There are right and wrong answers to most technical interview questions so giving the perfect answer usually just means getting it right. With many interview questions however there are only desired answers; and the problem most interviewees face is that the desired answer can differ from interviewer to interviewer and from company to company. The same question, asked by the same interviewer, at the same company, can even have a different desired answer for different positions, but that’s a topic for another time. What I do know is that every perfect answer I’ve ever heard to an interview question had one common element; and because it was ‘perfect’ could work to the benefit of the interviewee, even when it was not the desired answer.
What is that common element you ask? It’s good old honesty and truth of course, just like we were taught as kids. In preparing for an interview it’s important to prepare to be honest and true to you. Don’t prepare what you think is the expected or desired answer if it’s not the truth, the whole truth… well you know the oath. You expect the interviewer to be honest and truthful about your prospective employer and the job don’t you? So why is it that so many jobseekers and some of those helping them to prepare for interviews think that deception, distortion of facts, and lies of omission are acceptable in order to secure a job?
For those who disagree or try to justify this type of behavior with the old adages “a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do” or “a girl’s gotta eat”, you’ll most often find careers full of short term jobs that although they started off as permanent positions, end up being listed as ‘temporary’ or ‘contract’, or where the individual is frequently ‘laid off’, usually for no fault of their own of course; and conveniently there are always a variety of very good reasons why there is no way to get references from anyone but a colleague or manager and one who is no longer with the company and whose own employment can not be verified.
When you prepare for interviews it is good practice to prepare ‘your’ answers to common interview questions and anticipated technical, industry and discipline specific questions. Prepare by practicing what to say and how to say it in advance, that’s smart. Prepare a variety of ways to express the same thing to be ready for different:
- Circumstances - Have a short version ready for interviews where time is limited and a more complete version for interviews where you are expected to be more thorough -- also keep in mind that the same answer or explanation can come across very different when read than when heard, and different again in ‘live’ conversation where body language and facial expressions are taken into account;
- Personalities - Remember that humor has it’s place, learn when to take control and when to cede control, and realize that waxing philosophical is not necessarily the same as actually answering a question;
- Levels of expertise or even intelligence - As smart as we interviewers think we are, sometimes you will need to dumb it down for us :)
- Position or level of authority - I believe that it’s acceptable and in no way dishonest to answer based on a sort term goal as opposed to a longer term or ultimate goal when asked questions such as those about your reason for applying to the job, depending on the who you’re interviewing with. It would be unfair for example to expect you to tell someone whose position is below the level you aspire to, who unbeknownst to you might be looking for advancement to the same role, that you ultimately want the job above them.
In all of your preparation remember that an experienced interviewer has probably heard it all before and will see right through any ruse; and while he or she will likely be too professional to call you on it, the attempt will result in you not getting called back for a second interview, or considered for more suitable opportunities as they arise with the company or through the agency you interviewed with. You may be the most qualified, personally likeable and the chemistry between yourself and the interviewer may seem great, but if during the interview, or upon reflection it feels like you can not be trusted because your answers appear disingenuous, you will not get the job, it’s that simple.
Of course if you do employ subterfuge and get the job, it’s likely to be short-lived and leave both parties feeling resentful and unsatisfied in the end, much like the bad relationships encountered while dating where the desired behavior shown and numerous omissions that occur in the beginning lead to regret and anger later on as you realize that she was never really… but I digress and am probably over-sharing :). My point is that it will not work out and you’ll either have to leave the position off of your resume creating a gap in your work history, or include it as temporary or contract and come up with some yarn about why it is not possible to get a reference if one is requested.
There are no prefect answers, and you can’t expect to be the right fit or the best qualified for every job you interview for; and in some cases you may not land the job simply because the interviewer likes another candidate better or, as wonderful as your family and friends think you are, simply does not like you - a fair reason if the person would have to work with you and see you every day don’t you think?
What I am certain of however is that if you are honest and true to you, you will find that your network of contacts will grow, you’ll see more second and third interviews, and find that some recruiters, managers, executives and owners will go out of their way to find a place for you in their company. Even those who may not take an immediate liking to you will put their personal feelings aside and refer you on to another department, division or company (I know because I have and know others who have also). In the end you’ll receive more offers and ultimately land in a position that is right for both you and the employer. So be prepared and be honest and true to you and you’ll find that you give the perfect answer to every interview question you’ll ever be asked.
Please submit a comment or share your reactions before you leave and if you’re a jobseeker looking for help with interviewing or part of a business interested in assistance with screening and interviewing candidates or to improve your own skills and techniques for conducting interviews please contact me: Phone 416-467-9961, Email nigel@thinkbdm.com, Windows Live nigelcorneal@hotmail.com, Skype nigel.corneal.
I think we, our lovers and loved ones get better looking with age not because we actually do but because a friendly, recognizable face is more pleasant and easier on the eyes and brain than the new ones which require so much valuable time and patience to process and add to already overcrowded memory banks.
