You believe you nailed the job interview. Your answers were just as you rehearsed: honest and concise. You went home feeling pretty good about this one.
But something goes wrong. You don’t get a call back. There is no offer.
Here, just from the past two weeks, are answers I’ve heard from candidates and mentees to direct questions that – much to the demise of their job search – could not have been more wrong. We also present how those answers could be delivered just a bit better – creating a much different first reaction from recruiters and mentors, and perhaps setting you apart by turning your answers into really good questions and proactive statements…
BEFORE: “I just need someone to give me a chance.”
AFTER: “I am eager to start this assignment; how do I stack up to other candidates you’ve interviewed?”
BEFORE: “I’m tired of working where my boss is a jerk.”
AFTER: “I’m focusing on opportunities where I can build a mutually beneficial mentor-based relationship.”
BEFORE: “The Boomer boss didn’t get me, I’m looking to work where my skills will be appreciated.”
AFTER: “I enjoy cross-generational work teams; how does (insert company name here) encourage diversity and collaboration?”
BEFORE: “I’m really just looking for a way to pay the bills until I find my passion.”
AFTER: “There are many aspects of this position that match my passions and career goals.”
BEFORE: This position is a good place to get a foot in the door. My goal is to move into Marketing as soon as possible.
AFTER: I’m eager to learn from the ground up, contributing and applying my skills wherever I’m needed.
BEFORE: This company has a great reputation. Having this on my resume will be a huge career boost.
AFTER: This company has a great reputation for hiring the best and brightest. I’m eager to join them, so I can both contribute to, and learn from, the best.
BEFORE: “All my friends already have good jobs, it’s time for me to get going.”
AFTER: “This opportunity is well aligned with my current career goals. I’m anxious to get started!”
BEFORE: “They weren’t organized at all and I wasn’t getting paid enough; I just put in my time and went home.”
AFTER: “I love the rush of the last-minute, ‘all-hands-on-deck’ projects… I also look for an opportunity to help build a culture where we’re organized and prepared for the unexpected.”
BEFORE: “I didn’t get along with any of the people there… just a bad fit.”
AFTER: “I’ve learned from experience the importance of the right company culture. Can you describe the culture here?”
BEFORE: “I just wanted to do my job… they wanted me to learn things like Social Media.”
AFTER: “I’m a team-player. I also believe in mastering core responsibilities, and then I’m more than eager to contribute however I’m needed.”
BEFORE: “My solo entrepreneurship project didn’t work out, so I need to get back into the real world.”
AFTER: “I had the opportunity to work on some freelance projects and learned a great deal that will help me excel in this position. Let me give you some examples…”
BEFORE: “They wanted to be surrounded by “Yes Men”… that isn’t me, ya’ know?”
AFTER: “I welcome an environment where open dialogue is encouraged and the end result is a better product, and even more loyal customers. How does (company name) approach direct input from team members?”
Job or internships seekers: what answers have you given that allowed the recruiter to perceive you as a less-than-perfect candidate? How will you answer the questions differently next time?
Recruiters and employers: what are some of the worst answers you’ve ever received, and what would you suggest as a much better answer?
A start-up veteran, blogger and friend of marine mammals everywhere, Dave Ellis is a member of the founding team at YouTern, where he serves as Community and Content Manager. On weekends, Dave volunteers at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California where he rescues and rehabilitates sea lions and baby elephant seals.
1 Like
Dave, this is excellent! As new college graduates (or students!) we often don't have the confidence or competence to answer these questions proficiently. Providing scripts will go a long way in helping them say what they want and mean to say. -Sarah
A question for the candidate who's smart enough to use the 12 alternative statements:
Suppose you were to hire me, how would that be helpful to you in achieving your goals a year from now?
In other words, tell me a bit more about what you are looking for?
Loved the Before/After structure of the posts. Some funny ones that aren't far from what you can hear in both a good...and a bad interview. Thanks, Dave.
I once asked a candidate why they wanted to work for XYZ company and they responded, "I don't know"...really? Then, I don't know if I should hire you...
I will definitely share this with my graduating-from-college daughter and her friends!
I'm fairly certain I accidentally upstaged my potential boss during an interview. We'd gone through his questions, and he asked if I had any. I asked what, at the time, seemed logical, and it was something alone the lines of "are certain groups responsible for certain sections of the website?" Basically, how this gigantic project was being broken up into manageable bits between full timers and contractors in order to meet the deadline mandated by the company. Struck me as being good to know which wheel I was to be a cog in so I could get a quick handle on the current product line in order to be ready to hit the ground running.
In hindsight, the question revealed that there was no plan and that by inquiring, I had upstaged by potential boss by pointing out there was no plan and subsequently offering one when asked to clarify what I meant by "certain groups" and "certain sections." Certainly wasn't my intent, but since he closed the file and called an end to the meeting, that's how it was (apparently) perceived.
Brilliant. It's so easy to re-frame our unfiltered responses. Here's another reframe on interviewing skills for the interviewer and interviewee. http://tiny.cc/g6rjk
[...] 12 Most Ineffective Job Interview Answers (and What to Say Instead) | Dave Ellis, Community Manager at YouTern, presents the 12 most ineffective job interview answers – and also what to say instead… Source: 12most.com [...]