Answering Difficult Questions in a Job Interview!

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Answering Difficult Questions in a Job Interview!

• The Truth, the Whole Truth and nothing but the
  Truth?
• Eaglevision Ministries
• Dr. LaClaire Green Bouknight

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Basic Principles

• Honesty without too many details
• Understand your strong points
• Know what the employer is looking for
• Have answers rehearsed and be ready for the hard
  ones

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Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

• First, Do not bad mouth your last employer
• It was not a good Fit
• There were some scheduling issues
• Wanted to make a career change
• The company downsized

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Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

• Lay-off
• Lack of funding
• Company buyout
• Position eliminated due to new corporate
  direction
• Change of management

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Why do you have gaps in your employment history?

• Substance Abuse Issues
• Addiction is considered a health issue
• Answer as such, assuring that you are now healthy
  after treatment

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Ever Been Convicted of a Misdemeanor or Felony?

• Be honest but avoid to much detail
• Take full responsibility
• Do not blame others
• State it will never happen again
• Then list the steps you have taken to prevent it
  from ever happening again!

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Continued

• Do not write will explain at interview on
  application
• Do not lie on application or at interview about
  having a conviction
• Many smaller employers do not do a background
  check

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Why Do You Have a Large Gap in Employment cont

• Health issues
• Tending an ill family member may be an asset
• Raising young children
• More education or training

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Difficult Questions

• Explain how you have turned lemons to lemonade
• Explain how you have made real efforts to make
  positive changes in your life!

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Eaglevision Ministries

• Workforce Development
• Ex-offender females
• Dislocated workers both sexes
• Displaced homemakers
• Dr. LaClaire Bouknight, Director
• 10/2006

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