At ReStart Employment Services, we know that the interview process can be daunting. The stressful scrutiny, the penetrating gazes, the relentless clock ticking away – it can be a real pressure cooker. But we’re here to help you navigate those tricky waters and tackle any interview question with confidence. Let’s dive in!

Interviews: An Essential Bridge to Your Dream Job

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Interviews can be stressful. Why? Because they matter. Interviews are a pivotal bridge between you and your dream job. They’re your golden opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge, and advocate for how you are a great fit for the role.

At ReStart, we believe that acing an interview is a skill that anyone can learn with a little guidance and practice. Just like cooking a new dish or learning a musical instrument, it takes time, patience, and practice to master the right techniques. You need to be well-prepared, confident, and ready to showcase your strengths – and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you do!

Mastering the Art of Answering Tricky Questions

Below are some commonly asked interview questions that candidates find tricky, along with our expert advice on how to respond confidently and effectively:

Tell Me About Yourself: This open-ended question can be tricky because it’s so broad. But it’s also your chance to control the narrative. Here’s where you should focus on your professional self, not your personal life. Highlight your relevant experiences, accomplishments, and skills. Show them how your unique career journey makes you the perfect fit for the role.

What’s Your Greatest Weakness?: This question isn’t designed to trick you or make you feel uncomfortable; it’s to assess your self-awareness and honesty in relation to your skills. The trick is to discuss a real weakness but also to demonstrate that you’re actively working on it. For example, if you’ve struggled with public speaking, you might explain how you’ve joined a local Toastmasters club to improve.

Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?: Interviewers ask this to gauge your ambition, career goals, and whether you plan to stick around. Instead of mentioning a specific job title, talk about the skills you want to master, the responsibilities you wish to take on, and how you see them aligning with the organization’s mission.

Why Should We Hire You?: This is your opportunity to sell yourself. Highlight how your unique blend of skills, experience, and personal qualities can bring value to the company. Connect your abilities directly to the job requirements and the company’s needs.

Describe a Time When…: These behavioral questions ask you to share past experiences as predictors of your future performance. Use the SAR method (Situation, Action, Result) to structure your answers and show how you’ve applied your skills to achieve positive outcomes in previous roles.

Why Do You Want to Work Here?: This is where your research about the company comes in handy. Show them you share their values, are excited about their work, and are keen to contribute to their success.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?: Keep your response positive and forward-focused. Discuss how you’re seeking new opportunities, growth, and challenges. Remember, never bad-mouth a previous employer.

How Do You Handle Stress or Pressure?: This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience. Give a real-life example of how you effectively managed stress in a previous role.

What is Your Greatest Achievement?: Here, interviewers want to understand your values, what you take pride in, and whether your greatest achievement aligns with their company’s goals. Choose an accomplishment that shows how you can add value to the job you’re applying for.

How Do You Handle Criticism?: This question is designed to assess your ability to take feedback. Answer by demonstrating your openness to constructive criticism, your ability to learn from mistakes, and how you’ve used feedback to improve.

How Do You Deal with Conflict in the Workplace?: Interviewers ask this question to see your interpersonal skills in action. Explain a situation where you’ve dealt with a workplace conflict and resolved it effectively, showcasing your problem-solving and communication skills.

How Would Your Previous Boss/Colleagues Describe You?: This question is a way to understand your self-awareness and honesty. Stick to the professional traits that are most relevant to the role, but be truthful – don’t just say what you think the interviewer wants to hear.

Why Is There a Gap in Your Employment History?: Be honest and concise while answering this question. Whether the gap was due to layoff, personal reasons, or going back to school, focus on what you learned or accomplished during that time that makes you a stronger candidate.

What Motivates You?: Your answer gives the interviewer a peek into what drives you. It could be a desire to solve complex problems, a passion for achieving goals, or a commitment to continuous learning. Keep your response tied to the role and the company’s mission.

Can You Describe a Difficult Work Situation and How You Overcame It?: This question seeks to understand your problem-solving skills and resilience. Use the SAR method (situation, action, result) to structure your answer and demonstrate how you used your skills to overcome the challenge.

What Are Your Salary Expectations?: This question can be tricky. Do some research ahead of time to know the market rate for the role in your location. A good approach is to provide a range based on this research, your experience, and skills.

Now It’s Your Turn! Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

Just as the interviewer has been asking you questions, it’s essential that you ask them questions too. This not only shows your interest in the position and the company, but it also provides you with valuable information to help you decide if this is the right fit for you.

Here’s our advice on how to answer the question “Do you have any questions for us?”

Prepare Questions in Advance: It’s always a good idea to come to the interview with a list of questions prepared. This shows that you have done your research and are serious about the opportunity.

Ask Relevant Questions: Make sure the questions are relevant to the role and the company. Asking generic questions that could be answered with a simple Google search won’t impress the interviewer.

Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to ask a few thoughtful, well-prepared questions than a barrage of random ones.

Fill in Any Blanks: If you don’t have all the specifics you need to make an informed decision about whether you would accept a job offer yet, be sure to ask for the info. This could include start date, schedule, salary & benefits, where you’ll be working from, transportation, etc. You will still want all of this in writing before actually accepting the offer, but now’s a good chance to show you are seriously considering the job and care about details.

With this in mind, here are some examples of questions you can ask during the interview:

• Can you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of the position?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• What does success look like in this position, and how will it be measured?
• What are some challenges that will face the person filling this position?
• What opportunities for professional growth and development are available?
• Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?
• How does the company support the ongoing learning and development of its employees?
• How does this role contribute to the broader organizational goals?
• What are the next steps in the interview process?

By asking these questions, you show the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in understanding what it’s like to work in this role and at this company. Furthermore, their responses will give you insight into whether the role and the company are a good fit for your career goals and working style.

Asking questions in the interview isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s an opportunity to engage with the interviewer, gather important information, and further demonstrate your interest in the role. So, don’t shy away from asking thoughtful, relevant questions in your next interview!

Practice Makes Perfect

Remember, practice makes perfect. Rehearse these responses, tailor them to the specific job you’re applying for, and you’ll be well-prepared to handle any tricky interview questions that come your way.

Each interview is a learning experience. So, rehearse, reflect, and refine your answers afterwards. With each practice, you’ll become more confident and ready to handle whatever any interviewer throws at you.

Seize Your Next Interview with Confidence – Book a Free Appointment with ReStart

Now that you’ve learned how to handle tricky interview questions confidently, it’s time to put your new skills to the test. But remember, you don’t have to do this alone. We at ReStart are ready to assist you every step of the way.

Your journey towards job success begins with ReStart. Book your free appointment with us today. We’ll provide personalized support and guidance to help you shine in your next interview, and together, we can make your dream job a reality.