I had a job interview earlier today for a job that I’ve already decided that I want. Having recently read this post, I tried the “what do you see as my strengths” question in the field. I don’t think it went well. It seemed like a very thinly veiled attempt at making them say positive things about me and I suspect the interviewing panel was smart enough to realize this. The result, to my perception, was that I came off as the kind of person who would attempt to deploy cheap petty psychological tricks. Rather than calling me on this, the interviewers played along and said some nice things about me, but I feel like it left a bad impression on them that I asked them to do so in such a transparent way.
I am posting to warn others to consider the possibility of this outcome before deploying this tactic.
UPDATE (7 November 2014) - I was offered the job today. Not sure what effect, if any, this interview tactic had, but I feel like I should at least disclose this result for posterity.
I had a job interview earlier today for a job that I’ve already decided that I want. Having recently read this post, I tried the “what do you see as my strengths” question in the field. I don’t think it went well. It seemed like a very thinly veiled attempt at making them say positive things about me and I suspect the interviewing panel was smart enough to realize this. The result, to my perception, was that I came off as the kind of person who would attempt to deploy cheap petty psychological tricks. Rather than calling me on this, the interviewers played along and said some nice things about me, but I feel like it left a bad impression on them that I asked them to do so in such a transparent way.
I am posting to warn others to consider the possibility of this outcome before deploying this tactic.
UPDATE (7 November 2014) - I was offered the job today. Not sure what effect, if any, this interview tactic had, but I feel like I should at least disclose this result for posterity.