More Interview Questions and Answers

Have you ever asked for but been refused a pay rise?

Alternative and related questions:

Have you ever been refused a pay rise?

The meaning behind the question:

If the interviewer manages to extract a 'Yes' from you then you'd better have a good explanation because, otherwise, they'll seize the opportunity to pigeonhole you as someone who might over-estimate their worth and who could therefore be problematic.

Your answer:

If you've never been refused a pay rise then this is a very straightforward question but, if you have, then the trickiest aspect of this question is probably deciding whether to tell the truth or not!  Far from me to encourage you to lie but, unless you can make a good case which makes your actions appear entirely reasonable, then it may be best just to play it safe and say this has never happened to you, assuming of course that there's no way the interviewer could reasonably discover the truth!

'No' remains, in most cases, the best answer to this question.  However, I'm going to assume you're an eminently honest person and that you do indeed have a reasonable justification for this having happened to you and I'll give you an example answer accordingly.

Example:

Yes, I have.  In asking for a pay rise, I outlined the progress I had made since I started the role, demonstrating to the HR manager the value I added to the organisation which, in my opinion, warranted a higher level of remuneration.  I gave precise examples to back up and support my claims and I felt I had demonstrated what I was really worth.  However, the management decided to decline my request, citing financial problems in the company, and, given that I had already been offered another job at that salary level and with good potential for further professional development, I decided it was necessary for me to move on.  Sometimes you just have to move on in order to move upwards.  I would have been quite happy to stay but, with children to support, I had to take the decision to leave.  Having accepted the other offer, my employers did then make a counter-offer but, having committed to the new opportunity, I felt that I had to honour that commitment.



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More interview questions and answers

Talking about your current employment

• Can you tell me what you enjoy about your current job?
• What will you remember most about your last job?
• Is this the first time you have made an effort to move away from your current employers?
• How do you feel about the possibility of leaving your current job?
• How would you describe your current employer?

Talking about this vacancy

• Wouldn’t you be better suited to working in a larger/smaller organisation?
• How do you feel this vacancy differs from your current role?
• What reservations do you have about your ability to undertake this job?
• Can you describe your ideal working environment to me?
• How do you feel we compare to our competitors?
• What would you say is our Unique Selling Point?
• What would be your analysis of the current trends in our industry/sector?

Understanding your career path, plans and ambitions

• What aspects of your career path would you like to have been different?
• What are your greatest regrets about the path your career has taken?
• What has been the greatest challenge you have faced in your career to date?
• What do you think are your main career options for the next five years?
• What exactly does the word ‘success’ mean to you?

Addressing problems in your career history

• Why did you only stay with this organisation for such a short time?
• Why did you stay with this organisation for such a long time?

Coping with stress and pressure

• Are you able to multitask?
• Can you juggle a number of different projects simultaneously?
• How do you handle rejection/disappointment/failure?

Defining teamwork

• How do you deal with interpersonal conflict?
• What does tact and diplomacy mean to you?
• What makes for a successful team?

Management and leadership

• Would you describe yourself as a good manager?
• Do you really think you’re management material?
• What is your attitude to delegation?
• Can you give me an example of a time when you had to lead from the front?
• Have you ever had to fire or lay off a member of your staff?
• How would you describe your ideal team member?

Personal and professional development

• In what ways do you intend to improve upon your performance?
• How has your current job prepared you for greater challenges/responsibility?

Interests and activities

• What book are you reading at the moment?
• What newspaper do you take?
• Are you interested in current affairs?

The amateur psychiatrist

• If you won the lottery what would you do?
• Can you tell me about the best teacher you ever had?
• If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?
• What are you most afraid of?

Money, money, money

• Why aren’t you earning more?
• How much do you think you are really worth?
• How much does money matter to you?
• Would you still be interested in this job if you current employer offered a pay rise?
• Have you ever had to take a pay cut to keep your job?
• Have you ever asked for but been refused a pay rise?

Health

• Do you have any medical conditions to declare?

Relocation

• Why do you want to relocate?
• Can you perceive any problems in relocating?

Deal-making

• How would you react if I were to offer you this job on the spot?