Page 99 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

92 Nail the Job Interview!

~ueaknesses?” Several other questions may be asked to indirectly answer this
major one.
You should always phrase your answers to questions in a positive
manner. Avoid the use of such commonly used negatives as “can’t,’’
“didn’t, and “wouldn’t. ” These terms direct listeners into negative avenues
I’
of thinlung. They do not communicate optimism and enthusiasm - two
qualities you should demonstrate in the interview. Take, for example, two
different answers to the following interview question.

QUESTION: Why did you major in business adminis-
tration?

ANSWER 1: That’s realfinny. I wanted to major in histoy, but my
parents told me if they were footing the bills, I shouldn’t
be studying useless subjects. I tried political science,
biolou, and accounting but didn’t like any of them.
Business administration wasn’t that difimlt for me. I
couldn’t think of anything I like more - except perhaps
history. And it’s not a badjeld to be in these days.

ANSWER 2: I always enjoyed business and wanted to make it a
career. As a youth I had nv own paper route, sold books
door to door, and was a member of Junior Achievement.
In college I was involved in a couple ofsmall businesses.
It seems as though I have always been in business. I tend
to have a knack for it, and I love it. My major in
business administratioii&rther strengthened ny desire to
go into business. It gave me better direction. What I
want is to work with a small and growingJirm tlint
would use my abilities to plan and implement marketing
strategies.

While the first answer may be the most truthful, it presents a negative
and haphazard image of you. The second answer, while also truthful,
stresses the positive by communicating strengths, purpose, and enthusi-
asm.
Let’s tale as another example an employer who asks the interviewee
why he is leaving his present job: