By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

A trap question!

What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: Your Value in the Market

I’m Jeff Altman the big Game Hunter.  I coach people and organizations . . .  I try to help you be more effective.  Sometimes that is in your career or job search.  Sometimes it’s around leadership but I coach.  I’m the head coach for JobSearch.community. I also do one-on-one coaching with people.  So, I’d love to help you.

Today, I thought I would do a video about 1 of those tough interview questions that organizations may ask you.  I like this 1.  It’s a very revealing one and I will show you how it works.

“Tell me 3 likes and 3 dislikes you have about your current firm or organization or company.”

What’s the game behind this one?

The answer is if you dive directly into your dislikes, if your dislikes seem petty or immature or involve interpersonal relationships with people, this is a signal to them that you might be a problem hire, that what they’re doing is transporting someone else’s issue into their organization and that you’re going to be a problem in theirs.

If you’re able to talk about the choice here, always start with the likes and focus on quality situations.

“I like the people in the organization.  I think there’s a lot that I’ve learned there.  I really enjoy my boss.”  Notice, 3 of them.  You were very positive.

You can then talk about some of the issues that you have.  “I am always seen in my reviews as being a positive force in in my group and my work is exemplary, like a gotten great reviews every time, but I’m not going anywhere..  I am just locked into this one part of the organization and there is no upside for me.  Recognition doesn’t always translate into money here.”

Do you see where I am going here?  There is nothing about the interpersonal relationships here because you never want to suggest as though, “ I dislike people.  I dislike these people.  We argue all the time.”

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