How to answer tough interview questions

By Harrish Sairaman

There are times where one can find themselves stumbling over some tough job interview questions. These questions are specifically designed for an interviewer to get a deeper sense on how you react to such questions rather than testing the knowledge levels. Most of the times tough interview questions are meant to test your emotional quotient rather than your intelligence.

While these challenging questions have no typical standard answers, your response could make your career or throw you off your game. Essentially, the interviewer aims to test you on your personality skills, honesty, leadership qualities and your positive attitude towards difficult situations. Let us look at the internal requirements to handle tough interview questions. 

Learn to Relax

Whether its an examination or an interview, anxiety and fear can produce adverse results. High levels of fear and anxiety can create a frozen state and that is exactly what is being tested. Sometimes, what is being tested is your state of mind. So regular breathing exercises and proper sleep before the interview are of . paramount importance.

Talk yourself up

A lot of times people unconsciously engage in negative self-talk and this can lead to negative deliverables and can suppress the existing confidence. Rather, a positive self talk will really help.

Practice sense of Humor

Some have it naturally and others can build on it. This not only keeps our negative emotions at bay but can change the mood of the environment.

Take your time

When a tough question is asked, rather than jumping into the answer, buy few seconds, think over it and come back with a response. Contemplate on what is it that is being tested through the question.

Practice

Practice conversing with people who generally like to debate or ask tough questions. This not only builds your own confidence but will make it more insightful and exciting for you.

As a sample let’s look at some of the commonly asked tough questions and how can you respond to such questions.

1. What’s your greatest weakness?

A classic question among interviewers, the key attribute at test is the display of your ‘sincerity’. Identify an area that you are working on and be candid about it. While identifying is an important part, you should also describe how you plan on overcoming this or state the improvement that you’ve already made in the area. Focus on the trivial aspects of your weakness for the specific words that you choose will determine your mindset about the same. What is really being tested here is honesty, awareness, willingness and determination to work on the weakness.

2. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Being random about this question where what you’re looking for presently is different from what you aim ‘X’ years down the line will not help. Neither will buttery answers that you hope will get you the job. While it’s okay to be unsure about your future, you can analyze your current working situation and focus on your characteristics and identify the strengths that you can describe could be of help to chart a course for your future. The intent of the interviewer is to see your commitment towards your career and longevity with the company. Show your commitment to the position, and focus on your sincerity towards your work and the company. In cases where you’re a re genuinely not sure, be honest and show the clarity in the present moment, the commitment in the present moment. 

3. Why should we hire you?

Interviewees do get nervous about this question for they feel uncomfortable or are not confident about selling their answer. Yet this is a very straightforward question where you should prepare yourselves that you’re ready to show your best at work. You can also try and describe what you think about the job profile and make your potential employer understand that this is what you’re expecting at the job. Ensure you’ve done your homework on this one and don’t compare with other candidates. Do your homework well, look into the organizational values, their vision etc. See where you can contribute, how you have contributed in the past, what is the best you have given and there would be genuineness in your words which always is sensed!

4. Can you handle stress at work?

One of the best ways to answer this question is by giving an example of your past experience. Well, needless to say, avoid mentioning a situation where you’ve found yourself in an unnecessarily stressful situation. Emphasize how you dealt with stress rather than how stressful the situation was. This will help you display your skills as a productive worker.

Interviews are a mere test of your mettle. It gauges your presence of mind and ensures the interviewer about the qualities they are looking for in their prospective employees. Be honest, precise, and confident and you are ready for your interview.

All the best!