How to answer one of the hardest job interview questions

“So ... tell me about yourself.” Although this job interview question seems simple, answering it is anything but. Should you share your life story? Your job history? It’s tempting to turn your LinkedIn page into a monologue, but don’t — the interviewer already has your résumé. Instead, talk about what the company really needs from the role you’re vying for. Before the interview, scrutinize the job description for phrases like “required,” “must have” and “highly desired.” Go to the About Us section of the company’s website and read up on the corporate culture and core values. Then think about how to connect your background and interests to what the company is looking for. Practice your response so that you’re ready when you walk into the interview room. You want to sound like your career has been building to this role and you are the best person to fill it.

(This tip is adapted from “How to Respond to ‘So, Tell Me About Yourself’ in a Job Interview,” by Joel Schwartzberg.)

3 questions to ask before starting an innovation lab

Opening an innovation lab (also known as a business incubator or a research and development hub) can be a good way for your company to develop new products and ideas. But research shows many of these labs don’t deliver on their potential — and the majority fail outright. Before you make such a large investment, ask yourself a few questions. First, what’s the vision for the lab? Unless the incubator has a clear, well-defined goal, measuring success will be difficult. Second, what happens when an idea born in the lab needs to be developed further? Maybe the project will go back into the core business, or get passed on to an accelerator — it doesn’t necessarily matter as long as everyone knows the process. Third, how will you staff the lab? The best R&D hubs have both new talent from outside the company and insiders who know how the firm works. That mix of skills and knowledge will help ideas come to life and keep growing beyond the lab’s walls.

(This tip is adapted from “Why Innovation Labs Fail, and How to Ensure Yours Doesn’t,” by Simone Bhan Ahuja.)

It’s actually helpful to criticise ideas when you’re brainstorming

You’ve probably heard that when you’re brainstorming, criticising others’ ideas will kill creativity and enthusiasm. But the truth is, when done right, criticism can encourage collaboration and help your team get to better ideas. Here’s how. If you see a weakness in something your colleagues have proposed, don’t simply say, “This will never work.” Acknowledge their idea, explain the problem with it and then propose an improvement. Someone else should do the same for your suggestion, and then another colleague should do the same for that person’s idea. Similarly, when you like someone’s ideas, don’t just say, “Great suggestion!” and take it as is. Look for ways to collectively build on the idea and make it even better. This kind of constructive interaction can create a deep cycle of critical feedback that leads to breakthroughs. That’s why you’re brainstorming, after all — to get to great ideas together.

(This tip is adapted from “Why Criticism Is Good for Creativity,” by Roberto Verganti and Don Norman.)

Dealing with a boss who betrays you

Being betrayed by your boss is painful, to say the least. Whether the manager publicly shamed you for someone else’s mistake or failed to give you the promotion that was promised, it can make you want to quit. If your boss habitually undermines you, leaving may in fact be your best bet. But if quitting isn’t an option, or isn’t an option right now, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Continue to show respect to others, share ideas and give credit. When your manager fails to keep promises, document it to help you remember what happened. When he or she takes credit for your work, make sure important stakeholders know about your efforts. And find an outlet for your feelings. You’re going to need to vent, so write in a journal or talk with someone outside of work. Above all, don’t retaliate or compromise your values. Don’t let your boss’s actions turn you into someone you don’t want to be.

(This tip is adapted from “What to Do When Your Boss Betrays You,” by Ron Carucci.)

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, September 30th, 2019