Many of you are familiar with the interview process. What many of you are not so conversant with is a strength based interview.
Strength based interviews have become an increasingly popular choice by many employers. Therefore, we think it is a good idea to learn what a strength based interview is, and how to prepare for it.
WHAT IS A STRENGTH BASED INTERVIEW?
A strength based interview is a type of interview which is becoming increasingly common amongst graduate jobs.
Large companies such as Nestle, Ernst & Jones, Barclays and other well known organisations have all used this type of interview as a way of assessing their candidates.
Just like the name suggests, this type of interview is designed to look at a candidate’s ‘strengths’ and what they enjoy doing.
Why use a strength based interview?
Strength based interviews allow the interview to get a ‘feel’ about who the candidate actually is. This is a great way to find out key things such as what motivates them, what they like, what they believe their personal strengths are and much more.
A strength based interview is thought to be more ‘personal’ as it allows interviewees to really open up about themselves. Whereas, in other interviews such as competency-based interviews, they fully rely on interviewees to basically sell themselves. What makes a strength based interview different from a competency based interview is the fact that it is much harder to prepare for. With a competency based interview, you are able to rehearse your answers by knowing what type of interview questions you are likely to face.
Whereas a strength based interview will take a different approach by trying to get to know you as a person. This focuses on making sure you do more of what you are good at rather than what you are capable of doing.
Candidates are usualy much more happier and feel more comfortable to talk about themselves as opposed to trying to tailor themselves specifically to the job post.
How to prepare for a strength based interview
One of the best things about strength based interviews is that there is little preparation involved.
You should think about yourself as a person – what are your hobbies, what makes you happy, what are you good at, what do you dislike etc.
This is a great opportunity to be honest about the things you enjoy and how this might be suitable to the job role you are applying for.
Sample Strength Based Interview Question
Below are some common strength based interview questions that you can expect during your interview:
- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
- Tell me about something you are particularly proud of.
- What do you find is always left until last/un-done on your to-do-list?
- What would you say is your biggest weakness?
- When would your friends & family say you are at your happiest?
- Tell me about an activity or task that comes easily to you. What were your favourite subjects at school?
- What unique qualities could you bring to the company?
- Describe a situation in which you feel most like ‘yourself’.
- What would you say is a successful day?
Top Tips and Advice
Unlike other types of interview, such as competency-based, there is no way of rehearsing your answers to strengths-based questions.
Although strength based interviews take a different, much more relaxed approach, the importance of interview etiquette remains.
Now’s the time to enhance your interviewing skills, by clicking on the interview training link now!
