If the company is really big on charity drives, mention your assistance to charities. If it encourages employees to participate in civic activities, mention that. Most people have enough outside interests they can convert to "inside" interests as soon as the curtain rises.
How do successful interviewees learn how to answer these questions? Through keen powers of observation. Before they ever enter the interviewer's office, they've "scoped out" the company's offices and made mental notes of trophies, awards, citations, photos, and any other physical clues that reveal what is important to the company. Earlier phone sleuthing might have revealed information about company trips, picnics, and blood drives as well.
I was a personnel manager for a company that wouldn't hire anyone who didn't lift weights. Was it discriminatory? Yes. Was it unfair? Yes. Was it ridiculous? Yes. Was it legal? Yes. Did I liberalize the definition of "lifting weights" for other wise qualified applicants? Yes.
Q. How interested are you in sports?
A. I like playing them more than watching them. Some require mental discipline. Some require a cooperative team effort. But all reward those who are the best.
Sports are sometimes violent and unproductive, but they can also teach valuable lessons. If someone doesn't have much self esteem, sports can help him or her develop into a high achiever. The message is that hard work can pay off. In sports, people learn their limitations, too. No one can be best at every thing. Learning your weaknesses can help you develop your strengths.
Q. What are your leisure time activities?
(Before answering this question, conduct a split second mental review of the clues you picked up on your way in. If this company appears "activity oriented," and you play racquetball but also collect stamps, emphasize racquetball. If you know something about the company culture an emphasis on family values, for example concentrate on that aspect of your life.)
A. My dedication to my career takes up most of my time. However, I make it a point every day to spend time with my family. I'm involved in my kids' sports and help them with their homework. After that, I settle down and catch up on my work related reading journals and other trade publications. Weekends are spent in family activities, gardening, social events, and community affairs.
Q. What were your extracurricular activities in school?
(If the target job requires leadership skills, accent your leadership activities. If physical stamina and conditioning are required, mention your sports achievements. If it is a people oriented occupation, tell about community involvement.)
A. I was captain of the debating team and vice president of the senior class. My extracurricular activities in school served to guide me in my career choices. Leadership roles, where effective communication is required, come naturally to me.
(Or;)
My extracurricular activities in high school and college centered around sports mainly football and track. Being active and staying in top physical condition are still important to me, since they make me more effective in everything I do.
Q. What is your favorite television program?
(Just try answering Wheel of Fortune or I Love Lucy reruns and see how fast the spotlights go out and the curtain falls. Answer Masterpiece Theater and you might be labeled "too highbrow." Try to chart a middle course.)
A. There isn't much time in my life for watching television other than the evening news. Occasionally, I see if there's something interesting to watch. I like business oriented specials and news features the best.
Q. Have you ever been the head of a committee?
(This is a good chance to mention community leadership and organization experience. Even if you haven't participated in recent years, see if you can find something to score a few extra points.)
Yes, several times. Most recently, I chaired the annual fund raising event for_, a local service club. I've headed up several different committees for that organization in past years.
I had a great deal of leadership experience as a teenager as well. I was actively involved in youth fund raising efforts for the March of Dimes and other causes, often taking a leadership role. Citizenship means more than paying taxes and keeping your yard clean. I try to get involved and assist whenever I can.
Q. Do you consider yourself a social drinker?
(A moderate answer is your best bet here. You have no way of knowing, but the company may prohibit any alcohol use by employees during working hours. Or you may be in the midst of a real "office party" culture where nondrinkers are ostracized.) I enjoy an occasional glass of wine with a formal dinner. But I can take or leave alcohol in social situations. At business functions where clients are present, I tend to have at most one drink to be sure I stay alert and represent the company to the best of my ability.
Q. Does your social life include associates and coworkers?
From time to time it has. I have many outside interests, however, and many friends that I know through them.
I enjoy company functions, but my social life doesn't revolve around work. I prefer to strike a good balance between my personal and professional activities. It's easier to handle difficult situations with coworkers when they aren't good friends. This "professional detachment" doesn't mean you can't be sensitive to the needs of others. It just makes the relationship more objective and businesslike. We're being paid to do a job there's really not much time for socializing when we're doing it.
Q. What are you doing to improve yourself?
A. Self improvement should be part of everyone's life. I educate myself informally through reading. I try to learn something new on a regular basis by reading an article on an unfamiliar topic. I also review self help techniques in books and magazines. It keeps me sharp.
