Would You Be Rather Liked or Respected?
This question, although uncommon in interviews, is aimed at giving the recruiters genuine insight into your values and who you are as a candidate.
In this article from our How To Answer series, we aim to highlight how you can tackle this question in a manner that will impact your interview in a positive manner. Read on!
What Is The Recruiter Looking For From This Answer?
The importance of respect in the workplace is something that must be understood by employees at every level of seniority. Respect at work is a vital part of establishing a healthy working environment. Mutual respect in the workplace lets all employees know that they are valued for their achievements, abilities, and qualities.
On the other hand, some individuals have a pathological need to be liked. Moreover, being well-liked in a work environment is an important thing in any job. If you are not liked by your peers, your superiors may think clients will not like you either. If superiors do not like you, you will not get a lot of work. If you are isolated from others within your organization, it is far easier to let you go in times of economic uncertainty. You need to always be in a position where others want to do you a favor and help you out.
How To Approach The Question
First let us determine, where ‘liked’ or ‘respected’ is each important.
In roles where teamwork and harmonious relationships are important, one can reference your interest in being liked to create a harmonious workgroup. If you are interviewing for a position that involves frequent contact with clients, in which a personable nature is required to establish rapport or maintain a positive relationship, then you should mention the benefit of being liked in regard to this component of your work. You will also need to deliver product information and solutions, so respect will also be important to inspire confidence in your customers.
Read our article on ‘How To Answer- How Many Hours A Week Do You Normally Work?’ HERE.
On the contrary if you are interviewing for a managerial or executive role, you should certainly emphasize that being respected would be a priority for you so that your employees will enthusiastically carry out your directives. It is important to add that although receiving respect from subordinates is necessary to a supervisory role, so too is giving respect.
While you can frame your answer one way or the other, most recruiters will appreciate if you give a balanced answer, until pressed otherwise.
For example, an ideal answer looks something like this:
On the job, I would rather be respected. My success as a lawyer has stemmed largely from my ability to anticipate the needs and problems of my clients and to present my advice as a way to meet those needs and solve those problems. Once respect has been established, I find that my clients wish to continue out relationship. Of course, I want my clients to like me as well, and I do the little things like bringing them a favorite food or taking them for lunch so that they also see the personal value of our relationship.
Read Our Article On ‘How To Answer- Are You Willing To Fail’ HERE.
Tips For A Better Answer
- Give an explanation for your decision. There is no correct response or straight jacket formula to this type of inquiry. Interviewers are more interested in understanding your thought-process. So, explain why you have a preference for something.
- Consider your response carefully. Being liked may exceed the benefits of being respected, or vice versa, depending on your role. When deciding on a preference, keep the work responsibilities and requirements in mind.
- Talk about admiring and respecting others. This is a personal question, but it also pertains to how you interact with others. In your response, it’s a good idea to emphasise the importance of respecting and like people.
YLCC would like to thank Sachet Labroo for his valuable insights in this article.
Read our article on ‘How To Answer- Describe Your Work Ethic’ HERE.
