Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Career
Questions more candidates ‘had the guts to ask’ during job interviews
Excerpts from article by Liza Kirpatrick, published in CNBC
Many people forget that job interviews are a two-way street — and that, when done right, turns into an engaging conversation between the candidate and the interviewer. Even the most qualified candidates fail to distinguish themselves by asking hard-hitting yet thoughtful questions.
While some questions may seem too intimidating or awkward to ask, doing so will not only impress your interviewer, but will help you leave the interview feeling more confident and better informed about the position.
Below are five questions more candidates had the guts to ask during job interviews.
1. ‘What are the biggest challenges I’ll face in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?’
If you’re interviewing for a high-level position, this is a question that you might get asked. But if not, then you need to bring it up. Ninety days is the typical probationary period when a company determines whether hiring you was the right decision. So, it’s good to be prepared and have a strong understanding of what the expectations are.
2. ‘Is there anything about my background that makes you hesitant to move me forward in the interview process?’
Hiring managers love when candidates ask this question because it shows a sense of self-awareness. The response you get may be hard to digest, but it’s better to know now, during the early stages of the interview, so you have a chance to address the employer’s perceptions and change the narrative.
3. ‘How does my background compare to other candidates you’re interviewing?’
You never want to be in the dark about how your skills stack up against your competition. If the interviewer mentions an area where you appear weaker, you can explain how your experience demonstrates those desired skills. Or, you can use the opposite tactic and discuss the unique skills you have that the other candidates might not.
If you don’t ask this question, two things could happen:
- You move forward in the interview process, but emphasise all the wrong points about why you’re the most qualified person for the position.
- You don’t move forward and you have no idea why.
4. ‘I know the pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption for many companies. How are you, as a manager, doing?’
This question brings in a human element, which is rare in job interviews. You’re asking the interviewer to move away from company talking points, and to instead reflect on their personal experience. A good manager’s response will come across as honest and authentic. It will also show that they have quality traits such as empathy and emotional intelligence. They might even ask how you’ve been dealing with the pandemic, allowing the two of you to connect on a deeper, more personal level.
5. ‘Reflecting on your own experience, what have you seen the company do to promote diversity, equity and inclusion?’
Some people are hesitant to ask this because they don’t want to seem like they’re putting the employer on the spot. But it’s absolutely necessary. The goal is to get a personal perspective that reflects the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The response will help you determine how purpose-driven the company is, and whether their values align with your own.
Education
How to control your emotions during a difficult conversation
Excerpts from article by Amy Gallo, published in the Harvard Business Review
It’s hard not to get worked up emotionally when you’re in a tense conversation. A disagreement can feel like a threat which is natural but our bodies and minds aren’t particularly good at discerning between the threats. So you’re likely to feel uncomfortable which doesn’t put you in the right frame of mind to resolve a conflict.
If your body goes into fight or flight mode you may lose access to the part of your brain responsible for rational thinking. And making rational decisions is precisely what you need to do in a difficult conversation. Not only are you losing the ability to think clearly but chances are your counterpart notices the signs of stress & before you know it, the conversation has derailed and the conflict intensifies. Luckily, it’s possible to interrupt this physical response, manage your emotions, and clear the way for a productive discussion.
There are several things you can do to keep your cool during a conversation or to calm yourself down if you’ve gotten worked up
1. Breathe
Simple mindfulness techniques can be your best friend in tense situations and none is more straightforward and accessible than using your breath. So, when you start noticing yourself getting tense, try to focus on breathing. Notice the sensation of air coming in and out of your lungs. Feel it pass through your nostrils or down the back of your throat. This will take your attention off the physical signs of panic and keep you centred.
2. Focus on your body
Sitting still when you’re having a difficult conversation can make the emotions build up rather than dissipate. Standing up and walking around helps to activate the thinking part of your brain. If you and your counterpart are seated at a table, you may be hesitant to suddenly stand up. You could say, “I feel like I need to stretch. Mind if I walk around a bit?” If that still doesn’t feel comfortable, you can do small physical things like crossing two fingers or placing your feet firmly on the ground and noticing what the floor feels like on the bottom of your shoes. This is called “anchoring.” It can work in all kinds of stressful situations.
3. Try saying a mantra
Come up with a phrase that you can repeat to yourself to remind you to stay calm. You can try helpful prompts like, “This isn’t about me” or “This will pass”.
4. Acknowledge and label your feelings
When you’re feeling emotional, the attention you give your thoughts and feelings crowds your mind; there’s no room to examine them. To distance yourself from the feeling, label it. Labelling like this allows you to see your thoughts and feelings for what they are. When you put that space between these emotions and you, it’s easier to let them go and not bury them or let them explode.
5. Take a break
The more time you give yourself to process your emotions, the less intense they are likely to be. So when things get heated, excuse yourself for a moment, get a cup of coffee or a glass of water, go to the bathroom, or take a brief stroll.
Keep in mind that you’re probably not the only one who’s upset. Your counterpart is likely to express anger or frustration too. So you may be in a situation where you just need to let the other person vent. That’s usually easier said than done though. It’s hard not to yell back when you’re being attacked, but that’s not going to help.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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