To answer this question you must have researched the company. Reply with the company’s attributes as you see them.
This question is not geared solely to rate your progress; it also rates your self-esteem. Be positive, yet do not give the impression you have already done your best work. Make the interviewer believe you see each day as an opportunity to learn and contribute, and that you see the environment at this company as conductive to your best efforts.
The safest answer contains a desire to be regarded as a true professional and team player. As far as promotion, that depends on finding a manager with whom you can grow. Of course, you will ask what opportunities exist within the company before being more specific.
Keep your answers job related. You might begin your reply with: “Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement with ... I made a contribution as part of that team and learned a lot in the process”.
You may have to clarify the context of this question, however, whichever direction your answer takes, ensure it has some relevance to your professional endeavours. You should also refer to one or more of your key personal qualities, such as honesty, integrity, being a team player or determination.
Isolate high points from your background and build in a couple of key personal qualities, such as pride in your work, reliability and the ability to stick with a difficult task, yet change course rapidly when required.
This can be a tricky question to answer, consider the technique of putting a problem in the past and showing how you overcame it or design your answer so your weakness is ultimately a positive characteristic. For example, “I always give each project my best shot, so if I sometimes feel others aren’t pulling their weight, I find it a little frustrating”.
Focus on what you can contribute to the organisation. You want to work in a company where your talents and experience will allow you to contribute to their business. Try to avoid saying what the company will provide for you, your potential employer wants to hear what you will bring to the role.
You should have an acceptable reason for leaving every job, however, if you don’t you can use one of the following six acceptable reasons from the employment industry CLAMPS formula:
- Challenge – you weren’t able to grow professionally
- Location – the journey to work was unreasonably long
- Advancement – there was nowhere for you to go
- Money – you were underpaid for your skills and contribution
- Pride/Prestige – you wanted to be with a better company
- Security – the company was not stable
This is a sign that the interview is drawing to a close and is your last chance to make an impression. Your questions could be based around the following aspects:
- Company structure
- Future product/service plans
- Culture
- Working relationships
- Challenges facing the Testing/QA function
- Recent press releases
- Other team members
Capita Assurance and Testing are here to represent you, so if the client wishes to discuss salaries, it is advisable to refer them to speak with us and we can negotiate the best package for you.