Originally Posted by
deepakdahiya
Question 57 What was the toughest part of your last job?
TRAPS: This is slightly different from the question raised
earlier, "What's the most difficult part of being a (job title…)"
because this asks what you personally have found most difficult in
your last position. This question is more difficult to redefine into
something positive. Your interviewer will assume that whatever you
found toughest may give you a problem in your new position.
BEST ANSWER: State that there was nothing in your prior position
that you found overly difficult, and let your answer go at that. If
pressed to expand your answer, you could describe the aspects of the
position you enjoyed more than others, making sure that you express
maximum enjoyment for those tasks most important to the open
position, and you enjoyed least those tasks that are unimportant to
the position at hand.
Question 58 How do you define success…and how do you measure up
to your own definition?
TRAPS: Seems like an obvious enough question. Yet many executives,
unprepared for it, fumble the ball.
BEST ANSWER: Give a well-accepted definition of success that leads
right into your own stellar collection of achievements.
Example: "The best definition I've come across is that success is
the progressive realization of a worthy goal."
"As to how I would measure up to that definition, I would consider
myself both successful and fortunate…"(Then summarize your career
goals and how your achievements have indeed represented a progressive
path toward realization of your goals.)
Question 59 "The Opinion Question" – What do you think about …
Abortion…The President…The Death Penalty…(or any other controversial
subject)?
TRAPS: Obviously, these and other "opinion" questions should never
be asked. Sometimes they come up over a combination dinner/interview
when the interviewer has had a drink or two, is feeling relaxed, and
is spouting off about something that bugged him in today's news. If
you give your opinion and it's the opposite of his, you won't change
his opinions, but you could easily lose the job offer.
BEST ANSWER: In all of these instances, just remember the tale about
student and the wise old rabbi. The scene is a seminary, where an
overly serious student is pressing the rabbi to answer the ultimate
questions of suffering, life and death. But no matter how hard he
presses, the wise old rabbi will only answer each difficult question
with a question of his own.
In exasperation, the seminary student demands, "Why, rabbi, do you
always answer a question with another question?" To which the rabbi
responds, "And why not?"
If you are ever uncomfortable with any question, asking a question in
return is the greatest escape hatch ever invented. It throws the
onus back on the other person, sidetracks the discussion from going
into an area of risk to you, and gives you time to think of your
answer or, even better, your next question!
In response to any of the "opinion" questions cited above, merely
responding, "Why do you ask?" will usually be enough to dissipate any
pressure to give your opinion. But if your interviewer again presses
you for an opinion, you can ask another question.
Or you could assert a generality that almost everyone would agree
with. For example, if your interviewer is complaining about
politicians then suddenly turns to you and asks if you're a
Republican or Democrat, you could respond by saying, "Actually, I'm
finding it hard to find any politicians I like these days."
(Of course, your best question of all may be whether you want to work
for someone opinionated.)
Question 60 If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work?
TRAPS: Your totally honest response might be, "Hell, no, are you
serious?" That might be so, but any answer which shows you as
fleeing work if given the chance could make you seem lazy. On the
other hand, if you answer, "Oh, I'd want to keep doing exactly what I
am doing, only doing it for your firm," you could easily inspire your
interviewer to silently mutter to himself, "Yeah, sure. Gimme a
break."
BEST ANSWER: This type of question is aimed at getting at your
bedrock attitude about work and how you feel about what you do. Your
best answer will focus on your positive feelings.
Example: "After I floated down from cloud nine, I think I would
still hold my basic belief that achievement and purposeful work are
essential to a happy, productive life. After all, if money alone
bought happiness, then all rich people would be all happy, and that's
not true.
"I love the work I do, and I think I'd always want to be involved in
my career in some fashion. Winning the lottery would make it more
fun because it would mean having more flexibility, more options...who
knows?"
"Of course, since I can't count on winning, I'd just as soon create
my own destiny by sticking with what's worked for me, meaning good
old reliable hard work and a desire to achieve. I think those
qualities have built many more fortunes that all the lotteries put
together."
Question 61 Looking back on your last position, have you done
your best work?
TRAPS: Tricky question. Answer "absolutely" and it can seem like
your best work is behind you. Answer, "no, my best work is ahead of
me," and it can seem as if you didn't give it your all.
BEST ANSWER: To cover both possible paths this question can take,
your answer should state that you always try to do your best, and the
best of your career is right now. Like an athlete at the top of his
game, you are just hitting your career stride thanks to several
factors. Then, recap those factors, highlighting your strongest
qualifications.
Question 62 Why should I hire you from the outside when I could
promote someone from within?
TRAPS: This question isn't as aggressive as it sounds. It
represents the interviewer's own dilemma over this common problem.
He's probably leaning toward you already and for reassurance, wants
to hear what you have to say on the matter.
BEST ANSWER: Help him see the qualifications that only you can offer.
Example: "In general, I think it's a good policy to hire from
within – to look outside probably means you're not completely
comfortable choosing someone from inside.
"Naturally, you want this department to be as strong as it possibly
can be, so you want the strongest candidate. I feel that I can fill
that bill because…(then recap your strongest qualifications that
match up with his greatest needs)."
Question 63 Tell me something negative you've heard about our
company…
TRAPS: This is a common fishing expedition to see what the industry
grapevine may be saying about the company. But it's also a trap
because as an outsider, you never want to be the bearer of
unflattering news or gossip about the firm. It can only hurt your
chances and sidetrack the interviewer from getting sold on you.
BEST ANSWER: Just remember the rule – never be negative – and you'll
handle this one just fine.
Question 64 On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.
TRAPS: Give a perfect "10," and you'll seem too easy to please.
Give anything less than a perfect 10, and he could press you as to
where you're being critical, and that road leads downhill for you.
BEST ANSWER: Once again, never be negative. The interviewer will
only resent criticism coming from you. This is the time to show your
positivism.
However, don't give a numerical rating. Simply praise whatever
interview style he's been using.
If he's been tough, say "You have been thorough and tough-minded, the
very qualities needed to conduct a good interview."
If he's been methodical, say, "You have been very methodical and
analytical, and I'm sure that approach results in excellent hires for
your firm."
In other words, pay him a sincere compliment that he can believe
because it's anchored in the behavior you've just seen.
Good luck in your job search!
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