Book review: Why You? 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again by James Reed

Published by Portfolio Penguin

Here’s a sobering thought: we spend a third of our adult lives working, according to James Reed – chairman of Reed Group recruitment agency and author of Why You? So, securing a job which gives you immense personal satisfaction is crucial.

Having used feedback from employers to the Reed Group network of consultants on what questions they are most likely to ask in an interview, this book offers more than just a compilation of potential banana skins for the interviewee.

Each entry is broken down into sections such as ‘The Real Question’, explaining what is the motive behind an enquiry, and ‘Top-line Tactic’, a concise and straightforward sentence on a recommended approach for your response.

There are no quick-fix answers – indeed, Reed warns to avoid ‘canned answers’ – but questions do come with broad illustrative responses to help you down the path of tailoring replies to your needs, while there is also advice on the mindset you should apply when going for a job.

Reed takes an extremely affable approach, managing to take what can be a dry, stress-inducing subject and lifting it with a light, easy-to-follow touch.