Page 99 - Boost Your Hiring

The Manager’s Hiring IQ Test 85

INTERVIEWER’S QUESTION
39. Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone to
do something that he or she did not want to do.
Which response actually answers the question? Which answer
should you be wary of? Are there any red flags?

(A) “I had an idea to market a product using a new approach. The
first thing I did was to put my idea on a PowerPoint presenta-
tion. Then I took it to my boss and showed her. She was some-
what reluctant, but I think she liked my enthusiasm and told
me to go ahead with the development of my idea. I took it to
the marketing department, and together we planned a great
strategy including a direct mail campaign. I was the one re-
sponsible for figuring out the budget as well as projecting re-
turn on investment. I think I surprised everyone with the
projection that I made.As it turned out, I got the go-ahead, and
when we marketed my idea, it turned out to be an even bigger
success than anyone, including me, anticipated.”
(B) “My boss would tell you that I am always selling him on
something. I have at least one idea a week. I will admit that
some of my ideas are better than others. My success rate is
about 80 to 85 percent as far as moneymakers go. When you
work for a really big company, it takes weeks to get approval. I
sometimes get really frustrated with the procedure because
I’m the kind of guy who just wants to ‘do it.’”

(C) “My current boss has not always been open to new ideas. I
was, however, able to sell her on one of my ideas when I
showed her a marketing plan that I had worked on. She ap-
proved it and encouraged me to move forward with it. Behind
the scenes I put together tons of data and then analyzed the
data. I typically do a great deal of research before I even think
about presenting an idea. The downside of working for a big
company is that it can take weeks to get any kind of a reply.
This is the reason that I have decided to leave. I want to work
at a midsized company like yours where I can present ideas and
not have to wait weeks before I get an answer.”

I think the strongest answer is ______.