How Do You Handle Tough Questions and Comments in an Interview?

Did you see the Chopped show when four 24-year-old female chefs competed for the Top Chef honor? All four chefs were accomplished, skilled, two came from restaurant families and two were basically self-taught.

All of the chefs prepared interesting and tasty dishes. They all made mistakes that the judges called out. And they all were thoughtful when they were critiqued.

A JUDGE ASKED A LIFE CHANGING QUESTION

In the entrée round, Chef Heather was asked by one of the Judges if she had muscles. She proudly flexed her muscles and smiled. She shared that she was a former college athlete who gave up her scholarship to go to culinary school.

YOUR HISTORY IS ALL YOU KNOW

Heather said that she had to be tough. She came from a single Mom household, her Dad died when she was nine years old, and they didn’t have much money for food. In fact, during college she bartered her cooking skills for food from her roommates.

LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART – IT MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE

The Judge stopped her and gently said, “Heather, you don’t always have to show your muscles. You can be softer and gentler and this will come forth in your food.” Heather started to cry. I immediately saw a changed woman. She shared her vulnerability. During the break said that she had never cried before and certainly not in public.

YOUR PERSPECTIVE MAY BE CHANGED FOR GOOD

This is all she knew, it had worked for her, but now, she has a new perspective. Does that sound familiar?

EGO CAN DRIVE CLOSED HEART

During the camera ‘cut ins’ one of the other chefs ‘bragged’ about her years of experience, running three family restaurants “enterprises” and boldly announced that she wasn’t in this competition to make friends but to win. She said that Heather will lose because she became too emotional and unfocused.

GUESS WHO WON?

In the end Heather won.

Heather was humble, kind, and acknowledged the other chef and hugged the Judge that asked her the life changing question. She said that she had learned more in this one experience and by being asked that one question than she had in 25 years of life.

GUESS WHAT THE LOSER SAID?

As the losing chef exited she said to the camera that she didn’t care what people thought about her food. She knew it was good and wasn’t going to change.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

How do you respond when asked a difficult question? When you don't get the job? Tell me a story of a question that you were asked that changed your life.

A SIDE NOTE

I will tell you that if I was hiring people I’d use the Chopped format, interviewing all people at once. You sure can tell a lot about a person when they are in a competitive situation. How do you respond?

Listen with your heart,

Anne

Anne Pryor is an Internationally Recognized LinkedIn Trainer, Certified Online Brand Specialist, Future Mapper, Top 10 LinkedIn Trainer in the World (according to Educated Change), Lovitude Soul Painter, Nordic walking instructor, and an old soul. She believes that we're all connected, here to do our highest good, need each other to do so and what happens to you happens to her. As a soul painter, she was inspired by a dear friend, Irene Rossman, who passed away and has provided her messages and instructions on how to paint. See her visual blessings at www.annepryor.com, and www.lovitude.com.

MEET ANNE MSPBJ 2018 EVENTS:

February 12, 2018: BizWomen Mentoring Monday Networking

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/event/161794/2018/bizwomen-mentoring-monday

March 8, 2018: LinkedIn Strategies for Growth

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/event/162304/2018/mspbj-university-new-linkedin-strategies-to-grow-your-businessanne@pryority.com

https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/annepryor/detail/recent-activity/posts/Anne