Answering Difficult Interview Questions
Congratulations! You’ve got an interview. Your CV has impressed and interested a potential employer and they want to speak to you further. Now it’s time to think about the interview itself…
There are two kinds of interview questions. The structured questionsare usually straight-forward, relate to the job and can be asked to anyone, such as ‘What do you see as the main priorities of this job?’, but the person-specific questions can be more tricky to answer because they relate to you personally. The interviewer will want to investigate anything on your CV that suggests an unusual career path. These might be:
| • | frequent job changes or gaps in employment; |
| • | a lack of qualifications, training and experience; |
| • | unclear personal qualities or skills. |
Here are some handy tips when faced with awkward questions:
| • | Agree with the interviewer – don’t argue with them. If the interviewer thinks there’s a problem, there’s a problem! |
| • | Appreciate their point of view; then add your ‘However…’ |
| • | Explain your reasons, explanations and mitigating circumstances clearly and concisely, while staying calm and positive. |
| • | Present a brief anecdote underlining your case. |
| • | Reassure them that it’s not a problem that will affect your ability to do the job well. |
Below are examples of some tough interview questions and how to handle them.
Q ‘You were in your last job a long time. How do you think you’ll adjust to a new post?’
Reassure the interviewer that you haven’t become a fossilised stick-in-the-mud lacking ambition and initiative. If there were good reasons why you stayed on, give them. Demonstrate how your job was always changing and bringing you new challenges, which in turn make you adaptable and flexible.
Q ‘You were in your last job for x years. You weren’t promoted in that time?’
Briefly mention your reason for lack of promotion – it was a small company, there was little expansion, you were top of your field with nowhere to go, etc. Outline what you learnt and achieved while in your role. Emphasise how your job changed and your responsibilities increased, even if you didn’t get a formal promotion.
Q. ‘You seem to have changed jobs frequently. Was there a reason for that?’
The interviewer is worried that, if they employ you, you’ll be off in a few months. You need to set their mind at rest with an acceptable reason. If the posts were temporary, for example a short-term contract, explain that. If you’ve been unlucky (firms do close down, relocate, etc), tell them. Explain how the experience you’ve gained will be invaluable in this job and assure them that you are fully committed.
Q. ‘It’s quite a long time since your last job…’
The interviewer is concerned as to why nobody has employed you yet. Give convincing reasons for your long period out of work - for example it might be a rare job that doesn’t come up very often, or maybe it’s a highly competitive job market. You should demonstrate how you’ve used the time to update your skills through vocational training or study – or to gain new skills through travel.
Q. ‘Do you feel confident you would be able to do the job?’
Be careful as this question may have a subtext. The interviewer could be concerned that your age, gender or physical ability will influence your capacity to do the job. Ignore the subtext and just answer the question in the affirmative, giving examples of past successes.
Q. ‘Do you feel you’re overqualified or over-experienced for this position?’
The interviewer is either worried that you’ll get a more suitable job in a few months and disappear, or they feel you’re too senior to take orders from a younger, less qualified manager. Assure them you’re fully aware of what the job entails and you wouldn’t have applied if you didn’t think it was right for you. Describe how the company can benefit from your knowledge and experience and emphasise that you believe you can grow in the job and learn new things.
Q. ‘Do you feel your lack of experience could be a problem?’
If you’ve managed to get an interview for this job, you must have something going for you other than experience. Use transferable skills (such as problem-solving) gained in other areas and apply them to the job in question. Make the most of your theoretical knowledge, by showing that you have a good idea of how the knowledge will apply in practice. Demonstrate your ability to learn quickly.
If your lack of qualifications is potentially a problem, focus on your practical experience and explain how the skills and expertise this has given you will be of benefit to them.
Q. ‘Why should I hire you?’
This question is asked as a bit of a challenge to see if you can stand up for yourself under pressure. Stay calm and give an answer underlining your experience, competence, knowledge and proficiency. Stress that you understand what the job requires and that you can deliver it.
Q. ‘Have you done the best work you’re capable of offering?’
This question is double-edged. If you say ‘No’, the interviewer will wonder why you haven’t tried harder. If you say ‘Yes’, they’ll think you’ve nothing more to offer. Say that you’ve done some terrific work in the past, but this job offers the opportunity to do even better.
Q. ‘What are your main weaknesses?’
Either you give an answer revealing damaging character flaws, or you claim, improbably, to know of no imperfections in yourself! What you need to do is give an answer in between the two – choose a ‘flaw’ that most people would see as a strength; one you’ve overcome or one that won’t impact the job you’re applying for.
To sum in up!
Few people exactly match the given job description, but you must come pretty close or they wouldn’t be interviewing you. You may need to answer a few difficult questions however, and being prepared will make it a lot easier.
If there are any mismatches between your CV and the job requirements, such as lack of specific skills, not enough experience, a lack of qualifications or an inconsistent job history, you can be sure you will be questioned about them. There is no reason to be worried by these questions, provided you prepare your answers and can put their minds at rest. Expect some questions designed to challenge you – deal with these by staying calm and continuing to display faith in yourself and your ability to do the job.
About Lynn Williams
Lynn Williams has worked as a life-coach and trainer for nearly fifteen years helping individuals and groups develop their full potential. She writes regularly about job search skills such as CV writing and interview techniques. She also runs workshops and classes on a variety of topics from career strategy to leadership skills. She is the author of The Ultimate Interview Book and The Ultimate Job Search Book, due out this autumn.
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