Knowing How to Anticipate Tricky Questions
10 January 2011
Read by 1552 persons
If the interview is used to check the suitability of your profile for the position offered through a question-and-answer game, the recruiter sometimes goes off the beaten track. After the usual questions about your education, your strengths and weaknesses, your background and your expectations for the position, a question may arise that leaves you speechless, completely destabilized. And that's exactly the goal. To assess your reactivity in the face of an unforeseen situation.
About the "Tell me about yourself?"
This question serves as an introduction. Be careful how you answer! The first few seconds are often crucial in forming an opinion about the candidate's real motivation. Be persuasive and concise - a long speech risks boring your interviewer - and demonstrate that you are the person who best meets the employer's expectations through your values, your experience, your motivation, your organizational and adaptability skills.
Show your best side.
Work on the "weak" points of your CV: long period in the same position, lack of promotion, dismissal, regular job changes... Answering questions on this subject will prove your mastery: you don't let yourself be discouraged. Develop an answer that presents the positive side of things by highlighting your experiences, such as: "I did stay 5 years in this position but by constantly expanding the scope of my responsibilities." Avoid denigrating anyone, lying, blaming others for your setbacks, or complaining.
Five tricky questions among others...
Practice answering this - non-exhaustive - list of "tricky" questions so you don't remain silent when the time comes. Develop your opening remarks to be prepared for all eventualities.
- How do you work under pressure?
Be professional: explain that stress is not a problem but is part of the job, illustrating your points with real-life situations. Explain how you go about decompressing, relaxing and recharging your batteries. Point out that pressure is also a powerful way to act more effectively...
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Demonstrate that you have a real professional project, that you want to progress and that you can project yourself into the medium term. Ambition, if it remains reasonable, is always appreciated. Also show that you know the realities of professional life (turnover, lifelong training) and that you have the ability to adapt to a changing environment.
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?
It all depends on the position offered, of course, but generally, solitude does not have a good reputation: collaborative work is now the norm. The recruiter wants to know your adaptability skills as a leader or member of a team. Share your successful experiences in this area, even outside of professional life (sports, cultural, associative life, etc.).
- How do you organize your time?
Give concrete examples, show that you are organized, that you don't get overwhelmed and how you manage to finish all the tasks you have to juggle on time. Feel free to describe a typical day...
- What do you think of our interview?
No overly complimentary comments... Keep your vocabulary moderate. Simply reply that it was interesting. And say why! Emphasize the professionalism and quality of the exchanges, and conclude by stating that this interview motivates you even more in your desire to join this company.
Special "girls"
The question of the future baby is often asked to young women, in a more or less subtle or veiled way. Explain that it is not part of your short-term plans: this is what the recruiter wants to hear. Once in the position, things can evolve because you will have demonstrated your ability to organize yourself. If you already have children and you are told that the desired position requires great availability, answer that you are well organized, and that you have so far always successfully managed to reconcile professional and family life.
Posted online January 7, 2011
coaching.monster.fr
About the "Tell me about yourself?"
This question serves as an introduction. Be careful how you answer! The first few seconds are often crucial in forming an opinion about the candidate's real motivation. Be persuasive and concise - a long speech risks boring your interviewer - and demonstrate that you are the person who best meets the employer's expectations through your values, your experience, your motivation, your organizational and adaptability skills.
Show your best side.
Work on the "weak" points of your CV: long period in the same position, lack of promotion, dismissal, regular job changes... Answering questions on this subject will prove your mastery: you don't let yourself be discouraged. Develop an answer that presents the positive side of things by highlighting your experiences, such as: "I did stay 5 years in this position but by constantly expanding the scope of my responsibilities." Avoid denigrating anyone, lying, blaming others for your setbacks, or complaining.
Five tricky questions among others...
Practice answering this - non-exhaustive - list of "tricky" questions so you don't remain silent when the time comes. Develop your opening remarks to be prepared for all eventualities.
- How do you work under pressure?
Be professional: explain that stress is not a problem but is part of the job, illustrating your points with real-life situations. Explain how you go about decompressing, relaxing and recharging your batteries. Point out that pressure is also a powerful way to act more effectively...
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Demonstrate that you have a real professional project, that you want to progress and that you can project yourself into the medium term. Ambition, if it remains reasonable, is always appreciated. Also show that you know the realities of professional life (turnover, lifelong training) and that you have the ability to adapt to a changing environment.
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?
It all depends on the position offered, of course, but generally, solitude does not have a good reputation: collaborative work is now the norm. The recruiter wants to know your adaptability skills as a leader or member of a team. Share your successful experiences in this area, even outside of professional life (sports, cultural, associative life, etc.).
- How do you organize your time?
Give concrete examples, show that you are organized, that you don't get overwhelmed and how you manage to finish all the tasks you have to juggle on time. Feel free to describe a typical day...
- What do you think of our interview?
No overly complimentary comments... Keep your vocabulary moderate. Simply reply that it was interesting. And say why! Emphasize the professionalism and quality of the exchanges, and conclude by stating that this interview motivates you even more in your desire to join this company.
Special "girls"
The question of the future baby is often asked to young women, in a more or less subtle or veiled way. Explain that it is not part of your short-term plans: this is what the recruiter wants to hear. Once in the position, things can evolve because you will have demonstrated your ability to organize yourself. If you already have children and you are told that the desired position requires great availability, answer that you are well organized, and that you have so far always successfully managed to reconcile professional and family life.
Posted online January 7, 2011
coaching.monster.fr
