This Job Interview question is pure gold!

I’ve had many interviews over the course of my career, but one is particularly memorable because of the interview question that completely stumped me.

I was in the third and final phase of an interview, having already met with a team of potential peers and the person I would report to. The last interview was with the team that would report directly to me. I always think being interviewed by potential direct reports is the most difficult of all interviews, probably because while you think you know what peers and the boss are looking for, you have no idea what the staff is looking for.

Everything was rolling along well, and as that final hour was ending I could feel the relief of a runner being able to see the finish line. Then came the stumble:

What do people assume about you that would be wrong?

Wow! That was a loaded question in so many ways. With 5 pairs of eyes fixed on me, I scrambled for an answer. What do people assume about me? I don’t really know. So how could I say they were wrong? Should I admit I’ve never thought about that before and see if they would let me off the hook? Should I make something up that people might assume about me, or should I pick a terrible characteristic and deny it? No, that would be wrong because then I would be admitting that there is a reason why people would assume that. Yikes! This was an impossible trick question. I took a deep breath and looked inward, asking myself if I was really interested in this position after all.

Then it came to me. One of the greatest challenges of my managerial career has been curbing my natural tendency to give people every possible chance right up until the moment when they cross the line for the last time and I yank them off their feet. In other words, nice…nice…nice…nice…nice…nice…mean. That might not describe it completely, but you probably understand. Someone advised me once to “start off mean, you can always get nicer,” but that’s just not me. So, through the years I have tried to let people know that while I would do everything to help them succeed in their position, I don’t believe that every person is a fit for every position.

In essence, the challenge of the stumper question is basically: how honest can you be while still trying to promote yourself as a good fit? It would be extremely easy to tell if the person was giving a response designed to make themselves look good (e.g. “People assume that because I’m beautiful, I’m not intelligent!”)

The best answer to this question is the most honest one. By taking a deep breath and looking inward, I was able to come to that conclusion. If a question of any kind ever stumps you, remember your experience and who you are as a person has ultimately prepared you for this moment. Even if you get initially stumped, there is a place inside of you that has the answer you need.

What was my answer?

People assume that just because I am nice, I’m a doormat.”

The next week they offered me the job.

Mary Pat Whaley is a Physician Advocate and Consultant who blogs at Manage My Practice; her LinkedIn Group by the same name is for those interested in healthcare management. You can contact her at marypat@managemypractice.com.

Ivana Agapiou RESUME Writer
Eather Recruitment and Labour Hire

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 Pitcher Perfect and designed for the job.

This is a photo of a “Pitcher plant” it is designed to capture insects and it performs this role to perfection. Wouldn’t it be great if we all performed the job you were born to do!

Imagine for a moment what it would be like to do exactly what you love, to do what you are really, really good at, imagine the work being so in tune with who you are, it almost seems a piece of cake! You are invigorated each day, keen to get started!

Now, imagine (or maybe you already know) what it’s like to drag yourself out of bed each morning, dreading the day ahead, because you are about to go into a job that depletes the life and energy right out of you.

Huge difference, isn’t it? Isn’t really possible to do something that you love and be able to create a business or career out of it? Yes it is!

Firstly let’s examine some of the signs and symptoms of someone who is undergoing a critical time. How many of the items below do you relate to?

1. You’re are at a fork in the road in your life/career and unsure of which direction to go
2. You’re miserable in your current job/ career and seeking change
3. You’re afraid to change jobs because the current one offers you security and perhaps a good income, but you want “out”
4. You often think that there must be more to life and pine for a change
5. Your ‘successful’ career lacks the meaning or fulfillment you want
6. You commenced a company doing something you loved, but find that you are stressed and losing enthusiasm
7. You want to change direction but have no training/education to be able to  change industries or careers
8. You have just lost your job, and looking for guidance
9. You feel obligated to a career choice you made in your late teens or early      twenties
10. When you are at work, it is difficult to remain motivated and caring

If you ticked more than 4 out of 10. You do need help with deciding your future!

There are some helpful people that can assist you to transition to the work you love. Commence with reading “What colour is my parachute” as a starter, then seek our professionals who are qualified in helping you work through the crisis.

My motto is “if we all do the jobs we were born to do, the world would be a much happier place!”

Ivana Agapiou #resumes #resumewriter @figjamresumes.com.au

Ivana Agapiou resume writer and career advisor

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