Tough Interview Questions

There are a number of questions that you could be asked in an interview situation which could potentially lead to a negative response. Indeed, some interviewers ask such questions deliberately to see how well you respond when under pressure so it is important not to be intimidated by this kind of question. There is an art to turning a negative into a positive and here are some examples of tough interview questions and how best to respond to them.

What do you feel are your main weaknesses?

When an interviewer asks this type of question, they really want to know that you are capable of being objective in your self-appraisal so it is not advisable to say “I have none.” On the other hand, it is also not recommended to reel off a long list of faults! The ideal response is to consider what your possible weaknesses might be but to put a positive slant on them by considering what steps you are actively taking to overcome them. For example, one of your weaknesses may be poor computer skills but that you are currently studying for the ECDL qualification in order to improve them. In addition, one possible response that you should avoid is the cliché “My main weakness is my tendency to work too hard/push myself too hard…”

What experience do you have in this line of work?

It is only when you have no experience in the industry or role you are applying for that this question could possibly engender a negative response but it is also one of those that is relatively easy to turn into a positive. Emphasise that you are really keen to enter this line of work and that are willing to gain experience and undertake any necessary training. Also, you may have acquired skills and experiences in a different field which you feel are easily transferable to the role you are applying for so you should highlight these here.

What are the reasons for leaving your previous job?

You may have left your previous job feeling rather disillusioned about your employer but it is important not to convey such emotions in an interview situation as potential employers can see this sort of attitude as a sign of potential disloyalty. It is always important to give the most positive response possible; for example, you are seeking advancement, a new challenge or greater training potential.

Explaining dismissal is particularly difficult to be positive about. The best thing you can do here is to admit you were in the wrong, acknowledge that you understand the reasons for your dismissal and that you fully appreciate that such behaviour is unacceptable.

It can also be hard to explain leaving a position because you were being bullied or victimised. It is difficult not to express negative emotions, such as bitterness or resentment, but it is important that you try to show that you have forgiven those responsible for the bullying and that you have become a much stronger person as a result. It is equally important not to apologise for the situation as this can be seen as a sign of weakness.

Explaining your sickness and punctuality records

If a potential employer requests references from previous employers, they will be given access to your attendance records so it is essential that you do not attempt to cover up any incidents of poor timekeeping or long periods of absence. Punctuality is considered to be a sign of commitment and loyalty and there is no real way of making a poor track record sound positive. However, you can emphasise that you do understand the importance of good timekeeping and that you are willing and able to offer your complete commitment to the position to ensure that you fulfil all your responsibilities.

You must never be worried or embarrassed about discussing long periods of absence due to illness. As long as the reasons for the absence were genuine, and are backed up by your previous employers and medical professionals, then you have nothing at all to hide.

How would you handle a particular situation?

Many interviewers like to pose scenario questions asking you to explain how you would deal with a given situation. Your aim here will be to impress the interviewer with how well you cope under pressure.

An example of such a situation could be when you are asked to prioritise between a ringing telephone, a client arriving at the front desk, a courier turning up with a package to sign for and a fax coming through. You will need to demonstrate your ability to prioritise these tasks in order of their importance. You can acknowledge the courier and the client with a friendly smile while answering the telephone and putting the caller on hold; because the caller cannot see how busy you are, they are less likely to accept being ignored while the client and the courier can see for themselves that they are not being ignored, they are simply being politely asked to wait for a moment. The fax is the least important and can be dealt with when the callers and visitors have been attended to.

Explaining gaps in your employment history

The CV Centre has prepared a more detailed article on explaining gaps in employment when producing a CV and a lot of the tips in that article can also be applied to interview situations. To summarise, it is important to put a positive slant on any gaps in employment whether these were the result of travel, long-term sickness or not being able to find a suitable job. Emphasise that you were being productive during this time, whether simply by reading industry-specific literature if you were too sick to manage anything more strenuous, or by undertaking employment during your overseas travels. If you have not been able to find the right job, you must make sure that the interviewer understands how proactive you have been in your job search and how you have applied for many positions, attended interviews and researched suitable companies.

Do you see any disadvantages in working for the company?

If you have done your homework, you should know enough about the company to be able to provide a constructive response to this type of question. Avoid being negative but instead describe how you would work with the company to overcome any possible disadvantages.

The book Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions goes into much more detail on this and other subjects related to the job-hunting process and is considered to be the best publication of its kind. It is sponsored by The CV Centre and can be ordered online via our website in conjunction with any order for a CV.

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