Tell me about yourself. This is the ultimate in open-ended questions and requires you to summarize your life. In general, you don't need to be overly specific. Stick with accomplishments, both personal and business, but gloss over negatives, such as divorce, job firings, and low periods in your life. Your answer should take less than 15 minutes. Otherwise, you are talking too much.
How would you describe your management style? Give a straightforward reply here: for example, "participatory," "situational," "team-oriented," "hands-on," or "mentoring." You might also include what types of people you like to work for.
Tell me about your experience. Include duties and specific accomplishments. It helps the interviewer to relate your experience to the opening if you can quote statistics such as budget figures, FTEs, and so forth.
Why did you leave that job? Your response needs to be carefully worded. Consider the difference between these answers: "I was fired," or "My supervisor and I began to have severe disagreements on the direction for my departments. After a period of trying to reconcile our differences, it became obvious to everyone that I should leave." Remember, your answer is subject to verification on a reference check, but you can put a positive spin on a termination.
Tell me about your strengths. Here is your opportunity to sell yourself. What is it that you do especially well? Now is not the time to be bashful-try to give three to five strengths.
What do you consider to be your weaknesses? Commonly called the suicide question, this one can open up a host of additional tricky questions if not answered properly. Here are some acceptable answers, followed by what could be called the corresponding weakness in parentheses:
- "I work too hard." ("I am a workaholic")
- "I am too impatient for results." ("I lose my temper with incompetent people who don't meet my standards.")
- "I am too intent on accomplishing my goals." ("I lose sight of what is in the organization's best interests.")
- "I don't take enough time off." ("I am a loner, with no outside interests.")
- "I am persistent." ("I am stubborn.")
One other thing-don't give an answer if it does not actually fit your character. Interviewers can usually tell if you are making something up. If you reply, for example, that you are too persistent, be ready to offer an example of when you doggedly worked at a tough problem.
You can also mention a bona fide weakness and add that you are working on it. For example, "I have joined Toastmasters to improve my public speaking, because that is an area where I have felt weak." Or, "I am finishing up a programming course that will strengthen my computer skills."
Another way to answer this question is by citing a strength taken to the extreme. For example, if you described yourself as a hard worker when asked to name a strength, then saying that you work too hard and occasionally neglect family relationships is an acceptable and plausible weakness. Note further that you are constantly trying to monitor the issue and balance work with family.
However you chose to address your weaknesses, navigate your way quickly and comfortably past this tricky question, and on to the next question. By all means, don't explore a weakness in any depth, or you may fall into a bottomless pit and be unable to climb out.
Avoid using the first person singular pronoun "I" as much as possible. Most organizations are not looking for the solitary knight who does everything alone. Organizations are looking for team players. "We" is the appropriate word to use when noting accomplishments.
How Do I Answer Those Illegal Questions?
Because of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's efforts to end discriminatory practices, certain questions are out of bounds. Unfortunately, you still may be asked a blatantly illegal question during an interview or in the first few weeks in a new position. However, in the interview setting when you want a position, you risk negative results if you challenge the interviewer on an out-of-bounds question.
One of the women whom I interviewed for this book was asked in an interview early in her career what kind of birth control she used. She had the luxury of a strong job market, walked out of the interview, and quickly found a position with another organization. She knew instantly that she would not want to work in an organization whose representatives lacked the professionalism and courtesy to steer clear of illegal questions. The likelihood of encountering such a question now, 20 years later, is much less, but you need to anticipate your reaction. If you are concerned about illegal questions, rehearse firm, diplomatic responses. You then can interview with any organization and avoid being blindsided.
I came up with some possible ways to extricate yourself from the illegal question dilemma:
- "You know, my mother told me that you wouldn't have the nerve to ask me that question!"
- "One of my friends told me she was asked a similar question, and she just chuckled and asked if it were a mock interview."
- "I know you are kidding, so I'll go ahead to your next question."
- "Is Diane Sawyer in the next room?"
My musical metaphor cannot hide the fact that answering illegal questions is serious business. Be ready. Your answer should reflect your personal style-the important thing is that you have a quick turnaround that keeps the interview going and the interviewer on the right track.
