How to answer 5 tough interview questions

Tough interview questions and answers to consider

We all have interview questions we secretly hope an interviewer won’t ask us. Certain questions might be confusing or vague or have topics you feel uncomfortable discussing. Regardless of the reasoning, specific interview questions might trip you up and jeopardize your chances of getting hired. But with the right preparation, you can confidently face tough interview questions. Review several tough interview questions and answers to prepare for your next round of interviews.

Why interviewers ask difficult questions

Before we dive into some of the most commonly faced tough interview questions and answers, it’s helpful to understand why an interviewer might ask a difficult question. One reason is to get more information about candidates, which can help them see personality traits and determine whether they fit with the company culture. Another reason is to assess the thought processes of candidates. When facing a question that doesn’t have a clear answer, an interviewee has to think quickly and support their answer with an explanation and logic.

Five tough interview questions and answers

Now that you know why you might face hard questions, check out five tough interview questions and answers to help you prepare.

1. Describe a time you overcame a challenge in your professional life.

Answering a question about a challenge you overcame in your professional life might feel daunting, but you can use your answer to describe how you manage difficult situations. Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to discuss what happened and how you handled it.

Sample answer: “In my previous role, my department frequently experienced a bottleneck when projects went to the manager for review. She didn’t realize that projects were awaiting feedback, and the team struggled to move tasks along. I researched project management software options and presented the three best choices during a team meeting. We selected one that notified the responsible person when a task moved into their to-do list, which resolved the bottleneck.”

“By reviewing the job qualifications ahead of time, you can confidently answer by referring to the desired qualifications and skills.”

2. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Interviewers often ask this question during the first round of interviews, yet many job seekers still struggle with it. Since the question is broad and open-ended, you may not know how to answer it “correctly.” Keep your answer brief and focus on professional aspects, rather than providing irrelevant personal information.

Sample answer: “I’m a recent graduate of New York State College with a degree in economics. My professional goals include improving processes in the departments where I work and leading teams effectively. While attending school, I played collegiate basketball and earned a scholarship as a walk-on player. I enjoy volunteering my time at the local animal shelter.”

3. Why should we hire you?

This common question often trips up candidates because it’s blunt and to the point. By reviewing the job qualifications ahead of time, you can confidently answer using the desired qualifications and skills.

Sample answer: “I believe I would be an excellent fit in this role because I’m a highly motivated self-starter who doesn’t require a lot of supervision to accomplish my tasks. My experience as a junior web developer has helped me become an expert in various programming languages, including HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.”

4. What are your salary expectations?

Discussing money is taboo in our culture, so this question earns a spot on the list of tough interview questions you might face. When the question of salary comes up in an interview, you might struggle to answer confidently. But it’s also one of the most crucial questions, as raises, bonuses, and future job offers are often based on your salary.

Before you face this question, research the job title and average salary range for those in this position around the country. Compare the average to what you expect to earn and the salary range included in the job listing (if applicable).

Sample answer: “I’m looking to make between $75,000 and $85,000 in this role. Since I recently completed my master’s degree in business administration and have 10 years of experience as an operations assistant manager, I feel that I would bring a lot of value to the organization. I would immediately look for ways to improve manufacturing processes and eliminate wasteful steps to benefit the company’s bottom line directly.”

5. How many traffic lights are in New York City?

Some of the questions you face during an interview are strange, and you won’t have an answer ready to go. This type of question might feel more like a riddle than an interview question, but they want to know how you solve a problem you’re facing and whether you can maintain a clear train of thought.

Sample answer: “In my most recent visit to New York City, I noticed that there are far more traffic lights than stop signs, probably due to the sheer volume of traffic in the city. If I had to estimate, I’d say there are about 15,000 streets in New York City, and maybe two-thirds of those streets have traffic lights. My best guess would be about 10,000 traffic lights in the city.”

These tough interview questions and answers might feel off-putting, but you can answer with confidence. Be sure to upload your resume to CareerBuilder to see all of the employment opportunities out there for you.