The Job Interview: How to “Drop the Mic”
By: Bp Swell
Tags: Job Search, Interview, Job Hunting, Interview Questions, Jobs

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4 Absurd Answers to 4 Interview Questions

As a hiring manager, I have felt the awkwardness and the privilege of being left speechless by an interviewee’s “drop the mic” response to an interview question.

Following, are four interview questions which you’ve probably encountered, examples of how not to answer, and hopefully some useful insight to help you ace your next job interview.

Q: What would you say is your greatest weakness? Firstly, what the interviewer is really asking for is the interviewee to display their ability to give themselves a back-handed compliment. In my experience, this is not a worthwhile interview question and should be avoided. Unfortunately, as the interviewee, you won’t have the option to ‘pass’ without probably passing on the job.

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A: Given the potential for strength in the universe, I would have to say that my greatest weakness is… my general lack of strength.

In retrospect, this was a brilliant answer. Unfortunately, the answer did not convey anything which related to the position, and I felt that it was inadequate, so I did not give it the consideration it deserved (perhaps an indication of my greatest weakness). My immediate reaction was that this person and I are not on the same wavelength. Over the years, I have often pondered on this answer and the perspective required to produce it. Unfortunately, we did not hire this individual and I was never able to find out.

So, avoid giving answers to questions that will rise above your interviewer’s ability to comprehend. If you’re smarter than them, then level with them. Philosophical and smart alec answers will likely get you nowhere.

Typical “accepted” answers for this question include: (1) I’m too honest; (2) I work too hard resulting in an uneven work-life balance; (3) I have a tendency to take on too much responsibility. These responses are pretty cookie-cutter, so try to be a little more unique. However, in a pinch any of these responses will suffice, but try to add some substance. Provide an example to convey the truth in your response, and by doing so you are increasing the probability that the interviewer will be able to relate to your past experiences.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? This question should be asked: Where do you see yourself in your career in five years?

A: On a ranch in Montana.

Bottom line: DON’T do this. If you are confused by the scope of the question, always ask. By asking, you are conveying your proclivity for precision, which is a good thing and may very well impress your interviewer. So, don’t pass up the opportunity to ask your interviewer to clarify a question, but caution: once is enough during the interview. You do not want to condescend to the interviewer.

Q: What do/did you like most about your current/past job? This is a smart question to ask, because it may throw off an interviewee. The interviewer is trying to gauge if you harbor any resentment, are disgruntled, or left on bad terms. While they probably don’t expect that you’ll be 100% honest, they will be watching for your non-verbal cues.

A: I was not expendable.

Believe it or not, this was an answer that I gave to this interview question when I was 18 years old. I had quit my job at a local pizza restaurant two months prior, and my interviewer had expressed how she ate there one week ago and enjoyed her experience, and the pizza. How then, if the restaurant is making customers happy still, is it possible that I was not expendable? I will never forget the look on her face, and how quickly she ended the interview after that moronic answer.

Nearly everyone is expendable. Practice humility and you’ll get much further than I did in your next interview. For example, talk about friendships (non-romantic!!) that developed with your colleagues. Talk about how you still stay in touch. This will convey to your potential employer that you are likeable, possess people skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to become part of a team. I now routinely use this question in interviews, and it works.

Q: Why should we hire you? This is a common question, and tends to indicate to the interviewee that the interview is about to wrap up, so get your last words in.

A1: If you don’t hire me, you’ll regret it.

I didn’t hire him, and I didn’t regret it. Bottom line: I don’t know what I don’t know, and if you don’t tell me, then I won’t know. You might as well tattoo “un-hirable” on your forehead, because the only thing your interviewer now knows is that if they ask you a question at work, they can expect a pompous disrespectful answer.

A2: I have proprietary information, and if you don’t hire me, it will likely go to your competition.

Again, we didn’t hire this person, and we remained competitive without her. Do NOT…EVER…bribe your hiring manager.

A better way to answer this question is to tell them about yourself personally. If there’s an aspect about the job location, hours, skills required that uniquely appeal to you, let them know. The last thing a hiring manager wants to do is process a job offer to an applicant who is not sincerely interested. This question allows you, the interviewee, to demonstrate your genuine interest, so be genuine. For instance, I was hiring for a position in Italy and in response to this question the applicant told me about their Italian heritage, their love for Italian food and wine, and how he and his family have travelled to Italy twice on vacation and had dreamed of an opportunity like this. We hired him, and in exchange we had an incredibly happy and thankful employee/family.

Or, if there’s a job posting for the position, tell the interviewer that in reviewing the job posting, you understood that the company is looking for an individual that can do (a), (b), etc., and “I have the following experience/knowledge to suit.” This tells the interviewer that you were diligent in fielding jobs for which you believed you were qualified, not simply spraying your CV across the internet.

Lastly, interview your interviewer. An interview will typically end with the interviewer asking you if you have any questions for them. A well planned interview will allot for time at the end in which the interviewer expects to field your questions. Use the time. Interview them. Ask them: (1) How many people are in the department? (2) What is the organizational structure (e.g. departments/divisions, etc.)? (3) What are working hours, overtime, vacation? (4) Will I be expected to travel? (5) What kind of meetings will I be expected to attend/participate in? (5) What do you like about working for XYZ Corp?

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However, avoid questions about salary and benefits. (a) It may turn off the employer, and (b) these topics are typically handled by Human Resources. Instead, wait for the job offer. Then, before accepting, negotiate to get what you want.

Good Luck!