An exclusive interview is a one-on-one conversation between a journalist and an individual who agrees not to talk with anyone else about the subject until their article goes live. Journalists often grant these interviews when they have exclusive information or a compelling story that would be of interest to their audience. An employer might ask an applicant if they’ve granted an exclusive interview with any other media outlets so they can gauge how serious the candidate is about this role and company.
The interviewer is trying to see if you are ambitious, and how much you want to grow in the role. Focus on your intrinsic motivations for the job – what about it excites and inspires you? Answering that the salary is your main motivation will come across as insincere. Instead, focus on the growth opportunities that the role offers and the career path it will take you down.
Interviewers also want to see if you’re comfortable talking about weaknesses and how you’ve worked to improve them. Pick a genuine weakness, such as your technical skills, and discuss the training courses or self-study you’ve undertaken to address them. This demonstrates that you’re proactive about professional development and willing to put in the work to stay at the top of your field.
Finally, never badmouth current or former colleagues during an interview! Not only is it disrespectful, but it can also reveal a toxic workplace culture or an unwillingness to engage in constructive criticism.
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