AARP Hearing Center
Landing a job often involves an interview, a conversation that can induce anxiety at even the best of times. For older adults, who may not have had a job interview in years or may experience age discrimination in the hiring process, the stakes during an interview might seem especially high.
But with preparation and an understanding of why an employer may ask certain questions, you’ll have a better shot at acing your next interview. Here are some strategies for responding to five common job interview questions you can’t afford to answer wrong:
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1. How do you feel about being laid off from your previous job?
In the past, this question was one way interviewers would probe to figure out whether you had any problems on your previous job. Widespread layoffs during the coronavirus pandemic have softened negative perceptions of job loss, and low unemployment rates have made businesses more willing to consider applicants they otherwise might dismiss.
Still, even though the interviewer may try to be sympathetic, remember that this is a job interview, so put your best foot forward.
“Say that it is never easy when a decision is made for you, but sometimes it is the push you need to take the next step,” says Regina Rear-Connor, founder of Regina Recruits, a consulting firm that helps companies find workers. “Focus on what experience you gained at that last role and talk about what you bring to the table for the future employer.”
2. Would you tell me about yourself?
It may be tempting to treat this question as the usual small talk you might make with someone you just met. But the interviewer, who has to make the big decision on whom to offer the job, is likely to take everything you say very seriously. Be prepared for this common interview question.
Steer clear of personal details about your life or family — especially things that might reveal your age, such as stories about grandkids or references to when you graduated from school. Instead, focus on your work experience and why it’s relevant to the job.