| James Innes
What do you know about our products/services?
Alternative and related questions:
Have you ever bought our products/used our services?
The meaning behind the question:
The interviewer is again testing to see how interested you really are in the vacancy – as defined by the amount of time you have spent researching their operation. Some roles will of course require greater product/service knowledge than others and, if you are applying for a role where such knowledge is critical, for example sales, then the question will take on another dimension. If you can’t prove you fully understand their product/service then how can you hope to be able to sell it?
Your answer:
If you’ve prepared properly for your interview then you should be able to demonstrate a reasonably in-depth understanding of the organisations products/services. The degree to which this will be important will depend on your precise line of work. As well as conveying basic facts it is also a good idea to provide a gentle critique. While you should aim to be more complimentary than critical, if you are able to identify areas for improvement – ideally areas which you yourself would be able to improve – then it is likely to impress the interviewer and count very much in your favour. The best employees rarely accept the status quo; they are always looking for ways to improve things.
Example:
I’ve actually got one of your posters framed on the wall at home. I was already familiar with the range you offer and, since seeing this vacancy advertised, I have had a closer and more detailed look. I’m naturally impressed by what I’ve seen. They’re printed to a high degree of quality – something which isn’t always the case with posters produced by other companies – and yet they remain very reasonably priced. While you certainly have many interesting – and commercially appealing – designs, I do feel that some parts of the range are becoming a little dated. I would certainly welcome the challenge not only of revamping existing designs within the range but also of further developing the range in new and interesting directions.
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