Page 98 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

Answer Ouestions 91

advantages over individuals who do not. Supports help clarify your
comments; help substantiate them; help the listener recall them at a later
time; and they add interest. Supports include such things as:

. examples
. illustrations
9 descriptions
. definitions
. statistics
. comparisons
. testimonials

Use such supports to emphasize your accomplishments. While you may
have included a few of these supports in your resume, the interview is the
time to expand upon your accomplishments by using many of these
supports.
A frequent question asked by prospective interviewees is “How honest
should I be?” Most individuals have something in their background they
believe would work against them in getting the job if the interviewer hew
about it. They wonder if they should tell the interviewer before he or she
finds out. We advise you to be honest - but not stupid. In other words,
if asked a direct question about the thing you hoped to hide, answer
honestly, but emphasize positives. Under no circumstances should you
volunteer your negatives or weaknesses. The next section will show you
some ways to manage questions about your weaknesses.

Use Positive Content

The actual content of your answers should be stated in the positive. One
example of this is the type of hobbies you communicate to employers.
Many employers prefer “active” hobbies, such as swimming, tennis,
golfing, or jogging, to more sedentary activities, such as reading and stamp
collecting.
But the most important examples of positive content relate to manag-
ing the specific interview questions which are designed to probe your
knowledge, abilities, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. The employ-
er’s goal is somewhat negative in the interview; he or she wants to laow
why not to hire you. The major unstated question is “Wznt nreyour