When answering personal questions, it is important to keep a professional mindset while deciding what to answer with. Personal questions about work ethic, work life, and over all work experience are not inappropriate. These are considered personal questions in relation to work. Remember that any personal questions dealing with sexuality, religion and political party preference or any other topics not allowed to be discussed under the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) are questions that should not be asked during any interview.
When answering questions dealing with “creativity” or “one’s creative mind” it is important to ask for the interviewer to be more specific if the question is not clear. For instances, if this is a question were to be asked, it would be appropriate to ask: “What duties of the position would you like me to discuss my creative ability?” Then the interviewer would give a more detailed, question such as “How creative are you with word, access, excel, and other computer software?” This will help with determining what exactly needs to be addressed to ensure the interview question is being answered properly and in its entirety. It is also important to give exact examples in support of the answer being given. This will show the interviewer or interview panel that you are being honest in that you are creative and how creative you have been in previous positions.
Another way of showing your “creative” side is if you have an idea of what the interview will entail, to bring some samples of your work to show the interview panel what you have created before for previous employers. If your personal life is linked to your professional life, it is important to mention this as long as the conversation is kept professional. All information can be viewed as vital information when it comes to a job interview. Remember it is always to give “more information” than less. It is important to exhaust all questions with thorough answers, this will have the interviewer or interview panel feeling “filled” with information about you and that is always a great aspect.
This is a difficult interview question to answer, but if you come mentally prepared to answer this question you are sure to impress the interview panel or manager as well as give yourself a reminder of how competent you are and reaffirming your professional ability. Happy job hunting, you can do or be anything you want with persistence.