We’ve all been there. Someone asks us a question, but we do not know the answer. If it is a friend or family member, we can likely lead them to someone else nearby who has the answer to their question. If it is a stranger asking for directions, we can usually point them to someone who might have the answer. What if this happens during a job your big interview? Not only can it be an embarrassing situation, but it can also derail your chances of getting the job. It doesn’t have to a devastating experience, though. How well you stand up to the test can make all the difference in the outcome. Even if you don’t get the job, you can respond in a way that maintains the professional atmosphere of the interview.

I clearly remember one such personal situation that I found myself in. I had finally scored a big interview with a Federal agency that needed someone who possessed the specialized skills needed to conduct job analyses. My professional human resources career started with my training as a test developer with State government, so I prepared, practiced and prayed. I was ready. My interview started great. I knew how to use the software that they used. I was intimately familiar with the parameters required to program the system to generate the reports that guided the job analysis process. I also knew how to read the reports to determine the next steps in the process. Then it happened. They asked me if I knew how to perform the statistical analysis manually. In my mind, I was thinking, “Manually…without a computer?” I was totally blindsided. As much as I had prepared, I had not even considered this question because my training and experience had been in a totally automated environment. So, needless to say, I did not have the answer that I needed to keep the positive momentum of my interview going. What did I do?! You know that one of my mottos is that honesty is the best policy. So, I explain that I was not familiar with the manual process, but that I was willing to learn. I felt the atmosphere transition from excited anticipation to unspoken disappointment, but the interview panel remained courteous and professional towards me. I asked how important that aspect was to on-the-job success and they explained that it was very important. Although I knew at that moment that I was no longer a top candidate, but I continued to actively participate in the process. In the end, I thanked each panel member for their time, then went home and wrote out thank you notes for each member and sent them. I definitely didn’t get the outcome that I hoped for, but I left that meeting with my dignity and my interviewers’ respect.

As you can see, this is another epic example of the vast importance of preparation. I do realize, however, that you don’t know what you don’t know. So, if you can’t relate any of your professional experience to an interview question that is posed to you, there are three (3) possible ways that you can respond: 1) Say I don’t know/I don’t have the answer and offer no additional response. This, to me, is the least desirable approach to take because you’re just cutting the discussion of without leaving the door open for the interviewer to possibly state the question from a different perspective; 2) If possible think of a possible solution that you would implement if you were to find yourself in that situation. If you take this approach, you will show creativity and “out-of-the-box” thinking. These are both qualities that employers often look for in new team members. It also shows initiative and a “can-do” spirit. So, take a gamble and try it. Be honest and lead in by saying that you’ve not yet found yourself in that type of situation at work, but you would do X, Y, and Z to resolve the issue. 3) If you have been in a comparable situation personally, present that scenario. Describe the situation that you faced. Share the outcome that you desired and the actions you took in order to achieve the desired outcome. Then share with the interviewer(s) what the actual outcome was. This works particularly well in situations involving conflict resolution and/or big projects like moving from one home to the other. Conflict resolution scenarios involving family members or close friends are some of the most emotionally-charged conflicts that occur. So, if you are able to successfully navigate such scenarios, the employer will likely determine that you would also be skilled at contributing to the successful resolution of workplace conflicts. Keep in mind though that you don’t need to share every little detail of your personal situation. Share just enough detail with the interviewer…not too much. As with the previous option, lead in by letting the interviewer(s) know that while you have not experienced such a scenario professionally, you have faced it personally.

If the question that you need to respond to is project-based, planning a move from one home to another is especially attractive. Think about it, you are not only managing your physical move, but often also planning how to live in a moving zone, and possibly planning renovations or upgrades to your new place to make it your own. So, if you are a person who uses lists, spreadsheets, etc. to manage the process, the interviewer will see you as a project manager who anticipates needs and has a plan of action for the “what-ifs.” This way, you will be helping the employer see you in action as someone on their team.

As always, don’t think of a challenge as an absolute roadblock. Think of it as the challenge that it is and overcome it with a little mental ingenuity and broad thinking. You’ll be glad you did.

Career Search Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!

Original post at https://nnamtique.com/what-to-say-when-you-have-no-answer/

#interviewquestions #interview #newjob

I just got my CDL and ready to start, but also incredibly nervous I will screw something up. What are some things I should know or do? I could really use some help! Anyone???

I been working for 4 months and I hate my boss. He is rude,mean and disrespectful. I’m looking for a different job, i’m 18 years old. Looking for a good paying job for a high schooler. #newjob #highschooler

Most respect and admiration for all of you! I start working Monday full-time! I'm really excited. Prayer does work! I appreciate all of you!

Hi guys,

Just wanted to share with you what happened to me. I am new in New York. I have been working in Asia for 10 years of my life. Have had good paying solid jobs but when I came to New York, I started from scratch. I graduated Major in Information Technology, but I havent used my skills because the job opportunities that came back then were call center jobs. So in NY, I got accepted for a job of IT Helpdesk Admin. I am very grateful that my boss took me in and trusted me that I can do my job even though I didnt have experience. The only bad thing is, my team is messy. The guys I am working with are very lazy. They will try as much as they can to dodge jobs that are given to them. But even though it is challenging, it benefited me in many ways. I had to do initiative to learn things on my own and do the job myself because I genuinely love to help people. And because of this, I have become a more experienced IT person. One thing though, being that this Was an entry level job for me, I was paid like a newly grad college. Anyways, 2 years now and I decided I nEed to find another firm that knows how to value me, and will pay me market value. Here I am, going to start my ne job soon, and got $14k more or what Im getting plus bonus. The bad situation I was in my team was kinda useful. It paved the wah for me to now find a better opportunity. Never stop, try harder, and reach for your goals and dreams, and everything will fall in its place in the right time :) #survivor #gotanewjob #blessed #hardworker #initiative #knowyourworth #newjob

Hey, everyone! I was recently hired at a food franchise last week, and everyday proves to be a new adventure and difficult obstacles. However, I've survived my first week (and some days) and I get paid today. I'm so proud of myself for sticking through with this job. Never give up, no matter how hard the task at hand is.

I started a job as a salad bar person at A restaraunt I feel like I should be getting trained for other areas of the place but the excuse always comes up "you aren't working fast enough yet for us to train you in other spots" garden bar seems like the only super fast paced position of the restaraunt because guests go up and just devour everything even on busy nights but busy nights it is generally a 2 person job being done by one person. Along with prepareing the set up for the next day i feel like i have gotten a bit faster since last month and i do want to learn to do something else because once i decide to have a child i won't be able to lift too much and those trays can get heavy. I would love for them to teach me other departments like hosting or expo I feel like I am the only Salad bar person who has not progressed and learned new stuff at all since I started in May and the others were on garden bar for 2 or 3 weeks and were immediately trained for other areas I feel as though I'm being cheated. And I work my ass off every day I go in.

I've finally got someone to give me a chance. I got a new job. I was at dollar tree and tried for management and didn't get it. I was dependable, reliable and one of the best employees. That didn't matter for shit with them. Yes, if you have a felony you can get a job if you need a check, but don't aspire for advancement unless it's 7 years when it drops off.

So I have always felt that I have a good grasp on my job situation,,,,except the last yr and 1/4. But all of 2016 off, first 6mo on unemployment, then trying to help buddy start used car lot as his tech. Starved but alive didn't get back to real, full time work as of March 2017. So guy gave me a shot and up until 2 wks ago. Being Auto tech I need parts, and found out boss had last charge account shut off. Over weekend, found it out on Monday, Tuesday old boss from Midas called and offered me old position back, we agreed on money. He wound up wanting towards end of week, but had to finish out week. So the latest boss was pretty cool about losing me, and last Monday started back at Midas, unloaded tools on Monday and hit ground running. And just Saturday, yesterday, I came home and found out I burned my corneas welding( using welder to remove broken bolts) so sight is getting better but had me scared, but new /old job seems to be going well. And really other than fixing few things that slipped since left. Basically been out of this shop for 2 yrs,(transfer, shop sold, new owner sucked and was crooked,etc.)but so far it's good to be back, just hoping paycheck is good. And God willing I can stay here for long time and move up food chain so to speak at least till I decide to open my own shop. So if you believe in God, ask for his help in bettering your lot in life, if you don't, pay attention cause when it looked bad a new path opened up for me.

So about 4 months ago, I put in an application with a Property Management company who was hiring for a front desk agent. I was called for an interview a month later. 2 weeks after my interview, I finally received a response from them but it was just to let me know that they'd hired someone else. A month later, they reached out to me again to let me know a new position had opened up and wanted to know if I could come interview for it, so I did, but with a different manager this time. This position was for a leasing coordinator and community manager. After the interview, I didn't hear anything from them for 2 weeks, so I reached out to them. They said they still were conducting interviews but that I was at the top of their list for the position. Another 2 weeks past and I heard nothing. I went on indeed and saw that recently posted an advertising for the position again so I left it alone. A week later I got another call and told me to come in this past Monday as they were hiring again for a different position. I was like if they are calling me a 3rd time they must like me and are just trying to figure out the best position for me. Sure enough, I went to the interview and was offered the position on the spot. The best part is I am way more interested in the position they finally offered me than the other two positions I came in for. Sometimes you just have to wait, believe, and pray. I am so excited and grateful. I am now the prospect coordinator and showing agent for a well known property management company.