Tough Interview Question #28: Why Were You Fired?

This question cuts to most people's core because it suggests that they failed in a previous job, even if they didn't.

Although there are countless ways to answer this question, I'm going to offer a few.

"Our firm experienced extreme setbacks and cut a large number of high performers from business areas that were judged to no longer be a part of the core business they wanted to pursue."

"My experience was not the right match for my previous employer's needs but it looks like they'd be a good fit in yours. In addition to marketing and advertising, would skills in promotion be valued here?"

"A new manager came in and brought in members of his old team. That was, of course, his right and afforded me time to think about what direction I wanted to take with my career; this opportunity certainly is in line with that (Be prepared to answer why).

"After thinking about why I left, I realize I should have done some things differently. That job was a learning experience and I think I'm wiser now. I'd like the chance to prove that to you."

"I made it through several reduction in workforce associated with outsourcing but this one got me."

Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Tough Interview Questions: If You Had A Lot of Money, What Would You Do With It?

The full question is, "If you had a lot of money, whatever that means to you, tell me three things you would do with it.

Often asked of sales people, "What would you do if you had a lot of money" is designed to find out how high or low you've set the bar.

You could answer like one junior person I interviewed many years ago, "I would buy a used car and fix it up. (No I didn't hire him).

You can speak of helping your aging parents, extensive travel and other mature things.

You need to also put a big smile on your face and include something like buying a Jaguar, moving to this townhouse in Manhattan you saw a few years ago in the 60's and Park Avenue, or some other flight of fancy.


This is becausae Sales managers want to hire people with high goals and measures of attainment that will suggest that they will never be satisfied until they . . . (buy the townhouse, purchse the car, etc.

Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, is Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, He has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines since 1971. He is a practicing psychotherapist and is a retired certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues.

To receive a daily digest of positions emailed to you, search job openings, use his free job lead search engine, Job Search Universe. to subscribe Jeff’s free job search ezines, Head Hunt Your Next Job and/or Natural Selection (his free recruiting ezine), or to find out about his VIP Personal Search Agent service, go to http://www.jeffaltman.com.

If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff or locating consultants, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at thebiggamehunter@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).

Tough Interview Question #26: What Would You Like to Know About The Job or Company That I Haven't Answered So Far?

When managers or employers interview, they learn a lot from how you answer their questions, as well as the questions you ask. If you are asked this, the wrong answer is to say that they have covered everything.

Dig deeper. Find out more about them as a manager or about your future colleagues.

Minimally cover these points:

How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?

How would you describe a typical work week or work day?

Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?

What is the company's management style? What is your's like?

What are my future colleagues like? If I am offered the position, can I meet them?

How many people work in this group/office/department?

Is travel a part of this job? How much travel would you expect me to do?

(If you live some distance away) Is relocation assistance possible?

Is overtime expected? How much overtime is normal in this job? Does it occur regularly? At certain times of the year?

What are the prospects for growth and advancement in this job and in the organization?

Can you offer any examples of successful employees and what caused them to be successful?

What do you like about working here? What keeps you here?

Assuming you are interested in moving forward, what will happen next and when might that occur?

When can I expect to hear from you?

Are there any other questions I can answer for you about my experience and qualifications?


Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Tough Interview Question #25: If We Hire You, How Long Do You Expect to Be With US?

Although it is a stupid question, it sometimes gets asked because once in a while, someone naively answers something like, "Well, my wife is up for a transfer to Sioux City in his job and if that comes through we're moving," or "I'm trying to get pregnant and . . . "

Being specific here is deadly to your candidacy.

It is far better if your answer is generic and non-controversial.

"I would expect that I would be here for many years--as long as you believe I'm doing a great job and as long as the firm rewards me well with interesting work and opportunities for growth."

The phrase "rewards me well" is used very intentionally; it suggests money without saying it. Then the rest of your answer speaks about job satisfaction.

Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Tough Interview Question #24: What Would Your Co-Workers Say About You?

This is only a tough question if you aren't prepared for it; otherwise it is extremely easy.

Without preparedness, sometimes people reveal things about themselves including that they have never gotten any feedback from their colleagues because their work is considered unimportant.

However, the best way to answer is to offer "references" (these are almost like references) rthat speak to some of the problems they have in the department or in the company that they are trying to hire you to solve.

So, pause for a second and think and then answer.

"Well, a peer of mine in the department by the name of _____ has told me on several occasions how much I helped her (or him) with their work. "

"Another person, spoke of how I helped keep us on task without being bullying like a former manager he had did."

My boss has always told me that she gives me the impossible things to do because I make them possible and report to her every step of the way on my progress. "

"Of the managers in a department I support has always told me how reliable I am."

"My manager always tells me that I make him look good."

Answers like these are like the person providing a reference for you.


Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Tough Interview Questions #23: What Are Your Options Now?

This is a polite way of asking, "Are you desperate?" "Can I get you cheaply?

One of the worst answers to give is to talk about how you've been on a bunch of interviews, gotten close and firms have chosen someone else. Answering like this invites the interviewer to start to think that there is something wrong with your skills or knowledge and probing intently to find out what it is. Often the questions that occur from this juncture explore minutiae so that they can say, "Ah-hah!" and disqualify you.

It is far better to say, I have spoken with a few firms so far and am starting second (rounds with a few. The jobs seem interesting, but this one seems particularly interesting.

Be prepared to answer why this one seems interesting and why one of the other ones does too!

Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.

Tough Interview Question #22: Tell Me About Your Ideal Job

It can also be asked of your ideal location or ideal company.

This is an extremely sneaky question. Usually it is asked by an interviewer who senses that you are more qualified than the available job. Thus, if you answer the question honestly, he or she has the opportunity to disqualify you from consideration because they can say you will be bored in the role.

Thus, the only way to answer this question is to speak about the job you are interviewing for as being the ideal one.

If you're working at the #1 firm in it's sector, speak of joining a firm that wants to take over the top spot. If you are working in a leadership role and this is a staff job, speak of getting out of management and returning to your roots. It isn't that you don't like management; it's just that you notice you had a lot more joy when you were in staff.

Jeff Altman 
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us

JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us

© 2007 all rights reserved.