Let me start by saying that these might not be the ten worst answers to job interview questions of all time. They are, however, among the ten worst responses that I have ever heard. That's right -- these are all true.
Some of these responses I heard from students in career development classes and others actually came from people who were interviewing with me for real jobs. Hopefully you won't recognize yourself in any of these examples.
1. What interests you in this job? Answer: I don't know. I couldn't possibly afford to work here for the amount of money you are paying.
2. How would you respond if a student asked you XYZ? Answer: You've got to be kidding. No one would ever ask me anything that stupid.
3. Why are you interested in working in sales? (Note: It was a sales job.) Answer: Oh, I'm not. I hate sales. I would never work in sales.
4. Are the hours of this job convenient for you? Answer: Oh yes. I'll just get my boyfriend to drop the kids off here when he picks them up after school.
5. Why did you leave your last job? Answer: Everybody there hated me. They accused me of stealing and I got sick of it so I walked out and never went back.
6. How would your last boss describe you? Answer: Lazy
7. Where do you see yourself in five years? Answer: I don't understand the question.
8. What did you like best about your last job? Answer: It sure wasn't my boss. I hated her. I don't know who she thought she was, firing me.
9. How would you handle an irate customer? Answer: Come get you to deal with it. Stuff like that isn't my job.
10. What's the most important thing to you in a job: Answer: Plenty of sick time. I've got three kids who are always sick and nobody to help me.
While this list may make you chuckle, the point here is that people actually chose to answer job interview questions in this manner. It really isn't funny when people don't know better than to talk themselves out of even being considered for jobs they might otherwise be qualified for.
The people who were my students just kept answering the same questions over again until they came up with acceptable responses. The other ones? I hope that at some point they figured out better ways to respond in job interview situations.
Some companies consider this a formality. Sometimes the interviewer is just being polite and looking to answer any queries you may have about the position, the company, and so on.
Certain companies (e.g. newspapers, consulting groups) judge whether you're right for the job by the quality of your questions and the way that you ask questions. A person interviewing for a journalistic position should be comfortable probing for information and should display curiosity. For this candidate to say, "No, I don't have any questions," may throw up a huge red flag to the employer, saying that you might not have what it takes after all.
What might you be asked? Here are some sample questions candidates might want to ask an interviewee:
* "Why is this position vacant at present?"
* "How often is this position vacated and filled?"
* "What are some of the toughest problems I would face in this role?"
* "What sorts of things would you like me to do differently than the person who previously held this position?"
* "What are the company's long-term goals for this position?"
* "How much freedom or autonomy would I be given in this role?"
* "What is the career trajectory like for someone who enters at this level?"
And remember, since this reverse question-and-answer portion always comes at the end of the interview, you should be careful only to ask questions that haven't been answered yet throughout the course of the discussion!
Just as you would practice answers to interview questions, practice posing these questions to the interviewer. Keep in mind, you can do a mock interview with a family member or friend.
Above all, stay on your toes, listen carefully, and don't just recite things from rote memory. Participate in the conversation rather than trying to fit it into a particular mold. If you are flexible and yet deeply involved in the conversation, that will reflect very well on you in the end.
Keep the six Ps in mind: Proper, Preparation, Prevents, Particularly, Poor, Performance. And then relax and win.
Both Mary Gormandy White & Kenneth Anczerewicz are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mary Gormandy White has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interview Questions, Careers and Job Hunting and Advertising Guide. Mary Gormandy White is Director of Continuing Education and Corporate Training at Mobile Technical Institute . She teaches seminars. Mary Gormandy White's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Kenneth Anczerewicz has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Interview Questions and Sales and Negotiation. Ken Anczerewicz is an author and publisher devoted to helping career & job seekers of all ages realize their financial goals through creating their own income streams. Learn more by clicking here now:. Kenneth Anczerewicz's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.