“The wrong ones.”
The best way to impress an employer that asks you a question about your abilities is to come up with an answer that they can relate to, and present it in a way that makes them believe you can still do it. When you are asked about your ability to make decisions, don’t give them an answer that will make you seem indecisive or as though you cannot handle making the tough decisions. Instead, give an answer that makes you look like the king of all decision makers. Use an analogy if necessary, like the one you will see below.
Bad Answer
“I find that the toughest decisions are the ones that are on too tight a deadline. You rush to make a decision without having an opportunity to judge all of the facts first.”
This will happen a lot. You do not want to admit you struggle with these kinds of decisions.
Good Answer
“I find the toughest decisions to make are the ones with two right answers, but different possible outcomes. For example, if you had two lottery tickets, and you knew one would win and won would lose, but you didn’t know which one, both have the same chances of success making them both right answers, but only one gives you the prize that you need. It takes the outcome away from your control.”
Or, if you want to make a more thoughtful answer:
“I find the toughest decisions are the ones where the interests of the company are more important than the interests of the individual. It is always tough to side with the company, but that is the decision that must be made for the company’s long term future.”
Either way, you give a real answer that doesn’t make you look incompetent.
Take Away Interview Tips
- Give a real answer.
- Make sure you don’t look incompetent.