How to Answer Awkward Interview Questions Without Dodging Them

23 September is Dogs in Politics Day and I’d happily vote for someone whose entire agenda involves more walks and fewer meetings

My dog would gratefully accept bribes in cheese and then sleep through most of parliament so she’s already qualified

But please leave the political performances out of your next interview because a hiring manager can ask you a perfectly fair question and you can spend two minutes saying everything except answering the question

They ask ‘Who disagreed with your plan and why?’

You tell them how much you value teamwork and how you always build people up and how communication sits at the heart of everything you do which is a lovely speech but we’re still waiting to hear who disagreed with you

After twenty years of working with other people you’ve probably met at least one person who thought your brilliant idea was utter crap

The interviewer wants to hear what you did when that happened

Try something like this;

‘Our operations manager challenged my rollout because I’d scheduled training during their busiest week

I’d focused on the deadline and missed what that meant for her team

We moved the training into shorter sessions before the peak period and kept the launch date without leaving her short of people’

Now you’ve shown me you can hear a fair challenge and change your plan without making everybody sit through your self-centred speech about your magnificent leadership values

Before your next interview give a friend or partner or someone who is helping you one of your practice answers and ask them to question it

Why did you choose that approach?

Who pushed back?

What did you miss?

Then practise answering that follow-up and then just stop talking instead of reaching for another achievement you’d rather ramble on about

In our coaching I’ll keep asking about the part you’ve hurried past because that’s often where you need the most practice

You get to work through the awkward bit with someone who’s made hiring decisions and can help you hear when you’re over explaining yourself and when you’re dodging the question

Your dog can hear you ask ‘Who took the sandwich?’ and suddenly become deeply interested in something happening three streets away

The crumbs on her face haven’t gone anywhere and neither has your question

That’s your Dog Code lesson for today

Notice when you want to dodge the awkward bit and stay with it long enough to give an honest answer

You’ll give the interviewer far more reason to trust you than another speech about how wonderful you are

Your life is not a dress rehearsal so live like someone left the gate open

Explain your experience with confidence


The Dog Code gives you practical ways to stay calm, listen closely and explain your value when the questions get difficult


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