Do you know why employers conduct strategic interview sessions with prospective applicants? No guess say, let’s find out why.
Due to the massive rise in the number of unemployed people worldwide, the number of applicants received when a vacancy is advertised exceeds the available roles by 99%.
In fact, a report by Statista published in July 2024, revealed that “Between 2019 and 2020, the number of unemployed people worldwide increased from 191.93 million to 235.21 million, the biggest annual increase in unemployment in this provided time period. In 2022, the number of people unemployed decreased to 205.25 million.”
Sometimes some of these applicants are not even qualified for the role. So there becomes a pressing need to examine the behavior traits of applicants. This is the birth of strategic interviews.
Hence, this interview technique enables employers to decipher candidates’ behavioural and other traits, enabling them to understand prospective employees’ strengths and weaknesses.
But there is more. You’ll find out at the end of this article.
Do you need an expert interview coach to help you prepare for your upcoming interview for you to ace it? If yes, contact our professional interview coach now to get started.
What Are Strategic Interview Questions?
Strategic interview questions are questions asked by interviewers to evaluate candidates’ capacity in a specific role.
This is necessary to discover candidates’ key attributes and potentials and to get a clearer picture of their effectiveness in the prospective role.
Usually, strategic interview questions are structured in such a way that candidates can express their ideas when addressed. So, expect to receive open-ended questions and get ready to supply enough answers in defence of your skills.
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Tips On How To Answer Strategic Interview Questions
Going to an interview without a plan on how to strategically answer the interview questions is a no-no. So, as much as possible, stick to a plan. As a result, because it is critical to respond intelligently to interview questions, we have included tips on how to answer strategic interview questions. So, let’s get started right away!
1. You Must Have A Plan
As you prepare for the interview, consider how to dress and questions, as well as a written plan of potential scenarios that may happen throughout the discussion. In this scenario, it may be a project that you believe would substantially benefit the organisation, or it could be various ways you can assist the organisation in the next 30, 60, or 90 days if you are hired. This goes on to show your proactive nature and enthusiasm for the work and the firm. I’m confident that with this simple method, you can win over any interviewer’s heart.
2. Use Storytelling Technique
Stories assist to construct a clear picture in our minds, and they are very effective during interviews. When given a strategic question, employ the STAR approach to respond to the interviewer; this can be viable. Other options include being open about your career trajectory and making an effort to connect with the interviewer. In general, a compelling story can help you get into your desired organisation.
3. Show That You Are Confident
The term “strategic interview” is not only for the name; some of the questions you may be asked may demand some amount of intellectual preparedness. So, whether you respond to their enquiries or ask them your own, demonstrate your confidence. Pay attention to your body language; make sure you’re maintaining eye contact with the interviewer and aren’t slouching. With this approach, you may leave a good impression on everyone, including your interviewer.
These are just a few tips that can help you during strategic interviews.
What Are The Types Of Strategic Interviews?
There are different types of Strategic interview questions, although this depends on the approach of the interviewer. in this article, I will be considering the most common and frequently used types. So, strategic interview questions can be classified into three groups or categories, namely:
1. Behavioural Questions
with behaviour questions, interviewers aim to weigh your compatibility with the organizational work culture and goals.
More so, this also focuses on your past behaviour toward certain situations. The interviewer will ask you to describe specific examples of times when you demonstrated specific skills during certain situations.
Read Also: Questions an Interviewer Cannot Ask and Why
Examples of Behavioural Questions
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
- How do you deal with stressful situations at work and still stay productive?
- What would you do if you were paired to work with a difficult colleague?
- What would you do if you were almost finished with a project that you had worked hard on when suddenly the goals or priorities were changed?
2. Situational Questions
The essence of situational questions is to test candidates’ responses to hypothetical situations in the workplace peculiar to the specific role. Usually, the interview would present a scenario and ask you to describe how you would handle it or what you would do to determine your attitude in handling certain situations.
Examples of Situational interview
- How would you handle a customer who is upset about a product or service?
- Describe a time you had a difficult situation
- How would you prioritize your workload if you had multiple deadlines at the same time?
- How would you deal with a difficult colleague?
- How would you handle a situation where you had to decide without all of the necessary information?
- How would you handle a situation where you had to give negative feedback to a colleague?
- How would you handle a situation where you had to deal with a customer who is being verbally abusive?
Do you need an expert interview coach to help you prepare for your upcoming interview for you to ace it? If yes, contact our professional interview coach now to get started.
3. Career Development
This question helps hiring managers or employers Understand the long-term goals of candidates to know whether or not they align with the company’s present and future objectives.
Examples of Career development questions
- Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years
- How do you stay informed about the industry
- What kind of projects are you most interested in?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What are your work-life balance priorities?
- What kind of support do you need from your manager to develop your career?
Top 20 Strategic Interview Questions to Ask Experts
When interviewing experts, it’s crucial to ask insightful questions that elicit valuable information and demonstrate your knowledge of the topic. Here are 20 strategic questions to consider:
- What are the most significant trends or challenges currently impacting the [industry] sector?
- How have recent technological advancements transformed the [industry]?
- What are the key factors driving growth or decline in the [industry]?
- Based on your experience, what are the most common mistakes made by newcomers to the [industry]?
- What advice would you give to someone looking to break into the [industry]?
- What do you believe sets successful professionals apart in this field?
- What career paths are available within the [industry], and which do you consider to be the most promising?
- What skills or certifications are essential for success in this field?
- How important is networking and building relationships in the [industry]?
- What are the biggest challenges facing professionals in the [industry] today?
- What emerging opportunities do you see in the [industry]?
- How can professionals stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in this rapidly evolving field?
- Can you share a personal anecdote or case study that illustrates a key point about the [industry]?
- What are some of the most successful companies or individuals in the [industry], and why?
- How have you seen the [industry] change over the course of your career?
- What do you foresee as the future of the [industry] in the next 5-10 years?
- What new technologies or trends do you believe will have the greatest impact on the [industry]?
- How will these changes affect the roles and responsibilities of professionals in the field?
- What advice would you give to someone starting out in the [industry]?
- What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career in the [industry]?
Top 20 Strategic Interview Questions for Entry-Level Candidates
Here are 20 strategic questions to ask entry-level candidates to assess their potential and fit for the role: although we have mentioned some of them in previous sections.
- Why are you interested in working at [Company Name]?
- What drew you to this specific role within our company?
- Can you tell me about a time when you were particularly passionate about a project or task?
- Describe a time when you faced a challenging problem and how you overcame it.
- How do you approach decision-making?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to think creatively to solve a problem?
- Tell me about a time when you worked effectively as part of a team.
- How do you handle disagreements with colleagues?
- Can you describe a situation where you had to adapt to a changing team dynamic?
- What steps do you take to continuously improve your skills and knowledge?
- How do you handle feedback and criticism?
- Can you share a time when you learned something new and how it benefited you?
- How do you handle change and uncertainty?
- Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a new situation quickly?
- Are you comfortable with ambiguity?
- Tell me about a time when you took initiative and went above and beyond your job duties.
- How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?
- Can you describe a time when you faced a setback and how you persevered?
- What do you know about our company culture and values?
- How do your own values align with our company’s mission?
How Do You Prepare For A Strategic Interview?
Don’t fret, strategic interviews aren’t as difficult as the name suggests. But to ace it, you have to apply a bit of strategy which starts from understanding the questions and approaching each the right way. Here are some tips to help you get prepared.
- Do proper research about the company and your role
- Have a plan and structure to address the questions asked
- Practice answering commonly strategic interview questions by creating mental pictures in your head to explain your points
- Be confident, composed, and enthusiastic.
With these, you can scale any question you are faced with. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but if you sound convincing enough, you’ll get just what you need.
Do you need an expert interview coach to help you prepare for your upcoming interview for you to ace it? If yes, contact our professional interview coach now to get started.
Conclusion:
Strategic interview helps employees understand the strengths and capacities of prospective employers. There are three major types of Strategic interviews. They are situational, behavioural, and career development interviews.
To get better with your strategic interview sessions, do proper research on the company and the role you are to occupy. Then practice to get better.
Don’t forget, put on confidence as a bright smile and you’ll scale the strategic interview with broad smiles. Cheers!
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