How to answer tough interview questions

Tough interview questions aren’t designed to trip you up, but to see how you act in difficult situations, how you think on your feet, as well as how suitable you are for the opportunity. Here’s how to provide strong answers:
1. Answering tough questions about your abilities
Example: “Describe a decision you made that failed…how did you manage this?”
The interviewer knows that everyone experiences setbacks. What they care about, is how you overcome them.
Therefore when answering these types of questions:
• Be honest
• Explain what happened
• Show what you learnt from the mistake
2. Answering tough questions about your co-workers, and/or supervisors
Example: “How do you get along with older/younger co-workers?”
Your interviewer will understand that sometimes work relationships can be tricky and people will have their differences. They want assurance that you know how to remain positive and professional at all times.
Therefore when answering these types of questions:
• Give examples of your people skills in practice
• Show you listen to others and try to understand their needs and motivations
• Don’t speak negatively about current or former colleagues
3. Answering tough questions about your career goals
Example. “How do you measure your success?”
By asking this, the interviewer is trying to assess how driven and focused you are, and therefore how effective you would be if you were to join the team.
Therefore when answering these types of questions:
• Define what success means to you
• Explain how you measure your success
• Give an example of a time you achieved a goal, and how you measured this
Prior to your interview, remember to prepare and practice those interview questions that might stump you. When answering, always be honest and look for the positive angle to show your problem-solving skills. And remember to show that you’ve added value.
This video was based on our blog “Eight tricky interview questions – and how to answer them” social.hays.com/2017/02/13/eight-tricky-intervi…
For more tips and advice on how best to prepare for an interview, read some of our other blogs:
• The secret to giving strong interview answers
social.hays.com/2017/10/06/strong-interview-ans…
• Jobseekers – you really do need to be yourself in the interview social.hays.com/2018/04/05/be-yourself-intervie…
• What to expect from your first ever job interview
social.hays.com/2018/03/21/first-ever-job-inter…

• The worst questions to ask potential colleagues in an interview
social.hays.com/2017/11/17/worst-questions-ask-…
• “So, talk me through your CV”
social.hays.com/2017/10/18/talk-through-your-cv/