During a job interview, you may be asked tough questions. Interview questions will differ widely between industries, but there are some tough questions most employers commonly use to learn more about you as a candidate. Even the most qualified candidate can get stumped by an unexpected or difficult interview question.
It might be hard to determine exactly what an employer will ask, but by examining some common questions and their purpose, it can help you feel more confident and prepared going into interviews!
In a recent study, only about 2% of applicants even get asked to interview after the screening process.
According to a report from Glassdoor.
Based off of this study, it reveals that proper interview preparation is the next crucial step. Employers will ask difficult questions to get to know you as a candidate, as well as seek out important information about you. Let’s take a look at a few common tough interview questions with examples of how you could answer them!
Top 3 Difficult Interview Questions with Sample Answers
1. What is your greatest weakness?
Employers may ask about your weaknesses to see if you have a sense of self-awareness and ways you are working to improve. The key to this one is honesty. Discussing a positive trait as a weakness is an overused strategy that does not go very far with interviewers anymore. Instead, highlighting weak points and focusing on the actions that are being made to improve is the better approach. Here is a great template to start off with when discussing your weaknesses and how you are working to overcome them:
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My weakness is [weakness you experience] which has compelled me to [action to make improvement] which has led me to [result of the actions made to improve].
Example: “My weakness is procrastination. I did not think it was a consequential flaw because I was only creating stress for myself. But when I was working for my previous company, I was given a group project where I could see how putting things off created stress for everyone else. It made me reevaluate my time management. I started creating deadlines for myself, and I broke the habit. It was tough process to get used to, but it improved my workflow and mindset.”
2. Why are you leaving your current role?
It is important to note that the way that you talk about your current employer is a reflection of your character. Talking about former positions, coworkers, or employers in a negative way will not put prospective employees in a favorable light, even if the situations are valid. Instead, focus on the opportunity that you are pursuing! Hiring managers ask this question because it helps them ensure the opening will be a good fit for you, make sure they can provide for what your previous employer did not see.
Example: “I am leaving my current role because I am ready for the next challenge in my career. Working as part of a team with my previous coworkers and the projects I worked on with them was very enjoyable, but at a certain point I realized I was not being challenged the way I was initially. I decided to pursue a position within your company where I can continue to grow, rather than let myself get too comfortable with my workflow.”
3. Why should I hire you?
This question can make a lot of job-seekers nervous, especially if they feel like they are not comfortable in selling themselves. The interviewer only has a short time to get to know a potential candidate, so this question can be a valuable opportunity to make sure nothing important is left unsaid. It is crucial that you do not mention other candidates when asked this question because it gives you the time to focus on yourself and be concise about why the company needs you. To answer, explain how your skills and experience make you the best fit for the position. It is also important to look over the job description to make sure you match what they are looking for.
Example: “You should hire me for this position because of my proven ability in office efficiency and maintaining strong relationships with clients. I am passionate about being attentive to those involved with my community, which keeps me motivated to do my best work. I am excited to bring my skills to this role.”
There isn’t a way around being asked tricky interview questions, but your goal should be to always be prepared for them! Prepare beforehand by practicing these questions with a friend. That way, you’ll know how to answer any interview question easily and get the job!
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