Even though those may not have been the answers they were looking for, to me those things are great. I silently gave myself a “10” on that one.
“What would you do if a co-worker wasn't doing what they were supposed to do or if a co-worker refused to do a task that you gave them?”
This one could get a little hairy. Do they want me to be the take-charge aggressor who tells the slacker to do it or else? Do they want me to be the one who follows the chain of command by observing the behavior and then “tattling” to the boss and let them deal with it? They said “co-worker”, not “subordinate” and the job wasn't advertised as managerial. This answer could be a big deciding factor. It really caught me off guard. I managed to choke out something, trying hard to sound professional, about that I wasn't sure how their office was set up and I wasn't sure who was in authority but I would react under proper office policy. I probably got a “0” for that one. I don't know because, during all of this, they don't tell you if your answer is right or wrong. They just nod their heads, scribble on their packets and go on to the next.
After I leave, I kick myself for how stupid I sounded when I said this or that. If I would have been given a couple of minutes to think about the questions, or ideally, been supplied with them before the interview, I'd have answered them better.
Driving home, I recite perfectly thought-out responses that would dazzle anyone. I want to call them when I get home and tell them that I've got new and improved answers for questions number nineteen, twenty-three and twenty-four.
Unfortunately, that can't be done and I think it would be pure suicide to do it. The interviewers give you these questions to hear your immediate, gut response. It's an attempt to see if you actually do possess any social skills at all and are a functional member of society. All I can do is log those questions, and my now great answers, in my memory bank. That way I'll be ready for them if I have to do this again.
I didn't get the job. “The Letter” came a couple of days later stating that they thanked me for my time during the interview, however they've chosen a different candidate and they wished me the best of luck to me in my job search. Evidently, I didn't do very well on those “Get Inside Your Head” questions.
I quickly found out that they all don't read the same “Interview Questions To Ask” book.
While getting ready for another interview a few weeks later, I felt very well prepared. I knew that I needed to project confidence without acting overconfident or set in my ways. An employer needs someone with skills but also someone who will adapt to their procedures. I was sure that my years of clerical, payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable experience were exactly what this company was looking for. According to their ad, some of those tasks would be part of this job.
I'd taken extra time with my hair, make-up and outfit. I'd been rehearsing my now fabulous answers to those surprise questions that I'd stumbled over from the prior interview. I wouldn't be caught off guard this time and end up babbling something foolish. Not me. This time I was ready. Remember, I'm the seasoned professional who will require very little training.
This interview was with a very large company that, I was sure, would do direct deposit for your paychecks. Before heading out the door, I made sure the checkbook was in my purse. I would need it to fill out my bank information on the forms when they hired me today.
This one started off fine. I was escorted to the manager's small, cozy office. She was a very friendly person with a constant smile and genuine warm presence. She appeared to be about ten years younger than I was. That was all right. She immediately made me feel comfortable and at ease.
What a great person she'll be to work for. I can't wait to start.
The beginning of the interview went well. She asked me a few questions about my different experience with this or that. All easy, standard questions to answer and she appeared to like my responses and seemed impressed with my years of experience. She explained a little of how the office is set-up and how they are very flexible with your hours. They, as she stated, understand that people have children and have lives outside of the office. If your hours need to be adjusted to accommodate for your children's school scheduling or personal commitments, that's fine. All they care about is that you get your work done.
