Page 116 - Boost Your Hiring

102 Boost Your Hiring IQ

ANSWERS
The Strongest Answer
(A) This answer provides a specific example of how this candidate
handles stress and knows how to negotiate as well as his abil-
ity to work collaboratively, plan, and “do whatever it takes” to
get the job done. Since this is example is from this person’s
time in college, you may want to ask additional questions to
learn about this person’s professional experience with plan-
ning and meeting deadlines to determine if there is a pattern
that has continued beyond school.

The Mediocre Answer
(B) This almost answers the question but offers no specifics or de-
tails. This example also has many “we’s” and doesn’t explain
the candidate’s individual role. It is acceptable for a candidate
to talk about a group project and use the pronoun “we,” but
you will have to probe to find out what part of “we” the candi-
date played. Since this example begins with the candidate say-
ing he was the project manager, the candidate does not give a
good example of leadership and delegation.

The Weakest Answer
(C) This is the weakest answer because it is not specific, and also it
has some potential red flags. After two years of tight deadlines
this candidate could be experiencing burnout and is leaving his
current job because he can’t take the pressure any longer.
While this is a legitimate reason for wanting to leave a job,
you will want to learn more about the circumstances around
the reason the candidate is leaving at this particular time. This
answer could have a negative connotation about the current
job and employer. More probing questions may uncover more
complaints. Candidates who talk negatively about their cur-
rent or past employer may not be using discretion or good
judgment. You will have to judge just how much complaining
is done and how appropriate it is to the situation.

RATE YOURSELF
If you chose answer (A), give yourself 5 points.
If you chose answer (B), give yourself 3 points.
If you chose answer (C), give yourself 0 points. _____