Three Tough Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

There are three types of questions you may fact during an interview that can make or break your chances of getting the job. You’ll need to be prepared before the interview with ways to answer them sincerely and in a way that puts you to best light. Here are some suggestions.

The Bitterness Check
Employers don’t want to hire on a bitter new employee who will bring down the team and probably leave soon, as well. Therefore they will ask you questions that will give them a feel of your “bitterness quotient.” These questions include, “Why did you leave your last job?”

If the reason you left brings up negative feelings for you, be careful. Don’t let your emotions rule your response to this question. Be professional and give a neutral answer. Don’t bad-mouth your ex-boss or ex-co-workers.

The Weakest Link
Some interviewers are looking more for reasons not to consider you than the other way around. Therefore they’ll ask questions that tease out your weaknesses. These kinds of questions include: “Why do you think we should hire you?” and “What is your biggest weakness?”

Answer these questions with confidence and humility. Frame your weakness as a strength. Emphasize the skills you bring to the table that make you uniquely qualified for the position.

Just the Facts, Ma’am
Other interviewers only want to know what you have done before that is similar to what you would do if hired for this position. They’ll ask you specific skills-related questions. These are actually the easiest to answer because you just need to talk about what you’ve done before.

Of course, if you’re trying to move your career in a new direction. You’ll have to tread carefully and talk about your translatable skills in a way that makes it sound like you are ideal for the job.