Subscribe To
This Site
The Post Layoff Interview: How to Handle the Tough QuestionsAssuming you're like most people who have been laid-off, you may find the interviewing process more stressful than usual. To help alleviate that anxiety, it’s smart to be prepared to answer questions that may come up related to your being unemployed at the time of the interview. Here are some questions to consider: Tell me about yourself Assume that you will be asked some version of this question within the first few minutes of the interview. Keep your answer short (a minute or two at most) and respond by covering three areas: education, work history and recent career accomplishments. Do not make any reference to your current state of unemployment. Why did you leave your last job? If you were part of a company wide lay-off, say so. If you were selectively terminated, give a very brief description of the circumstances and try the “we agreed to disagree approach.” Do not say anything negative about your last employer. How did your employer rate your performance? The interviewer is trying to figure out if your performance impacted the decision to include you in a layoff. If you had positive performance reviews, elaborate on them. If the reviews were mediocre, discuss the areas where your boss stated you excelled. How do you feel about your last employer? Even though you may dying to vent, keep your emotions in check and highlight the positives. Discuss the many fine experiences and knowledge you gained on the job. How successful do you feel you’ve been in your career? Present a positive picture of yourself without overstating your case. You might try saying, “Clearly being laid-off was a bit of a setback, but I think overall I’ve enjoyed very steady progression in my career growth.” Do you worry about being overqualified for this position? Reply that you have an interest in developing a long-term relationship with the company and hope over time you will be able to help the company grow and prosper. Emphasize that your experience will help the employer realize a faster return on his investment. Have you been looking for a job for a long time? Be honest, but try not to emphasize the exact amount of time you’ve been looking. You might say, “I’m being very careful to find the right fit for the long term. I would rather take the extra time to insure I’ve secured a good match.” Gain instant access to hundreds of useful tips by downloading our guide today!
|
