Dealing With How Would You...? Questions

I'm always preaching about proper preparation prior to interviews. If you research the position and company carefully, you can anticipate likely questions and prepare excellent answers.

But something I also tell job seekers is that you can never anticipate every single question.

I once had to respond to a "How would you...?" question about exhuming a dead duck. I am not making this up. The position involved community affairs work for a sewer treatment plant. How could I have anticipated such a strange question? It took me totally by surprise.

But I got the job.

Often with problem-solving questions, the interviewer isn't looking for a "right" or "wrong" answer. He or she is more interested in the thought processes you demonstrate to come up with your answer.

The dead-duck question was based on an actual incident, and the person who asked it is the person who had to deal with it. My response showed that I would have handled the situation differently than she had, but it also showed that I knew about problem solving. I didn't panic at the unexpected question; I didn't answer before thinking about it for a few seconds; and I didn't blow it by giving a lame response like, "Gosh, that's a really tough question! I honestly don't know what I would do in that situation."

Here are a few tips to help you deal with "How would you...?" problem-solving questions:

1. Ask questions to determine exactly what the interviewer is looking for. (This will also give you a bit more time to think.)

2. Explain how you would gather the information and data necessary to develop a solution to the problem.

3. Tell how you'd use the information you gathered to develop and analyze alternative courses of action.

4. And finally, tell them your solution or recommendation, explaining how you feel it's the best option based on the info you were given.

The "How would you...?" type of problem-solving questions are popular in interviews these days. You must not let them scare you. Don't rush your response and don't stress yourself out wondering what answer they're looking for.

Remember, the answer itself isn't as important as showing your ability to think logically and demonstrate problem-solving capabilities.

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

---

Franchising Offers NO Guarantees --

You have to ask --- IS a FRANCHISE FOR YOU?There... Read More

Make a Good Living Doing What You Love

Don't let anyone talk you into going to college when... Read More

10 Key Career Success Questions

At some point in every professional or managerial career, there... Read More

Ten Great Careers That Don?t Require A Four Year Degree

One of the great myths associated with the "American Dream"... Read More

Yes, Ive Had Gaps In My Employment History--What To Do About It?

Yes, I've Had Gaps In My Employment History--What Can I... Read More

How People Really Explore New Careers: What Does A Real Career Search Look Like?

The traditional model of career choice suggests a linear pattern.... Read More

Your Resume is Just One of the Tools in Your Job Search

A resume is a tool. It allows employers to see... Read More

Could You Write Performance Reviews For Money?

Writing performance reviews can be an excellent way to earn... Read More

Think About a Nursing Degree

If you decide to get a degree in nursing, there... Read More

Are You Suited for Self-employment?

A recent poll conducted by Yahoo! Small Business showed that... Read More

Four Simple Steps To Better Results With Your Resume

Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every... Read More

Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain

It isn't the end of the world, even if it... Read More

Are You Eking Out a Living, and Cant Get What You Want from a Job?

Many people are working at jobs they don't want and... Read More

Tips To Survive A Layoff

The following eight tips will help make sure that recover... Read More

How to Turn Career Mistakes into Career Wins

I recently talked with a client who was paralyzed at... Read More

The Interview - A Few Tips for Making a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More

Get In The Game With a Stellar Resume

During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were... Read More

Words. Words. Words.

They're only words. Some believe the school-yard taunt: "Sticks and... Read More

Resurrecting the Perfect Resume, Part One

Is your resume dead? Don't be so quick to say,... Read More

Spiritual Practices Offer Peace and Acceptance

Facing career transitions and daily life challenges can leave us... Read More

Five Qualities Employers Want

More than ever, employers want employees who can produce results!... Read More

Do You Have the courage to ignore the experts?

Do you have the courage to ignore the experts? Do... Read More

Hello Work World, Im Un-Retiring

For many years, you looked forward to that day when... Read More

Counter-Offers: Do They Merit Consideration?

You are one of the fortunate few who have not... Read More

Students Searching for a Job

Searching for a job has become easier than ever for... Read More

Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head

A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had... Read More

Managing Change -- Endings Are Just Doorways to New Beginnings

Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More

Top Ten Guidelines For Working With Executive Recruiters

1. Select the right type of recruitment partnerDetermine whether you... Read More

How To Write A Résumé

Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More

Career Change Is Not For Wimps! 3 Powerful Steps to Do Work You Love

Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make... Read More

Finally Revealed: The Top 7 Resume Killers?

During my job search I read dozens of books and... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: What They All Tend To Miss

Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job... Read More

Importance Of Your Job Search

So that you can decide just how critical your job... Read More