Top 21 Great Answers To Toughest Interview Questions

Interviews bring great anxiety and nightmares especially the technical questions but did you know there are some common questions that we might get wrong. They’re more like wolf in sheep’s clothing kind of questions so let’s see which of these are they:

Tell me more about yourself.

Common enough right? However, it is important to realise what the interviewer might want to know through this question. Here is how you can answer it:

“I am a dedicated and loyal worker and I am extremely sincere with my passion of working. I have studied the job description in detail, ands I think that the attributes coincide with what i am offering”.

What are your strengths?

Another very common question however some tend to boast about their capabilities and lose their chance. Here is how you can answer:

“I would say my biggest strength is my confident and clear communication. I am very dedicated to my clients so that I can keep up with the standard of the company for client service”.

What are your weaknesses?

This is a tough question and you might think of something that does not make you feel ill suited for the job however you do not want to seem the perfect candidate. Say this:

“My biggest weakness is feeling overwhelmed sometimes due to the amount of work. However, I keep myself calm and collected and aim to complete my tasks using efficient time management”.

How do you feel about multi tasking?

Multi tasking is important and knowing how to manage it is even more important. Tell them that you do well with multi tasking due to strategical planning.

“Multi tasking is not as hard for me since I keep my tasks completed before the pile up. Also I complete multiple tasks by keeping them according to their urgency”.

Why are you quitting your current job?

Do not throw your previous firm under the bus when you answer because it may seem you’re being disrespectful. Instead answer:

“I am quitting my current job due to less chances of growth there. I have done my part well and was appreciated however I wanted to further look for opportunities to learn and grow”.

What sets you off from other candidates?

Since you are not aware of other candidates, do not make yourself like your the best out of them by putting them down. Here is how you can answer:

“I think I am best suited for this role due to possessing the qualities of your requirements such as excellent communication, teamwork collaboration and good planning.”

Have you ever gotten into a disagreement with your boss?

They want to know that whether or not you can handle the heat of your superiors without being disrespectful. Answer them:

“Yes!  I have been in a disagreement with my boss over an issue once and i got some harsh statements from him however, I kept my calm at that moment and later tried to resolve the issue once his anger subsided and we both exchanged our views”.

How do you feel about reporting to a younger person?

Hierarchy can work in different works and sometimes juniors in age can be seniors in posts. They want to know your views on reporting to someone who is younger than you. Answer this:

“There is nothing I find wrong in it. I respect the rules laid out for everyone in the team even if it means a younger person is my senior in post. I will report to them as I would normally to any reporting manager”.

Sometimes, things can get disrespectful with your reporting manager. What is your approach to this ?

Heated altercations in workplaces may seem a little hurtful but by keeping a calm view you have to resolve them. Answer them by saying:

“I will try not to be the person who escalates the situation further and instead of exchanging heated words i would prefer talking to the senior of both of us involved in that situation”.

How flexible is your work schedule?

This question is asked to test the availability of the candidate and whether or not they would answer the call to heed when needed. Here is how you can answer:

“When it comes to flexibility, I can do 4 to 5 hours extra overtime on weekday and about 3 hours on a weekend as you need”.

Would you ever take the brunt of someone else’s mistake?

This is a personal question to evaluate whether what kind of situation would push you to protect your peer from the management. Be honest and say:

“It entirely depends on what they have done. If it has nothing to do with violating the company or its sanctity or anyone else who works there, I may take some brunt of it.”

How would you work alone on a project?

Even though large scale projects are given in teams sometimes working alone can be a challenge. Emphsise on your ability to work independently and say:

“I would work well enough in a project due to my capability to work quite independently when it is required of me. However, I would depend on some advice or guidance from my seniors in that matter as well”.

Why is there a work gap on your cv?

Taking a gap could be personal and it is something that may have affected your professionally. Address this question by saying:

“I took a gap from a field due to a number of personal reasons such as feeling burnt out and not giving enough time to my personal life. However, in that time i worked remotely to stay aware of the market and it’s requirements”.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This may come around as a surprise since you actively don’t really give a thought about future. Do not panic and say:

“In the next 5 years I hope to see myself in a senior position while staying relevant to my field and inspire younger people to choose this market due to it’s high benefits”.

How do you face criticism?

Criticism is a daily part of professional life and the interviewer wants to know whether you take it personally or see it as a chance to better yourself. Answer them by saying:

“Criticism is something I do not take personally. I see it more as a chance to improve myself in the bigger picture and to avoid the mistake that landed me into this position in the first place”.

How do you bid within a team environment?

Teamwork is extremely important to companies since most of their work relies on good team performance. Address you performance as a team member by saying:

“I thrive in team, environments due to my effective communication, passion for working with new people and accomplishing tasks with them. I also find it fulfilling to achieve milestones and celebrate them with my team”.

How do you deal with a difficult team member?

Not all team members are co operative and some may cause trouble at times. Remember to highlight your approach when this happens and say:

“Not everyone within a team is the most perfect and I believe to keep a very open and calm approach to them and hear out their concerns as any other member. This makes them feel valued and heard, further motivating them to co operate with the team”.

Are you a good leader or a good listener?

This question is to test whether you work well as a follower or the followed. Answer them like this:

“I believe I am both. Even as a leader, i listen to all my team and treat them as a unit rather than dividing them. Hearing their concerns helps me build better strategies.”

Are you adaptable to new tasks?

Adaptability is something very hard to accomplish and it is vital in life to do so. Address your ability to learn fast and say:

“I am quite adaptable to new tasks and roles. I keep my research of any potential changes and try my best to learnt them as quick as possible by practically getting involved with people around me”.

Do you believe in smart work or hard work?

A very tough question because either of those answers by themself can set of a wrong impression. Try to merge them both and say:

“I believe in both since smart work is not achievable until you do not work hard for it and it is also the other way around. Being someone smart may not always come in handy without having to work hard.”

Do you have any questions for us?

Do not waste your turn to ask by asking about the salary or how much work they would give. Instead ask thoughtful questions about them such as:

“How do you think you would describe team dynamic here? Also through all years of your company what do you think has been the key to success for you?”

Interviews can be tough but even the simplest questions need to be prepared for them. Hope these questions provide you an insight of how to deal with some simple yet tough common questions in interviews.

Interview Forge Team

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