If this question comes up or came up again at the next job interview?

[ansonguy]

Six months ago, my friend had an interview for an accounting job. He had trouble answering one of the interview questions. He has done some research on how to answer it properly. This is what I said to him.

(1) I asked my friend,"If this question came up again at your next interview, how would you answer it?

(2) I asked my friend,"If this question comes up again at your next interview, how will you answer it?

I used (1) when I talked to him. He said that I should phrase the conditional as in (2) because it is something that might happen in the future. I think (1) is correct because it's hypothetical.

Please give me your opinion. Thanks a lot.

 

[teechar]

Either one is correct. The second implies a higher probability of that question being asked in a future interview.

I can see why your friend may think #2 is more likely! ;-)

 

[Rover_KE]

You forgot the closing quotation marks.