Tough Interview Questions: What Kind of Environment Would You Like Best?
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
I start with a standard US answer to a question like this and then point out two variations.
00:00 Introduction
00:34: The Classic Answer (in the US)
01:20 The answer for sales professionals
01:46 For leadership positions
02:18 Summary
02:45 Outro
How To Spot A Toxic Workplace (Part 1)
Hi. I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, and people hire me for no BS career advice.
I want to offer one of those classic interview questions–‘What kind of environment do you like best’ as the subject for today? And there’s a classic answer, but there have to be variations based upon the culture of an organization, the culture of the position, and such, your level of seniority. And let me give you an example.
What kind of environment do you like best? The classic answer translates into, ‘I prefer working in an environment– it’s collaborative, supportive, and fosters a sense of teamwork. One where there’s open communication as well as a positive and respectful culture. I like diverse and inclusive environments and appreciate opportunities for growth and development. Overall, I thrive in environments that are positive, productive and empowering. Yet we’re all accountable for our performance. Nice answer, pretty predictable. Nothing special about that.
But imagine you work in sales, would that answer work? No. I want an environment where I have the tools and resources to go out and put points on the board. Where, at times, I’m going to need to come to you for advice and you’re available to me. But overall, I have tools and resources to be able to go out and put points on the board. That’s a more appropriate answer for sales.
For leadership, I want an environment where I participated in setting the direction for my group, for my organization, where I have buy-in from my people. I select my people who I believe would be ideal for me to achieve my goals. Where from a leadership perspective, we have a pretty clear direction of where we’re going and over the course of a period of time, but I understand at the same time, I have to be flexible and adaptable, because change is a part of the role.
See, depending upon the nature of the position, you have to adapt your answer. So what kind of environment do you like best? Or what would you like best? And again, those are three examples. I hope you found them helpful. Again, think of the role that you’re in the one that you’re looking for, and adapt that first, second or third answer as fits.
Visit my website, TheBigGameHunter.us There’s a ton in the blog that can help you. Plus, if you’re interested in interview coaching, you can schedule time for a session with me. I’d love to help. Also, there’s info about my courses, books, and guides. Again, a lot at the website that’ll help you. Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter. Have a terrific day and be great!
How To Spot A Toxic Workplace (Part 2)
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS Career Advice globally. That can involve job search, hiring staff, management, leadership, career transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2500 episodes.
I do a livestream on LinkedIn, and YouTube (on the JobSearchTV.com account) Tuesdays and Fridays at 1 PM Eastern. You can send your questions about job search, hiring better, management, leadership or to get advice about a workplace issue to me via messaging on LinkedIn or in chat during the approximately 30-minute show.
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