| So last month I tackled some of the common job | | | | you're overqualified it seems to imply you're either |
| interview questions you are likely to field. Some of | | | | desperate for work (which you may well be, but you |
| them may have seemed tricky, but they're small fry | | | | don't want them to know) or likely to move on within a |
| compared to some of these tough interview questions | | | | few months. If this comes up, you need to convince |
| that employers reserve for when they really want to | | | | them that it's just the kind of job you'd really enjoy - it's |
| make the applicants sweat! | | | | hard to do, but when answering interview questions, |
| But fret not, dear readers - there are answers to (or | | | | convince them you have a high tolerance for boredom |
| at least efficient ways of dodging) the most fiendish of | | | | or that this kind of work is the type of thing you love |
| job interview questions. How? Read on... | | | | doing and they should be thrilled to hire somebody so |
| "Some of this job will be repetitive and mundane. Are | | | | able. |
| you seriously okay with that?" | | | | "You haven't been in your current job very long - |
| Ouch - how's that for an opening tough interview | | | | why?" |
| question? Of course no one is over the moon about | | | | The job interview process is expensive both in terms |
| repetitiveness and they know this, which is why if | | | | of costs and time - the employers don't want to be in |
| you're overly positive you'll smack of insincerity - | | | | a position where they hire you and find you're looking |
| they're not just looking for an intelligent, positive | | | | to move on within 3 months. They need their |
| response here, but one that's believable! To that end, in | | | | investment to be rewarded, and as such you need to |
| answering this interview question you might find a | | | | set their minds at ease and convince them that it is |
| good response to be something like: "Of course all | | | | your intention to be in 'for the long haul'. A reasonable |
| jobs have elements that are repetitive and less | | | | answer to this would therefore be something along the |
| interesting than the others, but I've always tried to give | | | | lines of "I felt I had learned all I could with my current |
| 100% in every aspect of my work - mundane or not." | | | | employers and need to move on to enhance my |
| "How have you managed to attend this job interview | | | | career. I am now ready to settle down and devote |
| during office hours?" | | | | myself fully to something I can commit to in the |
| This tough interview question may as well have been | | | | long-term." |
| rephrased "does your boss know you're here?" | | | | "You've been in your current job for a very long time - |
| because that's what they're asking! It should be fairly | | | | why?" |
| obvious that the right answer isn't "I pulled a sicky!" A | | | | The flipside of the long-term human resources |
| good answer to this is "I took some of my | | | | investment coin is that employers are often |
| pre-allocated holiday time to attend", or if you want | | | | unimpressed by someone who seems to lack the |
| extra brownie points it will look exceptional to say | | | | ambition or ability to get another job. It's a bit unfair, and |
| "Regrettably, I was out of paid holiday time, so I asked | | | | should be easy enough to defend with one of the |
| my employer for some unpaid leave. I don't think it | | | | many legitimate explanations of employee dedication - |
| would be fair on them to pay me for time spent | | | | a love of the job, good friendships, or a good old |
| attending other job interviews." | | | | fashioned sense of loyalty. |
| "You know what the job involves - which part do you | | | | "Have you been attending other job interviews?" |
| think sounds the least appealing?" | | | | This job interview question is tough and can have both |
| This interview question is incredibly mean and | | | | negative and positive repercussions. It could be an |
| unfortunately there is no easy way out. You could try | | | | assessment of how much you want the job ("I'm only |
| and keep it short with a "Having read through the job | | | | applying to this one simply because it seems ideal for |
| description, there isn't anything which really doesn't | | | | my ambitions and skill set") or a cheeky way of |
| appeal to me" but if the job does have unappealing | | | | assessing if their rivals are interested in you ("I've been |
| elements (and 99% of jobs do!) then you'll come | | | | talking to a few other companies and considering my |
| across as insincere. If there are aspects of the job | | | | options.") You have to use your own judgment to |
| which you can see yourself hating then be honest | | | | work out their intentions based on the tone of the |
| about it - just make sure it isn't a major part of the job, | | | | interviewers and the other interview questions they |
| and try to play it down when answering the interview | | | | ask. If you are in any doubt you could try hedging your |
| question with a "but every job has some areas which | | | | bets and combining both the previous answers: "I have |
| don't appeal, so I would still endeavour to take on | | | | been talking to some other companies, but in all |
| these less appealing elements in a mature and | | | | honesty this job is my preference, as the job |
| professional manner." | | | | description seems to match my experience and |
| "What kind of person do you find it hard to work | | | | skillset." |
| alongside?" | | | | "What is your current salary?" |
| Although this interview question seems like an easy | | | | This is a cheeky job interview question that you should |
| pitfall, there is real potential to turn a negative into a | | | | avoid giving the straight-answer to! They're trying to |
| positive! Start off your answer with your best trait, as | | | | save money as much as possible, and by working out |
| in "I've always thought of myself as very hardworking | | | | your current wage they hope to be able to offer you |
| sincere/quick/efficient, and so I sometimes find it | | | | the bare minimum (a slight increase on your current |
| frustrating to work alongside those who lack that | | | | salary) - if you don't tell them, then you're in a far |
| particular quality. That said, I do pride myself on being | | | | better position to negotiate. "It isn't about the salary for |
| very easy to get along with and a team player, and I | | | | me really - it's the whole job package that interests |
| have never met someone I can't work alongside." | | | | me." Avoid directly answering the interview question |
| When answering the interview question this way, you | | | | here, and you should be fine. |
| highlight your positive points rather than other people's | | | | These tough interview questions are difficult to answer |
| negatives. | | | | sufficiently, but the employer knows this - remember |
| "To be honest, you seem to be overqualified for this | | | | every applicant will receive the same grilling, and if you |
| position..." | | | | have the preparatory edge to put you ahead of your |
| Not an interview question as such, but something that | | | | rivals, you have every change of pipping them to the |
| definitely needs to be effectively deflected: if they feel | | | | post. |