How to Answer the Toughest Interview Questions
By Caroline Levchuck
You know they're coming: Those seemingly unanswerable questions that pop up during job interviews.
You can't clam up. And you don't want to stutter and stammer. So what's a job seeker to do?
The 'Future' Question
Otherwise known as the "big picture" question, the future question goes something like this: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
The best tactic: Talk about your values.
Don't get too detailed about your specific career plan. Instead, discuss things that are important to you professionally and how you plan to achieve them. If growth is a goal, mention that. You can also talk about challenge, another value that employers prize in their employees.
The 'Salary' Question
Most people will tell you that whoever answers this question first loses. But that's not necessarily true.
When an interviewer asks your salary requirement, try first to gently deflect the question by inquiring about the salary for the position.
If the interviewer presses you for a number, give a range. To decide on a range, think about the salary you want, your salary at your most recent position and the industry-standard salary for the job.
The bottom line: The salary question is one of the most important, so you should prepare for it in advance and plan what to say.
The 'Why' Question
There's a fine line between boastful and confident. And you need to learn it.
When an interviewer asks you why they should hire you, you're going to have speak confidently and honestly about your abilities. But you should avoid sounding overly boastful.
Aim for earnest and prepare by practicing. That's right: Stand in front of the mirror and acknowledge your abilities and accomplishments to your reflection. Tell yourself: I have a very strong work ethic. I have integrity. I have excellent industry contacts. I aggressively pursue my goals.
It's sometimes hard to praise yourself, but after a few sessions you'll sound sincere.
The Seemingly Silly Question
If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? What if you were a car? Or an animal?
These type of questions can bring your interview to a screeching halt.
First, don't panic. Pause and take a deep breath. Then remind yourself that there's no "right" answer to these questions. The job isn't hinging on whether you choose to be a spruce versus an oak.
Interviewers usually ask these questions to see how you react under pressure and how well you handle the unexpected. It's not so important what type of tree (or car, or animal) you choose as that you explain your choice in a way that makes you look favorable.
So, be a spruce -- because you want to reach new heights in your career. Or be an oak -- because you plan to put down roots at the company. Either way, you'll get it right.
Warm regards
Sujeet Kumar
From India, Pune
5By Caroline Levchuck
You know they're coming: Those seemingly unanswerable questions that pop up during job interviews.
You can't clam up. And you don't want to stutter and stammer. So what's a job seeker to do?
The 'Future' Question
Otherwise known as the "big picture" question, the future question goes something like this: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
The best tactic: Talk about your values.
Don't get too detailed about your specific career plan. Instead, discuss things that are important to you professionally and how you plan to achieve them. If growth is a goal, mention that. You can also talk about challenge, another value that employers prize in their employees.
The 'Salary' Question
Most people will tell you that whoever answers this question first loses. But that's not necessarily true.
When an interviewer asks your salary requirement, try first to gently deflect the question by inquiring about the salary for the position.
If the interviewer presses you for a number, give a range. To decide on a range, think about the salary you want, your salary at your most recent position and the industry-standard salary for the job.
The bottom line: The salary question is one of the most important, so you should prepare for it in advance and plan what to say.
The 'Why' Question
There's a fine line between boastful and confident. And you need to learn it.
When an interviewer asks you why they should hire you, you're going to have speak confidently and honestly about your abilities. But you should avoid sounding overly boastful.
Aim for earnest and prepare by practicing. That's right: Stand in front of the mirror and acknowledge your abilities and accomplishments to your reflection. Tell yourself: I have a very strong work ethic. I have integrity. I have excellent industry contacts. I aggressively pursue my goals.
It's sometimes hard to praise yourself, but after a few sessions you'll sound sincere.
The Seemingly Silly Question
If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? What if you were a car? Or an animal?
These type of questions can bring your interview to a screeching halt.
First, don't panic. Pause and take a deep breath. Then remind yourself that there's no "right" answer to these questions. The job isn't hinging on whether you choose to be a spruce versus an oak.
Interviewers usually ask these questions to see how you react under pressure and how well you handle the unexpected. It's not so important what type of tree (or car, or animal) you choose as that you explain your choice in a way that makes you look favorable.
So, be a spruce -- because you want to reach new heights in your career. Or be an oak -- because you plan to put down roots at the company. Either way, you'll get it right.
Warm regards
Sujeet Kumar
From India, Pune
Thanks Surjeet for the Valuable tip
Specially the "Why should the hire you" Question
The answer to this question has been the toughest for me till now... but now I think I would practice and follow your tips...
Ajmal Mirza
From India, Ahmadabad
Specially the "Why should the hire you" Question
The answer to this question has been the toughest for me till now... but now I think I would practice and follow your tips...
Ajmal Mirza
From India, Ahmadabad
hi
this is really valuable
but the most irritating question tht i always face is " temme lil abt urself.."
everything abt me is on the CV....i jus repeat it..i really dont understand this question
wt are the interviewers lookin for..
i get sooo annoyed....the voice in my head keeps telllin me to tell thm to read my cv .. :roll:
any good answers for this one?
From India, Mumbai
this is really valuable
but the most irritating question tht i always face is " temme lil abt urself.."
everything abt me is on the CV....i jus repeat it..i really dont understand this question
wt are the interviewers lookin for..
i get sooo annoyed....the voice in my head keeps telllin me to tell thm to read my cv .. :roll:
any good answers for this one?
From India, Mumbai
Hi Sunayna and Vrinda ...
You both ... like many others ... dreaed the Question "Talk about Yourself"
In fact ... Thats the Best Question that you can be asked in an interview .... Thats ONE Question which gives the Control of the Direction of the Interview in YOUR hands and not in the Interviewer's Hands.
This the BEST Question you could be asked. With this question, you could at least get some control of the Interview. The interviewers generally ask this question to make the candidate comfortable and also to get some pointers to ask further question. You should be thouroughly prepared to answer this question in a manner beneficial to both sides. Give the inerviwers enough food for thought to ask you questions. Give more pointers on those grounds where you are comfortable. Feed areas to the interviewers where you would like the interview to move.
Also visit the link for Handling Interviews .... Ramya had posted an article and I had responded to it with my own comments ...
#4206
In case you still fear The Big Question and would not mind spending a few bucks on having a Tele Conference with me ... I will be most glad to help .... You can call me late evening on my cell 9892606610 .... and we could discuss YOURSELF !!
All the Best !!
. . . shoOOonya . . .
From Switzerland, Geneva
You both ... like many others ... dreaed the Question "Talk about Yourself"
In fact ... Thats the Best Question that you can be asked in an interview .... Thats ONE Question which gives the Control of the Direction of the Interview in YOUR hands and not in the Interviewer's Hands.
This the BEST Question you could be asked. With this question, you could at least get some control of the Interview. The interviewers generally ask this question to make the candidate comfortable and also to get some pointers to ask further question. You should be thouroughly prepared to answer this question in a manner beneficial to both sides. Give the inerviwers enough food for thought to ask you questions. Give more pointers on those grounds where you are comfortable. Feed areas to the interviewers where you would like the interview to move.
Also visit the link for Handling Interviews .... Ramya had posted an article and I had responded to it with my own comments ...
#4206
In case you still fear The Big Question and would not mind spending a few bucks on having a Tele Conference with me ... I will be most glad to help .... You can call me late evening on my cell 9892606610 .... and we could discuss YOURSELF !!
All the Best !!
. . . shoOOonya . . .
From Switzerland, Geneva
hey thanks...is it like we can move the interviewer to our interest areas , hobbies etc...tell me something that a person from a company will be at once interested...like anything specific ....as i' ll be sitting for logistics and probably marketing jobs...anything perticular that they look for....
do brighten the point...
:roll: vrinda
do brighten the point...
:roll: vrinda
I agree. I personally don't like this question, but when asked I talk about the things that are important to me, and underpin the way I work and live. Things like, I love learning - skills and knowledge, enjoy problem solving, thrive in an environment where interaction with others is a core activity etc etc etc.
Sometimes I think panels ask this question simply because they think it may put you at ease as an "opener", though I would debate the logic of this.
Other times I think they are looking for that "something extra" that you think might give you an edge in going for the position.
Whenever I have been asked this question (including for my most recent job interview) I treat it as if it is the latter - "what gives me an edge?" or "What unique or exemplary qualities can I offer the employer?".
I DON'T tell the interviewer about my favourite fiction author, or favourite food :roll:
From Australia, Ballarat
Sometimes I think panels ask this question simply because they think it may put you at ease as an "opener", though I would debate the logic of this.
Other times I think they are looking for that "something extra" that you think might give you an edge in going for the position.
Whenever I have been asked this question (including for my most recent job interview) I treat it as if it is the latter - "what gives me an edge?" or "What unique or exemplary qualities can I offer the employer?".
I DON'T tell the interviewer about my favourite fiction author, or favourite food :roll:
From Australia, Ballarat
I completely agree with you numerono!!!
Being a Job seeker We need to sell ourselves when they ask these questions, And Being an employer we need to check different qualities of the candidate, as all candidates will not say truth, If some one says he knows this that etc, ask one or two questions on that, you can know whether he is fake or real.
From India, Bangalore
Being a Job seeker We need to sell ourselves when they ask these questions, And Being an employer we need to check different qualities of the candidate, as all candidates will not say truth, If some one says he knows this that etc, ask one or two questions on that, you can know whether he is fake or real.
From India, Bangalore
One of the reasons I think that this question is asked is to check your soft skills...
From the way you deliver your answer to this question, your communication style is revealed. Your command over the language can be judged from the answer to this question.
Till date, I have not faced a single question from the HR people that might be totally useless question...
Answer to each question, reveals something about us, which put together, gives an overall image of the candidate to the HR..
Based on this image the HR people decide, if the candidate can fit into the company culture and would he be able to handle his responsibilities well..
And I totally agree with ". . . shoOOonya . . ." that it is the best question that can be asked to you and you can use the answer as a tool to take the interview in your own comfort zone by giving more pointers towards the same...
Ajmal Mirza
From India, Ahmadabad
From the way you deliver your answer to this question, your communication style is revealed. Your command over the language can be judged from the answer to this question.
Till date, I have not faced a single question from the HR people that might be totally useless question...
Answer to each question, reveals something about us, which put together, gives an overall image of the candidate to the HR..
Based on this image the HR people decide, if the candidate can fit into the company culture and would he be able to handle his responsibilities well..
And I totally agree with ". . . shoOOonya . . ." that it is the best question that can be asked to you and you can use the answer as a tool to take the interview in your own comfort zone by giving more pointers towards the same...
Ajmal Mirza
From India, Ahmadabad
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