You finally got the interview. Now you need to prepare. You need to be ready to answer the tough questions – the questions that you know will come, but you are not sure what they are! How are you to prepare for something when you don’t know what it is? Interview questions are a tricky thing. You would think that the person sitting across from you wants to find out the level of your qualifications to fill a position. WRONG. This is only part of what they want to know. They also want to know if you would be a good fit for the organization – if perhaps they had to sit on a plane with you for 9+ hours, that they wouldn’t want to sit close, very close to the exit row and pull the handle at a strategic moment. Here are my top five picks for the most difficult interview questions – Microsoft notwithstanding:
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is an interesting question. It is very open ended and will allow you to present something about your background; it doesn’t necessarily have to be a regurgitation of your early career history. You can use this as an opportunity to engage with the interviewer on a more personal level. Perhaps you recently built a house for Habitat for Humanity or spent some time abroad – you can discuss those things to answer this question. Be careful that you don’t talk too long. Keep your answer short – but it might represent an opportunity for you to help the reader understand a dimension of your personality that might not otherwise be uncovered during the interview.
2. What do you know about the company?
Before entering any interview you should always do research on the company. It is so easy to get information either online or at the local library. Take the time to conduct some research about the company, including its history, recent press, business ventures (where applicable), corporate philosophy, and leadership. You should be able to articulate something interesting you learned about them. Again, don’t talk too long. You don’t want to come off as a know it all. You should express interest in learning more about the company’s focus and the position (of course).
3. From what you have learned about the company and position, why do you want to work for us?
This is an opportunity for you to present your qualifications and things you have done previously that would be applicable to their business. Make sure you stress how you would contribute to the company’s needs. Express why you find the position interesting, making sure to make connections between the role you are pursuing and the work you have done previously. For example, if you are applying for a position that has a strong financial component, your answer should include relevant analysis and findings. It is important that you tie your experiences to the value you bring to a new role.
4. If hired, what is one of the first things you would do to make an impact?
If you have done your homework on the company and position, you will have an idea of some of the things they are looking to accomplish. Come prepared to reference specific things you have done in the past and the timeframes it took you to complete them. Part of the interview process involves marketing yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk about your achievements and indicate how you would quickly meet a need for the new company. Reference your problem solving, motivation, and ability to work well as part of a group to achieve a common goal. No matter what, everything you discuss should be in a positive manner.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I loathe this question! As ridiculous as I think the question is – people ask it ALL THE TIME during the interview process; so, I felt an obligation to include it here and give you an appropriate answer. You want to demonstrate commitment; and that is an important component to answering this question effectively. Consider mentioning that you enjoy challenging situations and work well in an environment that is participatory. You are committed and focused on those situations that will continue to allow you to grow while making a meaningful contribution.
Well, there you have it! My top five tough questions. Preparation is key. No matter what position you are interviewing for knowing your own background, competencies, strengths and areas for improvement, complemented by knowledge of the company will help ensure you shine when confronted with the tough questions.
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