Be Honest

The most important thing to do when discussing the things that will bother you while on the job is to be honest about them. Be polite, but don’t hold anything back. Be detailed and direct when describing the types of things that will get on your nerves on the job. This helps the recruiter make an educated decision on whether you would be the right fit for their company, and it helps you ensure that you will be working in an environment that will be best for you.

Explain Your Reasoning

On top of being honest, you need to also explain why these things bother you at work. Maybe you had a bad experience on the job? Or a former coworker did something that really got on your nerves? Whatever your reason, you need to explain why your pet peeves bother you. It helps your recruiter strategize with you on how to avoid the things that bother you and to take steps towards minimizing your reaction to these annoying behaviors.

Spin It

Whenever you bring up the things that bother you at work in an interview, you want to take the opportunity to turn what could be seen as a negative into a positive. How, you ask? Explain that while these certain things irritate in the workplace, you have taken steps in the past to accommodate them. This will show your recruiter that you don’t only take your personal growth seriously, but it will also provide an example of your problem solving skills.

Remain Calm

People tend to get a little worked up when talking about things that upset them, but it’s important to check your emotions at the door before going into an interview where this topic will be discussed. Now, we’re not saying to be robotic in your responses, but you need to make sure that you don’t get overly emotional. The last thing your recruiter wants is to be sitting across from a candidate who is ranting. Instead, keep a level head and deliver your response in a clear and concise manner.

Stay Brief

Probably the most critical thing to remember is keep these answers short, and only speak about 1-2 pet peeves at most. Pick the ones that will most likely come up in your day-to-day work life and focus on making the best response for those concerns. Don’t start listing EVERY little thing that may annoy or bug you at the new workplace. You’re essentially giving your recruiter a list of reasons not to hire you.

–Tyler Geeve, Staff Source Marketing/Recruiting Assistant