You’ve probably heard that it’s a bad idea to lie in an interview with support ic qa cs. But have you ever wondered why? A lot of people have theories, but the truth is more nuanced. Mark Goulston — one of the leading experts on interviewing psychology — shares some fascinating insights into the psychology behind this mystifying process, including what interviewers are looking for and how to outsmart them from a psychological perspective. Goulston also shares his personal tips for going into an interview feeling prepared and confident.
1. Why might an interviewer ask about your previous jobs?
First, let me say this: If you don’t want to talk about it, don’t bring it up! However, if you already know the answer to the question and your potential employer asks you to share that information, feel free to do so. Only six percent of hiring managers actually ask this question. A recent survey found that they wanted to know if an applicant would stick with them or if they would “move on” after a year or two.
This question is in the top 10 of most frequently asked questions. It’s usually used to identify a candidate’s loyalty to their employer.
A recruiter once told me that it has proven more accurate than any other measure of an individual’s level of commitment in a position.
I’ve found the best way to answer this question is to say, “I loved every job I’ve ever had.” If you’re looking for a new opportunity, show some enthusiasm about your current job or your future goals and paint a picture of what you like to do as part of your everyday job. The interviewer will love it if you can show them how much passion you have for everything you do!
2. Why might an interviewer ask about ‘Why you left your last job?’
The purpose of this question is to determine if you jumped ship for greener pastures or if things ended poorly. The interviewer wants to know if you left a job in a good position and don’t mind leaving or if you were forced out because of some bad decisions.
What could go wrong here?
I think that it would be good to do the following: 1) be very sure (if possible) that the prospective employer is asking the question; 2) make it clear that the reason for moving was a positive one; 3) assure them that everything is O.K.
3. Why did you decide to become an interviewer?
Most of the time, it’s not you—it’s your employer who decided. They are interested in hiring someone who is capable, competent and responsible. You just happen to be the one who fits that bill. This question is used so that the interviewer will learn more about your personality as well as whether or not you’ll fit into their workplace culture: whether it is a stressful environment or a laid-back one; if people are driven with specific career goals or if they’re happy wherever they are.
Most people want a job that’s going to give them a lot of room to grow, so make sure you’re able to communicate how the work environment will handle your growth and what the expectations are.
4. Why were you fired?
Wow, I can see why this question is in the top five! It really makes you think because there are so many ways to answer it. An interviewer may ask this question if they don’t get a good first impression from you or they want to hear your side of a bad situation at your last job. They may even ask it because they see something in their business that reminds them of something that was unprofessional or difficult in your last company.
How you answer this question is up to you. I would recommend that you use this opportunity to explain your situation and make it clear what happened. If a hiring manager asks me this, I answer by saying, “I was a very hard worker who always gave 150 percent of my effort in any situation. Although I had some personal issues that could have affected my work performance in a negative way, I’ve worked on addressing those issues for over two years and am happy with the way I handle things now.”
5. Why are you leaving?
This question is basically used to determine whether or not you’re going to be happy at their company or if it’s just another place for you to collect a paycheck. This question is more important to certain industries. For example, if you’re interviewing for a job in the medical field and they’re asking this question, they want to know if you are looking for a change of location, if you’re going to need some kind of schedule flexibility and how long you expect the company to keep compensating you while you search for another job.
Definitely, pay particular attention to what they ask because it can tell a lot about their specific company and its culture. Someone who’s been with one company for many years should be able to tell why they’ve been with them so long or why they’d like to stay with them.
Summary:
Remember that no matter your answer, it’s best to be professional and not-so-honest. Not everyone asks about your previous jobs, but if you decide to bring them up, make sure you’re completely prepared. If your potential employer asks you a question that doesn’t have a good response, don’t just give them a generic answer; instead, come up with something thoughtful and well thought out.
