Dr. Saundra K. Ciccarelli

Grace Under Fire, or How to Answer Those Scary Questions

What are your greatest weaknesses? Why were you let go from your previous

position? How will you be satisfied with this job when

you are clearly overqualified? Why are you the best candidate for this job

even though you have little or no direct experience?

How do you explain this criminal record from your past?

Employers want to know about any critical skill you may need to master for the job.

They also want to know how you handle yourself under pressure.

Do NOT say, “I work too hard.” (Liar.) Do NOT say, “I have no weaknesses.” (Big

ol’ liar.) Be honest, but focus on a weakness that is

not one of the critical requirements for the job.

Best defense is a good offense: be prepared for this question.◦ Research the company, the job, and how your

strengths match the job description.◦ Avoid personal traits, focus on professional ones,

and minimize the weakness while providing a solution for it: “Sometimes I am a little too focused on the “big

picture” and, at times, miss some of the small details. That’s why I try to make sure there is someone on my team who is detail oriented. I try to learn from observing how they work.”

Write your answers to the strengths and weaknesses questions in advance, and memorize the answers so that they come easily and confidently.

Make it verifiable—if the prospective employer asks this question of your references (and this WILL happen), will the reference’s response match yours? This means you might want to talk this over with your references candidly.

http://www.collegegrad.com/articles/job-interview-weakness-question.html

Don’t say, “My boss hated me.” Make the negative a positive and say:

◦ I usually get along well with others, but this was an exception to the rule. We just didn’t fit together well.

◦ I wanted to move in a different direction…◦ Being down-sized gives me an opportunity to

explore jobs for which I am better suited….◦ My skills were not the right fit for my previous

position, but they seem to fit well with your organization.

◦ A new manager took over and “cleaned house.” That was his/her right, and is allowing me to look for better opportunities.

◦ Certain personal problems upset my work life, but I have resolved those problems and am ready to give this job my all.

In short, you don’t want to come off as whiny and negative. Emphasize the positive opportunity your current non-employment gives you.

You have the skills, you are selling you Talk about learning the company and the

possibility of advancement down the road Present yourself as “sticking with it”, as the

employer’s fear is that you’ll jump ship as soon as something better comes along

Focus on experiences that may transfer to this job (and if you’ve done your research on the job, you should be well prepared)

Stress your eagerness to learn Point out your positives:

◦ Your personality is a good fit for the job◦ You are motivated to perform well

The Ins and Outs of Body Language

Before the interview, make sure you look presentable—hair neat, hands washed, tie/pantyhose adjusted.

Your handshake should be firm and confident, but avoid a painful squeeze or a “dead fish” quality.

Make eye contact with the interviewer while saying hello.

Sit down in the chair the interviewer indicates.

Sit all the way on the seat—if you are on the edge, it says you are nervous.

Sit up straight, lean slightly forward—this indicates that you are interested and listening.

Don’t get closer than 20 inches from the interviewer: it’s an invasion of personal space.

If you want to come across as friendly and open, tilt your head slightly to one side.

If you want to seem self-assured and authoritative, keep your head positioned straight.

Depending upon the point you are trying to make, you can shift between these positions.

DON’T: ◦ Wring your hands—hold them loosely in your lap

or put them on the table◦ Fiddle with your hair or face◦ Put your hand behind your head◦ Touch your nose or lips (indicates lying)◦ Wave your hands around too much—indicates

uncertainty◦ Fold your arms across your chest—closed and

defensive◦ Point—it’s seen as aggressive

DO: ◦ Hold your hands loosely in your lap or put them

on the table

What about my legs?◦ Too much leg movement is distracting and speaks

of nervousness—never let them see you sweat!◦ Crossing legs up high = defensive◦ Resting one leg or ankle on the other = too casual

and possibly arrogant◦ Instead, cross at the ankles or keep flat on floor

When the interviewer is talking, make direct eye contact to show you are actively listening

Blink at regular intervals and nod your head every now and then to avoid the appearance of an aggressive stare

When YOU are talking, hold eye contact about 10 seconds and then look briefly away and then back—if you maintain eye contact too steadily while talking, it can be seen as a challenge or lecture to the interviewer

Don’t look down constantly, you’ll seem submissive or insincere

Okay to look down while taking notes, but remember to look up and establish eye contact when you are speaking or when asked a question

If you are interviewed by a panel, look at and direct your answer to the person who is asking the question

Boredom: Resting head on hands, fiddling with hands, losing eye contact.◦ How to counter: Wrap up what you are saying and

move on, ask “Is there anything else you would like to know about….?”

Feeling uncomfortable: Crosses arms, leans away◦ How to counter: Check the personal space and

move back if too close—if there’s no table or desk between you, make it 2 to 3 feet.

Irritation: drumming fingers and rubbing the face.◦ How to counter: Make sure you are answering the

question asked and not going off the point Losing interest: leaning sideways, not

responding to facial cues, fiddling with objects on desk◦ How to counter: Return to the subject you were

on when you last had them engaged, or ask them a question

Be careful about mirroring, the process of adopting the same posture as the interviewer. If you do it too obviously, it can be seen as mocking.

Instead, if they are formal, you should be formal. If they are casual, you can be a little more casual—but not too much!

No matter how the interview seems to go, go out strong:◦ A firm, confident goodbye handshake◦ Keep that confidence going as you walk out of the

building◦ Don’t “let go” until some distance away

CareerBuilder.com: The interview: Body Language Do’s And Don’ts. http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-746-Getting-Hired-The-Interview-Body-Language-Dos-and-Donts/

The Ladders: Body Language Speaks Volumes http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/body-language-speaks-volumes-job-interview

Suite101.com: Body Language During Interviews: Job Interview Tips And Examples. http://suite101.com/article/body-language-during-interviews-a12051

Best-job-interview.Com: Interview Body Language That Sends The Right Message. http://www.best-job-interview.com/interview-body-language.html