Page 149 - James Caan - Get the Job you Really Want

to that answer?’ There are certain situations where you have to
answer the question. As the process of pouring out the water is
going on, my brain is composing the answer.
A lot of people suggest answering a tricky question with
another question. That depends on who is interviewing you.

If you did that to me, I would bat it right back to you. I would say,
‘That’s a really good question. Now, can we just go back to my
original question?’ I would get you straight back. I won’t accept

a question answered with a question.
As with the ‘Have you got any questions?’ question, take
some time to prepare quick and simple replies to apparently
tricky questions in advance. There are a number of angles I use
when I am interviewing. One of the ones I particularly like is,

‘Give me three reasons why i wouldn’t hire you.’
It’s a variation on the classic, ‘What do you think your weak-
nesses are?’

And the first response I get is usually, ‘I can’t think of any.’
‘No, no,’ I say, ‘I need three reasons – give me three reasons.’
I never let them get away with it. I want to hear their three
reasons. It tells me a lot about the person, because they have
to say something. I make them answer the question. And once

I have pushed it, a good debate follows.
Don’t roll over and give the interviewer an insight into your
insecurities and fallibilities, because that’s tantamount to reject-

ing the job before it’s even been o≠ered. Choose a weakness and
make sure it is nothing to do with the core elements of the job
you are applying for. So, if you’re being interviewed for a human
resources job, pick a slight weakness in your experience of the

137 power