Rising to the Challenge: Answers to Job Seekers' Toughest Questions

By Lisa Chang, President, CTHRA; SVP of Human Resources, Turner Broadcasting Inc. -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/22/2010 12:00:00 AM

Seeking and landing the right job is rarely a piece of cake. In today's ultra-competitive labor market, the challenges for career seekers loom larger than ever. No one knows that better than human resources professionals who work with job seekers day in and day out. I've asked some of my CTHRA colleagues to offer their expert insight into some of the questions we hear most often.


If your break in service was 12 months or less, simply say that you took some time off to deal with personal matters. If the period was longer, assure potential employers that you have stayed active and up to date in your field, whether it was through consulting, volunteer work or attending conferences and seminars. Don't try to hide the time gap. Instead devise a strategy to address the issue. Ask friends to play the role of interviewer, and give you their honest reactions to your responses.

I was let go from my last job. How should I talk about that in an interview?

Carefully and in the most positive manner possible! How you handle this delicate question will speak volumes about your integrity, professionalism and ability to field tough questions under pressure.

If the event happened many years ago, you can probably avoid the issue until you know whether or not you are a serious candidate for the job. But if you were terminated for cause and it happened recently, it's far better to disclose the fact up front rather than have it appear during employment verification or reference checks (as it very likely will be). Contrary to a widely held misconception, there is no law that limits the information employers can release; any restraints are simply matters of company policy. Your best strategy: Call your former employer and ask politely what information they will be releasing to prospective employers, then craft your interview answers accordingly.

I have heard that many companies do a background check on potential hires, including a credit report. I have a bad credit rating. Should I mention this during the interview?

No. You don't need to mention your credit rating or any other personal information unless you are asked to do so, and you may not be. Generally, poor credit is likely to pose problems only if you are looking for a job in the financial services sector or in another field where you would handle large amounts of money. In that case, you might want to consider a career change, as your record will be a serious impediment. If the question does arise, offer a brief explanation for your predicament (perhaps a divorce or a medical emergency). Don't dwell on the negative report, but rather on what you are doing to correct it in a responsible manner.

I'm almost 60. How can I sell myself in a world in which most of the workforce seems to be half my age?

Leverage your background for all it's worth! You have a treasure trove of knowledge and experience that candidates from younger generations can't offer. While it is important to translate that history to modern-day business practices, you don't need to be a high-tech whiz. There are still plenty of jobs that don't demand sophisticated computer knowledge. Analyze your skills and abilities, find out what companies or industries could use them, and target those opportunities.

What's the best way to respond to a request for salary requirements?

If you're asked about your salary requirements during an interview, start by asking what the salary range is for the position. This knowledge will allow you to frame your response accordingly and avoid asking for less than the company budgeted for the position. Also, take care to pay attention to what was asked of you, as salary and total compensation are different.

When you give your reply, strive to show you're flexible. Consider framing your response in this manner, "Not including benefits and incentives, I've previously earned between X and Y. Of course, I'm more than willing to look at the compensation package as a whole when considering a job offer."

How should I respond when I'm told that I'm "over-qualified" for a job I want?

The employer's real concern is that you might be too expensive. Address compensation issues up front, and spell out the reasons you were attracted to this "lower level" position. For instance, perhaps you thrive on building new processes or hands-on selling, and this job provides that opportunity where managerial roles do not.

I thought the interview process went really well, so I was truly surprised when the recruiter called to tell me that I wasn't the best match.  Was I that out of touch with how things went?

Use the experience as a learning opportunity. Ask the employer why you were not chosen and what you might have done differently to produce better results. Pose specific questions that can help improve your interviewing techniques, your resume or your follow-up delivery, thereby giving you a competitive edge in future interviews.

Due to the sheer volume of people looking for work, the competition for jobs is staggering. How can I make myself stand out from the crowd?

Network, network, network! Make a target list of companies you'd like to work for and make contact with people who know the senior-level decision makers. Set up informational interviews. Seek help from family members, colleagues, friends, or friends of friends who can get your resume to the top of the stack.

I've been looking for a job for 16 months, getting one rejection after another. How can I cope with the resulting anger, stress and depression?

First, recognize that anger, stress, depression and fear are internal emotions that you have the ability to control. Harness the energy those feelings generate and put it to work in positive ways such as finding part-time or temp work, volunteering, and filling up your calendar with networking events. Do you see a theme here? You'll feel better if you get out of the house and engage with other people! Plus, you may learn new skills and make connections that can help you cultivate job leads.

Collaborating with other job seekers is also a great idea. Not only does it help to hear how others are coping with the stress, you can share job leads (an opportunity that wasn't right for one person may be ideal for you), and gain insight into creative career seeker tactics.  Career seeker clubs are available in many cities, and many professional associations have local chapters that offer free or low cost services for career seekers such as roundtable discussions, resume writing workshops and such. Take some time to check out all of the resources available to you locally.

The key is to stay focused on your goals and keep moving forward. No matter how small the steps may be, you'll feel better.


If you're a career seeker with a sticky wicket, ask CTHRA! Your question may be used for a future article in Television Careers. Please send  questions and article ideas to cthra@cthra.com.

Special thanks to the CTHRA board members who shared their expert advice for this article: Karen Bennett, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.; Linda Chambers, Vice President of Corporate Human Resources, Bright House Networks; Lisa Kaye, President & CEO, greenlightjobs; Tomas Matthews, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Time Warner Cable; and Christopher Powell, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Scripps Networks.