a question asked during a job interview. can anybody help?

[aboutjob]

questions:
1. Was there any big problem ever happened in your life?
2. Why you think it was a big problem to you?
3. How do you solve the problem?
4. What is your big learning from it?

[Tsveta]

I've never been asked such a question but I guess you have to figure out if you had such a problem in your life and explain how you dealt with it. They just want to see how you work under stress and how you handle difficult situations.

A similar question could be: What was the most difficult assignment you have completed?

[aboutjob]

thanks for your reply, tsveta.

the answer i gave the recruiter is that: the big problem in my life is passing an exam for a course which i have scarcely attended, then i used my methods and techniques and finally got through. and my "big learning" is: always know what resources you have and then make full use of them.

i know my anwser is not appropriate, but i can't find any better one. i don't remember if there is any "big problem" in my life, and even if there is, i believe i definitely could not get any what so called "big learning". maybe the biggest problem in my life is anwering this question so far.

actually, i am a student approaching an end for my master's degree. tsveta can you help me think of a "big problem" and a "big learning" appropriate for me? e.g. something stucked me in study or school/social activity, and how i tackled it wisely.

[Tsveta]

I think you've answered very well. Your problem is big enough for a student!
You are not a CEO to have BIG BIG problems. Your answer was appropriate.

[RRCSTUDENT]

First thing he asked was "Do you have any questions?" Well, I'm in Toastmaster's and something happened to the pin on my blazer. I was able to FIX it, but it got me wondering if they, Awards Canada, did any work with Toastmasters. I asked, and he wasn't expecting that question, and YES they do have a contract with Toastmasters International. Another good question is, "According to your web-site.......". That way it shows you checked out the company before you went in for the interview!

[Nick]

about that big problem question, i have a feeling that the company doesnt really care about your academic problems, as much as your life problems. tell them something personal about yourself. and it doesnt have to be a bad thing that happened to you and you managed to pull through in the end. just any problem you have overcome in life, as long as its not academically related..good luck..

Nick

[zoobird]

I would think they're asking about problems in your personal life. What you DON'T want to do is bring up something that could make them worry about your future physical or mental health - so obviously this isn't the time to talk about how you overcame alcoholism or anything like that. You could talk about how hard it was for you when a family member was sick, when your house was broken into, or when you first moved to a new city (or country). I'm not sure I really believe this, but some people think that in any sales opportunity (which definitely would include job interviews) it's better to keep thing happy...so don't bring up someone close to you dying either. Whatever you choose, if you talk about how focusing on work helped you cope with your feeling, that should be especially appealing to potential employers.

[lookingforjob]

Yes, I agree that it's better to look and sound positive while being interviewed. All the employers want to see is that you can do the job, and you don't look like somebody who will bring his personal life at his workplace...

[almo81]

I think it is a perfectly legitimate question - and a good one - I may even use it myself - though Aboutjob's answer is not what I have in mind.

You must look at it from the Interviewer's POV. He's got roughly 60 minutes to assess a highly complex individual about which he knows nothing except his Resume - and he's no psychologist or HR expert - and make an expensive decision.

Letting the Candidate rattle off prepared answers does little to help him. He NEEDS some way to put the candidate off-balance.


I often use similar techniques such as "what is your biggest personal weakness" or "what has been your worst professional experience", "what do you do when faced with a problem you've no solution for?" Many people mumble a little at these questions - which is precisely why I do it: There's no "correct answer" but the answers you do get, tell you something about the candidate.


Another method (I'm in the IT industry) is to ask the candidate to describe a product or system he's worked on, and then pick it apart. If he can't handle it, he's gone.

Almo