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'Because I won't waste your time with B.S.' (and I wouldn't abbreviate).
Then stand up to indicate the interview is over, thank her, and walk.
Someone who starts out an interview with this kind of hardness isn't someone you want to work for. They don't think of their employees as human beings but as pawns on a board.
However, since 'not wasting her time' seems to be the number one requirement for this office, you might just have gotten the job.
Originally Posted by von949 Too long. Halfway through that speech, the interviewer isn't even listening anymore. Plus it sounds too cookie cutter. This is how you answer a question like that in real time.
Mrs big) Why are you a better candidate than the other 250 applicants? Me) 250 applicants? Mrs Big) Yes. Me) Wow. Really? 250? Mrs Big) Yes really. Over 250 Me) Well I can't tell you why I am better than 250 people I have never met but I can GUARANTEE you that if you hired me, you would never have to interview 250 people to to fill one position. I work more efficient than that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishbrains
That is a great answer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdflk
Yet another good answer someone would LIKE to say.
Disagree. Of course it's only opinion, but I think that is a terrible answer, especially as written.
- You work efficiently, not efficient.
- Asking about 250 applicants twice immediately displays your inefficiency
- They did not say they interviewed 250 people but had 250 applicants
- You made a guarantee that you don't have the ability to guarantee.
So in practicality, you have displayed in a very short time that you may have poor grammar skills in writing or speaking, that in trying for effect, you displayed the opposite trait of the one you are touting, that you make assumptions and/or have poor comprehension skills, and you make promises that are empty or that can't be kept.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishbrains
You miss the point of the question. She is not serious about 250 qualified applicants. She wants to see you think on your feet and be creative.
This is true. The answer above was at-least semi-creative although I think it needs some adjustments.
The person she is looking for would have a perfect 3 min elevator pitch directly focused to the immediate and longer range needs of her organization. This would take a little practice and some research on your part. You should be prepared to do this pitch to one or a group to sell yourself.
If someone cannot say something good about themselves without comparing themself to others, then they have more issues than just being without a job.
the question is not "what is good about you?".
the question is "how are you better than these other people?". you are being directly asked to compare yourself to the other applicants.
how are you supposed to properly answer that when you know nothing about the other people you're SUPPOSED to be comparing yourself to, per the question?
of course the solution is to just say nice things about yourself, and talk about areas where you are better than average. but it's a dumb question because it asks you to do the impossible, if you want to actually answer the question as asked and not lie.
'Because I won't waste your time with B.S.' (and I wouldn't abbreviate).
Then stand up to indicate the interview is over, thank her, and walk.
Someone who starts out an interview with this kind of hardness isn't someone you want to work for. They don't think of their employees as human beings but as pawns on a board.
However, since 'not wasting her time' seems to be the number one requirement for this office, you might just have gotten the job.
Goodness gracious. Here's the OP:
Quote:
My entire interview with Mrs. Big was one question. She asked me this question: "Over 250 applicants appliedfor this job and most of them were qualified on paper. In fact many of the people had an incredible background. I don't want an average person in this job. Why are you better than the other 250 applicants?"
Would you walk out if this same question was posed in other ways?
- Tell why you are the best candidate for the job?
- Why should I hire you?
- What do you bring to the table that other candidates may not have?
- Tell me how you think you can do this job better anyone else.
- What makes you especially qualified for this role?
Would you walk out if this same question was posed in other ways?
- Tell why you are the best candidate for the job?
- Why should I hire you?
- What do you bring to the table that other candidates may not have?
- Tell me how you think you can do this job better anyone else.
- What makes you especially qualified for this role?
some of these questions are reasonable and realistic:
- Why should I hire you?
- What do you bring to the table that other candidates may not have? ("may not have" makes all the difference)
- What makes you especially qualified for this role?
some require you to have knowledge that you can't possibly have, if you are going to actually answer the question and do it honestly:
- Tell why you are the best candidate for the job?
- Tell me how you think you can do this job better anyone else.
none of them would make me walk out of the interview, i think that's overly dramatic and silly. but i think the latter two are stupid questions.
how are you supposed to properly answer that when you know nothing about the other people you're SUPPOSED to be comparing yourself to, per the question?
"My parole officer says I'm better at hiding daytime drinking than Neo-Nazi he's ever met."
"My parole officer says I'm better at hiding daytime drinking than Neo-Nazi he's ever met."
But you don't know how much better all other neo-Nazis are at hiding alcohol-breath. Some use Tic Tacs, some don't
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