Staying Positive During Interview Questions
Contributed by Jay Schroyer
It’s when we are aware of the rules the most that we forget them. Whether it’s overconfidence, arrogance, or just a simple case of shutting our brains off when we need them most, some of our hardest learned lessons are cast aside during job interviews. With the stress of choosing the perfect outfit, finding the correct building, selling ourselves without overselling ourselves, and the impending financial crisis of being unemployed or underemployed, we often forget the simplest things that we can do to make our interviews a success.
Your attitude when you enter an interview will show in all that you are and do: body language, speech, voice, dress, and resume. You need to remember to stay positive even when speaking about your worst experiences and continually offer your skills and services to the employer. You also need to prepare for the questions you know you will be asked. Ask yourself this question: are you checking your attitude at the door?
What did you do at your last job?
This is a question that I’m sure you could spend hours answering, but what the interviewer wants to hear is: the types of things that you did at your old job to see how they could apply to this new position and the manner in which you answer this question. Does the interviewee seem to list the performed tasks as if they were always a chore or does the interviewee get fairly excited talking about all of the duties that he or she used to perform? This question is an opportunity for you to show the interviewer what excites you about a job and what you enjoy doing. He or she will also be able to judge your work ethic and attitude towards work by your reaction to this kind of question. Remember, keep your answer positive and on track. You might say, “I was fortunate enough to learn all I could about Adobe® Photoshop® and create exciting marketing packages for our clients.” Be specific and be excited. These things will go a long way in your interview to separate you from the pack.
Why did you leave your last job?
Please refrain from using this question as an invite to get up on your soapbox and bad-mouth your past employers. There is nothing worse for your cause than saying negative things about the past company you worked for and, most especially, your present or former boss. Your boss-to-be could just as easily become your former boss sometime down the road and if they hear nothing but complaints from you, they can assume that you will do the same to their name later. It also makes you look like a sore loser if you were let go from your last job. Preparation is the key to holding your tongue especially if all you want to do is say bad things about your old job. Briefly highlight what was good about the job and think of more positive reasons to cite why you left or were asked to leave. Good answers may sound something like: “I had maxed out my pay range,” or “There was no room for advancement,” or my old favorite, “I felt that my skills had developed beyond the difficulty level of my workload.”
What are your goals?
This question has tongue-tied more interviewees than any other. What does the interviewer mean: in my personal life or with this company? The fact is, not many people have taken the time to sit down and really think about what their life goals are. The easiest and quickest answer would be to get the job that you’re interviewing for, but that’s not what the interviewer is looking for. He or she wants to see if you have thought about your future or if you think about the future at all. This question can very quickly strip away the façade and reveal the true character traits of a potential employee. Is this someone who has foresight, motivation, inspiration, and a strong work ethic? Do they go to get things or do they wait for things to come to them? Your answer shouldn’t be too grandiose, but should not hint at any lack of motivation or imagination. A career-oriented goal is always a good choice, but you can temper it with personal goals as well. You can even make your goals interview specific saying something to effect of, “If hired by Maxmark Advertising Company, my goal would be to learn the most I could about advertising to eventually become a copywriter. In my personal life, I would like to get a short story published sometime this year in the fiction market.” This answer shows a want to work for the company, a desire to learn and rise within, and the initiative to make your own personal dreams happen.
It’s easy to see that it’s not just the answer you give, but how you answer the question as well. Be prepared for the questions you know are coming. Create effective and positive answers to these questions that will put you ahead of the other candidates for the position. But most importantly, bring the right attitude with you and allow it to shine through your actions and your words.
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About the Author:
Jay Schroyer has worked in the client and customer service end of business for over five years in retail, advertising, and printing. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English writing and communication.
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