Job Interviews -- The Four Worst Objections You?ll Face and How to Deal with Them

Dealing with tough questions and objections is an essential part of job interviews. Here are four common ones that derail many candidates. Read on to find out what they are and how you can deal with them.

Objection #1: You've been fired from your last job
First of all, don't blow the issue out of proportion, either to yourself or to the interviewer. Remember, this is fairly common these days. Employers know it too.

There are at least three ways you can handle this issue. If you left your previous employer on reasonably cordial terms, consider asking them to allow you to say you resigned from the job. Many employers will agree to this.

Another option is to state the facts in a concise, drama-free manner. Tactfully discuss what happened and acknowledge your role in it. You could mention a difference of opinion or personal style as a root cause. Often, candidates who take this approach find that the whole thing was no big deal to the new employer.

A third way out is to avoid mentioning the job from which you were fired. This may work if you held it for less than five or six months. I personally don't advocate lying in your resume -- it is unethical and can backfire badly -- but you should be aware that this is an option some candidates use effectively.

Objection #2: You have bad references
Don't assume that your previous employer will say only good things about you when someone calls up for a reference check. If you suspect that your boss may give bad feedback, find someone else to act as your reference. Possibilities include your boss's boss or someone else who's senior enough and has observed your work.

You could also use a client as a reference, particularly if you're in sales or other jobs involving extensive customer interactions. Other possibilities include bankers or lawyers you deal with. While these are alternatives, the interviewer might wonder why you didn't mention someone within the company as a reference.

Another option is to briefly explain that you didn't always see eye to eye with your boss and so you would ask that someone else be approached for a reference check. Many employers appreciate this approach and are willing to go along with it.

Objection #3: You left your job to start a business -- and your venture failed
In many cases, this is a bigger problem in the candidate's mind than in the interviewer's. You might assume that the interviewer is casting aspersions on your managerial skills or business abilities.

Actually, his concern may be very different. He might be worried that you'll get bored or restless in a corporate job and decide to strike out on your own again. Therefore, it's best to ask questions to find out what the specific concern is. That way, you'll be addressing the right concern.

When replying, focus on how you exercised initiative and demonstrated drive as well as tolerance for risk and ambiguity. Talk about whatever success you had and what you learned from the experience. Make it abundantly clear that you have satisfied your entrepreneurial urges and are more than willing to settle into a corporate job.

Objection #4: You seem overqualified for the job
There are two possible objections here. One, they might be saying that you may want more money than they're ready to pay. Second, they might be implying you will get bored and leave for greener pastures soon.

Both these objections may come into play if you're making a career change.

If money is the issue, explain why you don't mind taking a pay-cut. Talk about how you're making a career transition and are perfectly willing to accept lower pay. You might even back this up explaining how you have worked out a new personal budget that'll allow you to be comfortable at the lower pay. Also talk about non-monetary factors that give you job satisfaction.

For the second objection, the best way out is to detail how you have done lots of research on your new career choice before committing to it. If some of the tasks in your previous jobs that were similar to what you'll be doing in your new assignment, explain how you did those tasks without complaints. That should alleviate concerns the employer might have about your getting bored in the new job.

Anticipate objections and prepare short, to-the-point responses in advance. At the job interview, answer objections in a confident, calm manner, taking care to uncover the real objection first. Those are the keys to dealing with interview curve balls!

Ann Wilson is a successful business author who writes extensively on jobs and careers. Her articles include best tips for job interviews, how to write effective thank you notes after interviews and many others with cutting-edge advice on interviewing.

---

How People Really Explore New Careers: What Does A Real Career Search Look Like?

The traditional model of career choice suggests a linear pattern.... Read More

Networking Masterclass - Part 1 - Practicing Empathy

Practicing Empathy A vital part of your networking skills is... Read More

Hello Work World, Im Un-Retiring

For many years, you looked forward to that day when... Read More

Ten Healthcare Fields That Cant Wait To Hire You

Healthcare is one of the hottest career fields in America... Read More

The Ripple Effect of Fear

Unemployment carries a lot of emotional baggage for most of... Read More

Formal Business Attire is Making a Comeback

The dot com boom of 1990s brought with it a... Read More

Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?

Making a career change is nothing new in today's job... Read More

So You Want To Be a Nurse When You Grow Up?

You're interested in becoming a nurse. How do you get... Read More

Everyone Should Have a RED BALL in the Job Search

May I explain what about what a red ball means... Read More

Make A Lasting Impression With Interview Etiquette

(Des Moines, Iowa - February 2, 2005) Behaving appropriately during... Read More

Job Interviews and The Secret of Selling Yourself

A very effective and persuasive tactic when selling something is... Read More

Avoid Your CV Always Ending Up in the Bin

Cover Letters must grab the reader's interest so that they... Read More

Resume Success Factors--What Exactly Is A Resume Anyway?

You know you're good...real good. The problem, though, is that... Read More

Making Yourself More Relevant To The New Workplace

Being a current job seeker can be quite a challenging... Read More

If You Think You Cant Change Course... Youre Right

You've heard the... Read More

Diplomats and Spies

"The Baratarian pirates also offered their services. Even though an... Read More

Factual Employment Screening Part 2

An Employment Screening OutlinePolicy DevelopmentA policy of Factual Employment Screening;... Read More

What Do Employees Wish for Most (And How To Get It)

What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More

The Musketeer Approach

Stories of intrigue, treachery, politics, lies, double crosses,... Read More

What Did You Say?

My table-mates introduced themselves as the reciprocal protocol began. We... Read More

Don?t Be Too Passionate About Your Work

Of course, she then offered me a six-month process, costing... Read More

Interpersonal Skill Building -- Yank The Suckers & Weeds

According to the National Gardening Association, suckers are rapidly growing... Read More

The Hidden Agenda of Interviews

It's Not What They Ask - The Hidden Agenda of... Read More

Are You Busy Living or Dying?

If you are not busy living, then you must be... Read More

Women Who Quit Work Abrubtly After Childbirth - Are You the Type?

According to statistics one out of every five pregnant women... Read More

9 Secrets to Career Success

Are you miserable at your job (or what you are... Read More

History Reports: When Your Resume Equals, I Did This, I Did This, I Did This

Do these sound familiar?"I worked for?" "My responsibilities were?"... Read More

Job Search Tip for College Students

Today everyone is looking for that special job that will... Read More

It is Still Possible to be Upwardly Mobile in America!

Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More

Theres No Need to Pad Your Resume

It seems like a good idea, harmless in fact. Your... Read More

The Right Way To Send Your Resume

Having a great resume is the first critical step in... Read More

If Youre Fired, Will Past Employers Keep Your Secret?

Despite what some job seekers think, it is not illegal... Read More

Perceptions

How was your latest car wash experience?Did you take your... Read More