The Central Intelligence Agency and law enforcement agencies sometimes submit candidates to one or more stress tests to determine if the candidate is ‘tough enough’ to handle a grueling job.
– Matthew J. DeLuca, Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently…
Welcome to Part 2! If you’re just starting the series, the following paragraph is for you. If you’re joining us from Part 1, 3, 4, or 5, you can skip the next section and get straight to the questions. There’s no need to read this series in order, but I do recommend reading them all!
In this series we’ll guide you through answering 25 of the most common interview questions found in the book Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions by Matthew J. DeLuca.
The questions are broken into eight categories:
- Introductory – Ice-breakers.
- Personal – Getting to know You.
- Educational – What do you know?
- Experience – What have you done?
- Behavior – How are your Soft Skills?
- Stress – Can you handle the pressure?
- Illegal – Questions you may not have to answer.
- Your Turn – Questions you should ask.
In Part 2, we’ll cover:
- Personal: Why are you leaving/did you leave your current position?
- Stress: Can you work overtime? Evenings? Weekends? Travel? Entertain at Home?
- Stress: Do you have any questions?
- Illegal: Where were you born?
- Illegal: How old are you?
- Personal: Why are you leaving/did you leave your current position?
Be honest and consistent. But, also know that you’re in control of the information you choose to share. You can put your own spin on a bad situation, just make sure your cover letter and references can corroborate the story.
Mr. DeLuca has these five suggestions, if you’re struggling to come up with a professional answer:
- Industry-wide changes: former job is obsolete, or leaving the country.
- Organizational circumstances: company is restructuring, or has been acquired.
- Geographical relocation: you, your spouse, or the company has/is moving.
- Personal concerns: inability to move up in the company.
- Legal forms of harassment: reasonable to use, but use with caution.
- Stress: Can you work overtime? Evenings? Weekends? Travel? Entertain at Home?
Use this opportunity to ask a few questions of your own before you say, Yes. Find out more about the situation/frequency/conditions. You may be able to use this information in later negotiations.
Beware of the illegal implications! The interviewer may be trying to find out if you are of a particular religious affiliation that would prevent you from working outside ‘normal’ business hours.
- Stress: Do you have any questions?
“A really weak answer is, ‘No, because you have already answered them throughout the interview.’”
It’s best to prepare several questions in advance of the interview. This shows the interviewer that you’ve made an effort to prepare for the interview, and, if done correctly, that you care about the position and company. We will go more into questions you should ask in Part 5.
- Illegal: Where were you born?
Although Federal, State and local laws differ, questions dealing directly with characteristics protected by law (Civil Rights Act of 1964) should not be asked, and you don’t have to answer them.
When asked an illegal question, maintain your professional composure, and decide whether or not you want to answer. Remember, you control what information is being given. You can politely decline, citing the discriminatory nature of the question, or you may choose to answer.
If more perceived illegal questions are asked, you may continue citing their discriminatory nature, and if they continue, you may choose to politely conclude the interview and decide if you want to report the incident to your local Federal Equal Employment Opportunity office.
- Illegal: How old are you?
Age discrimination is illegal, but it happens.
You have the upper hand if you are asked this question. Here are a few options:
- Answer honestly. Then wait. Don’t break the silence afterward. Advantage You.
- Be snarky – e. ‘Young enough to enjoy every day’ or ‘Old enough to…’
- Whatever, they’re asking you an illegal question. Age is just a number, right?
- Politely refuse.
Other obvious age discrimination may come in the form of “Aren’t you a little too old/young…?”, or “Inexperienced/Too Experienced.” You can always put a positive spin on the situation and demonstrate your value based on your experience/merit/accomplishments/recommendations/etc.
CONCLUSION
Thank you for reading part 2 of this 5-part series! Be sure to stay tuned for more answers to frequently asked interview questions in parts 3, 4 and 5.
If you’re looking for some personalized assistance, check out our one-on-one Interview Coaching.
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