Handling Those Tough Interview Questions
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Sunday 10th October 2010- How to answer those tough and tricky questions.
- What kinds of questions employers are asking.
- Why they are asking these questions, and how you should answer.
Getting an interview is easy. Getting a job is difficult.
The fact is, no matter how Sharp your resume and credentials, how you perform in the job interview will play a big role in a company's decision to hire you. And while most job seekers have no problems mailing or e-mailing their resumes, during the job interview, these normally calm and cool candidates can freeze up like a Minnesota winter — particularly when faced with a more challenging interview question.
So how do you handle tough interview questions? Check out these SharpWork tips:
The Facts
There's nothing worse than sitting in an interview and stumbling a question (he fumbles!). Blank stares and a lack of confidence aren't the qualities an employer generally looks for in a new employee. By taking a short amount of time to prepare yourself and formulate answers to a few common interview "stumpers," you can look just as Sharp in person as you do on your resume (or make up for what your resume doesn’t have, if that’s what you need). Not sure how to answer some of those questions? Take a look at the following, and think about how you would answer them and how they relate to your own personal situation:
"Why don't you like your current position and why are you looking for a new job?"
What they’re getting at: This question attempts to determine what kind of team player you are. Are you a complainer, or are you simply moving in response to a legitimate need?
The SharpMan Response: Don't complain about your boss, coworkers, the work you are doing, or about not having enough time to get things done. Chances are, things will be just as busy at your new position, if not busier. Talking about poor relationships isn't a good idea either. If the employer knows you've had personal issues with supervisors in the past, it might raise a red light about the future.
Emphasize the positives of your current job. Explain that it's time for a new challenge in your life, and how this job fits those requirements and needs.
"Why should we hire you?"
What they’re getting at: This is becoming a more and more popular question. In today's tricky labor market, employers are as blunt as ever, and they want a specific answer. Do you really know why a company should hire you? If you don't, will they?
The SharpMan Response: Study your resume and highlight your accomplishments. If you can correlate your past achievements and skills to the position you are interviewing for, you are on the right track. Also, employers don't want to hear such buzzwords as "hard worker," "team player," or "go-getter." They expect you to be hard-working, they expect you to work as a team, and they expect you to be proactive.
"Describe what it was like when your work was criticized?"
What they’re getting at: This question is designed to hear how you answer. Not only do employers like to hear about the positives, they also want to hear whether you mention your handling of negative situations.
The SharpMan Response: Don’t turn this negative into a positive. Instead, have a story on hand that recounts a minor negative criticism you received that had more to do with someone else’s preferences, rather than your own ineptitude, and conclude the story by explaining how you incorporated this divergent "approach" into your final product. This answer highlights your ability to take criticism and your ability to work as a member of the team (bonus!).
"What do you know about our company?"
What they’re getting at: There’s nothing an interviewer hates more than speaking to — and hiring — a candidate who hasn’t taken the time to learn about the company he claims to "die" to work for. It’s kind of like when a DJ gives away concert tickets to the tenth caller, only to discover the winner knows nothing about the band he’s going to see (for this reason DJs usually ask a trivia question, to ensure they have an authentic "fan" on the phone). Job interviews are in the same pool. They want to know that you’ve made a decision to interview with their company, rather than any one of their competitors, because you’ve bought some of the company’s P.R.
The SharpMan Response: This should be an easy question, since you've done your homework on the company, right? With so many resources available online, it's hard to find a company without a Web site. Study it, and know it well. If your target company doesn’t have a Web site, call for a company brochure or other materials. Most are happy to send out information.
For your answer, pick some accomplishment, field of expertise or market position as the "reason" you favor this company over another. For truly thorough SharpMen, consider seeking out industry chat rooms that may provide you with collateral information that will round out your answer.
"What was your biggest accomplishment at your last job, and why?"
What they’re getting at: This question is designed to see if you can toot your own horn. After all, even the laziest of interviews can look down at your carefully-crafted resume, right? Not really. Most interviewers spend an average of 10-30 seconds perusing a resume prior to beginning an interview. A question like this one is an opportunity to take the interviewer on a "road trip" of the accomplishments outlined in your resume.
The SharpMan Response: Did you consistently reach sales goals? Did you organize a successful advertising campaign? Did you regularly outbid your competitors? These accomplishments should be prominently outlined in your resume. When asked, refer to these and to the resume (encouraging the interviewer to see all the other goodies on there), stringing each accomplishment to the next and providing additional details — impressive numbers, facts or figures to underscore the breadth of the achievement. Some SharpMen may choose to bring supporting paperwork, although in most fields, this only slows down the conversation.
"If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he or she say are your greatest strengths or weaknesses?"
What they’re getting at: Like it or not, this question is asked. Mostly, it’s more about gauging your reaction than something the interviewer is likely to do.
The SharpMan Response: As explained above, this is usually a bluff tactic designed to see how you respond, so put on your best show. Don’t hesitate. Point to a concrete accomplishment of yours that made your boss look good and indicate that this as one of your strengths. For the "weakness" part, always point to something minor, or joke: "I’m sure he would say that my weakness is my decision to interview elsewhere!"
In other words, put an emphasis on your strengths and don't hide minor weaknesses. Everybody knows there is room for improvement, so don't talk your way out of a job.
"What kind of salary are you expecting?"
What they’re getting at: There’s an old principle of negotiation that says that the first guy to name a number loses. That’s basically what the interviewer is trying to accomplish with this question. The idea is that the person asked to name a number will low-ball at the last minute, because he really wants the job.
The SharpMan Response: We're all worth more than we’re paid, right? On the other hand, we all want to better the last deal we had. The key is to weigh your previous level of pay with the current market rate and the number of years of experience under your belt (unless the market reality or supply makes that less important). Also, don’t forget that salaries vary greatly depending on region. If you live in Siren, Wisconsin and are applying for a job in New York City or San Francisco, salary structures vary greatly — and so does cost of living.
Do your homework and realistically determine what you believe that you are worth, then state the number clearly and without hesitation. The interviewer will smell insecurity and prey upon that at offer time. Remember, if the employer can’t make the numbers happen, you can always rework the compensation structure with other perks, but for now, state your number clearly and then sit back.
Next week, we will discuss illegal interview questions, and will again provide you with your Sharp response for each.
This article last updated on Sunday 10th October 2010