GB Solutions research reveals Gloucestershire candidates interview nightmares
Monday 2 July 2007
Almost 90% of Gloucestershire-based jobseekers used the internet to prepare for their last job interview, according to research by GB Solutions.
The survey, which looked at how job seekers prepare for interviews, found that the main research methods used by job seekers were internet research (87%), studying job specifications (72%) and preparing answers to possible questions (63%). Others used their own network of contacts to seek out opinions on a company’s reputation as an employer.
Whilst 28% of those surveyed spent over two hours preparing for their last interview, just 2% admitted doing no research prior to meeting their prospective employers. 18% spent less than thirty minutes preparing and 39% spent 30-60 minutes brushing up on their interview technique.
Local job seekers who put in the effort prior to attending interviews appeared to reap the rewards with 39% being offered a job after just one interview – a further 44% were successful after between two and five interviews. Some, however, weren’t as lucky – having to attend in excess of 11 interviews before being offered their desired role (5%).
Fear of negative questions
The survey of Gloucestershire based workers also revealed that negatively focused interview questions such as: ‘what are your weaknesses?’ are those most feared by candidates. The following made up respondent’s top five most dreaded interview questions:
1 – What are your weaknesses?
2 – Why are you looking to leave your current position?
3 – Why are you not working at the moment?
4 – What do you hope to be doing five years from now?
5 – Do you think you may be overqualified for this position?
