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.
The Interview Question & Answer Book
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Take the fear out of your interview and never be stuck for the right answer to even the toughest questions with The Interview Question & Answer Book. The job market is fierce, competition has never been greater and it's important that you can grab every opportunity for competitive advantage and stay one step ahead. Written by one of the world's leading careers experts and bestselling author of The Interview Book, this definitive guide to questions and answers encourages every job-hunter to think on your feet and express your individuality while supplying ideal responses to interview questions so that you’re seen as the ideal candidate for the job. |
