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Dealing with tough questions and objections is an
essential part of job interviews. Here are four
common ones that derail many candidates. Read on to
find out what they are and how you can deal with
them.
Objection #1: You've
Been Fired from Your Last Job
First of all, don't blow the issue out of
proportion, either to yourself or to the
interviewer. Remember, this is fairly common these
days. Employers know it too.
There are at least three ways you can handle this
issue. If you left your previous employer on
reasonably cordial terms, consider asking them to
allow you to say you resigned from the job. Many
employers will agree to this.
Another option is to state the facts in a concise,
drama-free manner. Tactfully discuss what happened
and acknowledge your role in it. You could mention a
difference of opinion or personal style as a root
cause. Often, candidates who take this approach find
that the whole thing was no big deal to the new
employer.
A
third way out is to avoid mentioning the job from
which you were fired. This may work if you held it
for less than five or six months. I personally don't
advocate lying in your resume - it is unethical and
can backfire badly - but you should be aware that
this is an option some candidates use effectively.
Objection #2: You Have
Bad References
Don't assume that your previous employer will say
only good things about you when someone calls up for
a reference check. If you suspect that your boss may
give bad feedback, find someone else to act as your
reference. Possibilities include your boss's boss or
someone else who's senior enough and has observed
your work.
You
could also use a client as a reference, particularly
if you're in sales or other jobs involving extensive
customer interactions. Other possibilities include
bankers or lawyers you deal with. While these are
alternatives, the interviewer might wonder why you
didn't mention someone within the company as a
reference.
Another option is to briefly explain that you didn't
always see eye to eye with your boss and so you
would ask that someone else be approached for a
reference check. Many employers appreciate this
approach and are willing to go along with it.
Objection #3: You Left
Your Job to Start a Business - and Your Venture
Failed
In
many cases, this is a bigger problem in the
candidate's mind than in the interviewer's. You
might assume that the interviewer is casting
aspersions on your managerial skills or business
abilities.
Actually, his concern may be very different. He
might be worried that you'll get bored or restless
in a corporate job and decide to strike out on your
own again. Therefore, it's best to ask questions to
find out what the specific concern is. That way,
you'll be addressing the right concern.
When replying, focus on how you exercised initiative
and demonstrated drive as well as tolerance for risk
and ambiguity. Talk about whatever success you had
and what you learned from the experience. Make it
abundantly clear that you have satisfied your
entrepreneurial urges and are more than willing to
settle into a corporate job.
Objection #4: You Seem
Overqualified for the Job
There are two possible objections here. One, they
might be saying that you may want more money than
they're ready to pay. Second, they might be implying
you will get bored and leave for greener pastures
soon.
Both these objections may come into play if you're
making a career change.
If
money is the issue, explain why you don't mind
taking a pay-cut. Talk about how you're making a
career transition and are perfectly willing to
accept lower pay. You might even back this up
explaining how you have worked out a new personal
budget that'll allow you to be comfortable at the
lower pay. Also talk about non-monetary factors that
give you job satisfaction.
For
the second objection, the best way out is to detail
how you have done lots of research on your new
career choice before committing to it. If some of
the tasks in your previous jobs that were similar to
what you'll be doing in your new assignment, explain
how you did those tasks without complaints. That
should alleviate concerns the employer might have
about your getting bored in the new job.
Anticipate objections and prepare short,
to-the-point responses in advance. At the job
interview, answer objections in a confident, calm
manner, taking care to uncover the real objection
first. Those are the keys to dealing with interview
curve balls!
Ann Wilson is a successful business author who
writes extensively on jobs and careers. Her articles
include best tips for job interviews, how to write
effective thank you notes after interviews and many
others offering cutting-edge advice on interviewing.
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