.
In our opinion this should be a short 2 minute, so well rehearsed answer, that is doesn’t appear to be rehearsed. This is not the time to give your autobiography, go over every position in your background or bore the interviewer with a long winded answer.
In most cases, the interviewer is using this to simply start the conversation. They aren’t looking for a complex or even complete answer. They just want a quick overview. That is it.
We recommend starting with your most relevant position and hit the accomplishments that closely relate to the position. It is even acceptable to outline some of your current responsibilities, organization, relevant company information, products or services, and basic duties. The goal is to give the interviewer the information they need to better understand how your company, industry, experiences and organization aligns with theirs.
This is not the time to give a lot of information that doesn’t align with the company. For example, if the company is a small entrepreneurial company, it would be a fatal mistake to highlight your experience in a large Fortune 500 company, that you managed a staff of 30 people, and your department budget was bigger than the company’s sales last year.
A better answer would be to highlight a past company similar in size that you enjoyed working at, felt more fulfilled by the impact you made, preferred the ability to be hands-on and what you did to contribute to the growth of the company. This better aligns with the interviewer’s needs.
You should have a number of canned, well rehearsed, thoughtful answers to this question. This is your opportunity to start the interview on the best footing for you.
Join our Linkedin Job Search Networking Group. There are over 2500 people in the group, so it is a great resource for you and your search.
Get a free download on our homepage of a sample cover letter, job search self-assessment tool, and Linkedin profile assessment. All are free in our “What’s New” section on our homepage at http://www.impacthiringsolutions.com
Every Monday at 11AM PDT listen to our live talk radio show on www.latalkradio.com.
We encourage your comments and feedback.
Brad Remillard
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- What to Bring to a Job Interview - Interview Basics
- Closing for the Job in the Sales Interview - Interview Questions and Answers
- Job Interview Do's and Don'ts
- Greater Confidence: a Critical Factor of Success in Important Interviews
- Questions to Ask Your Interviewer in the Job Interview
- Interview:a Success Journey to a Successful Professional Career
- Sample Interview Questions Can Prepare You For the Real Interview
- Job Interview Skills Enhancement Tactics
How to Nail the Interview and Land the Job
By: Kasan Groupe | 03/12/2009Nail your next interview with great tips and suggestions.
Questions to ask in an Interview
By: RedStarResume | 03/12/2009When the interviewer asks "do you have any questions" always answer YES! Find below a list of the top questions to ask in an interview.
The Most Important Three Words In A Search?
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009Everyone knows the three most important words in real estate are location, location, location. So then, “What are the three most important words in a job search?” (Answer below)
Honesty + guts works in an interview
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009Two different situations explain why, no matter how desperate one is for a job, interviewing the same way you would if you had the best job in the world, is the difference between getting an offer and not getting one.
It Is OK to SWEAR In A Job Interview!
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009There seems to be two types of candidates in this world. Those that ramble on and on hoping if they talk long enough the person will forget the question they asked or the candidate that gives one or two word answers to every question. It is like pulling teeth to get a complete answer.
Busted – Age Discrimination Revealed
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009Anyone that has read the discussions in our Linkedin Job Search Networking Group knows that I am not a big believer in age discrimination. That doesn’t mean I think it doesn’t happen. What it does mean is that I don’t think it happens as frequently as many candidates do. In fact, I believe it is far more rare than most.
Best Website For Placement Papers is PlacementPapers.asia
By: Asif Khan | 02/12/2009PlacementPapers.asia is a leading examination papers portal where you can find best placement papers.
It Is Important For Every Job Seeker To Know About The Job Interview
By: Jamie Blizzard | 01/12/2009When it comes to the job hiring process a company is looking for a strong individual who has experience in their field and the education to support the company in the future.
The Most Important Three Words In A Search?
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009 | InterviewsEveryone knows the three most important words in real estate are location, location, location. So then, “What are the three most important words in a job search?” (Answer below)
How Recruiters Find People
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009 | RecruitmentIn my 29 years of recruiting, I have talked with and trained over 200 recruiters around the country in advanced recruiting techniques. Given this, I’ve learned two things 1) the recruiting industry is not homogeneous and 2) we all may be different, but there is one constant; how we find people.
Honesty + guts works in an interview
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009 | InterviewsTwo different situations explain why, no matter how desperate one is for a job, interviewing the same way you would if you had the best job in the world, is the difference between getting an offer and not getting one.
It Is OK to SWEAR In A Job Interview!
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009 | InterviewsThere seems to be two types of candidates in this world. Those that ramble on and on hoping if they talk long enough the person will forget the question they asked or the candidate that gives one or two word answers to every question. It is like pulling teeth to get a complete answer.
Busted – Age Discrimination Revealed
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009 | InterviewsAnyone that has read the discussions in our Linkedin Job Search Networking Group knows that I am not a big believer in age discrimination. That doesn’t mean I think it doesn’t happen. What it does mean is that I don’t think it happens as frequently as many candidates do. In fact, I believe it is far more rare than most.
Stop Your Job Search Until 2010 – Dumb Move
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009 | RecruitmentI get this all the time from candidates I’m working with in our job search coaching program. It usually starts with, “The holidays are here and nobody is hiring during this period.” or “Why look now? I will wait until the new year. It is time for a break.” As succinctly as my mild manner can put it, DUMB MOVE. Sorry to yell, but that is what this attitude is. So let’s call it dumb.
Job Hunters Searching For Help In Too Many Places
By: Brad Remillard | 02/12/2009 | RecruitmentThere are so many places to go today for help with your job search it is hard to know what is right, who is the best, what advice you should follow, and if you are doing things effectively. Everybody has a different opinion. Should you use Twitter, how much time to spend networking, do you need to change your resume, is your cover letter the best, what do to in an interview, etc.