The Hidden Job Interview - Don't Get Trapped!
Unless you are one of the few people remaining on Earth who will be employed by only one employer for the duration of your life, you'll soon be subject to another job interview.
Your employment situation will likely change, whether it be next month, next year, or in several years. But at that time you'll have to go through the stressful process of finding another job.
Once you land that job interview, you should be aware of the "interview spider web" - trick questions asked by the interviewer designed to get you to reveal your true personality.
The spider web consists of three approaches by the interviewer. You may see one, or a combination of all three. Each technique is designed to get you involved in an open-ended conversation.
Going Negative
The first technique is when an interviewer goes negative. He/she may pick out one aspect of the job and basically talk bad about it. It may be anything related to the job, such as travel, number of working hours, or working conditions.
The interviewer is watching to see if you agree with their assessment. The way to deal with this technique is to stay positive, even though a negative spin has been put on the subject.
For example, even though you may not like to travel one or two days a week, a suitable response would be, "In a perfect world we could take care of that task by telephone, but sometimes it really pays to be on location to make sure we accomplish our goals."
Do You Know So-and-So?
Another technique you may see in a job interview is the "do you know this person?" trap. If your interviewer knows your industry or your present or previous employer, he/she may throw out the name of a person you may know and may have worked with.
If the person is someone you have worked with, go ahead and admit it, but keep your opinion of that person to yourself. Through this technique the interviewer wants to see if you are the gossiping type. Of course, companies really frown on hiring people that like to talk about their co-workers.
Going, Going...
Towards the end of the interview, you may be subject to the "go long, go deep" technique. This is where the interviewer will ask you if there is anything else he/she should know about to help them in their hiring decisions.
The incorrect approach to answering this question is to state the obvious - things all prospective employees say, such as, "I'm a hard worker," or, "I'm very loyal."
Prepare for this question before the interview. Think about one or two things that help explain why you applied for this position and why you want this position. It's okay if it's personal, but the trick is to not make you sound desperate.
For example, if you have worked for many years at your current or past employers, emphasize that you like stability, "and if hired my goal would be a long-term stay." If you are a single parent, you may say something along the lines of, "Because I'm a single parent, I take my work seriously, because my performance not only benefits the company, but provides protection for my kids as well."
Be aware of these techniques and you'll help diffuse problems, and be on your way to a more successful career.