Page 160 - 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, Second Edition

DEFENSIVE QUESTIONS

10-20
What are the most common reasons that people leave this company?
Why do people stay?
This is a softer, less in-your-face variation of Professor John Sul-
livan’s memorable question, “When top performers leave this com-
pany, why do they leave and where do they usually go?” The goal is
the same: to uncover reasons why presumably talented employees
tend not to work out.

? Memorably Good Question
#10

What is the worst mistake I could make?

I asked this question of the president of a commercial real
estate management company, and in so doing, I got the job.
First, the boss had never heard it before. Second, it led him
to give advice that he might not have thought of before. He
recounted a story about a tenant in one of the company’s
high-rise office buildings. The tenant had a five-year lease
and the lease was coming up for renewal. By terms of the
lease, if the tenant did not notify the company of its intentions,
the lease would automatically be renewed for another five
years at current market rates. So the answer to my question
was, “Reminding a tenant when its lease is about to expire.”
Ruthless, I’m sure, but for the real estate firm, not doing so
could mean a huge financial victory.

Dr. Marlene Caroselli
Author and Trainer in Communication

and Leadership Growth
Center for Professional Development
Pittsford, NY

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