10 Tough Interview Questions

8/3/2019 10 Tough Interview Questions

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10 Tough Interview Questions10 Tough Interview Questions

And how to answer them!And how to answer them!


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"Where do you see yourself in"Where do you see yourself in

five years?"five years?"

Let the employer know that you're stable and youLet the employer know that you're stable and youwant to be with this company for the long haul.want to be with this company for the long haul. Keep your aspirations to take over the firm with whichKeep your aspirations to take over the firm with which

you are interviewing, own your own company, retire atyou are interviewing, own your own company, retire at

40 or be married with five children to yourself.40 or be married with five children to yourself.Suggested answer:Suggested answer:

"I want to secure a civil engineering position with a"I want to secure a civil engineering position with anational firm that concentrates on retailnational firm that concentrates on retaildevelopment. Ideally, I would like to work for adevelopment. Ideally, I would like to work for a

young company, such as this one, so I can get inyoung company, such as this one, so I can get inon the ground floor and take advantage of all theon the ground floor and take advantage of all theopportunities a growing firm has to offer."opportunities a growing firm has to offer."


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"What are your weaknesses?""What are your weaknesses?"The key to answering this ageThe key to answering this age--old question is not toold question is not torespond literally. Your future employer most likely won'trespond literally. Your future employer most likely won'tcare if your weak spot is that you can't cook, nor do theycare if your weak spot is that you can't cook, nor do theywant to hear the generic responses, like you're "too detailwant to hear the generic responses, like you're "too detailoriented" or "work too hard."oriented" or "work too hard."

Respond to this query by identifying areas in your workRespond to this query by identifying areas in your workwhere you can improve and figure out how they can bewhere you can improve and figure out how they can beassets to a future employer.assets to a future employer. For example, if you didn't have the opportunity to developFor example, if you didn't have the opportunity to develop

certain skills at your previous job, explain how eager you arecertain skills at your previous job, explain how eager you areto gain that skill in a new position.to gain that skill in a new position.

Suggested answer:Suggested answer:

"In my last position, I wasn't able to develop my public"In my last position, I wasn't able to develop my public--speaking skills. I'd really like to be able to work in a placespeaking skills. I'd really like to be able to work in a placethat will help me get better at giving presentations andthat will help me get better at giving presentations andtalking in front of others."talking in front of others."


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"Tell me about the worst boss"Tell me about the worst boss

you ever had."you ever had."

Never, ever talk badly about your pastNever, ever talk badly about your pastbosses. A potential boss will anticipatebosses. A potential boss will anticipatethat you'll talk about him or her in thethat you'll talk about him or her in the

same manner somewhere down the line.same manner somewhere down the line.Suggested answer:Suggested answer:

"While none of my past bosses were awful,"While none of my past bosses were awful,there are some who taught me more thanthere are some who taught me more than

others did. I've definitely learned whatothers did. I've definitely learned whattypes of management styles I work withtypes of management styles I work withthe best."the best."


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How would others describeHow would others describe

you?you?

You should always be asking for feedback fromYou should always be asking for feedback fromyour colleagues and supervisors in order toyour colleagues and supervisors in order togauge your performance; this way, you cangauge your performance; this way, you canhonestly answer the question based on theirhonestly answer the question based on their

comments.comments. Keep track of the feedback to be able to give to anKeep track of the feedback to be able to give to anemployer, if asked.employer, if asked.

Doing so will also help you identify strengths andDoing so will also help you identify strengths andweaknesses.weaknesses.


"My former colleagues have said that I'm easy to do"My former colleagues have said that I'm easy to dobusiness with and that I always hit the groundbusiness with and that I always hit the groundrunning with new projects. I have more specificrunning with new projects. I have more specificfeedback with me, if you'd like to take a look atfeedback with me, if you'd like to take a look atit."it."


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"What can you offer me that"What can you offer me that

another person can't?"another person can't?"

This is when you talk about your record of gettingThis is when you talk about your record of gettingthings done.things done. Go into specifics from your rsum and portfolioGo into specifics from your rsum and portfolio

Show an employer your value and how you'd be anShow an employer your value and how you'd be an

assetasset This is the time to brag!!This is the time to brag!!


"I'm the best person for the job. I know there are"I'm the best person for the job. I know there areother candidates who could fill this position, butother candidates who could fill this position, butmy passion for excellence sets me apart from themy passion for excellence sets me apart from the

pack. I am committed to always producing thepack. I am committed to always producing thebest results. For example..."best results. For example..."


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"If you could choose any"If you could choose any

company to work for, wherecompany to work for, where

would you go?"would you go?"NEVER say that you would choose anyNEVER say that you would choose anycompany other than the one where youcompany other than the one where you

are interviewing. Talk about the job andare interviewing. Talk about the job andthe company for which you are beingthe company for which you are beinginterviewed.interviewed.Suggested answer:Suggested answer:

"I wouldn't have applied for this position if I"I wouldn't have applied for this position if I

didn't sincerely want to work with yourdidn't sincerely want to work with yourorganization." Continue with specificorganization." Continue with specificexamples of why you respect the companyexamples of why you respect the companywith which you are interviewing and whywith which you are interviewing and whyyou'll be a good fit.you'll be a good fit.


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What are your salaryWhat are your salary

expectations?"expectations?"Salary is a delicate topic. In today's tough economy though, howSalary is a delicate topic. In today's tough economy though, howmuch a company can afford to pay you might be the deal breakermuch a company can afford to pay you might be the deal breakerin whether or not you are offered a position.in whether or not you are offered a position.Students often do not have a realistic view of what startingStudents often do not have a realistic view of what startingsalaries are. When you research salaries for different professions,salaries are. When you research salaries for different professions,realize that those are AVERAGESrealize that those are AVERAGES

These averages are affected by years in the position, experience,These averages are affected by years in the position, experience,region of the country (cost of living), an other factors.region of the country (cost of living), an other factors.

Suggested answer:Suggested answer:"I would expect that the salary range for this position is $XX"I would expect that the salary range for this position is $XX -- $XX.$XX.

At this point in my life its important for me to be able to supportAt this point in my life its important for me to be able to supportmyself, but luckily my expenses are low, and besides I'm moremyself, but luckily my expenses are low, and besides I'm moreinterested in the job itself than the money. I would be open tointerested in the job itself than the money. I would be open to

negotiating a lower starting salary but would hope that we cannegotiating a lower starting salary but would hope that we canrevisit the subject in a few months after I've proved myself torevisit the subject in a few months after I've proved myself toyou."you."You can also think of things that might be more important to youYou can also think of things that might be more important to youthan just salary that might not cost the company as much.than just salary that might not cost the company as much. More vacation timeMore vacation time Work from homeWork from home

TrainingTraining Professional associationsProfessional associations


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Can you give me an example ofaCan you give me an example ofa

timetimeyou were a leader?you were a leader?you had to deal with a difficult coyou had to deal with a difficult co--worker?worker?you disagreed with a boss/teacher?you disagreed with a boss/teacher?In each of these cases the interviewer is looking for specificIn each of these cases the interviewer is looking for specificexamples that demonstrate some skill.examples that demonstrate some skill.

Think of good examples, even if youve never had a job.Think of good examples, even if youve never had a job. Make sure your examples shine a good light on you.Make sure your examples shine a good light on you. Make sure you include outcomes of your actions (and make sure theyMake sure you include outcomes of your actions (and make sure they

are positive).are positive).


When I was involved in my sorority, I volunteered as chairperson forWhen I was involved in my sorority, I volunteered as chairperson forour annual fundraiser. In this case we planned a bowling night toour annual fundraiser. In this case we planned a bowling night to

raise money for childrens hospital. First, I had to solicit sororityraise money for childrens hospital. First, I had to solicit sororitysisters to participate with planning the event. Then I had tosisters to participate with planning the event. Then I had toidentify all the steps in planning the event and delegate roles toidentify all the steps in planning the event and delegate roles tomy committee members. Overall the night was a huge success,my committee members. Overall the night was a huge success,and we raised $12,000."and we raised $12,000."


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"Why did you leave your last"Why did you leave your last

job?"job?"

This is your chance to talk about yourThis is your chance to talk about yourexperience and your career goals, not toexperience and your career goals, not tobadmouth a former boss or give a laundrybadmouth a former boss or give a laundrylist of reasons for your exit.list of reasons for your exit. Focus on what you learned in your previousFocus on what you learned in your previous

position and how you are ready to use thoseposition and how you are ready to use thoseskills in a new position.skills in a new position.


"The company just wasn't a good fit for my"The company just wasn't a good fit for mycreativity, but I learned that organizationscreativity, but I learned that organizationshave distinct personalities just like peoplehave distinct personalities just like peopledo. Now I know where I'll be a better fit."do. Now I know where I'll be a better fit."


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General TipsGeneral TipsDo your homeworkDo your homework Nothing says "I am not that interested in this job" like someone whoNothing says "I am not that interested in this job" like someone who

has done no research and knows little about a company.has done no research and knows little about a company.

Don't get too personalDon't get too personal The last thing an employer wants to do is to hire someone who bringsThe last thing an employer wants to do is to hire someone who brings

personal drama to the office.personal drama to the office.

Be honestBe honest Interviewers don't expect you to have all the answers.Interviewers don't expect you to have all the answers. Often they areOften they are

testing your reaction to "tough questions" to see how you respondtesting your reaction to "tough questions" to see how you respondunder pressure.under pressure.

It is much worse to get caught in a lie than to admit you do not knowIt is much worse to get caught in a lie than to admit you do not knowsomething.something.

Prepare for these common questionsPrepare for these common questions

These questions may seem simple, but because they are so broad,These questions may seem simple, but because they are so broad,candidates can get tripped up by them if they don't know where tocandidates can get tripped up by them if they don't know where tostart or when to end.start or when to end.

Do not be negativeDo not be negative No matter how tempting it is to share woes from prior jobs or howNo matter how tempting it is to share woes from prior jobs or how

much an interviewer is pushing you to do so, it is never a good idea tomuch an interviewer is pushing you to do so, it is never a good idea tosay negative things about a previous employer.say negative things about a previous employer.


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Common Interviewing MistakesCommon Interviewing Mistakes

According to a recent survey of hiringAccording to a recent survey of hiringmanagers the most detrimental mistakesmanagers the most detrimental mistakesan interviewee can make in an interview:an interviewee can make in an interview:

Appearing disinterested (62%)Appearing disinterested (62%) Appearing arrogant (49%)Appearing arrogant (49%)

Speaking negatively about a current orSpeaking negatively about a current orprevious employer (44%)previous employer (44%)

Dressing inappropriately (42%)Dressing inappropriately (42%) Not providing specific answers (35%)Not providing specific answers (35%)

Not asking good questions (25%).Not asking good questions (25%).

10 Tough Interview Questions

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