HankLondon.com

Whether we’re talking about local, state, or national elections, candidates or referendums, there is little in our discourse as polarizing as our political opinions. Discussions about religion can be equally contentious. In our country, we (supposedly) have the right of free speech, to express our views and make our opinions known. Thanks to the growth and speed of social media, as well as traditional media outlets, one person’s ideas and opinions can reach around the globe in a heartbeat. The passion behind people’s beliefs in these two areas can very easily be disruptive, as they trigger an equal and frequently opposite response from those whose opinions are different from your own. 

These days, there is little that divides us as rapidly as politics and religion. People become angry, defensive, combative, argumentative, and worse, over these two topics, particularly when  ...  (read more:  https://hanklondon.com/religion-politics/

Every few weeks we pose a question you might get asked during an interview and a suggestion on how you might formulate your answer.

This week’s question:

Not busy on the job? When? Well, if you have experienced this, explain to your interviewer that being productive in slow periods is an art. You understand that there is almost always something you could be doing. You find ways to stay productive. It starts by your understanding why things have slowed down, and any efforts you’ve made to bring things “back up to speed.” Sometimes, you’re just waiting for others to prioritize and complete preliminary tasks before it’s your turn to take over, or you start working on the next project. You can state that you have used the “extra” time to create needed documentation or researched other aspects of your work. Consider: Did you speak with a colleague to clarify or strategize a project? Did you use the time to catch up on reports? Maybe you reached out to help others complete tasks. Did you catch up on relevant industry-specific reading or study a new way to do something? Did you learn how to use a new piece of equipment or get familiar with new software, or otherwise improve relevant skills? What other ways did you remain engaged and productive during slow times? If you can effectively convey your ability to stay focused on tasks and long-term goals through those slow times, your responses should make the right impression with your inquisitor.

___

To see previous installments of

Tough Interview Questions and Answers,

click here

(Most recent are at the Bottom of the list.)