Jobless Corner

4. Drill down questions….

When asked the bog-standard question, “tell me what you think about the company?” it’s fairly clear that something more than a one-word answer is required. And even running out of steam after 20 seconds is unlikely to impress.

It’s a bugbear for Mr Tkachuk, who has tripped up more than one Apprentice by asking them to explain what Sir Alan’s companies do. “I’m really very interested in their understanding of the company… [I] push it to some depth. It’s easy for anyone to do a search on the internet and come up with a few superficial things.”

Sadly, unless you’re Derren Brown, a wily interviewer is likely to see through the veneer if you really know nothing about the company. The only sure solution is to genuinely prepare.

“Contact the company, ask for some brochures,” says Mr Tkachuk. “Do some research on what the company does, who are the key players, who is the competition.”