INTERVIEW QUESTION - Can you run a meeting, and if so,

how would you do it?

Having personally chaired many meetings during my career, I

have learnt to realise that the person who is tasked with the
responsibility of chairing the meeting must ensure they maintain
control over proceedings. If they don’t, then the meeting can
quickly become a waste of time.

If you have any experience of running meetings, then this will

obviously be an advantage if you are required to respond to a
question of this nature. If you haven’t, then take a look at the
following response for some great ideas on how to successfully
run a meeting:

“Yes, I do have some experience of running meetings. To

begin with, I would plan thoroughly for the meeting. This would
usually be done at least the day before, if not sooner. I would
ensure that the meeting room was booked and that any
relevant features were available, such as presentation aids. I
would make sure that everyone was noti ed of the meeting
date, time and venue, and provide them with an agenda. I
would make notes prior to the meeting and also set a
timeframe in which I would want the meeting to conclude. I am
aware that meetings can sometimes drag. I would be keen to
avoid any irrelevant discussions and keep the meeting focused
on the agenda items. If the meeting was starting to slip, then I
would be keen to bring it back in line with the programme. I
would make sure that everybody had the opportunity to speak
during the meeting and would provide a note taker so that all of
the salient points could be documented. Once the meeting was
over I would make sure that everyone received a copy of the
minutes and more importantly the matters arising from the
meetings.”