Tricky interview questions: Interviews can be exciting as well as daunting. Especially when you have little expectations and mostly when you have zero preparations. Oftentimes, the most challenging happens when you are presented with tricky questions that get you unsettled. How do you scale through this process?
The job market is already saturated with thousands of job applicants. According to a recent monthly publication by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, US Department of Labour, the labor market is still robust with only a slight increase in the unemployment rate y 3.9 percent. Additionally, with the recent increase in inflation and high-interest rates in gods, the number of people searching for jobs is high.
So, you can’t afford to lose an opportunity to get employment. To be successful in any interview session you must build rapport with the hiring manager and present yourself to be honest. You do not want to sound fake. Be your authentic self and put your best foot forward.
So, back to the top what are the tricky questions asked in interviews and how do you respond to them?
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Tricky Interview Questions and Answers
These questions may sound simple, but talking about it and giving actual answers to be challenging too.
Below are the top tricky interview questions you might encounter in your next interview:
- Tell me about yourself
- What are your weaknesses?
- How do you manage conflict?
- Why should we hire you?
- Describe your ideal job
- How would you describe yourself?
- What motivates you?
- How would you describe yourself
- What are your strengths?
- Do you have any questions?
1. Tricky interview questions: Please Tell me about yourself.
Usually in almost every interview, this is one of the first questions you would be asked “Please can you tell me about yourself” Basically, this is the interviewer trying to get to you. This question serves as the icebreaker, setting the pace for what is about to come.
Unfortunately, some candidates get this all wrong and start talking deep into family history. Some even make the mistake of going overboard and discussing personal life details. However, this question is an opportunity for you to talk about yourself, your skills, and what solutions you bring to the table. Talk about why you are the best match for the position.
Response Format: Just before we address the question. It is important you begin your response with an appreciation to the interviewer, then state that you have done a little research on the company. And have read through the job description and requirements. Then talk about your current job role and responsibility. Then proceed by providing content on your job rundown and then switch to your experiences and qualifications. Before you conclude, talk about your skill set, your education, and how your goals align with the role you are applying for.
Sample Response:
I’m a software engineer with 5 years of experience in developing web applications. I have a strong track record of success in delivering high-quality products on time and within budget. I’m also an excellent communicator and team player.
In my previous role at Acme Corporation, I was responsible for developing and maintaining a large-scale web application that was used by over 1 million users daily. I worked closely with a team of engineers and designers to gather requirements, implement new features, and fix bugs. I also worked with stakeholders to ensure that the application met their needs.
One of my most significant accomplishments at Acme was developing a new feature that reduced the time it took users to complete a task by 20%. I worked closely with a team of engineers to design and implement the new feature, and I also worked with stakeholders to test and deploy it.
I’m also skilled in a variety of programming languages and technologies, including Python, Java, JavaScript, and React. I’m also familiar with cloud computing platforms such as AWS and Azure.
I’m confident that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team. I’m a hard worker and I’m always willing to go the extra mile. I’m also a team player and I’m always willing to help others.
I’m confident that I have what it takes to be successful in this role. I’m eager to learn and grow, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the success of your company.
2. What are your weaknesses?
This is another tricky interview question you will encounter during your next interview. One challenge with this question is the fact that in interviews, you are to cover your flaws and appear like a sent. But this question literally is directed at making that impossible for you. However, there is always a flip side to a coin. As much as you have so many negative things to talk about yourself, that is not the essence of the question.
Therefore, the question calls you to talk about a weakness you are aware of and the steps you are taking to get on the right path. The interview wants to assess your self-awareness. Employers want to know that you are aware of your own strengths and weaknesses. To know how much you are committed to personal growth. Furthermore, the interviewer wishes to evaluate how well you can handle criticism.
Sample Response:
One of my weaknesses is that I can be a bit too perfectionistic. I sometimes get so caught up in the details that I lose sight of the big picture. This makes me spend too much time on a task and sometimes, makes me struggle with deadlines.
To address this weakness, I’ve started using a project management tool to help me track my progress and set realistic deadlines. I’m also making a conscious effort to take breaks and step back from my work so that I can see the big picture.
Another weakness of mine is that I’m not always the best at delegating tasks. I tend to want to do everything myself, which can lead to me feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
To address this weakness, I’m working on learning to trust my team members and give them more responsibility. I’m also trying to be more realistic about my workload and to say no to tasks that I don’t have time for.
I believe that both weaknesses are addressable, and I’m committed to improving in both areas. I’m confident that with these steps, I can improve and become a more effective and valuable employee.
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3. Tricky interview questions – How Do You Manage Conflict?
You can always rephrase this in your mind so you have a mental picture of what the interviewer wants to know. Some other ways you may hear this question is.
- How do you handle disagreements within a team?
- Can you provide an example of a challenging situation where you had to mediate a conflict between team members?
- Describe a time when you faced resistance from a colleague. How did you address the issue?
Whichever way it comes, Your interviews want to evaluate your conflict resolution skills. Hey want to know how you handle issues. Do you cast blame or do you look for a collaborative approach to resolve crises?
When responding to this question, the best way to go about this is first, to acknowledge that conflict is a normal part of the workplace. Everyone has a different perspective and personality. Hence, the best way forward is to have a fair hearing session and come to a point of understanding.
Sample Respons
Conflict is a normal part of the workplace, and I believe that it can be a positive force if it is managed in a constructive way. My approach to conflict management is to start by communicating openly and honestly with the other person. I believe that it is important to listen to their perspective and to try to understand where they are coming from. I also believe in being respectful, even if I disagree with them. Once I have a good understanding of the situation, I work with the other person to find a solution that works for everyone involved.
For example, in my previous role, I had a conflict with a colleague about how to approach a new project. We had different work styles, and we couldn’t agree on the best way to proceed. I met with my colleague to discuss our concerns, and I listened to their perspective. I then explained my perspective, and we worked together to find a compromise that worked for both of us. We could successfully completed the project, and we also strengthened our working relationship.
I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and I am committed to finding solutions that work for everyone.
4. Why should we Hire you?
This is another tricky question aimed at testing your qualifications for the role. Employers ask this question to assess your motivation and fit for the role. More so, employers want to know that you are excited about the opportunity and that you have a good understanding of the role and the company. Additionally, To see how you articulate your value proposition, if you have the right skill set, and how much you understand the tasks involved. Here is a sample response:
Read Also: COMMON SECOND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Sample Response:
I am a skilled nurse with 5 years of experience in providing high-quality care to patients of all ages and backgrounds. I am passionate about my work and I am committed to making a difference in the lives of my patients.
I have a strong understanding of nursing theory and practice, and I am skilled in different nursing procedures. Also, over the years, I have built excellent communication skill that has helped me build rapport with patients and their families. As a team player, I am always willing to go the extra mile to help my colleagues.
This role excites me because of its emphasis on providing explicit care for nursing mothers and old people. I am confident that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team, and I am eager to contribute to the success of your hospital.
In my previous role, I worked in a busy emergency department. I was responsible for assessing and treating patients with several medical conditions. Also, have worked closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to my patients. So, I am proud to say that I have a perfect patient satisfaction rating.
I am confident that I have the skills, experience, and motivation to be successful in this role.
5. Describe your ideal Job
This is another tricky interview question that gets many candidates confused. Do not misunderstand this question to mean discoing salary expectations, vacation opportunities, and all. Rather, your interviewers want to assess your career goals and ambitions. They want to know your career goals and where you see yourself going in your career.
My ideal job as a marketing director at XYZ is to lead a team of talented and passionate professionals in developing and executing innovative marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness, generate leads, and increase sales. I would work closely with the CEO and other senior leaders to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business goals. I would also be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the marketing department, including budget management, team development, and project management.
I am also interested in using emerging marketing technologies to reach our target audience and achieve our marketing goals. For example, I am interested in using artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize marketing messages and segment our audience. I am also interested in using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to create immersive marketing experiences.
I am confident that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to XYZ. I have a proven track record of success in developing and executing marketing campaigns that drive results. I am also a strong leader and I am committed to building and developing high-performing teams. I am excited about the opportunity to join XYZ and help the company achieve its marketing goals
Other trick interview questions you should Expect:
- How would you describe yourself?
- What motivates you?
- How would you describe yourself
- What are your strengths?
- Do you have any questions?
Conclusion on Tricky interview questions
Tricky interview questions are not directed to put you off your guard. But it is an opportunity for you to talk about your skills, what makes you a good fit for the role, and why you are a better shot. A good way to face this is to prepare answers and practice how to speak confidently about your skills.
