Spinning: An Interview Essential

The dawn of behavior based interview questions brought an era of stunned and confused job candidates. All of them pondering why an interviewer would want to know about a time they failed or didn’t make a deadline or had a day with no agenda. Obviously the interviewer was trapping them in to exposing a weakness and ruining their chances! At the very least the questions were “dumb” and not helpful. But time went on and we adjusted to behavior-based interview questions. Now it is time to conquer them.

Behavior-based interview questions were not invented to destroy the chances of honest, hard working and good intentioned candidates. Those questions, along with traditional questions that address weaknesses and failures, are meant to uncover behaviors and patterns that may be repeated in a new position. The best way to answer them to your advantage requires two steps. First, answer honestly. Choose an example that is true and answers the question. Don’t create imaginary scenarios or use superficial stories that have no real depth. Choose an answer that addresses the question and has some meaning.

Then, in step two, explain the example and spin it in to a positive. The worst mistake and interviewee can make is to give an example and not explain it. Instead, you need to spin the information to your favor. You spin it by explaining how you overcame, learned from or made the most of the situation or weakness. By doing so, you show your ability to grow, accept responsibility, and manage tough situations. For example, if you are asked about a time you did not make a deadline. Your answer can be “I was hit with a lot of last minute requests by other people and some trouble with the project. As soon as I realized I was going to be late I let my supervisor and colleagues know the problem and offered an alternative completion time. Once we confirmed the new plan, I worked with my colleagues to handle the new requests and barriers to completion. It was a great lesson for me about time management, communication, teamwork, and adjusting to the changing needs of any situation. The next time a similar situation arose, I was able to get the project done on time.”

Employers know that no one is perfect and that we all have stumbles in our professional development. What they want to see is someone who can survive those stumbles and weaknesses with composure, self reflection, and limited carnage. Remember, any time you are asked to expose a weakness, problem, or mistake, be honest and then Spin. Spin. Spin.