Do not let honesty kill your interview

There are hundreds of positions up for grabs on jobs24.com. But sometimes the truth hurts when you make it to the interview stage.

So here are five ways to answer classic questions without giving the game away.

Why are you leaving your current post?

The honest answer is you’re fed up. You may even have issues with a bad boss and a terrible salary.

Such revelations, however, can also paint a distorted picture of your character, hinting at discontent in your previous role, conflict issues with management and even an unhealthy attraction to being shown the money.

Focus instead on your desire to find new challenges and explain in detail why this new company is so attractive to you – no interviewer can resist flattery.

Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?

“Sitting in your chair.” No, you did not just say that? This is a classic interview error as it suggests you believe you can do the job better, thereby making your potential new boss redundant.

Other honest answers include “On a beach, with my golden handshake, sipping cocktails!”. While this is a goal many people might share, it doesn’t speak much for your commitment.

What you really meant to say was you see yourself in a position where you will be able to identify new opportunities to help the company grow and thrive.

What is your greatest weakness?

This classic can still cause involuntary outbursts of honesty in the unwary. Revealing to your potential new boss you can never seal a deal unless you’re wearing your lucky pants is a big no-no.

Likewise, offering clichés – “I simply can’t help being a perfectionist” – won’t cut it.

Instead seek the middle ground with a half-truth: “Sometimes I feel reluctant to delegate, especially when a big project is on the clock.”

This shows your reflective nature but also cleverly demonstrates your work ethos and awareness of deadlines.

Why do you want this job?

Careful! This is a trick question. What the interviewer really means is: “Why do I want you for this job?”

So, the best answer is not the honest one: “Because I really want to become a manager, I like the salary, I’ll get to improve my skills at your expense and the bonus scheme is to kill for!”

Unfortunately, it’s not all about you. What you need to do is show what you can give the company: you want this job because you believe it’s an opportunity to become part of a great organisation and use your skills to contribute to its success.

For honest-to-goodness vacancies get on to jobs24.com.

Posted on June 26, 2018