Tag Archives: interview questions

Illegal questions and what to worry about

Posted on March 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

Understand that legal and illegal are political, and often arbitrary, categorizations; use and abuse are medical, or clinical distinctions. (Abbie Hoffman in Steal This Urine Test)

Shirley Temple was asked about the “casting couch” mentality in Hollywood. She said it only came up once. She was talking with a mogul about a part she wanted to play in his movie. He stood up, dropped his pants and told her what she had to do to get the part. She laughed at him. At the time it happened, what he did was probably not illegal. Now it is definitely illegal. It was never right or moral. (I remember her talking about it, but can’t come up with a source now.)

The point is that you need to decide whether you care about a particular question. For instance: It is only illegal to discriminate based on age if you are over 40. That’s the law. Do you care? I can discriminate against you based on age, race, sex, religion, country of origin, accent and the fact that you are a Vietnam vet if my company is small enough or slips through other cracks in the laws. Questions you think are illegal may be perfectly okay by law for a specific situation. BOQ means Bonafide Occupational Qualification, and it is the biggest hole in the law.

What is more important than what is legal?

What is more important is that you know the questions you find slimy and objectionable. What questions do you want to avoid answering? What questions will make you so upset you stand up and leave in the middle of the interview?

Remember, you can always do a Shirley Temple and laugh at the question. You may be surprised at how it takes a burden off of both you and your interviewer. If the interviewer is offended that you laughed instead of slapping him, walk out. You are not going to starve because you fail a job interview.

Next time I will go a little deeper into handling bad questions.

Something to do today

Try the other side of this issue. List 3 questions you WOULD answer that some people find offensive. If you think about it you can probably find them.

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Later: No BS interviews work

How to quit

The old boy network

Exploit the old boys

The money question

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Slitting your throat with your own teeth in an interview

Posted on February 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

Discretion is knowing how to hide that which we cannot remedy.  (Spanish proverb)

Discretion

He came in for an interview after a depressing few months of job hunting. Within 5 minutes it was obvious why no one wanted to hire him.  The thinly veiled depression didn’t help.  What killed him was that it wasn’t his fault, sorta, why he left his last 3 jobs.  If your boss won’t explain what you have to do so that you can understand it, it isn’t your fault, sorta.  When you finally decide not to work 50 hour weeks any more, it is not your fault you quit.  And an affair with your boss that ends unhappily is certainly not your fault, is it? And every detail was explained in the interview. Worse, when questioned, “Do you explain this to everyone you interview with,” the answer was, “Of course, I can’t lie about it.”

That candidate was slitting his throat with his own teeth.  He would shoot himself to prove why gun safety is important.  In a game of checkers he would explain why he made each move so he didn’t surprise his opponent.

We worked for an hour to give him answers that were true and made him look discrete and loyal.  Near the end he said, “I guess I am going to have to learn how to lie.”  He didn’t understand. We explained, “In 20 years you won’t tell all the heart wrenching reasons you left your recent job, so don’t tell them now.” He just couldn’t accept that.

What to say

For any negatives, acknowledge them very briefly, and also find the good side of that experience.  I said, “Acknowledge them.”  I did not say, “Explain them.”  In almost every negative situation there were some positives.  Think of what those positives were and emphasize them. Explain the positives and not the negatives. Here are examples:

Your boss didn’t train you:

“I was very grateful for that job, but I needed an opportunity to grow more. I had a strong boss who taught me about leadership.”

You left because of long hours:

“My boss taught me a lot, but we disagreed on working conditions.  It was great to work directly with an entrepreneur like him.”

The office affair went sour:

“That was a great company, but I left because of the office atmosphere. My trainer at that company was brilliant.  I learned a lot about business as well as the technical side of my job.”

When someone asks you more about the negative, refuse to talk about it.  Instead, talk about the positives you brought up.  It is called loyalty when you refuse to discuss unimportant tidbits of gossip and concentrate on the positive. Another word to describe it is discretion.

Something to do today

Make a list of all the things you mention in interviews that just don’t sound good.  Figure out how to mention them in 5 words or less.  Then figure out 2 good things you can mention that are related to those negatives.

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Later:                         Killer Email

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10 optional interview questions

Posted on February 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

Dare to be different.  Different like the cartoon roadrunner, not like the coyote. Everyone likes the roadrunner.  He has an infectious smile and inventive ways of getting safely past the coyote.

Companies hire to fill a need. By asking the right questions, you can find out what that need is.  Just by finding out that need, you may get the job. When your interviewer feels he is understood, he is likely to say to himself, “This candidate will be a great team member since he understands what I need.”  Then you are hired.

You may want to consider using a variation of these questions which I got from Danny Cahill:

  1. When you made the move to come here, what was the most compelling reason for YOU?
  2. What keeps you here?
  3. I’m looking for a leader who I can believe in and whose coattails I can ride. Tell me your ambitions.
  4. What do I have to do to get your job?
  5. You’re not hiring because everything is wonderful. What are the problems that need solving?
  6. Companies hire short term solutions to short term problems. How can I stand out in the next 60 days?
  7. I’m happy to give you my references, are there people here or at some other company that I can talk to about you?
  8. Profile your top performer for me. What does he do that makes him so much better?
  9. When it comes to work, what keeps you up at night?
  10. Do I have your vote? Are you going to recommend I be considered?

Something to do today

Make a list of questions you can read over before every interview.  You will be amazed how often the right question will help you in a tough situation.

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Later:                      How to get more vacation

                                    Moth traps

                                    Slitting your throat with your own teeth

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2 Questions to ask in every interview

Posted on February 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

Salespeople who earn over $100,000 per year know how to ask questions. Then they ask another related question.  Top salespeople get smart people to say, “He’s right, I need his help.”  They do it without telling how smart they are.  They do it by asking the right questions.

Your job interview is a sales meeting.  You need the interviewers to “buy” you. Getting a job at McDonalds is just like getting a CEO’s job.  You have to convince the interviewers that you are the best person available. 

Everyone says, “I’m the best.”  You will be expected to list your accomplishments.  You will get to proclaim yourself a team player.  “I’ll do whatever it takes,” will be a key phrase you will utter, just like everyone else. I’m still waiting for the candidate that says, “I hate people.  I refuse to work hard. If possible, I will drive this company into the ground.”

So, be different.  Ask great questions.  Here is the first one:

“How will I be measured in 12 months time if I take this job?”

That question is SO different that your interviewer may stop a second as his mind shifts gears.  And you will find out more than just what they expect you to do every day.

Or use a related comment and question:

“Everyone is hired to fill an immediate need.  So, what problems do I get to resolve in my first two months?”

Are you getting the idea?  Tomorrow I’ll give you a list of some more questions I have gleaned over the years.

Something to do today

Same as yesterday. Make a list of at least 3 questions or topics you should ask about in every interview.

Now think about the exact wording.  Can you make the questions show your keen interest in doing a great job and helping your team?

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Later:                         Your interview questions

                                    How to get more vacation

                                    Moth traps

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The job hunting catechism

Posted on February 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

My neighbor invited me to his catechism class.  He went every Wednesday to learn the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church.  He showed me the book they used.  The teacher would read a question and the kids would read an answer back.  They would also talk about the answer.  It didn’t sound very interesting to my 8 year old mind, so I decided to play baseball instead of going with him.

I  read an article that said that today they do more lecture style teaching of the catechism.  But the problem has become that the teachers don’t teach rigorous doctrine.  Instead, the teacher and texts teach what is popular.  I heard the catechism teaching is going to shift back to training that is less flexible.

Confusion is always the most honest response. (Marty Indik)

Job hunting?  What does this have to do with job hunting?

Learning comes in stages.  First you have to learn to give a correct response.  It may be dull to learn and practice, but you will be right.  After you know a correct response and why it is correct, you can experiment with different answers.  Eventually you will come up with much better responses than you were originally taught.  But every once in a while you have to go back to the old catechism.  You have to check what you are now saying against what really needs to be said.

The next few days are going to be going over interview questions you need to ask.  I’ll start out with the basics.  They are the questions that work in every interview.  Then I’ll go to questions that set you apart in an interview.

I suggest you repeat your practice questions aloud 3 times before you go in for an interview.  When you are in the interview, don’t worry about getting them word perfect.  You’ll have the ideas cemented in your brain.  You’ll be prepared to set yourself apart from the competition by the questions you ask.

Something to do today

Make a list of at least 3 questions or topics you should ask about in every interview.

Now think about the exact wording.  Can you make the questions show your keen interest in doing a great job and helping your team?

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Later:                        Your interview questions

How to get more vacation

Moth traps

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Do you dare answer, “Will you do anything we ask?”

Posted on June 21, 2011 | 1 comment

In “The Firm” a new lawyer finds the perfect job: great pay, wonderful benefits and  a really high flying lifestyle.  Then he finds out he is a part of the mafia and can’t get out unless it is as the guest of honor at his own funeral.

“Will you do whatever it takes to get the job done?” is a common interview question.  There is no reason to suspect that your employer wants you to do something illegal.  More likely he wants you to work late.

Let’s get realistic.  Even in high flying corporate scandals no one is murdered.  If you feel you have to blow the whistle you can go to newspaper reporters and the police.  You will be safe physically.  Your only real worries are social and financial.  The company’s risk is to its very existence.  It can be destroyed just by bad press.  Also, legal action can take away any profit the company has had for years.

Go ahead and be enthusiastic when they ask the question, “Will you do whatever it takes?”  The proper answer is to give examples of how you have gone the extra mile in previous jobs.  Tell when you worked late to finish projects or help a teammate.  Carrying a pager is a great example of doing “whatever it takes.”  Mention the inconvenient business trips.  The support you had from your family when you had to work late or travel is a valuable story.

I hate to go back to it, but, don’t mention when you did something borderline illegal.  Don’t assume they want you to do something immoral.  If they ask you to do something that is wrong, ask them to clarify.

Ask for examples.  If you are sure they are asking you to do something illegal, immoral, or fattening, refuse the second interview or the job offer.

Some people have been burned by a previous bad employer.  You may have been hired by a place with dubious morals. You are out now, or in the process of getting out.  Assume the best of the companies you are visiting.  Give examples of how hard you are willing to work to succeed. Focus on what you can do for the company.

Something To Do Today

Assume the best.  Ask for examples.

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How to answer the critical unasked interview questions

Posted on May 27, 2011 | Leave a comment

Séances and interviews sometimes have a lot in common. Primarily, no one really believes in the person being interviewed.   The answers are suspect.  Everyone involved is afraid to act on what they heard.

Interviewers believe you may lie about the following questions:

  1. Will you work hard?
  2. Can you do this job?
  3. Will you make the team better?
  4. Do you want this job?

Because they don’t trust your direct answers, they ask a lot of indirect questions.  There is only one way to answer.  To be believed you must:

Give concrete examples

You must be enthusiastic, positive, believable, happy and self assured.  But, that’s not enough.  They won’t believe you unless you give concrete examples. Examples in the last year or two are most effective.

Let me help you come up with believable examples.  Write down the answers to these questions:

Will you work hard?

When did you work late?  Did you get in early regularly to finish a project?  How often did you carry a beeper?  What assignments did you volunteer for?  Who did you take over for when they were on vacation? Did you travel out of town on assignments? How much work did you do from home after hours?

Can you do this job?

What parts of this new job have you already done in your old job?  When did you work independently on applicable tasks?  How do you do research on related problems? Who did you mentor that had these responsibilities?  Which similar projects did you manage? How big was the team you worked on?  Did you lead a team doing this kind of job?

Will you make the team better?

When did you take over for a team member? How did you deal with a difficult coworker? Did you work late to help someone else? When did you back your manager in a tough call?  Were you a mentor?  What questions did everyone come to you with?  Which team awards did you win?  Why did they pick you to lead a team?

Do you want this job?What will the new job let you learn?  How much can you bring to this company?  Why will you be able to hit the ground running? Can you start in 2 weeks?  What do you like most about the team members you met so far?  Which facts about the company appeal to you most?  Which specific projects  sound fun? (Be careful NOT to complain and whine.  Don’t beat up your old team or boss.)

If you have answers to all these questions, you can turn your interview from a séance into a fact finding session.  Give short specific examples and you will be believed.

Something To Do Today

Take a notepad and jot down specific proof from the last two years. How have you absolutely proved your answers to the unasked questions?  Write down undeniable examples.

Take those undeniable examples with you to review right before your next interview.

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What to ask in the interview – the 4 best questions

Posted on April 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.  (Twain)

Contributor, hard working, excited and interested will get you a job. Greedy, lazy, bored and distracted will get you shown the door out.

Excellent questions are a way to show the difference between you and the other candidates.  You need to ask questions that show you will take some of the burden off of the hiring manager.  You must show your great attitude with your questions.

“What do you see as the greatest contribution I can make to my team here?” is a winner.

 “What problems will I be helping to solve in this job?” works.

 “What burden can I take off of your back in my first 3 months?” will be a relief.

 “How will my performance be evaluated in one year’s time when I take this job?” is a great question. 

 Let them know you will be trying to meet their expectations.  Open up a conversation on what is really expected of you.

 Do you get the idea?  You need to ask questions that show the ways you can contribute and start taking away some of your new boss=s headaches. 

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Something To Do Today

Before your next job interview or pay review, make a list of questions that show your desire, interest and motivation.

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How much do we have to pay you?

Posted on April 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Lack of money is no obstacle.  Lack of an idea is an obstacle. (Hakuta)

It’s your first interview.  Things are going well.  The wall clock says you’ve been here 45 minutes.  That’s good.  Then the hirer sits back in his chair and asks, “How much do we have to pay you?”

This can be a disaster.  If you come up with too big of a number, they won’t hire you.  If the number is too small you won’t earn as much as you could.  Is there any way to win?

Your answer needs to show a great attitude.  It can’t sound like you are greedy.  It must leave the door open for negotiations.  It has to get you a job offer so you can really start negotiating. Try this:

I really like the opportunity you have described to me.  This is a great company.  I would love to come to work for you.  In my last job I earned (amount), I certainly wouldn’t want to work for less.  What I would like… is to be able to entertain your best offer.

Show them your attitude first.  Let them know you like the company and the job.  Give them the historical fact of what you last earned.  Then defuse the question by saying you want to see their best offer.

This line works.  Most of the time they’ll stop asking you for a number. If they ask you again, repeat the line. Eventually you’ll be negotiating wages, but try to put it off until they really want to make you an offer.

Use the money question to show your attitude.  You’ll get more job offers. You’ll also make more money.

Something To Do Today

Put this question and answer down in your interview preparation notes.  Practice saying it five times before every phone interview or in-person interview.

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He lost a $100,000 job with this question

Posted on March 31, 2010 | Leave a comment

I don’t have a bank account because I don’t know my mother’s maiden name. (Poundstone)

True story: He was interviewing for a $100,000/year job.  The interview had lasted an hour.  The hiring manager loved the candidate.  There was no one else interviewing.  The hirer had made up his mind that this guy was going to work for him.  The manager asked, “Do you have any questions?”  The candidate said, “Yes, how much time off do I get and when can I start taking vacation time?”  Five minutes later the candidate was out of the office.  He had no clue why the interview was terminated so abruptly. He was not hired.

Attitude is everything in an interview.  A hiring manager is looking for someone who will work hard.  He wants a team builder who will inspire others.  He wants someone who will take some of his burden away. 

Don’t ever ask the “What’s in it for me?” questions in your first interview.  The correct time to ask is when they bring it up first, or when they make you a job offer. 

Here’s a list of some of those questions you should NOT ask until later:

                   How much time off and vacation do I get?

                   What is your sick leave policy?

                   Can I come in late or leave early sometimes?

                   Do I have to work late?

                   What will my pay be?

None of the above questions is asking anything evil.  You need the answers to all of them.  You’ll get all the answers before you accept the job.  Just wait a bit.

The correct questions to ask are about the company’s direction, your role, potential job growth, your teammates, etc.  Ask questions that show you want to work hard. Your questions should show you want to help. 

Attitude really is everything in an interview.  What you are most interested in asking about will show your interviewer what your real attitude is.

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