How to answer 7 tricky questions at the interview

You can never be too prepared for an interview. No matter how you prepare, interviewers are always hidden a few tricky questions that can bring job seekers out of balance.

Фото: Depositphotos

While some hiring managers prefer to call them “advanced” questions, candidates for vacancies view them as “annoying” because they are poorly worded, do not have the right or wrong answer, or simply seem inappropriate, writes CNBC.

Here are 7 examples of the most annoying and frequently asked at the interview. Questions and tips on how to answer them easily and intelligently.

1. “What is your greatest weakness?”

The real value of the question: “How self-critical are you?”

Tip: never say: “I have no weaknesses.” Instead, use one of hundreds of online personality assessment tools (such as Meyers Briggs or DISC) to prepare a fact-based answer.

How to answer: Discuss your personality assessment results with the interviewer. In your answer, explain how you are working on improvement. This method is also well suited for such questions about your strengths, giving you the opportunity to express your basic skills, building on facts.

2. “Tell me what you don’t like about your current (or previous) manager?”

The real value of the question: “Do you like to dramatize or can you intelligently work through a conflict with a manager?”

Tip: First, the “ideal manager” is rare. Secondly, never badmouth your previous employer. This is the fastest way to ruin your chances of getting a job.

How to answer: A successful response requires you to make a critical (but fair) assessment of how your boss could do the work a little more difficult for you, and how you tried to find a solution in this situation. It is always better to recall the situation you have already discussed with your boss in the past. For example, he could recognize the need to improve his communication skills. And you can tell how you decided the conflict situation with the boss.

3. “Are you planning to have children or get married?”

The real value of the question: “How much time can you devote to work?”

Tip: These questions are not only complex, but often illegal if asked during the job interview process.

How to answer: If you choose to answer, of course, be direct and honest. If you decide not to answer, move the conversation to a different topic by saying something concise and direct, such as, “My career is my main goal right now,” or “My goal right now is to get an MBA in my spare time.”

4. “If I ask you to sell me this pen, how will you do it?”

The real value of the question: “How creative and logical are you?”

Tip: Do not try to answer a hypothetical question without facts. Instead, focus on the process.

How to answer: These questions are completely subjective, and even the smartest applicants will often give mediocre answers, so don't set yourself up for failure. Use your experience and knowledge to guide the interviewer through the problem-solving process. There's no need for any real data here, so try to break down the process into areas such as purpose, target audience details, unique product characteristics, competition, and the delivery method that will best resonate with the consumer. The goal is to demonstrate how creative and process-oriented you are.

5. “What are your salary expectations?”

The real value of the question: “How well do you know your industry?”

Tip: Do not base your answer on how much you think your work is worth. Use facts and research to answer.

How to answer: Instead of trying to price yourself, look for salary data for people in comparable positions in the area. You can get a pretty good idea of ​​the range by looking at similar job postings, employer firm salary guides, or sites like Glassdoor. And always answer the question by citing research data: “Based on my research, comparable jobs pay candidates with similar experience to mine between $50 and $000 per year, so I would like to be paid within this range."

6. “Tell me about a time when you faced an unusual problem. How did you deal with it?

The real value of the question: “Do you sink or swim when you step out of your comfort zone?”

Tip: Whenever a question begins with "tell me about a case", use the STAR answer method (Situation Task, Action, Result).

How to answer: Was there a revolutionary project in your past that you were a part of? Have you ever worked with a team with complex interpersonal dynamics? Break your example into the following four steps:

• Situation: explain when and where it happened.
• Task: tell us what your role was in this project.
• Action: tell me what steps you took to solve the problem.
• Result: describe the result and what you have learned from this experience.

7. “Why should we hire you?”

The real value of the question: “Can you prove that you are suitable for us?”

Tip: Never compare yourself with other candidates. Focus on your strengths and how you can make the team more effective.

How to answer: Tell us about your desire to take this job, about the suitability of your personal goals with organizational and how your skills and personal qualities correspond to the profile of the work and the dynamics of the team.

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