Finally, the company will make a judgment based on its perceptions as to the probability of your being the best person for the position and the one who has the highest probability for success. When they choose you over the other applicants, you'll be offered the job. I hope I've helped you increase your chances toward that end.
What the interviewer's question really means
Personnel people have their own code questions. In other words, the questions we ask you may sound innocent enough, but there's a definite purpose to them. On the following pages, I've listed twenty frequently asked questions, what we're really looking for when we ask them, and some suggested strategies for answering them.
1. How did you happen to get into this line of work?
Really Means: "Did you assess your likes and dislikes before making a choice? Or did you fall into your present line of work? Did you methodically seek out a career field that matched your aptitude, ability, or interest? Or were you forced into your career field out of economic necessity?" Usually, people doing the kind of work they like best make the best employees.
Frequently, I've interviewed applicants looking for an economic opportunity rather than a job that makes the best use of their abilities. I've talked to applicants with college degrees who wanted a secretarial or receptionist job. The reason usually given is ''to get a foot in the door." Then, a year or two later, when they haven't moved up the corporate ladder, they experience job frustration. For this reason, I only hire secretaries who want to remain secretaries.
If an interviewer asks you this question, you must make a choice. Either you really are happy in your line of work and can give logical reasons for being in it; or you can furnish a plausible reason for doing the kind of work you do, and you have an even better reason now for getting out of it.
2. What percentage of your college expenses did you earn?
Really Means: "Are you a self-made person, or have opportunities been served up to you on a silver platter?" If you did pay part or all of your tuition, let it be known. If you didn't, think back to a summer job you had-nearly everyone has had at least one summer job while they were going to school-and mention the money you earned from that job and how it helped pay expenses.
3. You seem to have had quite a few jobs. Can you explain why there's been so much change?
Really Means: "You look like a job hopper to me, a sign of instability. You'd better have a good explanation." If you tell me the job changes were because of "reorganization" or a "personality conflict" or "mutually agreeable separation," my red flag goes up and I become suspicious. Better answers are "a reduction in work force because of lack of work" or "better money" or "better opportunity," I still want to delve into these reasons, but I'm a lot less suspicious. In short, put the best possible light on your job changes; and if your resume lists too many jobs, eliminate one or two and fudge some dates. Few personnel people check the veracity of every date. If there are gaps of a few months, you were probably traveling in Europe, or you came down with the mumps. Right? Right.
4. How did past employers treat you?
Really Means: "What kind of employee will you be? Are you the kind of person who carries a grudge, or can you be objective about situations that might have been disagreeable to you?" If, in fact, you feel you didn't get a fair shake in your previous job, resist the urge to say so. A desirable answer is, "Under the circumstances, I believe I was treated quite fairly." This kind of answer shows strength of character.
5. Without naming him or her, think of your closest friend. Describe that person. Tell me how you and he or she differ?
Really Means: "Your best friend will give me insight into what makes you tick." If your best friend drinks his lunch at the local tavern, you probably do, too. If she's an avid tennis player, you probably spend a lot of time on the courts, too. As you answer this question, be sure to point out positive characteristics of your friend. Remember that a friend is a reflection on you; so he or she should be everything you deem desirable.
