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By Bruce Hurwitz on May 1, 2025
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In any job interview the only guaranteed questions are those based on the job description. That said, every interviewer has their favorite questions. There is no certainty about what a candidate will be asked. But it is safe to assume that they will be given an opportunity, Tell us about yourself, or asked What do you know about us? If so, candidates must be prepared to jump on these because the answers are what may get them the job.
Tell us about yourself. Answer: I look for what is missing; the opportunities. Then give an example that addresses what the interviewers have revealed about their needs.
What do you know about us? Answer: The best way I can answer that question is to tell you what I don't know.
And then you continue:
When I was doing my research, I was not surprised to learn that you do A, B and C. Your competitors do the same. But none of you do D or E. So I asked myself, Why? I then looked into the numbers and D represents potential revenue of $X, while E could bring in $Y. In order to do D or E, you would probably need an investment of $Z, meaning an ROI of something%. So, now you know how I research, what I look for, what the value is I will bring to your company, but my question remains, Why aren't you doing D and or E, and don't you want those markets before your competitors get them?
No one talks that way in an interview. The interviewers will be blown away. You turned the interview into a discussion of which you should be a part. There are no guarantees, and there are some risks, but what type of company do you prefer, one that hires employees who consider new opportunities or one that shies away from them?
Of course, searching for new opportunities may not be the key consideration of the company for which you are interviewing. It may be something else. Find it! In real estate it's "Location, location, location." In interviewing it's "Research, research, research. So find the missing link; it is the most valuable archeological discovery in the interview process.
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