How to answer difficult questions at job interviews

Approaching a job interview is a stressful situation for average candidates that requires them to invest some time and effort in preparation and research. However, no matter how professional, experienced or prepared you are in terms of scanning the company you are approaching, there are always those questions, not related to profession and skills, that make candidates think and require personalized answers.

Preparatory "training" through fake and simulated interviews where we answer just such questions can greatly help each candidate gain self-confidence and determination and survive the most difficult selection rounds in the manner of a top talent.

In the rest of the text, we present some examples of questions and options on how to adequately answer them.

How would current/former colleagues describe you?

A question that often surprises candidates, but the goal is to find out how a person thinks other colleagues perceive him, whether he is aware of his strengths and weaknesses, how important he is as a team member, and how honest and realistic he is. It also talks about what kind of team spirit the candidate cultivates, how important cooperation with colleagues is to him and how professional, friendly, competitive or otherwise it is.

Financial expectations?

The eternal trick-question, the answer lies in the motivation and explanation of the amount. The candidate can honestly answer what salary and allowances would motivate him to move to a new employer. It is not necessary to state current income, nor is it information that is shared with other people, but it is important to follow market trends in terms of income, as well as some characteristics depending on the industry and, of course, the company where you are coming for an interview. It is important that the candidate maintains a dose of reality when forming and scaling the amount.

Why do you want to leave your current position and workplace?

The person conducting the interview is probably trying to determine whether the candidate is dissatisfied with his current job and for what reasons, and in this way assesses whether there is a possibility that the same problems will arise if he is employed by a new employer.

For job seekers who are currently unemployed, the interviewer wants to know why they quit or were fired. This seemingly simple question actually has its pitfalls. By choosing an answer, the candidate can show disloyalty, unreliability, or subtly, by choosing the wrong answer, denigrate the current employer in an unprofessional manner.

The advice is to focus on positive reasons and challenges when answering, such as growth, development, learning new skills and getting to know new ways of working.

Why are you interested in this position/our company?

The interviewer is really interested in the value the candidate can bring to a new potential employer and how his skills and knowledge can support the growth of the organization.

It's also probably trying to figure out if the job candidate is interested in the position and the company for the right reasons. In this question, the most important thing for candidates is to show the qualities that make them fit for the role for which they are being selected, and also to list the elements by which their business and work ethics, skills and knowledge match the corporate standards and the position description.

What is important to you in a work environment?

When a recruiter asks this question, they are trying to determine if the job seeker is a good fit for the business and corporate culture and environment of the organization. He also tries to understand the details that the interviewee is likely to focus on if employed.

In this way, the candidate's values ​​and his probability of matching with the rest of the team he potentially joins are defined.

Why should we hire you?/What makes you the best candidate for this role?

The interviewer tries to determine whether the job seeker has the right skills, knowledge and experience for the job and assesses the candidate's confidence and ability to achieve maximum performance in the role they have applied for.

Before answering this question, candidates must know for themselves how many necessary skills and qualifications they have to successfully perform a certain job and present this to the interviewer through an interview.

Tell me about a situation in which you were unsuccessful?

The recruiter is trying to determine if the job seeker is being honest when he admits failure. It also tries to find out if the candidate learns from his mistakes and if he takes enough, too little or too much risk at work. With a question like this, it is best to be honest, to show the situation and the ways in which you repaired any damage.

Tell us about your biggest business success and/or a situation you are particularly proud of?

Through this question, the interviewer tries to determine what is important and valuable to the job seeker and in what environment they will succeed. By answering, you let us know the reward system and the motivation behind your work.

Tell me how you handle conflicts at work?

The interviewer tries to determine whether the job seeker is fair and objective in handling workplace conflicts. Conflict itself is inevitable in some formats, so the examiner wants to know if you manage such situations on the construct