Interview Traps to Avoid

Some annoying interview areas just won't go away. Here are 11 interview traps to watch out for.

Tell me about yourself. I'm sure employers have tossed this at you before. Don't make too big a deal out of it. The interviewer is asking for concrete facts in a vague way. He or she wants pertinent, convincing information that you're the person for the job. Needless to say, she doesn't want to know what you had for breakfast, what you do on weekends, or your opinions about downsizing. The interviewer wants to know about your accomplishments relating to the job you seek. You're also being tested to see how well you communicate and how fast you think on your feet.
Why should we hire you? Now is your chance to do some big-time grandstanding. Twenty years ago, you'd have returned a lot of gobbledygook about the search for growth, security, and a rewarding career track. Now you can lay it on the line and spell out precisely what you can do for this employer. Tie your goals to those of your employer's.

Again, never stop selling bottom-line benefits to prospective employers. Drive home the fact that knowledge accumulated over a 25-plus-year career is priceless. Employers would have to be out of their minds not to take advantage of it. The point you're making is that you have a knack for being one step ahead of the times.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? "Who the hell knows? Maybe 8 feet under." Another dumb one. Whatever you do, don't reel off the first answer that pops into your head. Any employer on top of the times knows that most workers change jobs every few years. Nevertheless, try to be realistic and pragmatic without appearing cocky. "In a couple of years, I'd like to be running the marketing division, creating programs that boost sales and open new territories. Given enough freedom and support, I'm confident I can significantly increase your profit margins." That's right. You're shouting the right words: Benefit! Benefit! Benefit!
What would you consider an ideal job? "Yours, Bozo!" No, don't lunge for your interviewer. You're outraged that someone with your background and experience would be asked such a dumb question. Knock the person's socks off by coming back with: "I doubt if there is a perfect job, Mr. Peabrain. The best you can do is try to come as close to it as possible. An almost perfect job is one in which you re doing something you enjoy and seeing positive results at the same time. Hence, both worker and company are benefiting from the relationship." Yes, indeed. Once again, you drove home benefit.
Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses. I'm sure you’ve been asked this one before. It's another trap. Whatever you do, don't give equal weight to your strengths and weaknesses. Eighty-five percent of your answer should center around your strengths, which must be highlighted with facts. Don't say you're innovative and creative. Prove you are by citing specifics. What programs, projects and systems have you developed? What did they mean for the company in terms of productivity, market share, the bottom liner Even though honesty may be a major strength, don't ever discuss a serious weakness. Instead, mention something insignificant that's actually a strength disguised as a minor weakness. For example, you’re a perfectionist who won't give up on a problem until it s solved. Or you tend to expect too much of subordinates and are disappointed when they don't deliver.

Warning: What you consider a small fault, an interviewer may consider serious. For instance, saying you have no patience for inefficiency could be perceived as being intolerant or hot-tempered. Be careful.
What were the best and worst aspects of your last job? Watch out. This one could explode if not handled properly. Certainly, there were aspects of prior jobs you hated. You wouldn't be normal if you loved every part of your job. Nevertheless, don't dwell on negatives. Remember, many human resources types are gunning for older workers. They're looking for reasons to knock you out of the race and label you as a set-in-your-ways, never satisfied, grumpy old curmudgeon.

Describe bad experiences as positive steps in your development. For example, because the company had an entrenched bureaucracy, you learned to develop constructive techniques to get things done quickly. Negatives should be used as opportunities demonstrating how you were aggressive and determined to realize your goals. Employers want to hear how you approached and overcame difficult challenges.
How do you spend your free time? Don't say it's at the race track or O'Ryan's Pub hoisting boilermakers. Here's yet another zinger question. It's perfectly okay to talk about your favorite sports or hobbies, but it s more important to say you make time to do considerable reading to stay current with your field. If the opening arises, cite books or articles you’ve recently read. "I loved Reg Dingo's observations about the virtual workplace in Our Virtual Future. We're less than a decade away from that reality, Ms. Porpoise Toad-Farling."
You've had quite a number of jobs in the past two decades. How do I know you'll stick around? Nobody said all employers read Fortune? Forbes, and Nation's Business. If they did, they'd know job hopping is no longer a black mark, but a survival tactic. Drive this point home politely and matter of faculty, without going through the messy details of each job change. Dwell on reorganizations, mergers, cost-cutting efforts, and spritz the "downsizing" word around a bit. The interviewer will quickly see the big picture: You had no choice in the matter.
What are some of the major accomplishments in your life? Here's a variation on the old "What is the meaning of life?" question. Again, always remember that no matter how far afield a question seems, your job is to bring it back to the reason you're there. If this question is handled creatively, fiftyish workers can turn it to their advantage by citing landmark firsts in their career. For example, your first raise, promotion, or breakthrough project, or possibly a team-building job producing impressive results. The idea is to mention an important event, what you learned, and of course, what it meant for the company. Again, sell Benefit! Benefit! Benefit! As an added touch, without getting maudlin or messy, why not mention a couple of your personal turning points which gave meaning and essence to your life. Examples: Marrying Margaret, your beloved wife of 20-plus years and raising three darling little brats, Maggie, Marty, and Morticia, who just happened to win full scholar ships to Yale, Harvard, and Tufts. Don't make too much of the personal stuff. Presenting yourself as a solid citizen who loves his family and respects the Big Mac can't help but add a point or two.
Speaking self-analytically, would you say you have a competitive nature? Employers want workers who have a healthy attitude toward competition, yet don't come across as mercenaries.

Admitting you have a competitive nature means you will work hard and fight for something you believe in or want (a promotion, project, new territory, sales quota).
What kind of money are you looking for? Be careful. This one can come back to haunt you if it's answered incorrectly. It?s safe to assume you already know the salary range. You wouldn't be there if the money wasn't right. The question is premature and should not be asked before a job offer is made. The best answer to salary questions is a polite cop-out. "The official salary range is in the right ballpark, Ms. Trickyslick." Leave it at that.
You get the idea. I'm sure plenty more oddball questions exist for interviewers to ask. Walk in prepared to field ail questions and you won't be taken by surprise. Even if a question seems off the wall, there is probably a job-related nucleus to it. Think first before answering.

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Interview Traps to Avoid