How to Answer Hard Questions Your Employer Will Ask You
Asking questions is a key way to get a feel for the type of person you're interviewing. It helps you assess their communication skills, evaluate their interest in the role and the company, and discover how they'll fit into the team.
It's also important to ask appropriate questions that will show your thought process and your genuine desire for the job. Here are some examples: 1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is one of the most difficult questions an employer will ask you. This question can be frustrating for job seekers, but it’s essential for a successful interview.
Answering this question in a positive way can help you stand out from the crowd and get noticed for your skills. It can also show the hiring manager that you’re a self-aware person who is honest about your flaws, which can give you an advantage in the interview.
For example, if you’re applying for a job in finance and struggle with communication skills, you can use this weakness to highlight your ability to work well with others. You can then frame your answer to show how you’ve worked to develop strategies for improving these skills.
You can also use this weakness to illustrate your willingness to work hard and improve yourself. You can then explain how you’ve used tools, classes or other activities to better understand or improve your weakness.
When answering this question, be sure to choose a weakness that doesn’t impact your performance in the role you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying to be a financial analyst, you might not want to discuss your weakness for missing deadlines.
If you’re unsure about what your weaknesses are, consider trying new things and taking a few classes to learn something you’re not very good at. You may even want to join a professional organization or industry association where you can practice your new skill. 2. What do you like least about your current job?
The question, “What do you like least about your current job?” can be a tricky one. You want to be honest, but you don’t want to sound negative or say something that could be detrimental to your chances of getting the job.
It’s a good idea to think about the answer before you go into an interview, as this question is often asked in order to gauge whether your personality and work ethic will fit well with the company. For example, if you dislike working with customers or the monotony of your job, it may be a bad match for you.
To answer this question, focus on a specific task or situation that you don’t like about your job and why. This way, you’ll be able to keep your answer brief and direct, and you won’t have to explain everything about your job.
Alternatively, you could highlight the positive aspects of your job and how they helped you grow professionally. This can show the hiring manager that you’re passionate about your career and are eager to take on new responsibilities.
Another strategy is to identify the things you don’t like about your job and how they made it harder for you to meet the company’s goals. Ultimately, this approach is better for your chances of landing the job, as it shows the hiring manager that you’re willing to be flexible and adaptable, even in difficult situations.
If you’re having trouble answering this question, reach out to a certified career coach for help. A professional career coach can give you advice and guidance about how to best answer this and other tough questions during a job interview. 3. What are your longer-term career goals?
Your long-term career goals are a roadmap of what you want to accomplish in your professional life. They might be related to your hard skills (learn a new coding language, level up your data analysis skills), or to your soft skills (level up your leadership abilities, master the art of pitching).
Your career long-term goals should be tied to your values and what you value most in work. For example, some people enjoy working on small teams in fast-paced environments, while others prefer to work in large organizations with a formal support structure. Having your career aspirations set in stone and backed by your values can help you find a job that fits those expectations.
A career change is another common long-term goal. Whether you're unhappy in your current role or just need a new challenge, changing your career is a very reasonable long-term goal that can be accomplished with a little time and dedication.
Long-term career goals are typically achieved in 3 to 5 years or more, though they can also be longer. This is because these goals often involve several steps, such as gaining experience in the field, gaining certifications, or earning a promotion.
Having your career aspirations set in concrete can give you the motivation to keep going when you feel discouraged. In addition, setting goals can be a great way to celebrate your successes.
When interviewing, you will usually be asked this question, so it is crucial that you answer it effectively. This will demonstrate that you are a self-motivated and determined employee, which will be read positively by employers. 4. What are your interests outside of work or school?
Hiring managers often ask this question because they want to learn a little bit about your personal life outside of work and how you spend your free time. It also gives them a chance to see if you have any interests that may line up with the company or position you're applying for.
Hobbies and interests are a great way to showcase what makes you unique and what you enjoy. They can be anything from exercising to reading books or spending time in the outdoors.
The key to answering this question correctly is to make sure you talk about your hobbies in a genuine, positive and authentic way. Whether you're an avid traveler, a foodie or a history buff, it's important to explain how your hobby has shaped who you are as an individual and how it contributes to your overall wellbeing.
You can also mention your hobbies in a way that shows how they're relevant to the job or company you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a role in business development and you love to volunteer with different non-governmental organizations, you can explain how that experience has helped you improve your social skills and boosted your self-confidence.
It's also a good idea to avoid mentioning any hobbies that might be unrelated or inappropriate for the job you're applying for. This includes things like drinking or gambling, which can seem unprofessional and could leave a negative impression on an interviewer. ERC Job 5. How would your coworkers describe you?
Many employers ask this question as a way to get a sense of your interpersonal style, teamwork ability and how you would fit into the company culture. Answering this question thoughtfully and carefully can show your potential employer that you are self-aware and understand how others view your personality.
It is important to stay honest during this and all other interview questions. It can be tempting to say something that you think the hiring manager might like to hear, but it is not worth it.
You can avoid this by preparing ahead of time and thinking about how your coworkers would describe you. It’s also a good idea to think of examples of times when you received positive feedback from your colleagues or managers.
This will help you identify your best qualities and make sure that you’re backed up by evidence. For example, if you’re punctual and responsive to email, your coworkers might describe you as being reliable.
Similarly, if you often offer your assistance to colleagues and customers, your coworkers might describe you as helpful. Adding these traits to your answer will give you a good basis for answering the question in the interview.
Another important thing to consider when preparing for this and all other interview questions is to keep your answers brief. Hiring managers don’t want to hear your entire life story, so be prepared to talk for no more than a few minutes.
The best answers to this and other interview questions will be those that are focused on your strengths and demonstrate how you would fit into the employer’s workplace. For example, if you’re looking for a managerial position, you might highlight instances when you took charge and led a group to success.