Page 109 - Oscar Adler - Sell Yourself in Any Interview_ Use Proven Sales Techniques to Land Your Dream Job (2008)

ANSWERING QUESTIONS WITH OUTSTANDING BENEFITS

most companies today conduct some kind of background
check.
I counsel these job seekers to address this question up
front, admitting what they have done briefly, but with as
much honesty as possible, and stating what they have learned
from the experience and how that knowledge will benefit
the potential employer.
So the next time you worry about how to answer, “Why
were you let go?” or “What is your biggest weakness?” think
about these former convicts and what they have to face as they
enter the job market. Your biggest weakness will look small
in comparison. If they can turn jail time into a benefit, you can
turn lessons you have learned into a benefit as well.
Executive recruiter Linda Burtch, managing director at
Smith Hanley Associates LLC, concurs that it is vital to
address tough issues head-on. “If you have an issue in your
career—such as a new job every year for the last four years—
get your story together,” she advises. “Know why it hap-
pened and be prepared to explain what you have learned.”
For example, you might say

“I have moved around a lot. I had never taken the
time to research the company before, and I have
learned from that mistake. This time around, I have
done my research, and I know I can make a commit-
ment here and do a good job for you.”
As we go through answers to my sample questions, think
about them in terms of your own most hated question. How
have the skills you have learned been applied to the sample
answer? How can you use what you have learned to answer
your most hated question? We are working on developing
your skills here, not creating padded answers. Let’s take our
sample questions one at a time.

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