What was one question you didn't want me to ask today?
This question can stand in for the common 'What is your greatest weakness.' The interviewer expects you to be unprepared because it's an unusual way of asking a question. You may be less scripted than other points in your interview, and the interviewer wants to see how you deal with that.
Two scenarios commonly play out: either a candidate blurts out a weakness, or they pause and respond with something thoughtful. This question gives the interviewer information about you and a good sense of whether you can think on your feet and answer a tricky question. Use this as an opportunity to show how weakness can be a strength or explain something they have not yet asked but may be an objection to you getting the job. It is then up to you to overcome the opposition.
Remember, it is okay to pause and be thoughtful about your response rather than blurting something out or seeming too rehearsed. Be prepared, but be sincere in your replies.
"I suppose I did not want you to dig into why I applied three years ago and rescinded my application. I feel embarrassed about it because I thought I was ready to leave my current organization and decided that, to be the superstar I wanted to be at Netflix, I needed a bit more time and experience. I know that in these past three years, I have learned everything I need to know to shine here, and I can't wait to put those last three years of learning and growth into action."
"I didn't want to discuss why it took five years to graduate college. I was working full-time while attending college and double majoring. Initially, I was taking the full course load and working full time, then eventually, I also switched my major, which added a semester. At that time, I hunkered down and upped the course load while working full-time. So, while it may have taken me longer, I learned a lot both in and outside the classroom, including time management and upping productivity. I know these are important skills that I bring to any position, and I look forward to leveraging them here at Netflix."
"As you looked at my resume, I was a bit fearful of the two-year gap I had in my employment history starting five years ago. When our first child was born, I wanted to spend her first two years with her, and my husband and I decided he would be the only one working. We made a lot of concessions to be able to do that, but it is time I wouldn't change or take back for anything."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Philosophically, questions are what I thrive on, and finding the ones I don't want to face are in fact the ones I know I grow the most from. So I embrace the hardest or ugliest questions. However, I'd say it would likely be around hierarchy and office politics. When ideas, suggestions, or orders come into the space and they come from a place of fear or ego, I struggle to play along for the theater of it.
Rachelle's Feedback
Good! This is a thoughtful and genuine response, showing the interviewer a lot about your personality and preferences when it comes to your workplace environment.
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