Difficult Interview Questions

The Job Interviewer's Perspective

When you find yourself dreading having to face responding to difficult interview questions, think about the perspective of the person who is interviewing you for the job. He or she has a job opening, and needs someone to fill it.

The interviewer has already looked at your resume or job application and invited you for an interview. This means that you have the basic qualifications needed to be considered for the position. The person interviewing you already knows what your resume or application says.

The interviewer isn't looking for a reason not to hire you. In fact, quite the opposite is true. If you turn out to be the perfect person for the job, there will be one less position open in the company. When you ace your interview, the person interviewing you gets to move on to another project instead of continuing to talk to candidates for this particular job opening.

Why Ask Difficult Interview Questions?

The purpose of the interview is to get to know you as a person, so the interviewer can get a sense of how qualified you are for the job and how well your are likely to fit into the organization's culture. The only way to get this type of information from you is to ask you questions designed to tap into your attitude, work ethic, and personality traits.

These types of questions are often perceived as being difficult. However, if you know that you're likely to face questions that will reveal these types of information about yourself, you can plan ahead. Before you go on an interview, decide how you're going to respond to the types of questions that make you uncomfortable.

Common Tough Questions

Can You Tell Me About Yourself?

When you get this question, keep in mind that the job interviewer is looking for information that relates to how well you are likely to perform on the job. Stick to information that relates to your professionalism, skills, and work habits.

• Do: I am a hard working person who has always been interested in working in the healthcare profession. I really enjoy working in a team environment, and I feel that helping parents schedule medical appointments for their children will be a very rewarding work experience.

• Don't: I have three dogs, and I really enjoy knitting. I like spending time with my friends, and I'm looking forward to going on a cruise with them next summer.

The do example provides details that the interviewer is likely to be interested in. Additionally, this response lets the interviewer know that you have an understanding of the position for which you are applying and that the job actually matches your career ambitions.

The don't example about may be true, but it certainly doesn't reflect anything that the person interviewing you is likely to care about. If anything, you're sending a message here that your are more concerned with talking about your personal interests than in selling yourself as a potential employee.

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

• Do: My goal is to work for a company where I can make important contributions and have opportunities to advance over time. I have heard great things about your company, and feel this is a place where I can make a significant contribution.

• Don't: Because I need a job.

The do example conveys that you have a sense of ambition and are looking for a career rather than just a place to work until something better comes along. This response emphasizes what you can do for the organization, rather than focusing on what the company can do for you.

The don't example above is, unfortunately, the way that people tend to respond to this question. The purpose of this question is to find out if applicants have actually given any thought to the position for which they are applying. One of the biggest expenses any company has to deal with is employee turnover. Prospective employers don't want to hire people who just need any job. They want to hire people to who really want to become a part of the organization.

Practice Difficult Interview Questions

Before you go on your next job interview, make a list of the questions you have been asked in the past that you weren't comfortable answering, and think about the questions from the interviewer's point of view. Ask yourself what the person asking these questions was looking for, and try to come up with truthful answers that convey the right type of information about yourself.

Once you have a good idea about how to answer your most dreaded interview questions, get someone you trust to conduct a mock interview with you. This will be an opportunity for you to prepare for your interview by practicing verbalizing your responses in a non-threatening environment. Ask the individual who is helping you to give you honest feedback on your responses so that you can perfect and polish your answers in preparation for your next real-life job interview situation.