Very often, the questions your interviewer will ask you during the job interview are carefully chosen to stress your character and understand how you will perform in situations that will prove difficult. These questions let employers determine your critical thinking when solving problems and present essential aspects of your character and experience to you. As this article will show, candidates will encounter specific tough interview questions when attending an interview.
We’ve also created a three-part interview mini-series to help you better prepare for the entire interview process:
- Preparing for an interview
- How to Follow up after an Interview
- Mastering an Online Interview
The Reasons Why Employers State Challenging Interview Questions
To set the stage, let’s look into why employers give difficult interview questions in the first place. They ask you these questions to see your ability to handle stress or what you consider awkward. Besides, these questions enable the interviewers to obtain necessary personal information that ordinary questions may not elicit.
For instance, when you are asked the generic interview question ‘Tell me about yourself, ‘ you are being interviewed based on your ability to respond appropriately and whether you will fit into that employer’s organization.
Common Difficult Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Let’s break down some of the most common tricky interview questions and provide examples of how to answer them effectively.
Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Company?
Answer:
Speak positively about your current or past employer. Highlight the value of your experience, but focus on the lack of growth opportunities in your current position. Explain that the role you’re applying for aligns better with your long-term career goals, offering more development opportunities that match your ambitions and skill set.
For example:
“I’ve learned a lot and gained valuable experience in my current role, but I’m looking for a position that offers more room for growth and aligns with my future career goals. The role at your company perfectly matches my skills and the type of work I want to focus on moving forward.”
What Is Your Biggest Weakness?
Answer:
While answering this question, do not focus on the liabilities that may reduce your hiring probability. The only one which will cause strain in the job for which you are applying is best left out or framed as something the applicant is tackling or aspiring to work on.
For example:
‘Sometimes I spend too much time on one particular aspect of a task, thus slowing down the progress, but I have been trying to schedule the work so that effective and efficient work is accomplished depending on the endurance of mistakes.’
Describe a Challenge That You Experienced at the Workplace
Answer:
Do this question as part of a problem-solving process. Describe an incident for which you had to identify a solution for the problem, preferably a situation that involved customers or relations with colleagues.
Why Do You Want to Work for Our Company?
Answer:
This is your opportunity to show that you’ve done your research. Mention details about the company’s values, mission, or recent achievements that attracted you to the role.
For example:
“I’ve been looking for a company that emphasizes innovation and integrity, and your organization stands out in both areas. I’m particularly impressed by your recent sustainability initiatives, and I’d love to contribute to that work.”
Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
Answer:
Reassure the interviewer that you are looking for long-term growth with their company. Mention specific job roles or skills you’d like to develop, showing that you see a future for yourself in the organization.
For example:
“In five years, I see myself taking on leadership responsibilities within this department, helping to drive the company’s goals forward, and continuing to grow my expertise in this field.”
Why Should We Hire You Over Someone Else?
Answer:
This is your chance to stand out. Highlight the strengths, experiences, and qualifications that make you the ideal candidate. Focus on successes from your past roles, demonstrating how you’ll add value to the company.
For example:
As expected, customer service and project management specialists provide the best qualities for this job; here, it is stated that the applicant has a proven record of raising the clients’ retention by 20 per cent through increased service strategies, and such success will be achieved in this organization.
A Guide on How To Face Those Difficult Interview Questions
So, preparing for these expected interview questions is the only way to face them. To avoid ‘umming’ and ‘arriving,’ sometimes practising your responses in front of a mirror or with a friend is best. Scenarizing with another person will keep you poised to answer questions and get ready for them.
Moreover, I want to learn more about the particular company, the position you are applying for, and the general topic of interview questions about that sector. You can offer responses to the company and the available position position.
Common Questions Linked to Difficult Interviews
What is the best way to go about answering tricky interview questions?
They should be collected and poised to answer any question thrown at them. When responding to the interviewer, focus on what they are asking, then design the reply on what that employer may want. They may not be concerned about what you have to say but how you respond to the pressure.
What is the most challenging interview question to answer?
The most challenging question can vary from person to person. Many candidates find the “biggest weakness” question challenging because they don’t want to reveal something negative. To handle this, prepare a positive-negative answer that frames your weakness as something you’re improving.
Conclusion
Handling intricate interview questions is one capability that defines a job search success story. You’ll ensure that you’ll steer towards positive outcomes the next time you’re asked these questions.
You have to remain calm and be as prepared as possible while seeing every question as a possibility to show one’s worth. These are strategies that, when seriously employed, will help you grasp all the critical areas of the job interview to answer all hard questions satisfactorily.
