job interview questions

Whether you feel prepared or not, job interviews can be unpredictable. There are many opinions about interview dos and don’ts, but who really ever prepares for questions like, “If you were an animal, which would you be?” Yes, recruiters have been known to ask such unusual questions during interviews.

So, what do you do when you’re unsure of the right answer or don’t even know what to say? You finesse it, and here’s how you do that, according to Wande*, a recruiter in Lagos.

Project confidence, even if you don’t feel it

Look the recruiter in the eye, and don’t let any anxiety show. They can’t beat you. Build confidence — and let it show in your voice — even before the interview starts. It will save you from feeling like you’ve hit a block the moment you’re asked an unexpected question. From personal experience, I always conclude that confident people know what they’re saying until they say something that proves otherwise.

Reword and repeat the question

You’ve been asked something, you don’t know the answer, so you need to buy time. Imagine you’re asked, “How many apples fall from the tree yearly?” You can respond with something like, “That’s an interesting question. So that I understand exactly what you’re asking, do you mean both red and green apples?” More often than not, the recruiter will explain the question again with more detail which means more time for you to find an answer.

Remember the question’s purpose

Whether they’re asking you what animal you’d like to be or what superpower you’d like, the general purpose of any interview question is to confirm you fit the role requirements. You can’t be interviewing for a job that involves handling money, and you say the animal you’d like to be is a snake — an animal known to be sneaky and dishonest. As how?

Admit you don’t know, but don’t leave it at that

It’s alright to admit you don’t know the answer to a question because the worst thing you can do is lie. But instead of saying, “I don’t know”, try something like, “I’m so glad you asked this. I’ve always wanted to know more about XYZ, which is why I’ve tried looking up [insert any vaguely similar concept]”. This presents you as someone who isn’t scared of not knowing but is also in tune with their professional growth.

RELATED: How Long Should You Stay at a Job? — We Asked 7 Nigerians

Use personal examples

You can also redirect the topic to a similar professional situation where you weren’t sure of the right approach to take, but you were able to identify the best resources needed to get the job done. The idea is to show you’re a collaborator who knows how to work through challenges. No one knows everything, and unless the recruiter is a bad belle, they know it too.

For the love of God, don’t ramble

Keep your answers brief and to the point. Rambling will show your nerves, and remember you’re acting like you know what you’re doing. Recruiters don’t want to hear long stories. Not with about 3,000 more interviews in one workday. No one is paid enough for that.

Redirect attention to your qualifications

In cases where you have absolutely no idea, admit it but don’t just go, “I have no idea.” Instead, go, “I’m not very familiar with this concept, but I’m up to date with XYZ, and I think it also ties into ABC”.

Remember, the recruiter is often under pressure too

Don’t think you’re the only one on the hot seat. The recruiter is also under pressure to deliver. Unless they’re your village people personified, they want to hire the best for the role and get it over with.

*Names have been changed for the sake of anonymity.

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Tife Oni

June 15, 2023

Money

hustle, Job Interview, job interview questions, job seeker, Jobs, Nigerian recruiters, Nigerians
Most interview questions are unnecessary, but this five-year-plan question is the worst of all. How do you even answer it? Do you lie and say you’d still be in their company while you scream “God forbid” in your mind? Do you say you don’t know?

Worry no more. We’ve got the perfect answers to this question.

“I live in the moment”

They’ll know you don’t bother yourself about things you can’t predict. You focus on solving problems here and now; isn’t that what employers want?

“Only God knows the future”

But honestly, how do they expect you to know? Just tell them you don’t know because you’re not God. Believe me, that’s a plus for honesty.

“Do you people want to fire me before then?”

They should already know you’ll likely still be in their company in five years, unless they already have plans to sack you.

“Five years older”

That’s the obvious answer, but they won’t expect anyone to say this, so you’ll get points for thinking outside the box.

“In a senior position earning a higher salary”

The best thing about this answer is, you aren’t promising to sit down in their company. If they offer you a higher salary, great. If not, you find your level.

“In your seat”

Old-fashioned, but might still work for some Nigerian bosses. It’ll show you’re really ambitious and goal-oriented — words recruiters just love to hear. There’s a small chance they’ll get pissed, but what’s life without a little risk?

“In [insert foreign country]”

So they don’t get blindsided when you eventually japa to the country of your dreams. If they act surprised, ask them, “Be honest. Don’t you also want to japa?” They’ll stop talking and quietly offer you the job.

“Alive and well”

Because living in Nigeria is an extreme sport, still having air in your lungs in five years is a legit accomplishment. Every employer would relate to this.

NEXT READ: A Monthly Public Holiday Would Increase Productivity. Here’s Why

Tife Oni

April 3, 2023

Money

hustle, Inside life, job interview questions, Jobs, Nigerians, work
Everybody knows how to answer “Tell me about yourself” already. As a recruiter, ask these questions at an interview instead and watch the madness unfold.

“Would you eat garri without sugar?”

Sometimes, you just need to gauge the level of suffer-head the person you’re employing has faced. They may be coming from traumatic sapa. You don’t want to do them anyhow.

“Are you a Man Utd fan?”

You don’t want to employ someone who’ll be taking Ls for your business every weekday. No, they already get enough on weekends. For the sake of your mental health and theirs, leave them alone, abeg.

“Do you usually lost?”

You need to know you won’t have to randomly start looking for them in the middle of a busy workday.

“Do you use MTN?”

Do this especially if they’ll be working remotely. You don’t want to joke with someone who’s frustrated after dealing with MTN the whole day.

RELATED: Kill It at Any Job Interview With These 8 Hacks

“Do you have Japa plans?”

If they don’t have Japa plans, don’t hire them. They obviously like pain, so they need to go somewhere else. Maybe work for the government?

“Who’s your daddy?”

If they don’t have Japa plans, it could also be that they have bastard money in their family. That’s why you need to ask this question as a follow-up. You never know, your employee may become a by-force investor.

“How many bottles of beer before you start sharing office secrets?”

You need to know ahead of time if you’re hiring an opp or a weak link. Stay woke, please.

“Are you lactose intolerant?”

This one has two parts. If they answer yes, just know they’re a stubborn person and won’t stop taking milk. Second, you’ll need a face mask in the office every day for all the farting. Just save yourself from stress.

“Will anybody come and do paranran for you at the office?”

This one is important if you don’t like noise. Just imagine having a bad day already, and trumpeters start singing “happy birthday” for somebody, unprovoked.

“Do you eat semo?”

Make sure to promise that this question doesn’t matter to your hiring decision. But if they answer “yes”, break that promise and move on. You can’t be hiring someone who likes pain (or maybe you can if you plan to offload five people’s JDs on them).

“Do you read Money by Zikoko?”

If they answer yes, just know they’re fun and they know what’s up. If you yourself don’t know what Money by Zikoko is, subscribe to it so you don’t expose yourself in an interview.

NEXT READ: How to Write a Nigerian Job Description in 7 Steps

Sheriff Alimi

October 24, 2022

Money

Interview, job interview questions, money
Earlier this week, job-hopping was a conversation that trended on Twitter. While valid points were raised on the importance of long-term building in an organisation, the comment section also highlighted the unexpected reality that influences the cycle of switching jobs.

So, with all that was said about the difficult working conditions in organisations, what are the questions you should ask as a Nigerian before you accept a job offer and switch jobs? Read on.

1. Werey dey disguise?

Is the job description the one you applied for? Don’t go and apply to be a data analyst and be helping oga buy amala every morning. That’s all I’ll say.

2. Will you eat exposure?

Before you move, ask yourself if the money is worth it. Exposure is great, but you can see that the price of sardine is never coming down. You can kuku see the fuel scarcity happening now so try to negotiate for at least a 10% jump before you move dear.

3. Will you be rolling with the big boys?

There’s “exposure” that exposes you to nonsense and there’s exposure that takes your portfolio to the next level. Be sure about which one the company guarantees. If there is no significant increase in your salary, will you at least get to work with the big boys of the industry? And will you gain value from it?

4. Are your village people operating there too?

Sometimes, the village people are the ones that have refused to retire. Start off with checking social media for the profiles of your potential colleagues. If any of them have spent five to ten years in the same position without any sign of moving forward, run oh.

5. Will their workload send you to an early grave?

In other words, will you be a camel or a team member? Ask about the capacity of the organisation and dig into the number of people in each department. Jesus already died; nobody should come and kill you.

6. Are you re-applying to be a slave?

I know we’re all slaves to capitalism, but there are also levels to this slavery thing. Ask about the working hours and the compensation structure for overtime work. If you’re feeling jiggy, you can tell them you’d like to start your own week on Tuesday.

7. Is it the ghetto?

Don’t allow, “We have a vibrant working environment,” to deceive you. Shine your eyes because people have worked in the trenches in this country. To avoid stories that touch, ask if there are facilities like a standby generator and WI-FI to work.

Hopefully, after asking these seven questions, you’ll be able to avoid moving from frying pan to fire in this dungeon we call capitalism.

Goodluck.

Ortega

February 10, 2022

Hustle

Job hunting, job interview questions, nigerian job interview
Nigerian job interview questions are very special. They’re special because they make no sense. But we have to answer them anyways because we hate being poor. That being said, if you’re ever in a job interview and you want to have a little fun with the interviewer, here are fun answers you can give to Nigerian Job Interview Questions.

1) “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

Answer: “But you‘re holding my CV. And you just went through it. What else do you want to know? That I moonlight as a stripper on weekends and public holidays?”

2) “What do you know about this company?”

Answer: “Not much. Just the stuff I could Google on my way over here.”

3) “Why do you want this job?”

Answer: “Because I’m very enthusiastic about not being poor.”

4) “How did you hear about this job opening?”

Answer: “Why? Was it a secret?”

5) “What motivates you to do a good job?”

Answer: “Being paid on time at the end of the month.”

6) “Why should we hire you?”

Answer: “Because y’all are hiring and I want the job.”

7) “How long would you expect to work for us if hired?”

Answer: “Until I find another job that pays better.”

8) “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Answer: *Proceed to have a nervous breakdown triggered by the existential crisis stemming from the knowledge that you’ve been winging it your entire life and have no idea what you’re doing or where you’re going*

9) “Would you be willing to work nights and weekends?”

Answer: “Would you be willing to pay me overtime or is this just a white-collar sweatshop?”

You should read this next: A Week In The Life: Jumia Delivery Agent By Day, Family Man By Night

Astor George

February 12, 2020

Inside Life

job interview questions

Project confidence, even if you don’t feel it

Reword and repeat the question

Remember the question’s purpose

Admit you don’t know, but don’t leave it at that

Use personal examples

For the love of God, don’t ramble

Redirect attention to your qualifications

Remember, the recruiter is often under pressure too

“I live in the moment”

“Only God knows the future”

“Do you people want to fire me before then?”

“Five years older”

“In a senior position earning a higher salary”

“In your seat”

“In [insert foreign country]”

“Alive and well”

“Would you eat garri without sugar?”

“Are you a Man Utd fan?”

“Do you usually lost?”

“Do you use MTN?”

“Do you have Japa plans?”

“Who’s your daddy?”

“How many bottles of beer before you start sharing office secrets?”

“Are you lactose intolerant?”

“Will anybody come and do paranran for you at the office?”

“Do you eat semo?”

“Do you read Money by Zikoko?”

1. Werey dey disguise?

2. Will you eat exposure?

3. Will you be rolling with the big boys?

4. Are your village people operating there too?

5. Will their workload send you to an early grave?

6. Are you re-applying to be a slave?

7. Is it the ghetto?