We used AI to help us with interview questions...

Can AI coach you through an Interview?

We love automation. So what would be better than a robo friend to help us with tough interview questions? Introducing, ChatGPT! If you havent seen it before, it is a free “chatbot” style AI program. So we have put it to the test with some standard interview questions…

The question...

The answer...

Chat GPT has had a good go here, I think the answer is decent, but lacking a little structure!

A 7 out of 10.

What AI Got Right

ChatGPT did a great job of not just making the question about yourself, but involving the business and any future projects that are important to the business. Also being honest is key, do not say you want to be the future FD if you don’t!?

There is no wrong answer to this question, this is your chance to see if both of your visions align and if the role will be a good, long term fit for you.

What AI Got Wrong

Like many people who answer this question, the AI jumped straight to year 5. If you are applying for a Financial Controller role, and you jump straight to being a future FD, you miss out the opportunity to tell them how the role you are applying for will get you there.

The question itself is not actually about the answer, no one is going to come and check in 5 years time to see if you have lived up to what you have said.?

Generally, I find interviewers are looking for

• A strong structured answer
• A candidate with a “plan”, a good idea of their future aims and goals
• A candidate that fits their strategic vision in the short term, with the chance of success in the long term.

With this in mind, a good answer will include:

• Honesty on your part
• A general direction of travel (are you ambitious or happy at this level)
• To include the 4 years precluding the “5th?year” (how will you get there)
• Some specifics, but not too many
• This can be split into three steps
• Phase 1 / short term / Year 1
• Phase 2 / Mid term / Year 3
• Phase 3 / Long term / Year 5

A good example answer is:

“(P1)?My focus right now is to get into a manufacturing business where I can grow and develop. I know I have the skills to run a finance function, but I have yet to work in the Manufacturing industry.?(P2)?By year 3, I am hoping to be an important part of your team, having spent a few years understanding manufacturing and have strengthened my team management skills.?(P3)?And by year 5, I am hoping I will be a senior manager in your business, with 5 years manufacturing experience behind me, knocking on the door of the FD job.”

?

This answer is only about 25 seconds long and needs tweaking to your personal goals, but broadly covers our key areas.

In the End

The structure used does not itself matter too much, as long as you make the interviewer feel like you have a strong future plan, have goals and that your strategic vision fits theirs.