As we all know, it's the interview that gets you the job. But for most of us, interviews are no walk in the park. Goofing up on an interview can not only cost you a job offer; in the worst-case scenario, it can also make you feel like a complete idiot. It's helpful to know what an interviewer is after when he or she asks you one of those "interview questions" so that you can be prepared with a good "interview answer." To help you with this interview preparedness, I sought the advice of career columnist Wade Mitchell, who's done more than his fair share of interviews. I asked him what goes through an interviewer's mind when asking common interview questions. Caution: Minefield ahead!
During an interview, you'll probably be asked quite a few questions about your character. Mitchell calls character questions "landmine questions", because "the interviewer just wants to see if you are dumb enough to step on them." These questions can take many forms. Here are some examples of landmine character questions:
- "Tell me about two of your weaknesses."
- "Name one thing you'd most like to improve about yourself."
- "What do you hate most?"
- "If you wore a sign about one aspect of your personality, what would it say?"
- How soon will you leave this job if we hire you?
- How willing are you to air your employer's dirty laundry?
- "Do you have any children?"
- "Tell me about your family background."
- "Are you married?"
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