How to Answer "What Did You Like Least About Your Last Job?"

Nurse Beth, MSN

Dear How to Answer,

You ask a really good question. Everyone dreads the behavioral type questions that put you on the spot. I'll give you a formula for answering your question and others like it. I call them the "negative" interview questions because they prompt for a negative response. But the last thing you want in an interview situation is to leave the interviewer or interviewers with negative associations about you.

You cannot possibly anticipate every version of a negative question you may be asked in an interview, but you can learn and apply principles for answering negative interview questions that will get you through any question.

Your goal is to turn a negative into a positive.

You do this by framing your answer in a way that ultimately places you in a positive light. For example, in your case, "What is the one thing you least liked in your last job?" you could answer,

Quote

"There were many things I liked about my last job, but there was one thing I didn't love. I worked as a waitress, and when it was really busy, the kitchen would get behind and dinners would be delayed. This would make the customers upset, and they would take it out on me, their waitress.

I learned to anticipate those times and tell my customers ahead of time that it may take a few more minutes than usual to get their meal, but would they like some bread or maybe a free beverage while they waited? If I did this before they became irritated, it would pre-emptively de-escalate the situation. I think sometimes it actually made them feel they were getting special treatment- that was my goal, anyway.

At first, I would be irritated by the kitchen staff for being slow, but the other thing I learned was that the kitchen staff was just as stressed as I was. I realized we were all a team and needed each other to make it work."

By giving this example, you have turned a negative into a positive. More so, you have demonstrated that you are a good team player and understand customer satisfaction. Being a team player and having customer satisfaction skills are both skills that nurses need and employers look for. Note that you never said, "I have great customer skills," (which is not a memorable statement), but instead you gave a memorable example of your great customer skills.

Follow the 70/30 rule.

Segue from the negative to positive as quickly as possible.When talking about a negative, spend only about 30% of your time on the negative. Spend 70% of your time on the positive. In the example above, most of the time is spent on your skills and solutions to the problem, and not the actual problem. Strategically Pick Your Examples

Pick an example that helps show why you are the best candidate for the job. You could have said, "I didn't like the hours or my scheduled shifts at my last job", but this example does not show your problem-solving skills or adaptability. There would be no point.

By contrast, if you said,

"I worked in a dentist's office answering the phone and making appointments. I love to learn and wanted to learn more skills, such as how to do billing or take Xrays", you could go on to elaborate what you did to take advantage of learning opportunities. You will be seen as someone who sets goals and seeks challenges.

Watch the Tone

Even though you have been prompted to answer in the negative, take care with the words you choose. For example, never say, "I hated..." instead say, "It was uncomfortable", "I disliked...". etc. Avoid highly emotive words, and always take the high road. You will sound more professional.

Final Point

Again, you cannot prepare for behavioral questions by memorizing answers. Rather, incorporate the principles. If you are presented with a question you can't answer, for example, "Tell us about a time you had an ethical conflict with a co-worker", you can say. "While I haven't had that exact experience, I have had..." and segue to another example you have prepared to do with conflict. The interviewers will go with it.

Hope these tips help you in your next interview!