How Hiring Managers Expect You to Answer These Annoying Interview Questions
The interview is already stressful enough that the hiring manager will hit you with something like, “Tell me about how you dealt with a difficult coworker.” What exactly do they want from you and how should you answer? Polling people on LinkedIn can help.
We are all afraid of questions like “what is your greatest weakness,” but employers specifically use these questions to gauge your professional behavior. LinkedIn surveyed nearly 1,300 hiring managers around the world to get their views on behavioral interview questions. Their report contains a wealth of useful information, including the three characteristics hiring managers look for the most during interviews: adaptability, cultural fit, and collaboration.
For example, one question that hiring managers ask to assess your adaptability is, “Tell me about a time when you were asked to do something you have never done before.” This is how they want you to answer:
Come up with one or two meaningful (and real!) Stories from your work life that demonstrate your ability to cope with change. Think about times when you’ve gone beyond your job description or come up with another way to get things done. Consider examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, creativity, resourcefulness, willingness to learn, and / or a positive attitude towards change.
To gauge how well you get along with others or collaborate, hiring managers usually ask, “Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.” Here’s how you should answer:
Think about both positive and negative experiences of working with others, conflict resolution, negotiation and / or compromise. Come up with one or two examples that demonstrate your range of good play, resilience, and teamwork to achieve your goal.
The next time an interviewer asks you an unexpected question, think about what they are trying to get from you: adaptability, conformity, or collaboration. This can help you tailor your response accordingly, and beyond that LinkedIn suggests responding based on three factors:
- The gist : Good stories and examples to answer their question.
- Structure : Stick to the beginning, middle and end. “Come up with one-minute responses, not five-minute responses,” says LinkedIn.
- Style : Answer confidently, humbly, or even humorously, says LinkedIn, to stand out from other candidates.
As always, practice helps. For more tips and specific questions, navigate to their full post at the link below.
Hiring Managers Share Their Top Interview Behavior Questions And We Can Help You Answer | LinkedIn