How to answer “What are your Pet Peeves?”

The seemingly quirky question, “What are your pet peeves?” can be a tricky one in an interview. Here are some tips to answer this question and leave a positive impression in the interview:

• Relevant and relatable: Instead of mentioning your dislike for chewing gum (a common pet peeve), consider something related to the job or company culture. For example, if it’s a data-driven role, mention “Inaccurate data or incomplete reports can be frustrating, as they can lead to misinformed decisions.” This shows you understand the importance of accuracy in their work.

• Professional focus: Steer clear of personal quirks like “people who click pens incessantly.” Instead, focus on behaviours that impact work, like “Lack of communication when deadlines are approaching can create unnecessary stress.” This demonstrates your concern for efficient communication and teamwork.

• Light and positive: Don’t dwell on the negativity of your pet peeve. Briefly mention it, then move on to the positive. For example, “While I find unclear instructions frustrating, it motivates me to be proactive and ask clarifying questions to ensure everyone’s on the same page.” This shows you’re solution-oriented and value clear communication.

• Strength in disguise: Turn your pet peeve into a strength. For example, “My dislike for missed deadlines pushes me to be highly organized and manage my time effectively to avoid delays.” This answer shows your proactive nature and commitment to meet deadlines.

• Problem-solver extraordinaire: Don’t just state the problem, show how you tackle it. If your pet peeve is disorganized meetings, say, “When meetings lack structure, I suggest creating agendas and assigning roles to ensure everyone contributes effectively.” This demonstrates your initiative and ability to find solutions.

• Adaptability champion: If your pet peeve might be unavoidable in the role, acknowledge it and explain how you’d adjust. For example, “I understand deadlines can be tight, but I’m comfortable working under pressure and prioritize effective communication to avoid last-minute scrambles.” This shows you’re flexible and can handle demanding situations.

Now that you know a lot about pet peeves let’s start framing answers around different pet peeves.

In the high competition of job interviews, among the polished resumes and practiced answers, one question can throw even the most prepared candidate into a loop of the question “What are your pet peeves?” This tricky query, often considered as a casual icebreaker, can hold a hidden treasure full of insights for the interviewer as your pet peeves offer a glimpse into the real you, beyond the carefully curated interview personality. But answering this question requires more than just rattling off a list of annoyances and a mistake here can create an unintended portrait of negativity or inflexibility, dimming your chances of landing the job.