TRAPS: Believe it or not, this is a killer question because so many candidates are unprepared for it. If you stammer or adlib you’ve blown it.

BEST ANSWER: By now you can see how critical it is to apply the overall strategy of uncovering the employer’s needs before you answer questions. If you know the employer’s greatest needs and desires, this question will give you a big leg up over other candidates because you will give him better reasons for hiring you than anyone else is likely to…reasons tied directly to his needs.

Whether your interviewer asks you this question explicitly or not, this is the most important question of your interview because he must answer this question favorably in is own mind before you will be hired. So help him out! Walk through each of the position’s requirements as you understand them, and follow each with a reason why you meet that requirement so well.

Example: “As I understand your needs, you are first and foremost looking for someone who can manage the sales and marketing of your book publishing division. As you’ve said you need someone with a strong background in trade book sales. This is where

I’ve spent almost my entire career, so I’ve chalked up 18 years of experience exactly in this area. I believe that I know the right contacts, methods, principles, and successful management techniques as well as any person can in our industry.”

“You also need someone who can expand your book distribution channels. In my prior post, my innovative promotional ideas doubled, then tripled, the number of outlets selling our books. I’m confident I can do the same for you.”

“You need someone to give a new shot in the arm to your mail order sales, someone who knows how to sell in space and direct mail media. Here, too, I believe I have exactly the experience you need. In the last five years, I’ve increased our mail order book sales from $600,000 to $2,800,000, and now we’re the country’s second leading marketer of scientific and medical books by mail.” Etc., etc., etc.,

Every one of these selling “couplets” (his need matched by your qualifications) is a touchdown that runs up your score. IT is your best opportunity to outsell your competition.

TRAPS: There are some questions your interviewer has no business asking, and this is one. But while you may feel like answering, “none of your business,” naturally you can’t. Some interviewers ask this question on the chance you admit to something, but if not, at least they’ll see how you think on your feet. Some unprepared candidates, flustered by this question, unburden themselves of guilt from their personal life or career, perhaps expressing regrets regarding a parent, spouse, child, etc. All such answers can be disastrous. 

BEST ANSWER: As with faults and weaknesses, never confess regret. But don’t seem as if you’re stonewalling either. Best strategy: Say you harbor no regrets, then add a principle or habit you practice regularly for healthy human relations. 

Example: Pause for reflection, as if the question never occurred to you. Then say, “You know, I really can’t think of anything.” (Pause again, and then add): “I would add that as a general management principle, I’ve found that the best way to avoid regrets is to avoid causing them in the first place. I practice one habit that helps me a great deal in this regard. At the end of each day, I mentally review the day’s events and conversations to take a second look at the people and developments I’m involved with and do a double-check of what they’re likely to be feeling. Sometimes I’ll see things that do need more follow-up, whether a pat on the back, or maybe a five minute chat in someone’s office to make sure we’re clear on things…whatever.” “I also like to make each person feel like a member of an elite team, like the Boston Celtics or LA Lakers in their prime. I’ve found that if you let each team member know you expect excellence in their performance…if you work hard to set an example yourself…and if you let people know you appreciate and respect their feelings, you wind up with a highly motivated group, a team that’s having fun at work because they’re striving for excellence rather than brooding over slights or regrets.” 

Jane kyo legit ho tum ek ajnabhi ki terhe,

Jab bhi jata hu dar per tere,

Pata hu kude ko ek anbuj pehali ki terh,

Jab dekhta hu kuch dur se,

Tho yad ati hai kuch hasi palo ki parchiye,

Or jab ata hu najdik tho milti hai bus tanhaiya hi tanhaiya,

Apne hi ne keha ap humere legte kon hai,

Tho sach puchiye ese bate per,

Tho ho jate sab riste hi mone hai

Jab kuch legta hi na tha to apna batya hi kyo,

Or sab ke samne mera hath tham ker apna banya hi kyo,

Samja main nehi ati yeh adaye tumri…

Ki pehlu main ser chupaker rote bhi tumi ho

Or dewa ke name per jehare deta bhi tumhi ho….

Abe tho tute gaye sam najare ek khyab ki terhe

Jal reha hu main aje bhi chita ki age ki terehe,

Utha hai dard sine main ese bate ka ki

Dost ke pyar ko pyar na saja,

Samja bethe jese sapna ho ek biti rate ka.

EK khushi na mili zamane se gum hazaar milee,
EK khushi na mili zamane se gum hazaar milee,
Gum na tha humko, til bhar bhi is baat ka,
Par Dil-E-Gumgin unki ek berukhi se ho gaya.