Human Answer
TRAPS:
As in all matters of your interview, never fake familiarity you don’t have. Yet you don’t want to seem like a dullard who hasn’t read a book since Tom Sawyer.
BEST ANSWER:
Unless you’re up for a position in academia or as book critic for The New York Times, you’re not expected to be a literary lion. But it wouldn’t hurt to have read a handful of the most recent and influential books in your profession and on management.
Consider it part of the work of your job search to read up on a few of these leading books. But make sure they are quality books that reflect favorably upon you, nothing that could even remotely be considered superficial. Finally, add a recently published bestselling work of fiction by a world-class author and you’ll pass this question with flying colors.
ChatGPT Answer
Answering the question "What good books have you read lately?" in an interview can be a great opportunity to showcase your interests, intellectual curiosity, and ability to learn from reading.
Here are a few examples of how to answer this question:
- Share a recent book that relates to the job: If the book you read recently relates to the job or industry you're applying for, you can mention it and explain what you learned from it. For example, "I recently read 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries, which is all about creating and managing a successful startup. It gave me a lot of insight into the process of building a business from scratch and the importance of being agile and adaptable."
- Discuss a personal development book: If you read a book that helped you in your personal development, you can mention it and explain how it helped you. For example, "I recently read 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen Covey, which helped me to understand the importance of setting priorities and being proactive in achieving my goals."
- Share a recent fiction book: If you read a fiction book, you can mention it and explain what you liked about it. For example, "I recently read 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah, it's a historical fiction set in World War II. I loved the way the author portrayed the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity."
- Highlight a classic book: If you read a classic book, you can mention it and explain why it's important. For example, "I recently read 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, it's a classic coming-of-age novel that has been praised for its honest portrayal of teenage alienation and its critique of society."
- Show that you're an avid reader: Express your love of reading and that you enjoy reading a variety of books. For example, "I recently read a variety of books, from fiction to non-fiction, I'm an avid reader and I enjoy reading books that challenge me to think differently and expand my knowledge."
It's important to remember that the interviewer wants to know that you're curious, open-minded and that you have a good taste in books.
Showing your intellectual curiosity and your ability to learn from reading will demonstrate that you're a good fit for the company and the position.