How to answer the MOST difficult interview questions – including your ‘greatest weakness’ and ‘favourite hobbies’
It’s undoubtedly a bleak time in the jobs market, with one in five bosses planning to make furloughed staff redundant. If you’re on the hunt for a new role after losing your job – or simply desperate to get out of your current one – it’s never been more important to ensure you stand out from the crowd. Here are some of the top ten questions most frequently asked in interviews – and how you should best answer them.
Question 1. Tell me about yourself
Interviewees should be ‘brief’ and ‘to-the-point’ when answering questions during the discussion. We believe you should ‘Identify some of your main attributes and memorise them. Describe your qualifications, career history and range of skills, emphasising those skills relevant to the job on offer.
Question 2. What have your achievements been to date?
Highlight a recent achievement could be beneficial in an interview scenario and select an achievement that is work-related and fairly recent. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit it had to the company.
Question 3. Are you happy with your career to date?
This question is really about your self-esteem, confidence and career aspirations. The answer must be “yes”, followed by a brief explanation as to what it is about your career so far that’s made you happy. If you have hit a career plateau, or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify your answer.
Question 4. What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it?
The purpose of this question is to find out what your definition of difficult is and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving. In order to show yourself in a positive light, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.
Question 5. What do you like about your present job?
This is one of the most ‘straightforward’ questions asked in an interview, all you have to do is make sure that your ‘likes’ correspond to the skills etc. required in the job on offer.
Question 6. What do you dislike about your present job?
Be cautious with this answer. Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses that will leave you open to further problems. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.
Question 7. What are your strengths?
This is one question that you know you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four proficiencies e.g. your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal.
Question 8. What is your greatest weakness?
There are several ways to answer the difficult ‘weaknesses’ question. Do not say you have none – this will lead to further problems. You have two options – use a professed weakness such as a lack of experience, not ability, on your part in an area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered to be a strength, and the steps you have taken to combat it.
Question 9. Why do you want to leave your current employer?
You should always remain positive when discussing current employment. State how you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, experience and a change of environment. Do not be negative in your reasons for leaving. It is rarely appropriate to cite salary as your primary motivator.
Question 10. Why have you applied for this particular job?
This question reveals the interviewer may be looking for how good of a fit you could be in the role. The employer is looking for evidence that the job suits you, fits in with your general aptitudes, coincides with your long-term goals and involves doing things you enjoy. Make sure you have a good understanding of the role and the organisation, and describe the attributes of the organisation that interest you most.
