10 unsettling questions: 10 adapted answers

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At least once in our lives, we've all had to answer one of those unsettling questions during a job interview. You know, those strange questions that sometimes leave you speechless, that surprise you with their audacity or pragmatism... Their purpose? To test the candidate's reaction and their ability to keep their emotions under control most of the time, or simply to get a concrete answer to a practical question. So don't take this as a sign of bad intentions on the part of the recruiter, who's just trying to get a better idea of your true personality. So, how do you answer questions you don't always expect to be asked in an interview? Here are some appropriate answers.

How do you arrange childcare?

The question is most often asked of female candidates. Indeed, few recruiters ask male candidates with children how they organize childcare... It's a cultural thing, and women have to get used to it! The point is not to start a debate on parity, but to answer the question diplomatically. Be clear and concise and say that this aspect is managed to the extent that you are applying.

Are you planning to have children?

Female candidates are more exposed to these types of questions... although it takes two to have a child. Once again, it's all cultural. The point is not to make a plea for gender equality to your recruiter, but to give him or her confidence. Your recruiter's fear? Seeing you leave shortly after the hiring period on sick leave/maternity leave... Indicate that your personal projects, whatever they may be, will always be compatible with your work.

You're in good health, no worries in particular?

The rate of absenteeism due to illness is very high in companies (17 days on average each year in the private sector). It's this fear that sometimes leads recruiters to ask the question (we're not talking about serious illness here). Don't forget that the recruiter is testing you: it's not so much your answer as your ability to respond calmly that he or she wants to observe. What if you talked about your sporting achievements and shared them with your recruiter? A great way to show you're in shape....

What does your spouse do?

It's a question for the recruiter to see if your work and the involvement it induces is something your spouse conceives of and supports. If your partner works in the same field as you, this will encourage exchanges, since you're in the same field and speak the same language. If you have similar levels of responsibility, this also shows your taste for professional success. Why not bring up your spouse's work, even if it's very different from yours, while trying to establish connections?

Working late doesn't bother you?

You know how decisive your answer will be, and you're also thinking about your children, who are impatiently waiting for you to come home in the evening... A real tug-of-war! It's important to be clear about your commitment to your work and what you're prepared to do, or not do. It also depends on the position you'll hold and the degree of responsibility you'll have. You can say you're not opposed to it and ask how often or so you'd be required to work overtime.

How do you explain the "hole" in your CV...? ?

There's an unexplained period in your CV and your recruiter sees it right away. He's not judging your inactivity, but wants to understand and pinpoint the coherence of your career path. Periods of inactivity always stand out in the end. So, rather than making a "black hole" of it, if you've been inactive, highlight the positive points this period enabled you to achieve before returning to the job market.


What was your last professional failure?

In the question-trap genre, here's another one! Of course it's tricky to talk about your failures, and you'd much rather talk about your successes. Nonetheless, this exercise is instructive and allows the recruiter to know if you've learned from your mistakes. In so doing, the question also allows the recruiter to see if you're capable of questioning yourself and how you ultimately managed to handle the situation/problem. These are all essential professional qualities when leading a work team.

What makes a good manager? Do you think I'm a good manager?

Trick question par excellence! It often comes at the end of an interview. You dread it. Of course you're not going to tell your potential employer that he's a bad manager... Respond by highlighting the skills of your previous good managers : their concern for fairness or their professionalism. And if you're just starting out, cite one or two skills you feel are essential to being a good manager : paying attention to all team members, believing in everyone's potential...

What film/book have you read/seen recently

Your recruiter is looking to pinpoint your curiosity. But alas, it's been a long time since you've been to the movies or opened a book. Even if culture isn't directly related to the position you're applying for (editor, journalist, film-maker...), to avoid looking like an uneducated person, watch a film the day before your interview, just to relax a little and combine culture with pleasure (the latest Almodovar film for example).

If you could do anything else, what would you do?

It's your open-mindedness that the recruiter wants to test by asking you this question, but he's also looking to find out if you really like your job. Once again, you need to strike the right balance in your answer. Avoid saying that you'd like to retrain in the coming months. You can explain which profession(s) you would be interested in firstand why.