By Kirstie McDermott
What's the worst thing you've ever been asked in a job interview? It might be the dreaded, "tell me about your weaknesses" question.
This one stinks because it's really hard to give a genuine answer. Saying that you're a perfectionist sounds a lot like a humblebrag, even if you can take longer to complete tasks as a result.
But if you admit that you've really no idea how to use Excel and have to Google every time you need to create a formula, well, you're not getting the job.
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Another question that can make your heart sink to your stomach is "where do you see yourself in five years?" Not here, is the most likely answer, thanks to contemporary career trajectories. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, around 30% of the total workforce now changes jobs every 12 months.
And another question that's hard to answer is "how do you define success?"
Telling your interviewer that your measure of career success is getting to the end of the workday with your mental health intact probably won't cut it.
So what is the purpose of this question and how can you best answer it?
If you're asked this query, the hiring manager wants to see how you'll align with the company's values, and they may also be looking for an answer that is a mix around achieving professional goals, delivering value to clients, or adhering to regulatory standards, for example.
Perhaps success to this manager means being able to show that you're effective at teamwork or that you're adaptable in the face of change. In a jobs environment where big U.S. banks cut over 23,300 jobs last year, many financial planning professionals are under more pressure than ever before.
Here's how to cover all the bases with this tricky interview question.
Explain how you align with company values
Start by expressing that success, to you, means achieving goals that are in line with the company's mission and values: this shows your commitment to the organization.
Talk about how you achieve those goals
You can talk through how you define success through the achievement of specific, measurable goals. Make sure to emphasize your ability to set clear objectives and how you'd work diligently towards them.
Mention personal growth and learning
Skills and knowledge development is key in any field of work and if you can highlight that success to you also includes continuous personal growth and learning, you'll show how you intend to be a useful and ever evolving professional.
There's no i in team
Acknowledge the importance of teamwork and collaboration, and talk about how success for you involves working effectively with colleagues to achieve common objectives. Because this is the way to foster a supportive work environment, it's a great thing to mention.
Talk about your own wins
Crediting your team is vital but you should also work in some times that you made a positive impact and had meaningful contributions at work. Share examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Display adaptability and resilience
The last few years have been a tough time both politically and economically for many Americans. It's worth mentioning that to you, success includes adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. Highlight your ability to learn from workplace setbacks, and how you apply those lessons to future endeavors.
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And it is worth noting that this is also a question that you can ask an interviewer. If you get an opportunity towards the end of the interview process to ask questions, this is a great one to use.
The answer can reveal a lot about the organization and how they approach the job. If you're told that success means staying until the job is done, and you're looking for a role with more flexibility, then that could well be a sign this isn't the right job for you.
