What would you do if you found an elephant in your backyard

Answered by Lisa Carman, Resume Guru and LinkedIn Writer, Owner of Resonating Resumes, Updated 12/10/18

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If you have been in job search in the last decade, you may have had the 'pleasure' of answering some pretty odd interview questions. When I took a hard look at these questions, I decided to respond in my own way and see how it turned out. How would you reply to these interview questions?

1. “What’s Your Favorite Restaurant?”

What's NOT my favorite restaurant? Food is amazing. But, thinking about it, my favorite restaurant is a combination of a fantastic taste bud experience and a cultural immersion experience. So, I've got to say, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, a wonderful restaurant that cradles you in a tea and yummy food experience. And, you are literally surrounded by the culture from which the tea house was taken, and then rebuilt in Boulder.

2. “What’s Your Spirit Animal?”

Without question, my Spirit Animal is a hummingbird (Image by Lisa Carman, 2016).  Her wings move at astounding speed and power, but appear to move effortlessly. The hummingbird moves through life with grace and beauty, but also protects her position and territory. 

These attributes reflect my goals when it comes to my writing and project work -- I intend to work efficiently and powerfully, and strive to develop an easy flow for my workdays. I try to handle challenges gracefully and at the same time, be assertive and maintain ethical composure. 

And, have you ever seen a hummingbird dive-bomb to protect her territory? It is an amazing sight, full of purpose and unbridled loyalty. That speaks to me.

 3. “So, (Insert Name Here), What’s Your Story?”

My experience in Corporate America spans over 20 years and over the last 10 years I have embraced the work I enjoy most - Resume writing, LinkedIn Profile branding and marketing, Interviewing skills coaching, and Career Resource workshop and seminar delivery. I have developed a collaborative client engagement process that results in interviews and job offers.

Everyday I get to connect with clients on a personal level to identify strengths and achievements, drive a sense of ownership for that value add, and help each client articulate their 'best' in a powerful, personalized way. That includes value statements in person, on paper, and digitally. I am truly living my destiny. (Image courtesy of Microsoft Clipart)

Going a bit deeper, I have been blessed with many learning experiences. For many years in business, I thought I had it all figured out and was focused on achieving a VP position in Training or Human Resources. I started to become aware of a consistent cycle as I attempted to grow into this level of leadership - I treaded water, then sank, treaded water again, moved ahead just a bit, treaded water, and sank. For all of my 60-hour work weeks and tremendous effort, I made excruciatingly, slow (if any) progress and I was NOT enjoying myself.

I came to realize I was limiting myself to what the corporate world expected, not what I wanted. The most empowering thing I did for myself was accepting that I didn't have to follow the beaten path; I could forge my own path to business and life success. That is when I went into business for myself (following the birth of my first baby), and ever since, my path has been forged by my own footsteps. I get to do the work I love most, slowly grow my small business, and find ways to improve and evolve that work for me and my family.

For me, it was freeing to exit Corporate America and I stopped feeling limited and restrained by things beyond my control. Now I am my only obstacle!

I live by my Life Mission/Purpose and my Vision for creating my future. 

My mission: I pursue personal transformation, live each day with enthusiasm and create a motivating, inspiring environment. 

My Vision: I move hundreds of thousands to find peace, clarity, and their own brand of progress.

 4. “Tell Me a Joke.”

I'm a keyboard jockey, I sit at a computer all day long and don't get much exercise. Can you relate? To get myself out of that chair, I discovered a little secret for building arm and shoulder muscles. For best results, do this 3-4 days a week.

Stand beside your desk with a 5 pound potato sack in each hand. Extend your arms straight out to your sides and hold this position as long as you can. You may be surprised how hard this is! (Image courtesy of Bing)

After a few weeks, move up to 10 pound potato sacks and then 20 pound potato sacks, and finally get to where you can lift a 50 pound potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight out for 1 full minute.

Next, start putting a few potatoes in the sacks.

Resume Guru Clue: Never underestimate the power of a smile!

5. “What Would You Do if You Woke Up and Found an Elephant in Your Backyard?”

I would welcome the elephant and come up with a non-elephant name, something unique like Rosalie. Next, I would research what an elephant needs to thrive and implement a daily care plan. Then I need to find a way to integrate Rosalie into the family and neighborhood -- perhaps a block party is in order so everyone can connect with Rosalie and do some trust building. I do have a knack for bringing disparate groups together and driving collaborations. So, how does Rosalie fit in and what do her attributes bring to the community? That is the question!

 6. “Have You Ever Played a Sport? If So, Which One and What Position?”

I was in Track and was known for steady, forward momentum. My team relied on me heavily in the long-haul races. I never gave up until we finished the race, and I pushed the team to be better, faster, stronger. I believe we can always get better and my enthusiasm continually helped the team strive for more.

 7. “If You Opened Your Own Business, What Type of Company Would it Be and Why?”

My company will be a non-profit focused on supporting people in need, specifically veterans trying to re-integrate into society and women at shelters pushing the "restart" button on their lives. The industry will be in Career Transition and I will have several highly skilled career and life coaches, using my model and process to serve clients. These caring, talented professionals will provide assistance with resumes, resource-finding, interviewing skills and job search training to help the client put their best foot forward in terms of moving beyond the past and building for the future. (I think I just figured out my non-profit company slogan!)

8. “I’m Sorry, But I Just Don’t Think This Is the Right Fit for You.”

I can appreciate your perspective. I do believe I have the technical expertise and drive to bring your Talent Acquisition organization to the next level, so perhaps a project management role might be a better fit at this point in time. What are your thoughts? I noticed your company also had a posting for a project leader in your training department, so who might I connect with about that? 

You mentioned in the interview that the Professional Development and Coaching program was stalled in its tracks. At ABC company, I was able to turn around the sinking-project-ship and exceed all expectations, thanks to an amazing team effort. I can fix the issues in that program and help the team meet the objectives. Perhaps we can come to an agreement to have me lead that project as a consultant, and you can see the high-quality results I produce? Might that be an option we can discuss? (Image courtesy of Sarah Pflug at Burst)

I noticed another role on your posting site that fits well with my skills and leadership abilities. The Project Manager job in your department is focused on CRM system projects, correct?

Like many other things in life, forethought and preparation usually pays off.  Think about what you intend to convey in the interview and consider your responses BEFORE that phone or face-to-face interview. 

Resume Guru Clue: Build your "Master List of Interviewing Answers". Open a new MS Word or Google doc and list your Success Stories and Odd Interview Question Answers. Keep your Master List document updated. Then, review your Master List before any interview and you are prepped and ready to project your best.

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