Some interviewers really want to know what you’re like outside of a work context. Why? The plain fact is, you will spend more time at the office than you will with your spouse or significant other. By probing about what you’re really like, your interviewer is trying to figure out if his staff will enjoy being around you for eight, nine, or even ten hours a day. When you are asked to reveal the “real you,” the most important thing is to come off as likeable.
118.
How would you describe your sense of humor?A.
Well, I’m definitely not a stand-up comedian, but I do have a wry, witty side—which I’ve found to be very helpful when clients are acting ultra-demanding. Last year, all of our secretaries fell ill on the same day. One of our clients was very unhappy about it, because she thought that her clerical changes to a document weren’t going to get made. I offered to “demote myself” for the day and make the changes myself. The client got a real kick out of my offer, and kept calling me up throughout the afternoon to find out how I was enjoying my “new career.”Why This Technique Works
1. It’s hard to convince someone that you have a sense of humor via clear, rational arguments. Still, you pointed to a time when your wit actually helped to defuse two problems: the lack of manpower at your company and your client’s mounting frustration.
2. Your client thought it was humorous that you were willing to be a secretary for a day. On a scale of 1 to 10, give yourself 11 brownie points.
119.
Do you have any commitments outside the office that might whisk you away when I need you the most?A.
My most important commitment will be to do a superb job for you. And I will happily let my other commitments slide whenever I still have work to get off my desk. But to answer your question, I am involved in my neighborhood community watch, which I enjoy because it keeps the area safe. It also gives me the chance to meet my neighbors. As you know, this isn’t always easy to do in a big city like ours.Why This Technique Works
1. Most managers prefer an employee who “has a life,” as long as his life outside of the office doesn’t make him unavailable for overtime on the nights that he really needs to stick around.
2. You were asked about multiple commitments, yet you wisely chose to discuss just one.
120a.
Please tell me about a time when you were in a new situation and were unsure of yourself.120b.
Let’s start with a work situation.A.
I used to work for a professional fundraising firm. We would be hired to raise money for different charities and schools throughout the United States. I had a fantastic track record with fundraising for schools; in fact, my numbers were better than everyone else’s. Then one day I was asked to raise money for a religious organization in New Mexico. I was a bit concerned that the tactics I had refined wouldn’t work as well when it came to raising money for a religious entity. I worried that I might come off as too aggressive, or alternatively, too secular. However, these worries turned out to be unfounded. I just tackled the assignment with my normal enthusiasm, and generated $1.3 million of capital campaign contributions.Why This Technique Works
1. Your interviewer’s question wasn’t clear. You asked him if he was inquiring about your work history or your personal life. Clarifying a question is often a good idea.
2. Your work story was interesting and had a positive outcome. Your personal story was the type that you should reveal (if asked), because it leads to your strengths: persistence and not panicking under pressure.
121.
Okay, now tell me about a time when you were in a personal situation that made you feel insecure.A.
I was swimming in the ocean one day, and had gone pretty far away from the shore. Suddenly, I found myself in sort of a whirlpool, which I could not swim my way out of. I actually wondered if I might drown, which is scary because I’m a strong swimmer. Just as I was beginning to panic, however, I remembered that a friend of mine had always told me to, “swim parallel to the shore whenever you feel like you’re being pulled out to sea.” I followed his advice, and got back safely.122.
What do you do for fun?A.
I go swing dancing. There are a lot of terrific swing clubs where you can learn new steps and find other people who enjoy the genre.Alt. A. I go to art film festivals. I particularly enjoy the ones where you have a chance to hear the director speak about his process.
You can say that you do anything for fun, but make sure that it 1) sounds like it really is fun, and 2) is a more unusual hobby than tennis, golf, or lifting weights at the gym.