Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode:

Conventional interview questions are asked for a reason – they get information about the job candidate’s background, what skills they have, and why they want to work at that company in that particular position. 

But many employers also love to ask off-the-wall questions just to see how you react and how you carry yourself in uncertain scenarios. 

These types of questions help employers assess how you think and act under pressure, as well as what your true personality and professional behavior looks like. 

The first question seems innocent enough, but your answer is actually a powerful tool that employers use to screen for company fit. 

“What expectations do you have of your employer?” 

Here, employers are looking, specifically to determine if your values and expectations align with the company’s mission and brand. 

If you want to hit this question out of the park, frame your answer using the company’s core values as a foundation. 

You’ll find this information on the company’s About Us page or by reaching out to a current employee on LinkedIn and asking them about the company’s core values. 

This will help you answer the question using language that resonates with hiring managers.

Another uncommon question that employers love to ask because it reveals a lot about a job candidate is this: “Tell me about a time you received critical feedback.” 

I’ll tell you what employers don’t want to hear when they ask this question: they don’t want to hear excuses, rationalizations or negativity. 

They want to see you demonstrate accountability. 

In your answer, address what you learned from the experience you share. 

How did you use the feedback that was received, and what was the outcome? 

Try to find an example that demonstrates that you listened to the feedback, asked qualifying questions and were able to make the changes that your supervisor wanted to see. 

Third and finally, this question has stumped many PhDs in the past: “Tell me about your favorite failure.“

Employers are counting on the language of this question to catch you off guard. They’re counting on you not having an answer prepared. 

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** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

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