De-Coding Interview Questions – What they are REALLY asking
Job interviews are high stakes game for all involved. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on the interviewer to make decisions about hiring a stranger after less than 60 minutes of interaction. If you really listen to the questions they ask, you might sense that there is something behind the words that they really want to know. Tailoring your responses to the human concerns at the heart of the question will help you make a stronger impact with your interviewer.
Here are some common examples of what you can read between the lines:
When you hear: “Please tell us about yourself and why you are interested in this position?”
They really want to know: “Are you really interested in us or do you just want a job anywhere?
When you hear: “How would your last supervisor or co-workers describe you?
They really want to know: “Are you difficult to get along with or are you generally fun to be around?
When you hear: “How do you handle stress/criticism?”
They really want to know: “When things get chaotic in the office, will you help calm the seas or make more waves?”
When you hear: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
They really want to know: “Are you egotistical, a wet napkin, or somewhere in between?” and probably also “Are you self-aware enough to realize how your work measures up?”
In the end, most questions are meant to help the interviewers figure out how you would help them solve their problems on the job. If you can quickly assess the problem behind the questions you are asked, you’ll do a better job demonstrating that you are the best candidate for the position.
Michelle St. Onge
