How to Answer Interview Questions – Q74

What was the last book you read?

It doesn’t matter if the last book you read was an actual paper variety with a spine and real pages or the digital version on your Kindle. If you read on a regular basis, it usually means that you’re someone who’s intelligent, curious, and interested in personal growth and learning. It also usually means you’re a good communicator. For some interviewers, that’s all they want to know. For others, they are hoping you’ll indicate that you’re keeping up with the reading in your field…that you’re on top of trends, or the latest information. There are so many things we can learn from reading and it’s a big plus for most people and most jobs.

The first rule when answering this question is: Do not lie about the last book you read. Ever. Do not name a book unless you have read it. I once interviewed someone who did lie about it and it was horrible. I caught him in the lie because I had just read the book he named. When I asked him what he thought about something in the book, of course he couldn’t tell me and was completely embarrassed, and it left me wondering what else he was lying about.

Anticipate that you might get this question and think about a book you can read and talk about. Think about that book a little bit before you go into the interview because you might just get someone like me who reads a lot and will want to discuss it with you.

Ideally, you can talk about a book that pertains to your job or your industry. It can be something you read just for enjoyment, but try not to name a romance novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey,” anything from the “Twilight” series, or anything you might be embarrassed to be seen with in front of your more educated friends. It won’t make the interviewer see you the way you need to be seen in order to look good in the interview and get this job offer.

I think that one of the best things you can do for your career, and especially in your job search, is to read books that will help you be more knowledgeable about your field. Something that will help you be better than you were before. My best advice is to go find some of those books and start reading. It will give you some interesting material for your next interview.