How to handle unexpected job interview questions 🫣😳🫠

✨ REMEMBER: its totally okay to say “thats a great question! Hm, I might need a moment to think about that. Can we come back to this?” ✨
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#interviewquestionsandanswers #jobinterviewpreparation #interviewquestions #jobinterviewtips #jobinterviewquestions

[@AdviceWithErin]

Follow me on Instagram 👉 @AdviceWithErin instagram.com/advicewitherin/

[@laurenmawe3678]

I love asking a question like, "tell me about a time when you failed," because we are all going to mess up and its really helpful to hear about how people cope. Also, we really wanted to foster candor and accountability in our team culture. I actually think it's funny that it's not more normal to ask a question like that. This is a great model for responding!

[@dancingdan1994]

your content is not helpful and not one bit funny.

[@beachdays561]

S - silence T - terrified expression A - accelerate breathing R - release gas

[@kaisla_onerva]

IM DEAD😂

[@ritynivedha9572]

Release what 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Jha9124]

😂

[@starcandyx]

LMFAO

[@Spiritual.Warrior.777]

💨

[@7kortos7]

how am i supposed to come up with a lie like that on the spot!

[@andreahardin7521]

Exactly!!

[@colbymckay3455]

You should have experienced this in a past confrontation if you worked retail. Not uncommon

[@rayengstrom1905]

Right? As some who worked many retail jobs, I've never known and cashiers who have the authority to offer free products to placate customers

[@tripulet]

I've heard some people have created lies around scenarios like this using the STAR method and rehearsed them just so they can pull them out in interviews

[@zakiyareignshinellc4299]

You can if you're witty enough.

[@WellLairyDrift]

I know this is not the point of your vid but I hate that the default strategy in customer service is to reward bad behaviour. Working retail is hard enough without adding a hole customers.

[@geekchick4859]

And they probs got EXACTLY what they wanted and were repeat offenders.

[@shaunclarke04]

All you’re doing is showing you don’t care what they have to say. It’s not really rewarding them. They KNOW it’s just a compromise to make them fuck off, but they still accept it because they know you’ll kick their arse if they don’t

[@bodyhairpositive9485]

True but if you're working in a bakery with a line of other customers, and no security, it really is the best thing to do to de-escalate the situation. Plus the other customers would get uncomfortable standing there listening to an argument or watching someone get dragged out by security

[@Nol.]

@@shaunclarke04but, they’re also being told that if they complain, they’ll be able to get more free stuff, or discounts, or whatever.

[@ella_cinder4361]

​@@shaunclarke04no...I believe that is rewarding bad behavior. I've been in retail 35+ years

[@InfoLunix]

STAR = Situation, Task, Action, Result.

[@Gamatech123]

I loathe with a *searing* passion that so many companies would rather bend over and encourage disrespect from customers by yielding like that....

[@pheonixriver]

As do I And its workers take the brunt of the assault and are thoroughly disrespected.

[@richb1576]

Unexpected interview question. I distract them with a cookie. Cookies always work

[@bartsanders1553]

H - Have snacks to share I - Insist they try some R - Reject their polite declination E - Eradicate any resistance D - Drive the snacks down their throat

[@melissalayton213]

I was asked how I would respond to two of my colleagues having an argument. Still not sure exactly how to answer that the best way.

[@melissalayton213]

@@dansbaby5669 I misheard at first, and thought the question was regarding how I would handle a disagreement with a colleague to which I responded with the usual, communication to understand all perspectives then find a solution etc. Then when they corrected me, I was a little surprised and I believe I said that if the disagreement was impacting the sensitive work being performed (the job was for an assistant role in a medical laboratory) that I could ask them to continue their discussion or resolve their issue outside the lab. In hindsight maybe I should have said contact a manager - I don't always like this answer as I feel it can imply you can't problem solve and run to the manager at every inconvenience. I still don't know what they expect the lab assistant to do in that situation. Spoiler alert - I didn't get the job.

[@lilymulligan8180]

I think I would have to answer with another question: "is this a common situation in this company that I need to be prepared for...?" I feel like that question is a big enough red flag for me as a potential employee that I start caring less about the impression *I'm* making and more about the impression *they're* making.

[@PatrikKron]

@@lilymulligan8180I agree. It seams more like a red flag, maybe even a warning from the recruter than an actuall question.

[@melissalayton213]

Update: I was accepted for another lab position! And no questions about fighting colleagues was asked in the interview.

[@zettt6001]

@@melissalayton213congratulations!

[@wordwoman9900]

My entire job is just deescalating all day long (I work in a pharmacy, people get heated) to the point where I couldn't isolate a single incident to describe, much less one that really showcases my skills at dealing with difficult patients. I ended up fumbling and finally managed to pull out the most recent possible incident, which was minor and didn't really allow me to showcase my skillset all that well, I don't think. And THIS is why we prepare.

[@vminhope3040]

I got many jobs with many experience that I can’t recall just one

[@unknown-lq1wu]

“How to answer unexpected questions” Proceeds to simply answer the question 🤣

[@Neila1301]

This sounds like such a smart and confident solution but in most of such jobs, giving a free item to a customer without your manger knowing would get you in even more trouble and wouldn’t make a good impression during a job interview. Well, at least in Europe maybe…

[@jsjsjsjjdkbbddd]

But she said it was company policy?

[@noiz1762]

@@jsjsjsjjdkbbddd far as I know, even if it’s policy it still has to be approved by management in most cases similar to this.

[@vminhope3040]

My manager would always tell me to handle the customer on my own so I simply said “manager said no”

[@arnulfovasquez7583]

In that case, the manager should have empowered the associate.

[@_unknowingly.jinx_]

this is why im my own boss 😂

[@ivanexell-uz4mv]

Hire me, I need the money and the latest games. That’s why I have great honesty. I’m perfect 😂

[@lailarose1]

Ok but what do you do if you’ve never had an experience like what they’re asking?

[@MADSCRYBE]

you just lie lmfao

[@GraceCreatesLivingSpace]

Come up with a hypothetical and answer how you would handle it. For example, “I’ve never really had a disagreement with a supervisor, but I imagine if I ever did it would probably be due to some kind of miscommunication. I would set time aside to meet with them individually and clarify what was expected of me and how I interpreted the instructions so that in the future I would understand more clearly what the intentions behind their instructions were and we could avoid any mistakes or unnecessary disagreements”

[@malachicarter712]

​@@GraceCreatesLivingSpacestealing this, thanks.

[@jonttopia]

This isn't really how to answer unexpected questions in the moment, this is more how to prepare answers for expected questions

[@nefertitimontoya]

Add an extra R for relevance to bring it home

[@ladymire]

I once had a job interview that ONLY asked these types of questions, the “tell me about a time…” I felt like an absolute idiot because I stumbled and failed to answer almost all of them effectively. I didn’t get the job. Looking back now, it’s likely that employer probably hated me and did that on purpose because my mom used to work there, and she left on bad terms with them.

[@miaboomansionz8591]

Can you do “what is your greatest superpower at work” I was like ummmmmmmm that’s a great question 😭😂

[@karens6888]

It’s another way of asking what are your strengths at work

[@alayrabail]

Love the STAR solution Just felt the need to point out that none of these questions are Unexpected 😂😂 Every single interview, regardless of field, will ask questions about your problem-solving, de-escalation skills or how you act under pressure/stress

[@seanhennessy6667]

I usually walk out because those bosses end up being toxic

[@greeting68]

how are they toxic??

[@dammar117]

If they ask you how you handle conflict, chances are conflict is a common occurrence, hence part of the organization's fabric.

[@kenz468]

What if it's my first job, so I don't have any experience?

[@lunanight5366]

Answer that honestly. Maybe pull from home life with relatives or friend in difficult situations. You could also ask a question back to give you an example of a common scenario and then answer how you would handle it.

[@anubisgodess2353]

It's fair to use your personal life experience as well of course be honest that you don't have is the work experience but situations from your life can also count. Also there's no shame in asking them for an example scenario that way you can give an example of how you would handle the situation to the best of your abilities if your employer sees that you're willing to try and communicate that's a better effort than right saying you don't have any experience.

[@victorianvs9515]

Or you could just answer by saying what you would do in this situation.

[@ladymire]

You could use examples from when you were in school or college, if you’d been. For example, questions about teamwork and collaboration can be answered by drawing from experience with group projects.

[@vminhope3040]

Me: “customer demanded to speak to the manager so I said “Hold on let me go get her and came back introducing myself as the manager” 😂

[@kimchi8022]

This is one of your best videos, erin! I’m going to memorize this word for word but make it relatable to my job! Thank you!

[@thex4716]

“Without causing a scene” but there still was a scene

[@lauraconejo8010]

I think the cupon was cheaper than the bakery treat lol

[@schulteq]

I got asked such a simple question at a job interview literally today, they asked how my friends would describe me and I didn’t know how to respond because I’m typically the asshole of the group lol. I just took a sip of my water and said I’m a type A personality cause that’s also true

[@aqua3890]

What to do if you actually don't have an example to a question?

[@AncientHope]

See, I think I do pretty well acknowledging my failures while still putting myself in a positive light. But trying to deal with the conflict in the moment? Ehh… I’m getting better.

[@i_nvade8098]

It seems like in business customer is upset and in the end gets what they want anyway by leaving a bad review because they didn't read the company policy. Then they expect to be rewarded for it in some way. This is the problem Amazon started.

[@mikealaskelton7679]

I was asked in an interview recently what my resources for news were. Could you make a video about that question?

[@dominiedomi3309]

As a hiring manager - great answer, Id would hire you:)

[@vminhope3040]

It’s all about being organized and having something to say because I had the worst time from nerves

[@annieboookhall]

Friendly reminder of you don't have any sotuation like this, you can *make it up*. The interviewer will not know! I do it all the time

[@christinascorner4879]

This had to be Panera 😂

[@vocalsunleashed]

But it costs the company money so why would they accept that as a solution? I would've told the customer to leave as they are throwing a tantrum over their own mistake of not using the coupon before it expired

[@Adri_Phx]

A free item vs using a discount. Customers are not always right. We should be able to say no and fight those reviews

[@Ana.Rosa-Eu]

Thank you so much!💝

[@NEON_ENTERTAINMENT615]

Whenever you raise your right hand your left hand disappears 😲

[@andrejka_talking_out_loud]

seriously ... job seekers need to search out a decent employer of which there are few.. and make sure they actually really are looking for an employee rather than just going through the motions and the job is going to someone's in law...

[@faisalmehmood5375]

Can't I just lie about these things? These are liberal checkbox questions right? "Tell me about a time you lead a project". Ok, I led a project to obtain and utilise resources and sustenance for individuals of a product team to retain their abilities to function within the production environment. Translation: we went out for lunch.

[@melissalayton213]

I love it.

[@SongofaBeach2012]

Studies show that Employers lie 33% of the time during interviews so if it's good for the gander it's good for the goose as they say. Eff it

[@ella_cinder4361]

It was a great explanation but not all retail establishments are bakeries, and most retail establishments don't reward bad behavior!!

[@ulrichg.3424]

OK, BUT what if I had never a job in a Bakery before...?! And is it not annoying, if I answer every difficult question with the same answer...?!

[@tonood1240]

Hi from mexico. Great video

[@Mantadude]

First ..work in a bakery Second resign and then interview

[@Deb_BG]

Baloney. The next customer would say, "Well what do I get for free?!"

[@KronicDaydreamZ]

We are not applying to be a cashier lmao

[@kc4ril]

This is a hack for all doze peeps who just wanted somefin free from da bakeryz and pretended to care about the cupon in order to get there!!!

[@josemarquez86]

Is it terrifying?🤔

[@Jay13273]

and the next question the interviewer will ask is so do you think all customers are correct and What will u say then this answer was incorrect the one in the video, what she did was basically say that she gave away something for free without the consent of the company and the company lost business no one wants to hire someone like this.

[@Cosmic-Sage]

Lmao

[@Feylx]

bro answer from chatgpt

[@adigicocs8855]

Yup I'm lying

[@BluejaySpectre]

Always just get the manager. Don’t try and resolve the issue, just get the manager.

[@koverr1926]

this

[@Sonicxis4ever]

I hate this question

[@icegamer8973]

So lie?

[@HallIsBetter]

This doesn't help with anything what

[@Striking_]

Too much, forced

[@valeriegonyora6880]

you are bad

[@asoldierssuicide]

So you showed the woman it's OK to abuse workers and yell at them bc she gets a treat afterwards. That's positive reinforcement, and the company will lose more money on her and people like her in the future. In Germany you'd be declared a pushover, scared of truly handling conflict, not suitable for responsible contact with customers -means you'd never get a job where you had to decide strategies by yourself, you'll never be a manager...

[@Hello-hello-hello456]

Yeah it’s company policy you’d be forced to follow sadly

[@zolove_]

Another way to answer thid question if you cant think if a story to tell at all you can say something like "While i cant think of a spesific instance i know i would respond *in this way* if that situation came up"

[@24Sweetface24]

This is the kind of answer I thought she was going to give. Great answer!

[@julieherrera7466]

Yes bc it is hard to recall an specific situation . Ty

[@Firegen1]

Good STAR. You can take four life experiences in work and make about 16 scenarios. It should be the only way to answer interview questions but people aren't taught it. Thanks for your good work

[@Old.Fashioned.Lover.]

Let me tell you MY example please, folks, watch out I was going to get a job as a janitor at a school and I was asked these weird and for obvious reasons inappropriate questions. Well, you know what I did? I said "enough" really loudly and I got up from the chair, I kicked it back so that it even touched the table, then I pretended to trip in order to scare those sitting in the office, and after that I left. Yes, I did it. Should I say that I slammed the door loudly? That's how I did it. You must be laughing or judging or just thinking I'm an idiot. But no, I’m just tired of getting a job with a minimum wage and shity attitude and having to completely waste myself emotionally and satisfy other damn people’s interests that do not concern my work, which I haven’t even fckin started yet.

[@jordanbauerly8843]

And now that person has had the "make a scene and get free shit" farther ingrained. Gotta love those policies.

[@Arginne]

How do you feel ab the texture of these sponges?

[@cjanquart]

Here's a kicker: how can they verify these situations? Do they contact your previous employers to verify? Kinda hard if the places are no longer in business.

[@ladymire]

I once bullshitted my entire way through an interview by lying about situations I’d been through. Afterwards, I was so scared they’d call my previous employers and verify the info. I don’t think they do though tbh.

[@SmilyLily1996]

I was once asked if I had a difficult relationship with my boss because the job performance letter I got was like one little word shy of perfect. I don't remember exactly how I answered, but I think I said that that was indeed a point of conflict, because I missed constructive criticism during my time there(I was a trainee, so expected to still be learning) that would help me learn, which was basically the truth. In my experience, you don't have to say everything was perfect at your previous job, but you also shouldn't just complain. Pick out some things to say that didn't go well and explain why those things are important to you. So me, generally feedback of both positive nature and constructive criticism is important. Only praise doesn't help as no one is perfect. Only criticism and you start having self doubt. At my latest interview, that landed me my current job, I was told with a slight chuckle, that I answered the questions quite well. I didn't complain about my then current job, but they still got the idea that there were a lot of problems. Basic advice overall. Be honest, without being negative, meaning that you don't put yourself or previous employers down.

[@zolmation]

When I was a teller at a credit union we had someone who did not qualify for membership come in and ask to become a member. Since they did not qualify I had to unfortunately turn them down and simply explained how our charter restricted us. They were upset but not rude or anything about it. They then called the place and accused me of discrimination and rude behavior. Thankfully my boss was like "absolutely not." and believed me when I explained what happened. I was relatively new too but they still new by then that what I was accused of did not sound like my behavior at all.

[@LB-uo7xy]

Basically when your employer asks you unfair outdated questions that somehow stuck since the 1910s. And even back then people had to lie and invent stuff.

[@misstbikini]

S situation T task A action R result this is actually pretty good

[@itsjustkala]

OK but what happens if you don't have any experience and can't answer the question because you've never had a job before

[@aleynamutlu4206]

Is there a book for all these corporate interviews schnenigans and hypocrite language ?

[@James-ws9ze]

Customer: I wanted to use this coupon on this TV Cashier: Nope. Here's a loaf of bread instead.

[@KaylinCline]

I just had an interviewer ask me "so what about this role do you think youll struggle with?" Like what?? If i thought i was gonna struggle, i wouldnt have applied!

[@josueperalta321]

I’m watching too late but still got the job haha

[@Anxiousbug]

Are these kinds of questions asked if it is your first job? If they do, do they expect answers from your like time in school? What do I do if I was homeschooled and didn't have any group projects and stuff like that?

[@raffa4456]

Jesus I sometimes have the ability to so this perfectly and sometimes i really don't 😅 Having ADHD and probably autism really isn't ✨it✨ You either have a good day and then it's brilliant or you really don't 💀

[@guardianoftexas5188]

I had this question today. It caught me off guard I never dealt with difficult customers but I dealt with difficult co workers. I worked in a warehouse had only one co worker that made my job a little harder but I asked why he was and what not, he got angry and I try to deescalate the situation but since I couldn’t, I went up the chain of command and got my director involved, him, and I and the co worker came to an agreement (Forgot what it was but it turned out to work for both of us.)

[@sway1623]

1. Situation 2. Action 3. Result

[@rohanborate4796]

The fact that you have to offer an entitled customer who’s throwing a temper tantrum a free item is just crazy

[@pablitocodes]

Ma'am, This is an l3 engineer role.

[@Chr1st_has_risen]

Is it true that smaller men are going extinct?¿

[@Lan_ny]

This sounds like a Publix situation 🤣

[@dagruddicker22]

where is the slow button????

[@cassie.minimalist]

So what's the template😂

[@franklinaraujo153]

Is her hand green

[@ingridmancera3205]

🎉😢😮😮😅😊😂❤

[@dustintunis9347]

... No you can't use an expired coupon, but I'll give you free stuff... That'll teach her.

[@astatine0085]

Instead of training monkeys to keep the zoo running for the owners’ profit, open caged minds to work for themselves and build their own businesses.

[@JonnyRoboto]

what a great way to run a business by losing money

[@sandramj1812]

I can say all that..... just not that organised 😂

[@jigishapatel395]

How to talk about raise in current organization?

[@Jackieyeet1]

I always hate these kind of questions

[@MosaidDeath]

Does it matter if i was never a cashier ?

[@chad100k8]

Now i know how to get it free 😂😂 jk jk

[@jkmayya123]

0:00

[@StamperWendy]

I love your answers, Erin! ❤

[@remigio298]

You are a genius ❤❤

[@tutyketdoll]

I was asked how could I handle working with mainly men..

[@melissalayton213]

Yikes

[@jenanderson2280]

STAR RoCKS!

[@DevonaRavenhold]

As a recruiter you do not know how badly I wish that people could just follow the direction and answer the question with an example such as your own. You were doing marvelous things, thank you!