How to Answer Interview Questions about Your Personality

How Will You Fit In?

You've secured an interview and are prepared for the technical questions. What about your personality? More employers are asking questions to learn about how you work in a team setting, deal with conflict, and express emotions on the job. If you are invited for the second interview, be prepared to answer tough personality questions and possibly meet future coworkers.

Instructions

1. KNOW WHO IS INTERVIEWING YOU
   If possible, do more than review the company website prior to the interview. Find out what the office environment is like. Talk to the person hiring before the interview, and get a sense of their personality. Think about how you will fit in.

2. YOUR HOBBIES AND PERSONAL INTERESTS
   Use your personal experiences to show how you deal with stress. If asked "Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight, and how did you handle it?", recall a situation when you were part of a sports team or community volunteer organization. Then tie your answer to how you would respond at work.

3. BE HONEST
   If asked, "What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?", don't say nothing bothers you. Everyone has an emotional trigger, and it is good to be honest. Explain how you control your own emotions and keep the office environment professional.

4. ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS
   Don't always wait until the end of the interview to ask the employer questions. Use the personality questions as a way to discuss the work environment. Have there been any recent staff reorganizations? Do some of the company's vendors or customers have strong personalities? Be tactful, not probing.

5. KNOW THE BUSINESS
   How do people conduct daily business? Is appearance and fashion important? Are customer interactions formal or informal? Consider your personality ahead of the interview and be prepared to tell the employer how you will make a great fit.

Tips & Warnings

• Be honest

• Relate experiences outside work

• Relaxed approach

• Show your style

• Be tactful when asking about the company's work environment

• Show emotions, but don't raise your voice or get agitated

Resources

• The 250 Job Interview Questions You'll Most Likely be Asked
• The Second Interview
• Getting Your Personality Across
• Women's Skirtsuit
• Men's Charcoal Grey Suit