|
Handling Probing Questions
There are many ways to use questions during accountancy interviews. Some interviewers will repeatedly ask you about a single issue and relentlessly probe your responses to identify inconsistencies or problem areas in your background. The "inquiry approach" helps you to curtail the probe and change the direction of an interviewer’s questions.
Interviewer: How did you get along with your boss?
Applicant: Fine. We agreed on just about everything when it came to running the business.
Interviewer: Well, just what did you differ on? (a probe)
Applicant: Well, I guess the strategies involving sales development.
Interviewer: Can you elaborate? (another probe)
Instead of being forced to describe the differences, which would invite more probes, the applicant responds with a
question: Applicant: As a hallmark of my management style I’m very flexible and accommodating and very rarely revert to conflict. But to help me understand the way things work around here, can you tell me how the company culture operates to resolve conflict, should it occur?
This question deflects the probe and redirects the interview to a topic which is still related to the interviewer’s question but less penetrating and incisive for the accountancy applicant.
Sticky Questions
Here’s another interview situation where asking a question can help you to escape a tough question.
Interviewer: What salary are you looking for?
Applicant: (very calmly and with light humour): Oh, well, I wasn’t expecting to discuss money at this point, but I’m still curious to know how much you’re offering for a position at this level, considering someone with my background and experience. Can you give me a ballpark figure or maybe a range?
Simply turn the tables and ask what interviewers would normally ask. Most of the time, interviewers will accommodate you.
Applicant: I’m really not ready to discuss money until I’ve learned more about the job and determine how closely my knowledge, skills and experience match the job requirements. Can we defer the salary package until later in the interview?
Your Final Question
Some applicants are uncomfortable at the end of an interview because they aren’t sure if they should ask more questions.
It’s also disconcerting when interviewers don’t indicate if they intend to invite the applicant for a second interview. Here’s a way to gauge an interviewers’ impression of you and to learn whether they intend to pursue you.
Applicant: I really enjoyed our conversation. Do you think we’ll have another meeting soon?
Sound Advice
Practice the "inquiry approach" with a colleague or friend to become comfortable with the strategy. Ask non-threatening
questions that will elicit information about the job, management style, corporate culture and the company’s strategic plan.
When interviewers respond to your questions, always show that you’re listening. You’ll make interviewers comfortable and stay in control during the meeting.
The Benefits of Asking
If you ask the right questions during an interview, you’ll get information that will help you give better responses to employers’ questions. The inquiry approach also:
Draws out information about the manager’s strategic plan.
Helps you make a good impression with your questions and shows you’re interested.
Gets sluggish interviewers to talk more.
Draws interviewers’ attention to relevant experiences they hadn’t considered.
Allows you to probe unclear responses.
Redirects interviewers so they’ll ask questions you prefer to answer.
Deflects excessive probing about a single issue.
|
