Will this question backfire at an interview? Forum

judgefudge · Post by **judgefudge** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:17 pm

I just read an article about questions you should ask at an interview.
One of them struck me as kind of odd, but potentially helpful and I was wondering what y'all thought about it.

The question was: "Do you have any hesitations abut my qualifications?"

On one hand, that is a weird question to ask and the interviewer might be put off by it. On the other hand, it could show that you're comfortable talking about your vulnerabilities, and could give you a chance to explain any issues with your grades/resume/choice of extracurriculars that the interviewer doesn't bring up.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:18 pm

Don't ask that.

sorry for mistaken anon.

Johann · Post by **Johann** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:22 pm

At best that question does nothing to help you. At worst, it eliminates you from contention. Don't ask it.

FloridaCoastalorbust · Post by **FloridaCoastalorbust** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:25 pm

toothbrush · Post by **toothbrush** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:26 pm

Why would you waste your time potentially highlighting your flaws? You want to use questions to make the interviewer talk freely about himself/ his thoughts (or her). Like "so how did you end up choosing X practice" or "what drew you to Y firm over others"?

hephaestus · Post by **hephaestus** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:28 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Don't ask that.

sorry for mistaken anon.

Yeah they already have your resume - they'll ask if they do. I think this would be really off putting and a waste of time at best.

judgefudge · Post by **judgefudge** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:30 pm

Yeah, all of the above was my reaction too, including "wtf"--but it's advice from some guy who wrote a decently popular book on interviewing skills, so I figured I would see what others thought of it.

RCSOB657 · Post by **RCSOB657** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:33 pm

I guess he was banking on the interviewer thinking the interviewee had brass balls.

A. Nony Mouse · Post by **A. Nony Mouse** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:40 pm

I've seen that suggested before. I've mostly seen it recommended for people who are changing careers pretty drastically rather than, say, someone applying out of law school. I also think I've seen it phrased more like "do you have any questions/concerns about my previous experience transitioning to this job" (I'm not wording that well). But I agree that I don't think it's going to help you - if they had hesitations they wanted to get your opinion on, they'd have asked. If they didn't have hesitations, now they're going to wonder why you think they should have hesitations.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:45 pm

I've actually had some success with a question similar to this, "what concerns do you have about my candidacy?" It worked for me and one interviewer actually remarked that he liked that we didn't have to bullshit each other. If you do ask this, the key is to listen and not be defensive and then try and explain why you are working on addressing this concern, etc.

That said, I think I agree with others that it can be risky and probably isn't worth it. Both because it might come off as an odd question and because it's tricky to navigate the line between defensive and adequately responsive. I probably will not be asking it again going forward.

DELG · Post by **DELG** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:52 pm

I think it's a good question. Just not at OCI.

rad lulz · Post by **rad lulz** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:54 pm

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:28 pm

judgefudge wrote:I just read an article about questions you should ask at an interview.
One of them struck me as kind of odd, but potentially helpful and I was wondering what y'all thought about it.

The question was: "Do you have any hesitations abut my qualifications?"

On one hand, that is a weird question to ask and the interviewer might be put off by it. On the other hand, it could show that you're comfortable talking about your vulnerabilities, and could give you a chance to explain any issues with your grades/resume/choice of extracurriculars that the interviewer doesn't bring up.

I tried this out during a fair. All interviewers said they appreciated the question (whether they did or not is another question). FWIW, 4 screeners, 1 CB, 1 offer from the fair.

Jchance · Post by **Jchance** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:32 pm

When in doubt, don't do it.

skw · Post by **skw** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:38 pm

Fine in a callback. Odd in a screener -- don't think they will know whether they have doubts or not in 15 minutes. In screeners you are better served by intensively researching the firm and commenting/asking Qs which show you have done the research.

banjo · Post by **banjo** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:58 pm

I've never had to ask. I can usually tell what their concerns are by their questions / expressions.

Pokemon · Post by **Pokemon** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 10:05 pm

Not sure how this question can be good. If they have some hesitation, they probably would not want to tell you. It puts them in a weird spot. You are finding a soft way of asking them: is there something you do not like about me.

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