Somewhere into your job interview the interviewer may turn to you — maybe look you sincerely in the eyes — and ask “How well do you handle criticism?” Or some variation of that like “Does criticism bother you?”

This is a behavioral interview question. As great as your skills may be, a company wants to get a feel for who you really are. What you’ll be like on a daily basis. And how you’ll handle working with others.

So how do you handle criticism?

Odds are you’re not especially a fan of criticism and definitely don’t look forward to it at work. But before any job interview, it’s worth thinking about how you’d answer this question if asked. [Read more…]

Job interviews give you a chance to show the company how well you match what they’re looking for. Your answers should help paint a picture of you being a positive addition to their work team and office life. But there are also certain things you should not say in a job interview.

While some of the examples I use may seem a bit exaggerated, they represent the kinds of real answers I’ve heard in interviews. This post will explain why they miss the mark. And where to aim your answers instead.

What not to say in a job interview

“I’m lazy so I find the fastest way to solve a problem.”

While the job seeker wants to use humor to show they’re creative, an interviewer will [Read more…]

One of my favorite interview questions to ask a job applicant is the one about handling major obstacles. “What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?” There may also be variations asking about your resilience or how you handle tough situations

As an interviewer, it’s interesting to me to see what the job seeker considers a major challenge. But more important, is the way you managed to turn things around for yourself — and how it helped the company. (Hint: Changing the water cooler bottle is not a great example. Yes … I know it’s heavy.)

NOTE:  A variation on the idea of overcoming challenges that you might be able to use is about managing to get past your own roadblocks. So much of what keeps us from career success comes from the inside — although not always easy to spot:

⇒  Are “Obstacle Illusions” Keeping You From Getting Ahead?

How you solved vs how you handled it

[Read more…]

I love the “how do you handle failure” interview question.  Or a similar version such as “Tell me about a time you failed.” It allows you generous room to take it where you need to go.

In some cases, you may meet an interviewer who tries to trap you. Or see how you react to tough questions. But most interviewers just want to learn about you and how you might fit in as an employee.

What you need to know about failure

Often even the most well-intentioned interview questions catch you off guard. And you brain freeze for a moment … and then think “How can I make myself look good” rather than how can I make this question really work for me for THIS job.

One of my first interviews out of grad school was with a major bank. After a few basic questions, the Senior Vice President looked me in the eyes and asked “Have you ever failed?” Well, I wasn’t going to admit to failure!

But I didn’t realize that [Read more…]

As your interview begins, the interviewer often looks you in the eyes and asks: “So you’re interested in this job? Tell us why.” While it may not always be their first question, you need to be prepared to answer some version of the “why do you want this job” question.

Basically you need to help them see you understand the position they’re looking to fill. And that you fit their position in a way that is as much about them as you. With enough reasons for them to believe you’ll find sufficient things there to keep you engaged — and wanting to stay on.

But there’s more…

Beware “bedazzle them” temptation!

For many job seekers, answering this question seems like an invitation to launch into a lengthy story all about you — your hopes and dreams and all kinds of things that might be interesting to share. And may even entertain the interviewer.

But this is a job interview. And you may be losing an opportunity to create a vivid connection between you and the actual job — and leaves an impression they remember. Not just an impression of an interesting person — but an impression of a person they can see working there. A person who gets them and the job … and would fit in well.

So the best answers help interviewers get to know more about the real you than just a name and words on a resume. They’re looking for answers that feel sincere and not an attempt to game them.

Employers look at the whole package. And it helps if they feel you’re being real with them. You’d be amazed how quickly memorized answers and attempts to simply please turn off interviewers.

Ask yourself why THIS job

[Read more…]

In most job interviews, at some point (usually toward the end) the interviewer asks what is basically a closing question. Something like “Is there anything you want to know about the company or job?” Or simply “What do you want to ask us?”

What you probably need to know is that, by this point, they pretty much have decided whether to bring you back or not. Or maybe even hire you., barring any surprises. So odds are, whatever you choose to ask them, you are mostly just helping to leave the interview on a good note. Although there’s always a chance!

“What do you want to ask” impact

As an interviewer for many years, when I asked job candidates “What do you want to ask us?” I was looking for any final clues about who they are as a person. Or what they might be like to work with. Well, and giving them a chance to clarify anything they were wondering about.

But I also realized, in many cases, by that time candidates felt like they had been through a war and were just looking to get out of there in one piece. 🙂 So, barring any major surprises, I tried not to let their performance at that point weigh too heavily.

That said, some interviewers may give your “what do you want to know” questions a lot more weight than I did. And for any of us, even the last question can turn things around — in either direction. So try to keep your energy and focus strong until you actually leave the building!

What NOT to ask in an interview

[Read more…]

As a way to prep for your job interview, here are some “crazy” interview questions to help — and some logic to help you give answers bosses are looking for. Think of these as good brain stretchers. By the time you’re done with them, you’ll be happy to get the good ole “what’s your greatest weakness” question. But you’ll also be more prepared whatever comes your way.

When a basketball player works out in a gym, almost none of those exact movements will be used on the court. But they strengthen muscles. And they hone reflexes in a way that optimizes playing skills. Think of these questions in the same way.

While I can’t guarantee you’ll be asked any of them, they’re great practice prep for the real interview. And maybe — just maybe — they can also help add a little lighter feel to those nerves that are natural before any job interview.

⇒  EXTRA:  How To Mentally Prepare for Your job Interview

Now some “crazy” interview questions

Remember that the interviewer is hoping you’ll be a good match for the company — I’ve been in that position and know they’d like you to be “the one.” But they also need to feel that there’s a real person in front of them — and not some interview robot with boring, canned answers. Even a bit of nerves is real!

They also need to feel that you’re thinking about their needs and not just your own. So when you answer, respect the question (no matter how crazy or eye-rollingly hokey). Mainly it’s about how you think it through, rather than absolute right or wrong. And how you might be to work with in real life when confronted with things you don’t know or that may be uncomfortable.

Non-traditional questions to get started

1. Where do you get your inspiration? [Who or what inspires you?]

2. How do you handle a difficult coworker?

3. Who was your favorite teacher and why?

4. What one additional thing would make this job perfect for you? [You have to pick something.]

5. What do you consider a perfect boss?

6. When a project fails, what should you do?

7. What one piece of advice would you give the person in your last job?

8. What one thing do you wish someone had told you before your very first job?

9. How do you turn a bad situation around?

10. How does this job fit into your career goals?

11. Have your career goals changed over time? If so, how?

12. In general, are jobs well-designed? Why or why not?

13. What would be a great non-monetary reward for a job well done?

⇒  Some hints for answering:

• Take a moment to consider your answer carefully. No need to jump into what might turn into a mind dump.
• Let them see your thinking process if that fist the question.
• Don’t go on and on. Stick to what was asked.
• If you do have a good short story that shows your skills / resourcefulness, go for it.
• And if there’s a way to end on a positive note, take it.

More crazy interview questions

14. Tell me about something you taught yourself or learned on your own.

15. Fill in the blank: Being part of a team is _________.

16. How do you handle an unexpected and unwanted change in work plans you helped develop?

17. Do you carefully read a product manual or mostly figure things out as you go along. Be honest.

18. What’s the best way to help someone else learn a new skill?

19. Which modern technology has done the most for the world?

20. And which modern technology could you easily do without?

21. How do you feel about asking someone for help? Is it ever hard to ask for help?

22. How do you handle a coworker who keeps asking you for help, instead of trying to find the answers on their own?

23. Do kids have it too easy or hard nowadays? What one thing would you change for them?

24. Are lottery tickets a waste of money? List the pros and cons.

25. How do you put together a jigsaw puzzle? What’s your approach?

A few more thoughts

Just to say it again, you may never get any of these. Nor do you need to go through ALL. Mostly, I put them together to help limber up your job interview brain.

But if you are working with someone as part of your interview prep, these might be a fun way to get started. And you can finish up your preparation with these more traditional interview questions:

More posts to help

Where Do You See Yourself Five Years from Now?

What Is Your Greatest Strength?

What’s Your Greatest Weakness?

How To Handle Tell Me A Little About Yourself

How NOT to Handle the Biggest Weakness Question

Interview Help: How Do I Interview After Being Fired?

How Should I Explain Dropping Out of Law School?

How To Answer “Why You Left Your Job” When You Quit

MORE JOB SEARCH HELP:

Job Search & Interview Resource Center

Awkward reason for leaving job

Hi Ronnie Ann!

After over 15 years of service my employer decided to accept my resignation or terminate my employment. Of course I chose to resign. Thing is that I was their top Project Manager. But after a customer complaint, which was my word against the word of the client, they decided to let me go.

Now I’m having a hard time deciding the right words to use as a reason for leaving a company after 15 years. I was a good employee. Yet one complaint and all that was over. So how do I handle that when looking for a new job?

Thanks!

Edwin

Reason for leaving in interviews

Hi Edwin!

First, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I hope this uncomfortable situation will lead you to an even better job where you and your hard work are appreciated. To help get you there, usually the best way to answer a question like this is to lead and end with your strength.

Now you might need to explain a little, without too many details, if they dig deeper — and then move on. But if they don’t ask, just keep it about your needs to grow your job / career in a different direction. And never say anything bad about your former employer! [Read more…]

A friend of mine has an interesting take on what he calls “annoying interview questions” – and that includes questions like where do you see yourself in five years. (Others are about your greatest strength or weakness.)

While there’s certainly no one “right” answer for a question like that, some approaches work better than others. So without further ado, here’s what my pal L. Bosco has to say about it:

ANNOYING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

by L. Bosco

Interviews are a pain in the neck!

Ideally you want to see if there’s a good fit between you and the employer. But most interviews are full of those “pat questions” that have been written up endlessly in books and even on blogs. Must-do advice where so-called experts give job applicants handy-dandy “pat answers” to those over-used questions.

So basically both sides could just as well email in their parts and save everyone a lot of time. It’s a rare interviewer who knows how to create a really informative interview. One that gives them a real picture of the candidate as they would be once employed. And not just who they are on their best interview behavior.

So job seekers must still sit through these often painful interviews (some where the interviewer is barely listening) and be prepared to answer these same silly questions: What is your greatest weakness? What are your strengths? How would you handle an angry customer?

Where you see yourself in five years

That one is my personal LEAST favorite. I always want to answer it with something like “living in Bora Bora on my lotto winnings” or “King of Siam” or at least “Sophia’s latest lover.” (The name to be filled in by you based on your own gender, age, preference, and imagination.)

(Note from Ronnie Ann: Uh … I don’t recommend you do that! 🙂 ) [Read more…]

Interviewing after she left job

Hi Ronnie Ann! My friend needs your advice. I hope you can help. Recently she quit her job. But she doesn’t know how to handle some of her interview questions. Especially difficult for her is answering the “Why you left your job?” question.

She happened to leave the job as she was not given a promotion she believed she deserved. She did not give her employer the same reason for quitting the job. Now when she is asked the reason for quitting her job in interviews, she is not sure whether to tell the truth or give some other excuse.

She asked for my advice, and I thought you would be the best person to answer this. It would be great if you could help out.

Regards,
Jay [Read more…]