27 Oct 09 Handling Tricky Interview Questions
Every interview is full of tricky questions that you will have to navigate. How you handle these can be directly responsible for whether or not you land the job in the end. Interviewers specifically target you with the tough questions to see how you handle pressure. So be prepared, and be ready to be challenged, because that’s the whole point of the interview.
One of the most common you’re almost guaranteed to be hit with is, why should they hire you? This is a trick question, because they are testing out the waters, trying to decipher your answer. The worst response you can have is a generalized, almost automated response. Something like “I’m a motivated worker and willing to contribute to the team” is a good example of a horrible answer. This is much too general, and a good example of what they’ll hear from almost anyone. Be honest, and offer real reasons on why you should get the job.
What’s your greatest weakness? Another question to test you. Think about your answer carefully, and don’t answer too eagerly. This isn’t a chance to admit a real weakness, but rather expose an aspect of your past that you’ve moved beyond. Turn this around into an accomplishment. Like admitting a weakness in the past, and how it inspired you to become better overall.
Any question about your former boss is a set up to how you’ll treat the company when your time with them is nearing the end. The last thing you want to do is boss bash, because that makes you appear selfish. Anyone that’s willing to trash a former employer in talking to a new potential employer, is a selfish one that could be a detriment to the overall staff. Not to mention the last thing they want if you end up leaving that job, is for you to run around bad mouthing them.
The question of your greatest professional accomplishment can be a little tricky. But overall that question should be seen as an opportunity more than anything else. Really this is a chance for you to sell yourself, and accurately describe a reason why you’re an asset to any company. Take advantage of the opportunity you’re given through the question. Shine like the great employee you are, and let the story speak for itself.
Tags: Boss, Detriment, Greatest Weakness, Interview One, Interviewers, Job, Professional Accomplishment, Selfish One, Tough Questions, Trick Question, Tricky Interview Questions, Tricky Questions
19 Oct 09 How To Handle An Illegal Question At An Interview
Interviewers frequently ask illegal questions during interviews. Whether this is intentional or not, your answers could impact how you are received, which in turn can impact whether or not you get the job. How you handle these scenarios is just as important as how you answer the legitimate interview questions. Knowing what to do is of vital importance in any interview.
The first thing you should do is figure out the nature of the question. An illegal question does not refer to a question that is criminally liable, but rather just a question that an interviewer is not allowed to ask. Questions like these are from topics that cannot legally have a bearing on whether or not you get a job. Such as questions about race, sex, age, health, disabilities, and religion. Any of these could be mentioned unintentionally in the forming of a question, but all are illegal for an interviewer to ask you.
It’s necessary for you to understand that in most cases an illegal question comes up as a mistake from the interviewer. Oftentimes these are asked with no intention to discriminate against you. But rather these are attempts by the interviewer to be friendly, or to relate to you. This way the can get a better feel for how you would fit in with the company. But usually through inexperience, instead of doing that through legal means, they accidentally slip into an illegal pitfall by asking you a personal question.
In this case you have two polite options for answering the question and moving the interview forward. The first option is that you could answer the question. But in answering, make sure that it’s a question you feel completely comfortable answering, and preferably answering n brief. Then try to move on to a different topic. The second option is to essentially ignore the question and move the interview forward by focusing on a different work related topic of yours.
Either option works well, and will keep an interview’s flow without making for an uncomfortable situation on either side. Try to stay professional and courteous, with a positive disposition, as you always should during any interview. If you can follow that model, and not flinch under the pressure of an illegal question, you’ll be just fine.
Tags: Age Health, Answering The Question, Attempts, Bearing, First Option, Health Disabilities, Illegal Question, Illegal Questions, Inexperience, Intention, Interview Questions, Interviewer, Interviewers, Job, Mistake, Personal Question, Pitfall, Religion, Scenarios, Sex Age
09 Oct 09 Pre-Interview Preparation
How you prepare for an interview can be just as important as what you do in the actual interview. The way you prepare can dictate how you are received. Not preparing well could be the difference between getting a job, and sealing your fate to rejection. The importance of the little things cannot be understated. So you should remember that, when you’re getting ready for that next interview.
Everything starts in the phone call that you receive, notifying you that you’ve been chosen for an interview. Make sure that you write down the information on when and where the interview will be taking place. Jot down the time as well. Then make sure to find out any documentation that you need to bring to interview. Before ending the conversation, make sure to double check the time and place, and the documents you’ll need. The worst first impression you can make for an interview, is to show up late.
If you aren’t already familiar with the location of the interview, it’s a good idea to look up directions and do a run through. See how long it takes to get to the interview site, and learn the route. That way when the day comes you don’t risk being late by aimlessly looking for the location, or getting into unexpected traffic.
Now to the interview outfit. It’s best to pick your outfit in advance, so that you know what you are going to wear, and aren’t forced to figure anything at the last minute. Choose something professional, that’s clean and tidy. An outfit that fits you well, and that is free of stains or tears.
Finally, on the day of the interview, be sure to leave early. The worst thing you can do at an interview, is show up late. Many interviewers won’t hire an applicant that can’t show up to an interview on time. Keep that on time, and show up 10-15 minutes early. That way you show yourself to be prepared, and committed to the job opportunity.
Tags: 15 Minutes, Fate, First Impression, Getting A Job, Interview Outfit, Interview Preparation, Interviewers, Job Opportunity, Jot Down, Last Minute, Phone Call, Rejection, Risk, Stains, Time And Place, Unexpected Traffic
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