15 Toughest Interview Questions (and Answers!)
1. Why do you want to work in this industry?
Bad answer:
“I love to shop. Even as a kid, I spent hours flipping through catalogues.”
Don’t just say you like it. Anyone can do that. Focus instead on your history with that particular industry, and if you can, tell a success story.
Good answer:
“I’ve always loved shopping, but my interest in retail marketing really started when I worked at a neighborhood boutique. I knew our clothes were amazing, but that we weren’t marketing them properly. So I worked with management to come up with a marketing strategy that increased our sales by 25% in a year. It was great to be able to contribute positively to an industry I feel so passionate about, and to help promote a product I really believed in.”
2. Tell us about yourself.
Bad answer:
“I graduated four years ago from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelor’s in Biology – but I decided that wasn’t the right path for me. So I switched gears and got my first job, working in sales for a startup. Then I went on to work in marketing for a law firm. After that, I took a few months off to travel. Finally, I came back and worked in marketing again. And now, here I am, looking for a more challenging marketing role.”
Instead of giving a chronological work history, focus on your strengths and how they pertain to the role. If possible, illustrate with examples.
Good answer:
“I’m really energetic, and a great communicator. Working in sales for two years helped me build confidence, and taught me the importance of customer loyalty. I’ve also got a track record of success. In my last role, I launched a company newsletter, which helped us build on our existing relationships and create new ones. Because of this, we ended up seeing a revenue increase of 10% over two years. I’m also really interested in how companies can use web tools to better market themselves, and would be committed to building on your existing platform.”
3. What do you think of your previous boss?
Bad answer:
“He was completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I’ve moved on”
Remember: if you get the job, the person interviewing you will some day be your previous boss. The last thing they want is to hire someone who they know is going to badmouth them some day. Instead of trashing your former employer, stay positive, and focus on what you learned from him (no matter how awful he really was).
Good answer:
“My last boss taught me the importance of time management – he didn’t pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible.”
4. Why are you leaving your current role?
Bad answer:
“I can’t stand my boss, or the work I’m doing.”
Again, stay away from badmouthing your job or employer. Focus on the positive.
Good answer:
“I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge, to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set – all of which, I see the potential for in this job.”
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Bad answer:
“Relaxing on a beach in Maui,” or “Doing your job.”
There’s really no right answer to this question, but the interviewer wants to know that you’re ambitious, career-oriented, and committed to a future with the company. So instead of sharing your dream for early retirement, or trying to be funny, give them an answer that illustrates your drive and commitment.
Good answer:
“In five years I’d like to have an even better understanding of this industry. Also, I really love working with people. Ultimately, I’d like to be in some type of managerial role at this company, where I can use my people skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people working for me, and the company as a whole.”
6. What’s your greatest weakness?
Bad answer:
“I work too hard,” or for the comedian, “Blondes.”
This question is a great opportunity to put a positive spin on something negative, but you don’t want your answer to be cliché – joking or not. Instead, try to use a real example of a weakness you have learned to overcome.
Good answer:
“I’ve never been very comfortable with public speaking – which as you know, can be a hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous employer if I could enroll in a speech workshop. He said “yes.” I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I’ve given lots of presentations to audiences of over a 100 high level executives – I still don’t love it, but no one else can tell!”
7. What salary are you looking for?
Bad answer:
“In my last job I earned $35,000 – so, now I’m looking for $40,000”
If you can avoid it, don’t give an exact number. The first person to name a price in a salary negotiation loses. Instead, re-iterate your commitment to the job itself. If you have to, give a broad range based on research you’ve conducted on that particular role, in your particular city.
Good answer:
“I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I’d expect to be paid the appropriate range for this role, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New York City.”
8. Why should I hire you?
Bad answer:
“I’m the best candidate for the role.”
A good answer will reiterate your qualifications, and will highlight what makes you unique.
Good answer:
“I’ve been an Executive Assistant for the past ten years – my boss has said time and time again that without me, the organization would fall apart. I’ve also taken the time to educate myself on some of the software I regularly use (but didn’t really understand the ins and outs of). I’m an Excel wiz now, which means I can work faster, and take over some of what my boss would traditionally have had to do himself. What’s good enough for most people is never really good enough for me.”
9. What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
Bad answer:
I never finished law school – and everything that’s happened since has taught me that giving up, just because the going gets tough, is a huge mistake.”
You don’t want to actually highlight a major regret – especially one that exposes an overall dissatisfaction with your life. Instead, focus on a smaller, but significant, mishap, and how it has made you a better professional.
Good answer:
“When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn’t take it very seriously, and assumed that, compared to my Engineering classes, it would be a walk in the park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I’d even jeopardized my scholarship status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it, ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I’m doing, I should strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it’s not worth doing at all.”
10. How do you explain your gap in employment?
Bad answer:
“I was so tired of working, and I needed a break,” or “I just can’t find a job.”
Employment gaps are always tough to explain. You don’t want to come across as lazy or unhireable. Find a way to make your extended unemployment seem like a choice you made, based on the right reasons.
Good answer:
“My work is important to me, so I won’t be satisfied with any old job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I’m taking my time and being selective to make sure my next role is the right one.”
11. When were you most satisfied in your job?
Bad answer:
“I was most satisfied when I did well, and got praised for my work.”
Don’t give vague answers. Instead, think about something you did well – and enjoyed –that will be relevant at this new job. This is an opportunity for you to share your interests, prove that you’re a great fit for the job and showcase your enthusiasm.
Good answer:
“I’m a people person. I was always happiest – and most satisfied – when I was interacting with customers, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible customer experience. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed – I was rated as “Good or Excellent” 95% of the time. Part of the reason I’m interested in this job is that I know I’d have even more interaction with customers, on an even more critical level.”
12. What did you like least about your last job?
Bad answer:
“A lack of stability. I felt like the place could collapse around me at any time.”
Try and stay away from anything that draws on the politics, culture or financial health of your previous employer. No matter how true it might be, comments like these will be construed as too negative. Also, you don’t want to focus on a function that might be your responsibility in the next role. So think of something you disliked in your last job, but that you know for sure won’t be part of this new role.
Good answer:
“There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked less than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While I do love to travel, twice a month was a little exhausting – I didn’t like spending quite so much time out of the office. I’m happy to see that this role involves a lot less travel.”
13. Describe a time when you did not get along with a co-worker.
Bad answer:
“I’m easy to get along with, so I’ve never had any kind of discord with another coworker.”
Interviewers don’t like these types of “easy out” answers. And besides, they know you are probably not telling the truth. Think of a relatively benign (but significant) instance, and spin it to be a positive learning experience.
Good answer:
“I used to lock heads with a fellow nurse in the INCU ward. We disagreed over a lot of things – from the care of patients to who got what shifts to how to speak with a child’s family. Our personalities just didn’t mesh. After three months of arguing, I pulled her aside and asked her to lunch. At lunch, we talked about our differences and why we weren’t getting along. It turns out, it was all about communication. We communicated differently and once we knew that, we began to work well together. I really believe that talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.”
14. What motivates you?
Bad answer:
“Doing a good job and being rewarded for it.”
It’s not that this answer is wrong – it’s just that it wastes an opportunity. This question is practically begging you to highlight your positive attributes. So don’t give a vague, generic response – it tells them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an opportunity to give the interviewer some insight into your character, and use examples where possible.
Good answer:
“I’ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a tough deadline – in my last role, I was responsible for a 100% success rate in terms of delivering our products on time and within budget. I know that this job is very fast-paced, and deadline-driven – I’m more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.”
15. How would your friends describe you?
Bad answer:
“I’m a really good listener.”
While being a good listener is a great personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t care all that much. It’s unlikely that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll want to keep your answer relevant to the job you’re interviewing for – and as specific as possible. If you can, insert an example.
Good answer:
“My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent – I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players – so I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said “yes” – the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.”
Thank you I need just that Kevin $ ITP Team
allways if you are honest for your jop you lost that jop. take it easy if your under drink supervicers if you need to keep it your jop you have to be a egnorance person amiin you doint now any think then they will give you otomaticle permanent jop doint tell your problem any bod they now it each ather antil your ander union
what is the best thing to say if an employer asks you why you left your last job?
I think this is wonderful. Infact, some of these questions I’ve answered bad that’s why I did not get the position. So now I know it was not my qualification but my interviewing skills were terrible. I am now going to study these answers and see how I can fit them in my work history to give myself a better presentation. Wish me luck and thanks alot.
i dont know now you can find a job for me if i live in oregon,plus i like no love construction,i like pysical work not mental,electrical ,carpentry,drywall,tech,ect. thanx
I have always disliked these questions never really knowing what to say so I was always honest with my answers and they apparently were the wrong answers so thank you for this. I will study these and try this on my next interview if I get one. Wish me well and thanks again I loved your answers, they really do sound better.
Thank you sooo much for these tips, I have an interview soon and wasl’nt sure how to answer some of these actual questions that do come up in an interview. Again thank you
These anawers are really good. Thank you I wll study them and fit them into my job interviews.I will read the other articles. Sometimes when you’re nervous it’s hard to formulate a good answer.
I ran across this site about 2AM just before I had to go to an important job interview. I love it. Thanks so much for your efforts.
Mike
I interviewed fir the first time in over 20 yrs. and was asked situational questions which I felt i did not do well with.
Do you have examples of situational questions and the right and wrong way to respond?
What is the best way to answer why you left your last job?
i have nathing to tell you just i want to work at the moment i am in university i must perpair mony for my lesson.
thanks alot
Some of these employers want money to do your background check and they never call you back. What should you do?
I love the answers given to the interviewer questions. In fact I have been asked some of the questions & now I understand where I went wrong in the interview. I also believe honesty is always the best answer this way you don’t have to remember what you said or should I say made up to satisfy the interviewer. I will indeed copy the questions and incoprate answers from my experience to study on.
to Yusuf
You really need to learn how to spell before you write into one of these.
the people person bit i’ve been told is always a turn off to HR people other than that it all sounds feasible.
Kevin and Team,
Thankyou for the e-mail!
I`ve applied for over 170 jobs and am very picky where I apply.
I know deep in my heart God will provide that job I can grow with and be there long term.
This will better prepare me for a interview.
I think sometimes a interview can make you nervous,however just being yourself and treating the interviewer like yourself will help you explain just who you are.
Thanks again,
connie
Thanks for sending this tip to me. I really need this. After my interview, how would I ask them about the company so that the conversation will keep on going. To show that I am interested with the job and the company? What tough and necessary question should I ask?
Very good tips for an interview. Now I see what all the talk is about keeping everything positive and they do mean EVERYTHING. Just reading the responce differences makes you realize just how important that is.
Thanks,
Ed
Thank you very much for that information. This will assist me when it’s time for me to start interviewing!
This has helped,however do you have any suggestions for people who find it hard to sell themselves on strengths and weaknesses. This would have been helpful for me.
I do thank you for the insight and Yes this is grand. This is one of my shortcoming. I have been challenge to most of the questions presented and fail short of them. Continue to give more Interviewing examples. I really appreciate this! Jannette.
I’ve been out of worked for almost a years next month. It’s really hard to finding a job now day.
Is there anything that you can help me to find a job soon. These answers are wonderful, but still seem like they don’t hiring right now, because the Economy is still bad not really picking up yet.
Again thank you so much.
Kevin and team thankyou for the e-mail!
Dear Team,
Thanks for the tips… I have been out of a job for a very long time. Honesty is the key roll to success. It’s tough out there at the moment and have to strive for good results. Thanks again for the great tips….
Great information! I will be able to use this information after graduation. How can I explain a big nine year gap of unemployment? I been in school for the last four years. Before this I was laid-off. Thanks.
Thank for the tips. Great info. This would have been helpful for me.
thank you for your tips of interviewing questions
May you give me the answer for a job that i am applying for customer service, but i never have
any experience of this job before. Plesae help me to get best answers for interview this job.
thank you very much.
Best Regard
Dao
thank you for these wonderful job tips.im really positive that i can use those,and somehow can be very useful to me asof now…..thank you…
I am presently working at a temporary job, for the U.S.Census. I was intrigued by the 15 questions used by an interviewer, so I decided to see the best answers; I must say there is a real problem with undereducated people out there, and the English is deplorable. Spelling is a real problem. I realize that many people come from other countries, and have learned English as a second language, but they should get help from a friend or family member that is better educated, so they can put credible comments online. Also, that would certainly help them to do a much better job on applications; I know in my case, I used to look at applications when hiring someone, and cringe at the lack of English and spelling skills. And I was usually interviewing people that were born in our great country, not someone from another! Our school system is lacking discipline; children are too often “passed” from one grade to another, without really teaching them, all to make sure there are no children “left behind”.
Thank you for listening to me on my soapbox!
Kathy P.
Excellent and Thank You.
Thank you.
Thank for the tips. The will assist me when it’s time for me to interviewing.
Thank you
I agree with all of these tips. As a former General Manager myself, the bad answers mentioned on this page did not impress me, at all, while I was doing interviews. In fact, most of those answers I received left me wondering, “Why are you here?” Thank you.
I worked for the same company for the last 10 years and now I am jobless, I feel very scared about facing an interviewer, I know things are different now than they where 10 years ago and I was thrilled when I found this article. I am studying these answers very carefully, and modified them to my personal experiences. I know that I am now better prepared for an interview than I was before.
Than you.
although job interview is a necessary evil, and its the only way to “get a job”, a consider those kind of questions as mysterious and appreciation questions, why?. because is impossible to meet and know really who you are with 15 or 20 questions, in one hour on an interview. There are really helpful tips, but as everything in this country, the job interview is the matrix. Going to interview with excellent appearance, hidden tattoos, piercing, etc,BUT don’t forget, this excellent appearance is just for interview, then you can wear whatever you want. I think it is a hypocrite behavior, but I am not attempt to change anything, is just my comment, and if I need the job or someone else, we must to say thank you for those tips. Really thanks!!
Dear Kevin and Team,
Thank you for your tips for a successful interview. In fact I should congratulate you for the service you are doing to the whole lot of job-seekers community. I being an ex member of Selection Board of Indin Military, your tips remind me my olden days when I used to assess the personality of individuals through their talk, action and expressions and judge their suitability to be Officers of our Military. Good service being done and KEEP IT UP!
How do I get past the rentry to a job afeter not working for 3 years. I was laid off due to downsizing and then the recessoin hit. I have kept up with payroll and customer service in terms of the chages in pertinent data required for thses core competencies however I am not able to even talk to someone in a reruiting capacity and all my resume are not garnering any leads. Please advise if you can! Thank you for your interest in my behalf.
Dear Kevin and Team,
Thanks so much for your interview tips, this will assist me when it’s time for me to interviewing. Thanks again!!
Dear Kevin & Team
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on interviewing techniques and their appropriate answers. These questions and answers are easy to be studied by those English is their mother’s tongue. But for people which English is their second language, it’s hard to elaborate the answers in their own words so that they can describe their skills, talents, characters and work experience.
So would you please advise on how to win the interests of an interviewer by an intervewee whose English is not perfect. By the way I can speak English but not as I can write.
Kevin and the team
I found the 15 questions and answers to be very helpful in my search for new employment.
How about a segment on “How to look and present yourself” at your next interview, Also
with this explain when a suit is called for vs nice slacks and dress shirt.
thank you thank you thank you.this bit of information really opened my eyes and made me see the big picture. a lot of these questions were asked of me.instead of giving an answer i would freeze. now, i can answer with confidence and not feel my interview and not being hired was due to part of my answer.
although job interview is a necessary evil, and its the only way to “get a job”, a consider those kind of questions as mysterious and appreciation questions, why?. because is impossible to meet and know really who you are with 15 or 20 questions, in one hour on an interview. There are really helpful tips, but as everything in this country, the job interview is the matrix. Going to interview with excellent appearance, hidden tattoos, piercing, etc,BUT don’t forget, this excellent appearance is just for interview, then you can wear whatever you want. I think it is a hypocrite behavior, but I am not attempt to change anything, is just my comment, and if I need the job or someone else, we must to say thank you for those tips. Really thanks!!
Kervin & Team
Kevin & Team
thanks you so much for the info, it sure will help for my interview, good stuff, keep it up, thanks again
I agree with all of these tips. As a former General Manager myself, the bad answers mentioned on this page did not impress me, at all, while I was doing interviews. In fact, most of those answers I received left me wondering, “Why are you here?” Thank you.
How do I get past the rentry to a job afeter not working for 3 years. I was laid off due to downsizing and then the recessoin hit. I have kept up with payroll and customer service in terms of the chages in pertinent data required for thses core competencies however I am not able to even talk to someone in a reruiting capacity and all my resume are not garnering any leads. Please advise if you can! Thank you for your interest in my behalf.
Hi there! first I want to apoligize for taking so long to respond. I had a lots of activities going on
this Month, I really hadn’t checked my email. But thanks for informing me about ways of getting
a job. I still would like to be in a training class with the internet company. email me back please.
Thank you so much for all of these interviewing tips. I found them to be extremely helpful. I will be sure to study them and use them when the time is right.
Hi this is Charmaine Ivy:
I am seeking for the Itt in training (yes i have a interest and also have the skill to go with it.
i can do any thing just apply mind to do it ( i am a team leader attained a Certificate in high Technology. very ambitious and motive person who is seeking for the best.
who would like the Opporunity to untilize my skill ask a itt in traininee .
so thank you for your website my number is 267-593-0124. Charmaine Ivy