How to handle interview traps with aplomb By HE DAN Editor’s note: Robert Parkinson, CEO and founder of the international recruitment group RMG Selection, shares his experience with job candidates for multinational companies in dealing with interview traps. What is your expected salary? There is no right number as far as the human resources department is concerned. You will appear too arrogant if you pitch the number too high, or lacking in confidence if it is too low. A better way is to avoid salary figures and concentrate on what you can contribute to the business. This approach will show that you are serious and the figure offered by the HR department will not disappoint you. What is your biggest weakness? Stop to think before you say something like you are too serious or too much of a perfectionist. You might think you are clever by answering on these lines, but HR people may think you are toying with them. They understand that no one is perfect. So an honest answer about a weakness shows your self-knowledge and integrity. Your answer could be perfect if you gave an example of how you overcame your weakness and showed strength at the same time. Certainly, do not say that you are not a team player. If you do, you cannot expect to be on any team. “You have an impressive background and performed very well in the interview; I think you can find a better company than us.” How do you react to such a statement? You know it is a trap. But it is not easy to escape unscathed. Obviously, “yes” and “no” are both unsatisfactory answers. But always thank people in a gracious way for compliments. Second, you might explain that you are not looking for the best job, but the one that most nearly suits your career plan. Finally, if you can list how much you and the company match, I believe you will have escaped from this trap without damage. What motivates you in your life and work? This is an open question and therefore a great opportunity. You can give any positive answer you like, but remember a golden rule in job interviews is not to preach or ride a hobbyhorse. So you need a genuine and detailed example to prove you are motivated by the factor you mentioned. It is also a plus if your motivation is closely related to the position you applied for. What can you bring to us? Recent graduates do not often have many results to show. Ninety-nine percent of them will say “fast-learning ability”, but this is perhaps the last thing the HR department wants to hear. It is better to focus on STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result), explaining how you have achieved something, helped someone, led a team, or had an idea you were able to follow through. A logical explanation of something you have done is better than a list of a thousand achievements. Do you have any questions? This question sounds like a quick way to end the interview. However, this is the sharpest question and making a mistake can end your prospects with the company. It is always smart to have at least three good questions prepared before any job interview. Generally speaking, do not ask anything about the benefits you will receive. 4 e best questions are those based on thorough research about the company/products/ boss. I remember a graduate who interviewed for an intern position. He asked why I had left my last company to start RMG Selection when I had been successful there. This simple question shows he had done research on me, my present company and the previous one. To read the original link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2014-08/25/content_18477846.htm