Fearless InterviewingANSWERA: [defensively] There’s nothing wrong with that! Any
eighth grader would know how to draw a simple
normal cell! Perhaps you’ve forgotten that I have a
Ph.D. in biochemistry and have been published over
two dozen times, not to mention that I have lectured
throughout the world on the topic of cell biology.
ANSWERB: [nervously] Oh.. .uh... I’m sorry. You mean you
want me to change it? Sure, okay. I’m not really good
at drawing. Maybe you can’t tell it’s a cell. I must
have forgotten something. It really is a poor draw-
ing. What a mess! Sorry, I’m sure it’s not what you’re
looking for. Should I try it again?
ANSWERC: [calmly] That’s the way a normal human cell looks to
the best of my understanding.
You know by now that a stress question is designed to make you
defensive, angry, nervous, or doubtful. The best way to deal with
the stress question is to remain calm and answer it in the best way
you know how. Therefore, C would be the optimum choice in this
example.
Illegal Questions
Ninety-five percent of interviewers will not ask you illegal ques-
tions. But some—because of ignorance, inexperience, or unchar-
itable motives—may ask you indirectly or directly about your
marital status, number of children, arrest record, physical or
mental disabilities, race, religion, sexual preference, or ethnicity.
You have a legal right not to discuss these issues.One of the best ways to get around the discomfort of these types
of inquiries (other than getting up and walking out the door) is
to respond as follows:
ANSWERA: Excuse me, but I’m not sure I understand. Could
you please rephrase the question?
That alone will usually stop the interviewer in his or her tracks.
If he or she asks again, you can say: