Tech exec reveals go-to interview question that immediately gives away if you're right for the job
Some interviews are easier than others, guaranteed.
For example, an interview for Tesla or Google might look a lot different than your average corporate job.
But there are basics to know that can make or break your chances, according to a job expert.
Vimeo chief financial officer Gillian Munson said that one of the 'absolute' red flags is not fully listening to the question before answering.
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“Sometimes folks are in such a hurry to get through the conversation that they don’t carefully listen to the question and answer it,” she told CNBC Make It.
Even if a question is tricky or you’d rather avoid it, Munson advises acknowledging it and making sure you relate your answer back to it.
Furthermore, there's also a question that's answer can guarantee whether or not you're right for the job.
One of Munson’s go-to questions that she believes reveals a lot about a candidate is: "If I could hypothetically speak to your last boss and ask them what they think of you, what would their answer be?"
The question encourages candidates to consider their strengths and weaknesses and allows them to answer genuinely, Munson said.
Claiming that your boss loved you is all good and well but being overly positive or inauthentic won't do you any favours.
In a strong answer, Munson said she looks for a candidate who is 'fairly transparent' about areas they want to improve. This level of honesty can “connect to the interviewer in a way that helps them actually understand whether you are a fit or not,” Munson added.
Additionally, the job expert also likes to ask interviewees why they either chose their school or a previous job.
Now, this can be a little unnerving as your school days could be years behind you or you might not remember all the details, but don't underestimate this question. Munson explained that this question can give “a sense of how you make decisions. How you make decisions ultimately gets reflected in how you work every day.”
Active listening sets top performers apart, according to psychologist and Exos’ senior director of performance psychology, Sarah Sarkis, who says that few people are fully present in conversations.
Last year, she told Make It: “Few people know how to be fully present in a conversation and respond thoughtfully to what another person is saying."
Instead, people often “enter the conversation prepared for where you want it to end, or distracted."
Remember, nailing an interview isn't just about aiming for perfect answers, but rather being real about your strengths and weaknesses - and connecting with your interviewer.