TRAPS: It's a shame that some interviewers feel the need to
ask this question, but many understand the reality that prejudices still exist
among some job candidates, and it's better to try to flush them out beforehand.
The trap here is that in today's politically sensitized environment, even a
well-intentioned answer can result in planting your foot neatly into your
mouth. Avoid anything which smacks of a
patronizing or an insensitive attitude, such as "I think they can make
terrific bosses" or "Hey some of my best friends are..."
Of course, since almost anyone with an IQ above room
temperature will at least try to steadfastly affirm the right answer here, your
interviewer will be judging your sincerity most of all. "Do you really feel that way?" is what he or she will be wondering. So you
must make your answer believable and not just an automatic. If the firm is wise enough to have promoted
people on the basis of ability alone, they're likely quite proud of it and
prefer to hire others who will wholeheartedly share their strong sense of fair
play.
