How Would Your Boss Describe You?
In job interviews you are going to be asked many different types of questions. If you are an accountant or other business professional, chances are you will be asked questions:
- About you and the type of person you are
- About your knowledge or understanding of the organisation you want to work for
- About your knowledge or understanding of the sector or industry
- To determine your levels of technical ability
- To ascertain the level of business skills or commercial nous you have
- To find out whether you can manage or lead
- To determine why you want the job
- To determine why you are the best candidate.
The level of challenge in the questions will vary considerably. Often people from professional backgrounds are really comfortable talking about how to do things. On the other hand they might be reluctant to talk about themselves.
There is always the worry or fear that you will come across in the wrong way or say the wrong thing.
One question you might be asked is this one
How would your boss describe you?
So if you were asked this question, how would you respond?
Some will respond with generic words that make them sound good.
A better prepared candidate will use specific examples or feedback that they have had to make it real.
In reality there will be a mixture of feedback from your boss. There will be some good points and some areas to work on or develop.
It might be tempting to just talk about all the good stuff. Trouble is this could come across as not being self aware or unwilling to face up to difficult stuff or difficult messages.
The key to answering this type of question is being prepared. After all you don’t want to be making it up as you go along in the pressurised environment of a job interview.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants and professionals achieve more career success. He invites you to sign up for his free audio masterclass here.
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.