FAQ In Interviews: Page 14 of 15
What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn't pulling his/her weight.and this was hurting your department?
TRAPS : This question and other hypothetical ones test your sense of human relations and how you might handle office politics.
BEST ANSWER : Try to gauge the political style of the firm and be guided accordingly. In general, fall back on universal principles of effective human relations - which in the end, embody the way you would like to be treated in a similar circumstance. Example: "Good human relations would call for me to go directly to the person and explain the situation, to try to enlist his help in a constructive, positive solution. If I sensed resistance, I would be as persuasive as I know how to explain the benefits we can all gain from working together, and the problems we, the company and our customers will experience if we don't."
POSSIBLE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: And what would you do if he still did not change his ways? ANSWER: "One thing I wouldn't do is let the problem slide, because it would only get worse and overlooking it would set a bad precedent. I would try again and again and again, in whatever way I could, to solve the problem, involving wider and wider circles of people, both above and below the offending executive and including my own boss if necessary, so that everyone involved can see the rewards for teamwork and the drawbacks of non-cooperation."
"I might add that I've never yet come across a situation that couldn't be resolved by harnessing others in a determined, constructive effort.".
You've been with your firm a long time. Won't it be hard switching to a new company?
TRAPS : Your interviewer is worried that this old dog will find it hard to learn new tricks.
BEST ANSWER : To overcome this objection, you must point to the many ways you have grown and adapted to changing conditions at your present firm. It has not been a static situation. Highlight the different responsibilities you've held, the wide array of new situations you've faced and conquered. As a result, you've learned to adapt quickly to whatever is thrown at you, and you thrive on the stimulation of new challenges. To further assure the interviewer, describe the similarities between the new position and your prior one. Explain that you should be quite comfortable working there, since their needs and your skills make a perfect match.
May I contact your present employer for a reference?
TRAPS : If you're trying to keep your job search private, this is the last thing you want. But if you don't cooperate, won't you seem as if you're trying to hide something?
BEST ANSWER : Express your concern that you'd like to keep your job search private, but that in time, it will be perfectly okay. Example: "My present employer is not aware of my job search and, for obvious reasons; I'd prefer to keep it that way. I'd be most appreciative if we kept our discussion confidential right now. Of course, when we both agree the time is right, then by all means you should contact them. I'm very proud of my record there.