When preparing for an interview, be sure that you will be asked tricky questions that don’t seem to have a clear answer. Such questions could be about your weaknesses, what you dislike about your current job, boss, colleagues etc. In this article, we will learn how to deal with critical/negative questions

 Answering critical or negative questions

How do you answer when the interviewer asks you a question that seems to invite a negative response? Always remain positive and remember to show interest and enthusiasm (refer to previous article) at all times.Such questions always involve:

-Invitations to criticize your job and other people

-Invitations to be negative about yourself

1. Invitations to criticize your job/other people

Avoid criticizing your job/ colleagues during an interview (Photo: www.blackenterprise.com)

A colleague of mine once narrated to me a story about a candidate he once interviewed. The interview went something like:

Interviewer: What kind of people do you find difficult to deal with?

Guy: I have difficulty working with women…eeh ladies

Interviewer: Why?

Guy: Women are too slow and do not take their work seriously. They don’t finish their work and keep saying they have to go home to check on their babies/ families.

Interviewer: (Surprised) Have you worked with women at your current work place?

Guy: No.

Interviewer: So where have you worked with them before?

Guy: In my previous job at XYZ Ltd, I had a colleague who used to leave the office as soon as official working hours elapsed because she had a young child while I had to stay longer as I had to finish up my duties.  

Needless to say, the guy above was not hired. At times, interviewers seem to want you to be negative about your colleagues or job asking you questions like, ‘What did you dislike about your last line manager?’ or ‘What did you dislike about working for XYZ Company Ltd?’

Be careful about how you answer such questions. They are not really interested in what you disliked. What they want to really know is if you are going to be a complainer. They want to know if you are going to criticize the company outside work or if you are going to bad mouth your boss/colleagues outside work. For such questions, smile and give a neutral answer.Remember to be truthful though.

For example if you are asked a question like, ‘What did you dislike about your last line manager?’ You could answer by saying, ‘I always found Mr. X to be a very good supervisor. I believe he always gave me the best guidance possible and a chance to grow my career to the point where I can tackle the challenges that this new job presents.’

Interviewers some times seem to ask questions that seem to invite you to say negative things about yourself. (Photo:  www.neg-jeaniepage.com)

2.Invitations to be negative about yourself

These are questions that seem to invite you to criticize yourself. These could be questions touching on your weaknesses, what you find most difficult to deal with, things that you would change about yourself etc.
The interviwer wants to know how you react to implied criticism and your level of self awareness. This helps them to know how you will take guidance and if you will be difficult to manage if you are hired.

Of importance here is for you to give a real answer that will reveal your true, unique personality. I will not lie to you, interviewers are not looking for a perfect person. There is no perfect person!

You can answer such questions by giving those boring tried and tested cliches that every book/website/career coach worth their salt usually tells you to rehearse, and ensure the interviewer forgets you as soon as you get out of the room.

Or you could give a real answer that reflects your true personality, which helps the interviewer to see you as a human with flaws that are understandable and acceptable. Being real has an advantage over being plastic/ trying to conform/ saying the right (read expected) answer.

Example1

. Q. ‘What is your biggest weakness?

1. ‘I am a perfectionist. I will not be at ease until I know everything is alright’

The answer above is not wrong. But most hiring managers will agree with me that they have heard this answer over and over and over….and over again. It is boring. It is a cliche. It doesn’t reveal anything about you.  Apart from the fact that you have crammed your answer, of course. Besides, the interviewer can always tell a perfectionist from afar, even before they speak!

Example 2

1. Q. ‘What is your biggest weakness?
2. ‘Naturally, i am an outgoing and sociable person. Sometimes people mistake my character for being pushy or attention seeking’

The answer above, as opposed to the answer in Example 1, grabs the attention of the interviewer. It provokes interest. It gives them an idea of who you are. It gives them an opportunity to know your unique attributes. It also communicates that you are aware of yourself and are not afraid to reveal your unique attributes.

Another example

1. ‘What kind of things do you find most difficult?’
2. ‘’I used to have difficulty handling customer queries but since I attended a customer service training organized for our department, I find it is no longer an issue

The answer above reveals that you acknowledge the fact that you have had challenges and that you have done something to overcome that specific challenge.

Sometimes, you may be asked questions that want you to criticize your work performance such as, ‘What do you find most difficult about your current job?’ To answer such questions, give an example of a difficulty/ flaw you used to have in the past but have overcome. You can also give an example of a difficulty you are facing currently and what you are doing to overcome that challenge.

Always remember to be precise and to keep your answers relevant. Think and understand every question before giving an answer.

Next week look out for tips on how to answer questions about salary.

Until then, have a lovely week!