How can I answer those tough questions?

Feel-Good Responses:

Have a prepared list of feel good responses. Those statements you say that make everyone feel good about your company.

"At Microsoft we contribute a whopping $16 million to local enterprises each year."

"Our company is the leader in green computing."

"At our company, we feel that all employees deserve equal benefits."

"We currently give employment to over 50,000 Americans so they can support their families"

Build Bridges:
1. Think about the question and analyze its significance.

"Was your decision to make redundant 5,000 employees just before Christmas purely down to profit?"

2. Repeat the question with a smile (to rubbish it) before responding.

"Was my decision to make redundant 500 employees just before Christmas purely down to profit."

3. build a bridge to your pre-developed feel-good responses by using such phrases as:

"Let me put that into perspective We currently give employment to over 50,000 Americans so they can support their families. The current lay off accounts for a mere 1% of our total employees.. ".

"Let me put that into a different context".

"Let me give you an example".

"Let me ensure I fully understand you".

"Let me clarify for you".

"Let me help you understand"

"What I can tell is that "

When a question is irrelevant or difficult, you can even:

BLOCK AND BRIDGE - don’t answer the question and build a bridge to a point you want to make instead.

Example: “I agree with you that it is an important matter for many people, but to me the most important thing is (+ feel good statement)”

"I see you point but more importantly (+ feel good statement)"

Here are some types of difficult questions.

The false alternative - Identify the root.

Example: "Was your decision based on wrong practice or did you just not know?"

Solution: Ignore the alternatives and focus on - the root of the question and your message. Lead the interviewer rather than allowing him or her to lead you.

"The root of your question is evaluation..."

The hypothetical - Rubbish speculation, focus facts.

Example: "If x happens, what will you do?"

Solution: Avoid speculation. Turn the conversation to a positive point.

"I can't see the future, but looking at the facts… "

The loaded preface - Ignore insult, bridge to feel good statement.

Example: "Your organization has been called arrogant by the local associations. So what are you doing in terms of partnerships?"

Solution: Try to correct the perception and then move on to the positive.

"On the contrary, we..."

The absent party - Deny insult, bridge to feel good statement.

Example: "So-and-so has stated that your organization is behind the times..."

Solution: Don't argue with someone who is not present. Instead of commenting on that specific statement, turn to something else.

"I’m not familiar with that remark, but we… "

The inconsistency - Focus on differing conditions.

Example: "In 1997, you said x; now you're doing x . Why the change?"

Solution: Take an historical perspective.

"The environment was different in 1997 and we… "

The irrelevancy - Highlight irrelevancy, bridge to feel good statement.

Example: "As project manager and always on the road, what are you doing about road safety...?"

Solution: Give a bit of information about transport issues and then bridge to your major issues.

Putting words in your mouth - do not dignify.

Example: Did you mismanage money?

Answer: I have never mismanaged money.

Headline: NGO representative says he never mismanaged money.

Solution: Do not repeat inflammatory words that a reporter might feed to you. Rather, answer in neutral terms.

"That is a question that I will not dignify with an answer.”