An interview is a chance to get to know the applicant, and for the applicant to get to know the employer. A CV and covering letter are good, but they are very one-dimensional. We tend to need to look someone in the eye to get a real feeling for them. The interview is as much about that as it is about making sure you’re qualified for the role.
The single best way to answer questions is to answer them honestly. Despite what you might think, answering “I don’t know,” isn’t a fail. It’s an honest admission of ignorance, which is a valuable thing in the workplace.
An employer doesn’t necessarily want a “yes man,” or someone who will blag their way through a work day. Someone who has the courage to try, then ask for help when they can’t achieve something is valued in the workplace. It shows maturity and responsibility.
So if you can’t answer a question, be honest and say so.
Answer awkward questions:
- Calmly and honestly
- Monitor your tone of voice
- Watch your body language
- Be concise
- Be brief but answer the question completely.
Often the question won’t be posed to put you in an awkward position, often it will just be something they want to know. If you have ever been fired, made redundant, had gaps in your employment, or had long periods of illness, these questions will arise.
They may be awkward for you, but they are things the interviewer will need answers to before they consider you for the role. If you get asked a difficult question, take a moment to consider your answer, then give it to them. If the answer is very awkward or painful, tell them, nicely, but still answer the question.
Other ways of answering awkward questions are to prepare for them. For example, questions like:
- Why do you want the job?
- How do you feel about doing mundane or repetitive work?
- You have only been in your current role a short time – Why?
- How do you deal with interpersonal problems within your team?
- How would your current boss describe you?
- What do your work colleagues think of you?
- What drives you to achieve your objectives?
- Why have you taken the career path that you have?
- Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
- What challenges do you believe this organisation faces?
Planning for them in advance makes them easier to answer, and will go down well at interview.
Of course, the interview is also your chance to ask some questions too. It’s as much about you finding out about them as it is them finding out about you. Here are some good questions to ask at an interview. They not only provide good information, but also show intelligence, interest and ambition.
- What are my promotion prospects?
- How is my career path determined?
- How do you measure success?
- What will be the main challenges I will face in the first six months?
