4 TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS, GREAT ANSWERS.
Employers are asking tougher and tougher interview questions these days. Why? They are trying to get to know how you’ll fit into their culture; skills are at times easy to identify, but personality is difficult. A few that we hear over and over…
1. Tell me about a time when you failed at work.
Possible answer: Be honest and tell how that failure changed you and what you learned from it. For example, “I failed to turn important information in on time.” Follow that up with “I took ownership in my inability to meet the deadline and put processes in place so that I could manage my time better, including an alarm/calendar that reminded me each day to spend 30 minutes of office time at the end of each day to make sure all paperwork was processed.”
2. Why are there gaps of employment on your resume?
Possible answer: Be positive and ready to answer this BEFORE you get to the interview. For example, “During the time I was unfortunately laid off, I volunteered at XYZ working on project XYZ, and I’m excited to bring that skill set to your company.” This tells the employer 2 things; you were laid off BUT still got out there and utilized your time helping others.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
Possible answer: Turn that negative into a positive. For example, “I tend to be too passionate at times and can be a perfectionist; however, I know that about myself and accept it.” Follow up with “I continually strive to look at my tasks/projects that need to get done and by prioritizing and forward thinking I’m able to complete my work without being so much of a perfectionist.”
4. Why did you leave your last job? Why are you willing to leave your current job?
Possible answer: “I have learned and contributed a lot to XYZ, however, I feel like I’ve gone as far as I can go there and I feel like it’s time for me to take the next step in my career. I know that I can contribute and learn more in an environment like yours.”