Are you looking for the most expected and the most tough interview questions and answers? Do you want to know what it takes to be the top choice of the interviewers? Read on to know more…
“Confidence has a lot to do with interviewing – that, and timing.” – Michael Parkinson
The above statement by Michael Parkinson applies to both the interviewer and the interviewee! Since this article is about the tough interview questions and answers, we shall speak specifically about the most tough questions asked by the interviewers and what should be the ideal answer that will help you get the spot! While preparing yourself for an interview, you must learn the skill to convert every question asked, into an opportunity which helps you portray your skills and relevant experiences, to the benefit of the organization. It is human to be nervous and go blank in front of the interviewing panel, however, you must prepare yourself efficiently and focus that the recruiting panel are humans and not creatures that will eat you! The most important things that they look for in a candidate is confidence and the ability to say the right things, in the right way, at the right time. So, maintain that confidence and go through the best answers to tough interview questions that are mentioned below!
Ten Tough Interview Questions and Ten Great Answers
The reason why these questions are included in the interviewing list most of the time, is because the candidate is expected to use these questions as an opportunity to convince them and prove to them, as to how is the candidate better than the rest. Mentioned below are the 10 most frequently asked, simple, yet the most hardest questions to answer. These tough interview questions and answers are just to give you an idea as to how you should frame your sentences, and structure your answer to be in the limelight! So read the following answers to job interview questions and modify them according to your suitability!
Question 1: Tell me about yourself.
I mean we are not being asked about the current market policies, or, the biography of the founder of the company. All they are asking us, is about ourselves! This seems to be the most easiest question ever asked, doesn’t it? But the answer to this question is not that easy. By asking this question, they don’t mean to ask your name, childhood stories, etc. This is the time to advertise yourself from the interviewer’s point of view. Tell me about yourself, is another way of asking, ‘Tell me about how you are beneficial to my company?’ It is best if you give a refined answer highlighting your skills, and transform them as the plus point of your career choice.
The answer for this question should be something like this – “I have been a fan of advertising right from the beginning! Every time I saw an add, I would try to improvise it on my own. Even during my school and college days, I took up group projects on advertisement which enabled me to come up with my own creative ideas and helped me in identifying the loop holes in the existing adds. I have done advanced diploma in creative advertising and I love engaging my mind with new and innovative ideas and work towards implementing them.”
Question 2: How do you handle conflict?
This is another typical interview question that is bound to be raised by the employer! By asking this question, the interviewer doesn’t want to know if you are the sorts who walks away when your wife is shouting at you, or do you argue back! What the interviewer wishes to understand, is whether you can handle stress and conflict while working in a team, along with the pressure to meet deadlines? Today, conflicts are a part of each and every organization. Therefore, your answer to this question should be practical and logical enough which highlights your leadership skills and team work.
An ideal answer for this question would be, “Well, I am glad you asked me this question. As I mentioned earlier that I have done many group projects, and that too in a creative field. Yes, there were a few creative conflicts; and being the group leader, it was my job to listen and understand the logical reasons behind the conflicts, and the different point of views based on that. I outlined the main issues and diverted our focus on the important ones, which helped in resolving the conflicts with mutual understanding, compromising a little on both sides, so that things seemed fair from all ends.”
Question 3: What are your greatest strengths?
This is one of the most common interview questions, as it is obvious that the interviewers would want to know your strengths to be able to decide whether or not you possess the skills that are suitable for the job! So, what is it that you should say? Well, speak specifically of your strengths and skills that are relevant to the job. Make sure that you don’t sound way too perfect, or way too imperfect.
“Well, I think I am creative and imaginative, this is something which comes naturally to me. I have also won many certificates and awards for creative advertising projects and competitions. Apart from that, I also possess good leadership qualities, which is why I was always chosen as the group leader in my school and colleges. I also knew that advertising and good communication skills go hand in hand, which is why I have constantly focused on improving my communication skills and continue to do so. I am also hardworking, persistent and loyal.”
Question 4: What is your greatest weakness?
Don’t even think of saying that you don’t have any, because they would know you are lying! And please don’t mention your ‘true’ weakness if that can cost you the job! Yes, they need honest employees, but you don’t need to be “too honest”! Play it safe. The interviewer is trying to see how well you play with words and speak up. So play with words and state a weakness that proves to be your career strength!
“I think advertising is my greatest weakness. I constantly seek perfection, and therefore, I cannot accept the completion of a project, even with the slightest loopholes! Advertising has been my passion, at times I get compulsive and simply can’t stop until I am completely satisfied!”
Question 5: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
The answer to this question solely depends on the post for which you have applied. If you have applied for a senior post, then you will be expected to give an answer that ensures the interviewers that you are going to stick for quite sometime and that they are investing in a profitable asset. On the other hand, if you are in the initial stage of your career and have applied for an entry-level job, then keep in mind that the employers always look for people who can prove to be an asset to the company. Candidates possessing excellent qualifications and skills should also be goal oriented and visionaries! Your ideal answer should be the one which focuses on these aspects! Something like, “Well, I am sure that my passion for advertising would make me the department head of this organization as I am looking for career growth and stability.”
Question 6: How do you rejuvenate yourself from work stress? What do you do in your free time?
Employers like employees who can balance their personal and professional lives! The main idea behind asking this question is to know how you handle stress and how you apply your personal qualities to get a balance in your professional life. An ideal answer should be, “Apart from watching the collection of my favorite ads, I like reading novels for relaxation. Apart from that I also like to swim to feel active and rejuvenated again. Making pottery also helps me calm my mind!”
Question 7: What is your greatest source of motivation?
Whatever answer you choose to speak, avoid talking specifically about money. That gives a negative impression to the employers, and so does talking about power, recognition and promotions! Try not to appear selfish, but hardworking and intelligent! Instead of being aggressive in terms of money and power, show that you prefer focusing your energy towards gaining excellence in what you do. So, the answer which is expected from you should be something like, “Job satisfaction. As I mentioned earlier, I crave for perfection. A well done project and a chance to use my imagination in a challenging job, gives me immense motivation to perform better!”
Question 8: Why do you want to be a part of our organization?
As simple as it may sound, this question is actually a very tricky one! No matter what the reality is, do not say that you desperately needed a job and you just applied wherever the openings were! Your answer should focus on the strengths that this organization has over others. It will be easier for you to answer this if you have done a thorough research on the company! Your answer for this question could be something like – “Well, I have followed your company’s growth pattern for sometime now. With the kind of performance and stable growth rate, I think this is an organization that will give me the right platform and opportunities for my career growth. Not only this, I am sure that being a part of this organization will give me a chance to learn, experience, and go beyond my potential limits.”
Question 9: Why should we hire you?
This question is asked to judge your convincing skills, and you need to do that by highlighting your achievements and skills in reference to the needs of the employer. The answer to this question can be something like – “My previous work experience and my passion for the field will prove to be an asset to the organization. Apart from that, my skills which include quick learning, improving performance standards, and sincerity towards my work, will definitely make me a productive asset of this organization. I think my passion for the job and your demands for the position make a profitable investment, both for you and for me.”
Question 10: What are your salary expectations?
Again, this is the most frequently asked interview question! You need to be quite reasonable as well as polite when it comes to answering this one! Try not to be selfish. Instead, try to show that you are more interested in the job, rather than the figures. You can play it safe and say, “I am more interested in getting the job in a reputed company like yours, however, I also need to pay the bills. I am open to any reasonable remuneration that you decide to offer.” It is advisable to speak this extremely confidently and then pause. However, make sure you maintain eye contact with the employer and let him be the first one to break the silence.
So, these were some of the tough interview questions and answers that would either break, or make your chances of clearing the interview! Remember, that there are various other applicants that are competing for the same position. A personal interview gives, both you, and the employers a chance to analyze each other in person. This is an opportunity wherein you can highlight your USP in the way you present yourself to them. So, make sure that you do your homework well, and practice these questions and answers by modifying them as per your job profile! Before I end this article, I would like to give you a simple, yet an important piece of advice, “Be the Original You”! All the best!