Staffing Advice

Here's a killer interview question, literally. Some employers have asked:

If you were to die tomorrow, what would your eulogy say about you? 

This question,although morbid in it's premise, allows the interviewer to get
know your view of how you think the world perceives you. This question is
sometimes used by employers to see how you react personally and emotionally.
Answering with an emotional response could possibly label you as a weak person.
Talking about your family or how great you are will make you come off as a
self-centered person and nobody wants to work with an egotist.

Giving a smart-alack answer such as “if I'm dead, how could I possibly know what my
eulogy will say?” will not score you any points. There is a time and place for sarcasm;
a job interview is not one of them. Also, don't question the relevancy of the question either.
Telling the interviewer that the question does not relate to the job to which you are applying
to will lead you nowhere. It doesn't matter if you are applying to the job of funeral director
or accountant,employers only ask such odd questions to gauge how well you think on
your feet and to learn a little more about you on a personal level.

When faced with the task of writing a eulogy for a fallen friend or family member,
the challenge can be daunting and emotionally upsetting. But remember, this
interview question is purely hypothetical, so be wary of taking it too seriously.
Perhaps giving a vague answer might seem the best way to go about it. For example:

Death was afraid of him/her because he/she had the heart of a lion.

Or

It matters not how one dies, but how one lives.

While these answers will demonstrate a superior intelligence and a well-spoken
demeanor, it does not give the employer a clear understanding of what they really
want to know: How do you think others perceive you? The best route: Give an
honest, non-egotistical answer of how you think others view you. For example:

“John” was a hard-working individual who demonstrated himself as a reliable
person, friend, and son did not shy away from the prospect of breaking away from
the pack and making his own way in life.

Or

Although her life was unfairly cut short, “Marissa” accomplished more than anyone
thought possible given her past as a shy and timid child. She eventually blossomed
into an outgoing young woman who embraced the prospect of new challenges and
acquaintances wherever she went in the world.

Your eulogy can become somewhat of a script- telling people who you were, what
you did, and how well you were liked. A great eulogy can only be made by living
the life you want remembered. Show a sense of humanity, but never too much-
emotional weakness can sometimes be a red flag to interviewers. But at the same
time, don't present a cynical or cold answer. It's okay to break down your walls
a little bit. Just remember that the line between sob and stone-cold can be very
thin in certain instances. Above all keep a clear head and calm demeanor; don't
let yourself become the victim of a seemingly off-topic interview question. All
questions have their purpose in a job interview, and your answers can either
make or break the possibility of a job offer.

For more information, view our website:

www.mpc-nyc.com