Provocation

Perhaps we agree that a job interview is one of the most shocking parts of a selection. Face to face with the prospective employer from whom the questions are just showering. How do you sell yourself while remaining yourself? How do you get your better shape, but don’t even camouflage and play yourself?

I admit that this is not an easy task. Especially when the more provocative topics are followed by really provocative questions…

Most Thought Provocative Job Interview Questions Examples are:

• Why did you change jobs so often?
• I see a little / a lot of experience for this job. What do you think about this?
• His CV is convincing, but I see he didn’t get his degree/language, why?
• We are a youthful company, do you think you could fit into a team around 30 years old?
• Did you mention how old the kids are?

You may not see it that way right now, but I say you should be happy with questions like this! 🙂 I’ll explain why. And I’ll also show you how you can get along well with a more uncomfortable topic with answers.

Objection handling

Provocative issues in sales are called objection handling. That is, if a potential customer has an important objection, they will not buy from you until it is somehow clarified.

One of the most important tasks of the seller is always to bring to the surface any possible objections of the buyer and to respond to them reassuringly.

The same thing happens in a job interview: if you feel you’re getting questions that seem hostile, rejoice in them instead of being offended, because you don’t have to guess, the interviewer himself will tell you what specific doubts he has about you. And you have the opportunity to distribute them in a nice, professional way.

Let’s look at the 5 most common types of provocative questions and the answers!

1) Why did you change jobs so often?

Answer: First of all, let me say that I don’t like looking for a job at all, and I find it necessary that I have been forced to change jobs relatively often. Almost every change I had had a different reason: a merger or a downsize, and it was such that I didn’t look closely at where I was contracting.

However, I managed to get good results at each company, despite the shorter time spent there, and they were happy with my work everywhere (List some examples here too!). During the interview, I was convinced that I would be able to make a long-term, stable contribution to your company and this position.

2) I see little or no experience in this job. What do you think about this?

Answer: Looking back on my previous jobs, I did not start any of them with all the necessary knowledge. Yet, as I have basic expertise and am learning quickly, I have been able to achieve serious results in a relatively short period of time. For example, this and that… I am ready to put energy into learning in my new job as well. Based on my past positions, I think I can be equally successful in this position.

3) Your CV is convincing, but I see you didn’t get your degree/language skills, why?

Answer: I’ve tried myself in quite a few jobs, and I feel like I’ve found a specialty in logistics where I enjoy every minute of my work. What is certain is that I want to continue working in this field for the next 5 or 10 years.

It is important for me to constantly develop and be competitive, so I have been a subscriber to various logistics courses for years, I regularly buy specialist books, I train myself, and I also enrolled in an English language course a few months ago. I feel that my practical knowledge is outstanding in my field, which has been regularly reported by my previous leaders. E.g… 

4) We are a youthful company, do you think you could fit into a team around 30 years old?

Answer: It is true that I am over 30 years old, but I feel much less than I am. I like working with young people, I get along well with them, I also understood myself well with all my young colleagues in my previous jobs.

I play sports regularly, I am also dynamic according to the feedback from others. I still live an active life to this day and luckily I learn quickly in my work as well. 

5) Did you mention how old the children are?

Answer: As I wrote in my cover letter, my two little boys are 5 and 7 years old. Luckily my grandparents live nearby, they help when the kids get sick, I was on sick leave for only x days at the previous job. They have only missed kindergarten/school twice in the last year.

My husband’s schedule is also relatively flexible, so far it has worked well for us to go for the kids in the evening if I may have had to stay in the job any longer. I just found a great babysitter to help with home logistics from next month. 

In summary

Provocative questions are good, they work for you, so treat them positively, because with your answers you have the opportunity to reassure the interviewer about your objections about you once and for all.

You should be prepared for these consciously! Write down any possible doubts you may have about your application or career and work out reassuring answers in advance. Remember: honesty is very important! Never lie, you can say anything, it doesn’t matter how you serve it!