Interview Questions Designed to Destroy #5

“WHY DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR FIELD OF WORK?”

Before your interview, spend one hour and organize these reasons into written statement.  Memorize this explanation and be prepared to deliver it because you will certainly be asked.  Your explanation should include:

a)     How your previous work experience will contribute to your new career.

b)    What excites you most about this new field.

c)     How you came to make this career change decision.

 

“HOW HAVE YOU HELPED SALES/PROFITS/COST REDUCTIONS?”

Have your hero stories ready and be willing to prove that you have made significant contributions in one or more of these basic areas.  Again, keep your explanations short and try to include specific dollar amounts.

 

“WHAT CAUSES YOU TO LOSE YOUR TEMPER?”

Everyone has a low boiling point on some particular issue.  Pick one of yours, something relatively safe, reasonable, and unconsequential.  “People who are late to meetings.” “Obvious lying.”  “Lazy colleagues.”  Do not try out for sainthood by saying you never fly off the handle.  You will lose.

 

“WHAT KIND OF DECISIONS ARE MOST DIFFICULT FOR YOU?”

Be human and admit that not everything comes easily.  But be careful what you do admit.  “I find it difficult to decide whom of two good people must be let go.”  “It is difficult for me to tell a client that the business is being run badly.”

If you share decisions with a spouse or parents, you are concerned about others in your life and respectful of the experiences and knowledge of those you know and trust.  That is not a sign of weakness.  If someone else makes your decisions for you, it can be considered a sign of weakness.  Be honest with your answer, being careful to communicate clearly.

 

“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”

This request is innocuous but daunting – you do not know what or how much to say.  Realize that interviewers use this question not only for the actual information you will supply, but as a means of assessing your style and poise.

What would they like to hear?

Applicants should use this opportunity to tell about their skills.  The interviewer is not interested in hearing a lot of details about one’s childhood days.

 

“WHAT ELSE CAN YOU OFFER ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WOULD HELP ME MAKE A FAVORABLE DECISION?”

This is another question that can catch you off guard.  You must concentrate and listen during every interview.  Be aware of what has been covered during the interview and what has not.  When this question is asked, it is your cue to sell yourself, offering anything positive about yourself that has not yet been covered in the interview.

“DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION?”

Even if you do not have specific plans to continue your education in the near future, you should not rule out the possibility.  One can rarely get too much education, but you should be honest if your plans are on hold right now.

 

“IN COLLEGE, DO YOU THINK YOUR GRADES WERE A GOOD INDICATION OF YOUR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND ABILITIES?"

Most people quickly answer “no”, and they may be completely correct.  Achieving good grades is a very important aspect of education, but there is often more to workplace success than jus good grades.  Give serious thought to the benefits you derived from your education, in and out of the classroom, and be prepared to discuss your thoughts in a mature fashion.

 

“WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?”

Workaholics are not always the best employees, so this question is asked in the hope of hiring “well-rounded” individuals.

Highlight pastimes that would be an asset to the job you seek.  For example, if you like to play bridge, the interviewer might surmise that you enjoy other analytical activities.  One applicant for an advertising-art position mentioned that she was taking creative writing classes in her spare time.  A would-be reporter told a city editor he was a crossword puzzle fanatic.  He enjoyed works, and liked using clues to solve problems.

“WHAT TYPE OF SALARY DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?”

When an interviewer asks this question, they are wondering if they can afford you, not aiming to put you on the spot.

Try to deal with this question at the end of the interview instead of the beginning.  Let the employer decide that he wants you first.  If this is one of his first questions, try to stall by suggesting you would like to discuss the job itself first.

Remember to suggest a salary range rather than a specific figure.