Here are eight sticky questions that older job candidates often encounter—with several appropriate responses to each:"You appear to be overqualified for this position. Won't you get bored?"
• " You are an excellent company. You deserve excellence in employees. "
• " Experience is a great premium today. "
• " There is a greater return on your money if I hit the ground running. Less training time."
"This company is on the fast track. Do you think that you can keep up?"
• " I have stayed on top of the industry and am computer literate. " (Use this opportunity to showcase any training classes or courses you have taken.)
• Consider hitting this question head-on by stating politely that you have not noticed any slowdown or stagnancy in attitude or energy.
"This is a completely different industry than you were in before. Can you tell us how you will transfer your skills?"
• " I have accessed your website and have read everything about your company. " (Then, draw some analogy to a previous area of expertise, and relate it to the new company's product or service.)
"I have noticed that you have been out of work for over six months. Can you explain this break in employment?"
• " I tried retirement, and it's not for me. I am a do-er and like to be active. I feel I have many more years of productivity left. "
• " I am looking for something different. I am fortunate to be in a position to take time to make sure this job is right for both of us. "
• " I have used this time to brush up (or learn) a new skill, and now I am ready to contribute my knowledge and expertise to a viable company such as yours. "
"Why do you think you are qualified for this job? I don't see where you have experience that would match our business needs."
• " My excitement at learning new things never diminishes. With my work experience, I know I will be a quick learner. "
• Take this opportunity to point out any skills you have added to your repertoire.
Identify a skill you have, and align it to something you would need to do on the new job.
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I get asked over and over agian; can you tell me of one time you had a serious problem and how did you get out of it? Example? What a great answer??
ReplyDeleteThese are great answers to interesting questions. I also recommend practicing your answers out loud, preferably with another person as a mock interview, prior to the actual interview.
ReplyDeleteOrene Kearn
Image & Wardrobe Consultant
Some of these questions reek of "ADEA Claim." I suggest prior to anyone using them, an employment law attorney is consulted.
ReplyDeleteRe: the "overqualified question", one answer I have tried is: "I see this as a great way to get on the ground floor of your company, learn the business, and then move up when the time is right. In the meantime, my experience will enable me to build a stong team at this junior level and prepare a successor."
ReplyDeleteI am still unemployed, so perhaps this is not the right answer.
Comments?
How to solve a hard problem?
ReplyDelete!) understand what´s wrong nd formalize the problem
2) Split the problem in subproblems and approach them separately.
3) for each subproblem list out resurces and expertise required.
4) put togehter resources and expertise and you have the problem solved.
3b) i you ahve no clue iternet can help to find a way out.
3c) cotatcs in your network may have had to get rid of a similar problem, take the telephon and get in contact. it makes no sense to discover hot water again.
Goood luck.
D.
Rattling off rehearsed answers is usually detected by Human Resource people and others who are experienced in interviews.
ReplyDeleteUnless you are applying for Nuclear Physicist or Cargo Handler at 75... your track record of responsibility, and performance, along with eye contact and assurance will go a lot further than clever answers. Honesty with a direct approach is the best way to go.
One of the key points in your article is to be able to articulate what you have been doing in the 'interim' between jobs...what new skills you have acquired.
ReplyDeleteSo there is an assumption, that we should be developing new skills.
I suggest getting trained in the new web technologies and social media. I believe being conversant in Facebook Twitter, Youtube, Linkedin, blogs, etc will be the entry level skills in any job and not having them will make us older workers undesirable to hire.
I recently saw an ad for an admin assistant..and the ability to update web pages was considered a requirement of the job!
Adele
First of all. Thanks very much for your useful post.
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Source: Top interview questions
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Ngo
I think there's a danger of mixing up two concerns in the question. The first is age discrimination. The second is a concern that the candidate will find the job boring or the role demeaning and will either leave as soon as the economy improves or will become too frustrated to perform well.
ReplyDeleteThe latter is a legitimate concern for an employer and a dilemma for a job hunter. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to put a roof over your head. Still - I have been in jobs for which I was overqualified. It was not a good situation. It's one thing being a novice and having vague frustrations about the way a company is run. It's quite another to be in a situation where your daily activities are those you know from expertise to be absurd and pointless.
For me, all of the spin about why one wants to "get in on the ground floor" don't ring true.
Job seekers of all ages should practice discretion, esp. those who are over 40.
ReplyDeleteSomeone is not overqualified because of their age, but more for his or her experience is more an expert level than a sub level.
If a job seeker completes research needed for the interview for a position that requires less experience than the position requires, then the job seeker could place themselves as a leader, even-tempered, solution-oriented candidate.
In addition, a job seeker can the clean any age identifiable information OFF their resumé, mainly their education. If possible, (if not always) no more than 15 years of displayed experience on your resumé.
I think the term "I accessed your website" makes you sound very old indeed. I would just say "I looked at" or "I reviewed" your website. (Trust me: I've worked in digital media for years and years ....)
ReplyDeleteI see many challenges here (list one or two) and would love to be a part of the solution.
ReplyDeleteGreat News...This Company is looking to hire Baby Boomers, pay them a their High Salary, contribute towards their 401K, pay the High Premium for their Health Insurance
ReplyDeleteand more....Right....
I like this question...Where do you
ReplyDeletesee yourself five years from now?..I say...unless you know something I don't I hope to be still part of this world. Then I say.... Since I don't know your organization structure and what opportunities would be available then, I would hope to be in a better position than when I started... Kinda makes them think about this question? The reality is business is business....How many did not read the fine print on their application that say this agreement can be terminated at will by either party. It does not sya or imply that the company has agreed to pay you a salary and benefits till you retire or for the rest of your life...
Hi
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I like it and hope that you continue posting.
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Source: Program manager interview questions
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David
I really get nervous during an interview for reasons that there are so many tricky questions that comes up in it. Good thing interview coaching Edmonton taught be great in handling those questions and myself.
ReplyDeleteVery Useful information. by Bukkas
ReplyDeleteOlder applicants should practice interview questions in front of the mirror to see how your body goes when you answer. http://www.21stcenturynews.com.au/7-body-language-disasters-terrible-impression/
ReplyDelete