While interviewing candidates for employment, how often do you receive a common, seemingly “right” response to a question, only to learn later that the answer had hidden a deeper meaning?
When Right Doesn’t Ring True
Interviewers
frequently develop “magic bullet” questions that they believe are litmus tests
for gaining foolproof information that will assure a correct hiring decision.
But here lies the rub: Job candidates often give practiced, trumped up, pat
answers to carefully chosen, yet very predictable employment interview
questions.
If
you think you’ve heard these responses before, you are correct. Programmed answers
to interview questions are readily accessible within books and blogs for
job-seekers, or in well-intended advice shared by career counselors, friends or
family.
To
an untrained interviewer’s ear these answers sound reasonable. Precisely because
they are familiar replies, they carry the feel of the conventional. On the
surface they sound right, but could these answers be masking undisclosed
meanings?
Here
are some common refrains and potential alternative meanings:
“I’m
keeping my options open.”
Can mean….
“I
can’t make a decision about my own future, but I’m willing to directly affect
yours .... I lack self-confidence regarding my employability, but I don’t want you
to find out .... I can talk anyone into hiring me, so I’ll hold out for the highest
bidder .... I go through life ‘playing not to lose’ so I can do the same for you,
if you let me run (your company, your department).”
“I’m
seeking challenge and opportunity.”
May mean….
“I
stayed in that boring job for so long out of inertia—so now that I’m laid off I’d
like my next job to be more interesting…. All of the self-help books said I
should answer this way…. I am deflecting your question.”
“Money
is less important than opportunity.”
Could mean….
“The
first one who mentions dollars loses and I don’t want that to be me…. I’m
willing to take my time chatting with you about a job that may not be right for
me… .I don’t have a clue what I am really worth.”
“I
left because my boss and I had philosophical differences.”
Possible meaning….
“We
had differences over my expense account, my work ethic (go ahead—you fill in
the blank from the last time you coached a cover story for a departed
employee).”
“I’m
flexible and open to what discipline, industry, market or technology (fill in
the blank) I work in.”
Might mean…
“I have
no definite career plan, you decide for me…. I got by ok in the last place I
worked, so I figure I can survive here too…. Perhaps you may be gullible
enough not to probe any further on this question if I say it with a smile.”
The Answer is in the Digging
These
provoking examples are not intended to suggest that all candidates will set out
to trick interviewers. Unfortunately, in many instances, the candidates you
interview are misled into thinking that it is wise to reply with stock
statements.
Don’t
come down too hard on people who offer planned responses. You can help job
candidates by asking them to speak more frankly, or to offer you an example of
what they mean by their answers. Then listen well and continue to dig until you
fully comprehend the meaning behind the answer. You’ll discern more completely
and make better decisions than you would by simply accepting trite answers to
your favorite questions.
*Image courtesy of Photography by BJWOK at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
