What tricky questions can be asked at the interview. Tricky interview questions
When you go to an interview, prepare for possible questions from the employer. Think about what the employer might ask and how to respond to it. As a rule, at a job interview, a standard set of basic questions is asked, as well as additional ones that depend on the specific position. Below is a list of frequently asked employer questions and answers. Use the answers provided as a template, edit them according to the specifics of the position you are applying for.
You were invited for an interview and you really want to get this position, but you are afraid of competitors, you are afraid to answer a tricky question incorrectly or just get confused? In this case, it is necessary to gather all your will into a fist and prepare for a responsible conversation with the employer. Be sure to think over the style of clothing, hairstyle, rehearse the speech, taking into account the possible options for the proposed answers.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the main questions that recruiters ask the applicant for the position at the interview. You will find all the correct answers in our article. How to respond to specific and non-standard tasks in order to stand out from the crowd of competitors?
Very popular at present in job interviews situational questions examples below (click to enlarge):
13 popular interview questions and answers
Question 1 Tell me a little about yourself A very popular one that recruiters ask first. How best to answer the question - tell us about yourself?
Answer. It is necessary to keep calm when answering, speech should be clear and confident. Tell what the interviewer wants to hear: where did you study, specialty, previous jobs, interests, hobbies, hobbies. Say what exactly interested you in the new position and be sure to focus on personal qualities. Among them, it is important to note stress resistance, quick learning, diligence and discipline, striving for the goal, constant work on oneself.
Answer examples:
The second most asked question in a job interview is why you left your previous job. How to respond to a recruiter?
Answer. In the answer, you should not talk about the conflict with the management, if it took place. Also, you can not speak negatively about the director and colleagues. The applicant may be suspected of being quarrelsome, inability to get along with people, work in a team. When answering this question, talk about former job in positive colors, remember the fun and pleasant moments. The reason for leaving can be called the desire to reveal one's potential, unique abilities, the desire for professional growth and a higher salary.
More examples of responses:
What to answer the question at the interview - why do you want to work with us? The employer will definitely ask him - prepare for it.
Answer. It is worth mentioning the positive characteristics of the company, among them - stability, the possibility of professional growth, a well-coordinated team, interesting work, a decent salary. You can also add what attracts the work schedule, management policy aimed at subordinates and other important points.
In order to reasonably answer the reason for the desire to work in a particular company, read about it, look at the website, ask what the company does, what it produces, how many years it has been on the market.
What to answer to the employer if he asks a tricky question about why it is necessary to hire you for a vacancy.
Answer. The applicant must give a clear, intelligible and reasoned answer, namely, to say that he is an excellent specialist, has invaluable experience, and is constantly improving in a particular area. It is necessary to prepare in advance in order to tell in detail about the field of activity of the company, about the industry in which you are going to work. No need to be shy about praising yourself, talking about your successes and talents.
Question 5 What are your shortcomings? Perhaps the most difficult thing to answer in an interview is what flaws you have.
Answer. It should be noted right away that this is a trick question. Spread as the spirit of their flaws is not worth it. Try to name your positive traits, pretending that you consider them your shortcomings. For example, they are too demanding of themselves, they don’t know how to switch off from work, they are pedantic, strict, scrupulous. You can also answer a tricky question that everyone has flaws, but yours do not affect professional qualities in any way.
Examples of shortcomings answers:
How to answer the interview question about your merits?
Answer. We’ll tell you right away which parties should not be named, because almost every applicant for a position speaks about them:
- Punctuality.
- Easily connect with people.
- performance.
These are standard qualities, they are already tired of recruiters, so you need to be more inventive. Tell at the interview that you can easily find an approach to people, know how to inspire confidence, use the working day rationally, have experience in negotiations, and conclude profitable contracts. Managers should pay attention to such answers.
How to answer a question about desired level wages?
Answer. A good specialist should know his own worth. Try to name a salary higher than your previous one by 10-15%. A middle ground is needed here, because if the salary is underestimated, I will think that a person is a bad worker, and if the salary is too high, that is too ambitious.
Usually this question ends the study of the candidate. How do you respond about where you see yourself in 5-10 or more years?
Answer. A persistent person always sets high goals for himself, advancement in career ladder. At the interview, you need to emphasize that your dream is to work in this company and during this time to take a leadership position.
Do not say that you will live in a luxurious apartment surrounded by a crowd of children and a beautiful wife. The employer doesn't want to hear that.
Example of a good answer:
“In 5 years, I see myself as a mature specialist, perhaps a project manager (direction, division), who has significantly improved his level of professional training.”
Answer. It refers to overtime work. You need to ask how often processing happens, and understand for yourself whether you are really ready for them or this position is not suitable for you. If yes, then answer in the affirmative, say that you are ready to stay late at work and do everything for the good of the company.
Answer: Be sure to say that you crave new experiences and happily complete all the tasks, because you gain invaluable experience and skills.
Answer. This is also a tricky question, here the employer finds out whether the job is so important to the applicant. Therefore, ask in detail about the work schedule provided by the social. package, about the requirements for the employees of the company.
Any job interview is stressful. A person is nervous and even the simplest question can confuse him. Knowing what recruiters ask most often, it is possible to perfectly prepare and answer them correctly. You can answer any tricky question, the main thing is to be confident in your own abilities. Study our article, and boldly go to the interview, impressing employers with your erudition and excellent professional qualities.
In this article, we will look at what non-standard employers ask. What answers to tricky questions can you prepare? Below we have compiled a list of unusual interview questions that various people in domestic and foreign companies have been lucky enough to answer.
Difficult interview questions usually do not have a right or wrong answer. Their essence is that they are unexpected. They are designed for the manifestation of ingenuity, the ability to analyze, the ability to find a way out of difficult situations.
- If you had enough money to never work again, what would you do?
This is a question of value. The answer should include some truth, what is really important to you (traveling, would give birth to five children, would fight for animal rights, would open a shelter for the homeless and work there), the answer should characterize you as not a materialistic and selfish person, but as to highlight human values. Be sure to include some of your current responsibilities in the second part of your answer. For example, one HR manager at an interview for the same position in another company answered this question like this: “I would advise people on building and developing careers inSkype, it would give me the opportunity not to be in the office all day, but I could do what I love” This is the perfect answer, it shows that you love your job, and do not work for money.
- If you could go back in time and change just one thing, what would it be?
This is a question for introspection and your perception of yourself. The change you would like to make does not have to be fatal, it does not have to change your life radically. Otherwise, everything will look as if you are unhappy in your current life. Of course, you should not go to extremes and talk about a serious mistake that led to someone's illness or death. Firstly, it can stir up your emotions and make you vulnerable, which is not necessary in an interview, and secondly, you do not know anything about the values of the person sitting in front of you.
Unusual interview questions are often about improvisation and resourcefulness.
- If you were a color, what would it be? If you were an animal/bird/flower, what would you be?
A question about your perception of yourself. Many advise to answer "I would be a rainbow." Recruiters also read articles on the Internet, candidates are now smart and are preparing for such questions, so your interlocutor has already heard the answer about the rainbow 3 times today. This is clearly a memorized, and therefore a false answer. Choose a specific color, don't be smart. There is no right or wrong here. Just not a rainbow! Well, not everyone can want to be rainbows))) The same goes for animals, birds, objects, flowers, etc. Define a few associations for yourself and stick to them, be prepared to explain why you associate yourself with monitor lizard or purple.
Sometimes recruiters ask weird, sly, or outright provocative questions. It is impossible to know the answers to everything, especially since there are no right and wrong answers. Here are just a few tricky interview questions.
- What prevents you from being a happy person?
The trick is in the wording itself. Nothing is stopping you. You are a happy person.
- Why is a tennis ball fluffy?
Tennis ball covered with pile for air resistance. If it were smooth, then the flight speed would be higher and it would be difficult to control it.
- Why is the hatch round?
A round cover will not fall into the well, and a square one can fail, go at an angle.
Some of the questions may seem insidious to you, as they contain a so-called moral dilemma.
- What crime are you willing to commit to save a loved one?
- How much can you kill?
- What would you choose 10 years of a 100% happy life or 30 years of a normal life?
Remember, no matter what question you are asked, the main thing is not the answer itself, but your approach. Good luck!
We interviewed applicants and found out which questions in the interview give them the most problems. It turned out that it was most difficult for candidates to talk about personal shortcomings and imagine their professional future in five years. Let's figure out how to answer the tricky questions of recruiters.
The most inconvenient questions for job seekers
1. Tell us about yourself
It is believed that with the help of this question you can find out about the priorities of the candidate in life: people first of all talk about what worries them more. As a rule, the employer is primarily interested in your education and work experience, he is not interested in hearing about hobbies. Tell us a little about everything: about education, and about hobbies. It's okay if you ask the interviewer to specify your question: let him clarify what exactly you need to talk about - about his professional experience or about something personal.
2. Talk about your shortcomings
The question has long been unoriginal. In response, you can show your sense of humor, but it is better to answer neutrally like “I have, of course, shortcomings, but they do not affect the work in any way.” And do not give out real shortcomings under any pretext.
3. Tell us about your achievements
Such a question is a test of self-esteem and prudence. Please note that if you are applying for a leadership position, this question will be asked of you. Tell us that you, for example, increased sales, successfully implemented a project, improved your skills, received a gold cup. The main thing is not to overdo it. Of course, not everyone can boast of super achievements. If the above is not about you, then say that at your previous job you mastered a new computer program or improved your level foreign language- that's good too.
4. Why did you leave your previous job?
The employer wants to know what did not suit you at the previous job and what do you expect from the new one. Tell the truth. But at the same time, keep in mind: it is highly undesirable to refer to a bad relationship with a former boss or colleagues. And one more “but”: before referring to the lack of career growth and the routine in the old place, make sure that with career growth and interesting tasks in the new company are all right. It is better to talk about the desire to get more in the last place, as if by the way, they say, money is not the only reason for my employment. For some reason, many employers like to think that all good employees work rather for an idea.
5. What salary are you applying for?
In other words, can the company buy you and keep you for a while. Feel free to name the amount that is 10-15% higher than the previous salary, maximum - 30%.
6. Where do you see yourself in five years?
The question can be very uncomfortable if you are currently applying for one position, and in the future you see yourself as someone completely different. Or you have no idea what you will be doing at least in a year. And you imagine and answer at least to yourself. Well, for personnel officers, the ideal answer would be that you want to continue working in the same path, grow as a professional and move up the career ladder.
7. What do you know about our company?
The question is difficult only for the lazy. You need to know at least a minimum about the company, at least check out its website.
8. Why do you want to work with us?
Usually this is a continuation of the question “about our company” - an attempt to completely confuse the candidate and draw out of him some secret reason for employment. It is better to keep silent about money at first. Start from afar - flatter a little: the company has been on the market for many years, and this indicates stability (this is exactly what you need), the company is a leader in its field or an innovator (you really want to learn best practices), it is interesting to work in such and such an area, satisfied with the position and duties, convenient location of the office, and the like.
Unfortunately, due to inability or misunderstanding of the importance of passing an interview, even a good specialist may not get a job. It is a pity to see a candidate who does not know how to correctly present himself, talk about his skills, show his strengths. Quite often, the applicant is intimidated by the questions that the HR specialist asks, so it is better to prepare for the interview in advance.
Vera Starodubtseva, FCCA, Head of ACCA in Russia, talks about the most common interview questions and what answers an employer would like to hear.
1. Why did you decide to leave your previous company?
Quite often, the candidate says in general terms: “I was not able to realize my ambitions in the previous position.” Such an answer is usually followed by a request to specify your answer, which leads the applicant to a dead end, and he continues to "dodge".
The HR specialist wants to hear as much specifics from you as possible.
Be proactive: if you did not realize your potential in your previous position, then explain what it was, what it was connected with, and so on. If a person continues to answer specific questions with general memorized phrases, it becomes clear that he is either hiding something or does not know what he wants.
2. What has changed at your previous job since you came?
It is important to formulate your thoughts correctly here. For example, you have solved a problem. But it is much more important for a recruiter to understand that you not only eliminated some kind of mistake, but also did everything possible so that such problems would not arise again. Show that you can not only correct the consequences, but also anticipate possible difficulties.
3. What mistakes did you make and how did you deal with them?
50% of respondents answer that they did not make mistakes, but this is most likely not entirely true. This is usually the response of employees who blame everyone but themselves for their failures.
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, so prepare for an unpleasant question in advance.
Of course, you should not talk about the fatal mistake that led to the loss of work. It is enough to talk about the situation from which you were able to find a way out and which taught you something. In this way, you will show that you can overcome difficulties, analyze the experience gained and learn, albeit from your mistakes.
4. Name your weaknesses.
This question is asked to determine how self-critical and ready for analysis the candidate is. If the applicant says that he has no flaws, this is an important reason to think - there are no people without flaws. Most likely, the person does not perceive criticism and will have a hard time relating to the manager's comments.
It should not be forgotten that any disadvantage is the reverse side of dignity.
Scrupulousness, for example, can be called a disadvantage, but this is not the worst quality, for example, for a financial specialist. In this case, it is worth turning any shortcomings into dignity, as well as commenting on how you are working on yourself.
5. What are you proud of?
Often, candidates answer about potential opportunities without confirming the case with some examples. The employer would like to hear about specific actions: with what tools you have been successful, by what criteria do you evaluate your work, why you are proud of this particular project, and so on.
6. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Here the employer would like to hear not only about professional achievements but also other successes. In this way, you will show that you are a versatile person who develops not only within the framework of work. If you know how to dream, you have a goal in life and you are going towards it - this is a huge plus for any applicant.
7. When are you going on maternity leave?
This is one of the most uncomfortable questions that an HR specialist asks. In this case, it is important for the employer not just to close the vacancy, but to find a person who will grow himself and develop the company, this can be both a long-term and a short-term period. It all depends on how you plan your future. So here you have to be proactive and anticipate this awkward question. If you are thinking about starting a family, but at the same time you are going to develop professionally, the recruiter will not have an “uncomfortable” question, but if a career is not included in your plans, it is unlikely that an HR specialist will be interested in your candidacy. And if a girl says that she is not going on maternity leave in the next 10 years, then this will alert much more than an honest answer that after some time she is going to start a family.
8. Tell us about your first steps in your new job?
With the help of this question, the recruiter wants to understand your idea of the company's activities and its functionality, as well as evaluate your ability to structure activities, your search proactivity.
It is important for the employer to determine the set of your professional qualities.
The final stage of the interview can be a presentation that, better than any questionnaire, will demonstrate your level of professionalism, understanding of what the company does, and your approach to solving everyday issues. Quite often, a candidate claims with 80% confidence that he is ready to start a new position, however, according to the results of the presentation, it turns out that the applicant matches the position by only 2%.
9. Will you get tired of this profession?
It is important for the employer to understand that you are really in the right place and are ready to develop in this area. It's better to be honest here. If this question makes you think, then it really is worth deciding whether you plan to devote yourself to this particular profession.
reference Information
ACCA (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a global professional association that brings together professionals in the field of finance and accounting. .
What does "wicked" mean?
A tricky interview question is confusing, makes you think, provokes.
“Would you rather do the work you love for less pay, or do what you don’t like for more money?”
Any answer can always be used against you:
“I prefer to do what I like. Is money so unimportant to you? But what about the need to feed a family? You have two children!”
“I like getting good money. “Did I understand correctly: if our competitors offer a higher salary, will you immediately go to them?”
In order to solve a tricky problem, you must learn to combine contradictions, extract the positive from the negative, avoid extremes.
“Getting good money at your favorite job is the dream of every person. I believe that it is feasible. I love my profession, I am constantly improving in it. Compared to the first salary, my income has increased fivefold. Your company has a stable position in the market, good development prospects, including for employees. I want to work for you. I hope you appreciate my contribution."
How not to get into trouble: be responsible
Want to learn how to answer tricky interview questions? Start with a sober, calm assessment of your experience.
- “Why did you leave your previous job?” / “Tell me about your former boss”
Do not blame the ex-leader and the team - this is an unconditional taboo. Don't refer to "lack of growth prospects" because the real reason can always be verified.
Resigned due to conflict? Try to present it as a useful lesson for yourself and an advantage for the company.
“I became a good specialist, but overestimated my strength. Each of us was right in his own way, he saw different prospects for promoting the business. I should have been more flexible, loyal. I carefully worked on myself, stopped expecting everything at once, became more restrained in my assessments.
Everyone knows: for one beaten they give a dozen unbeaten. A good HR will prefer to hire a person who can competently criticize himself and others. One of the most tricky questions in a job interview is to name flaws. former boss. Imagine them as virtues:
- "The authoritarian nature helped him to lead the enterprise flawlessly."
- “She was not a bright leader, but she impeccably carried out orders from above and competently pursued the policy of the company.”/li>
No need to flatter and invent. It is better to carefully study the company's website, read reviews about it, try to make inquiries from friends. Go to the trading floor, at the reception, note the style of communication between employees.
How to confidently answer tricky salary questions in an interview? First ask about official duties think about what you can do and what you need to learn.
“I will give 10 million dollars to children with cancer” sounds nice, but ... false. HR managers are good psychologists who perfectly understand human nature. Give them a little surprise.
"Oh yeah, that's really cool! You can not work, buy yourself a house on the islands and put the rest on a deposit, but ... Still, it's better to invest them in business. Open your store, pay for a good education. Part for a deposit, part for charity. I will rest in the Maldives and will continue to work. I'm not used to messing around, besides, I really appreciate the accumulated experience.
Naturalness is the key to success
Fear of tricky interview questions forces many to memorize the “correct” answers. This is a big mistake. In a real interview, you get stressed out when the conversation doesn't go according to plan.
Some try to answer as quickly as possible, fearing that the employer will regard the delay, embarrassment as an attempt to lie. Show live emotions, don't be a robot. If something confused or made you think, then honestly admit:
“Wow, what an unexpected question! Need to think, I don't like jumping to conclusions / making hasty decisions."
Avoid the role of the defendant in the dialogue. Something alarmed? Don't be afraid to clarify. This will show your interest in the work and the degree of self-respect.