Interview Questions – What would your co-workers say about you?

For Service-leavers who haven’t got recent interview experience, the prospect can seem daunting. Here, we dissect another of the more common but no less difficult interview questions so that you can show your best side to interviewers and land your next post-Services role.

‘What would your co-workers say about you?’

Body language
Sometimes what we really feel is writ large across our faces. This is one of those questions where you’ll have to watch all aspects of your disposition from facial expression and body language, through to tone of voice – as well as what you say.

You might well have interview nerves anyway but try to remain calm.

What do they know?
It would be easy to immediately ask out loud, ‘What have you heard?’ or in your own head, ‘What do they know?’ The reality is that they probably don’t know anyone connected with you. There is a difference between being self-conscious and self-aware.

Are you bluffing?
The question is partly designed to find out if you’re really any good at your job or if you just talk a good game.

Consider your skills
Clearly, your answer should emphasise the skills necessary for the job – but also show a human side, perhaps outlined by soft skills you’ve applied at times. Use an anecdotal approach based on stories or examples.

Have a literal understanding
Look through any correspondences (emails) from colleagues to try to understand how they really do view you. You may well come across compliments or praise for your efforts along the way which can only add to your self-confidence.

Your own trumpet
Modesty is often presented as a virtue – but this is an interview – you’ll need to make sure that you express your capabilities through outlining your successes.

Your future colleagues
You might well be interviewed by future colleagues. This can be tricky though the bottom line will always be, can you do the job and are you likely to get on with your colleagues? In this sense, the question can help determine if you’re going to fit in or suit the culture of the organisation.

You might alter the style of your answer depending on if the interviewer will be your line manager or is the managing director, for example.

Indirect references
Look again at the job description. Add in any key words or phrases to your answer – assuming they really do apply to you.

Testimonials
A decent, credible testimonial about your previous work from a client is a good way of demonstrating your value. In a way, you’re changing the question slightly from ‘colleagues’ to customers’ but this won’t matter since the views of clients often trump those of the people you’ve worked with.

You could also draw reference to performance reviews.

Use real -life examples
‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’ Layers of deception can trip you up later in the interview. Keep it simple by basing your answer on the solid truth.