Toughest Interview Questions and how to answer them

And How to Answer them…

1. What salary are you looking for?

Always cite a realistic salary. Look the interviewer in the eye, state the number and stop talking. Never lie about your current salary. Some companies include salary verification as a part of their standard background checks. If the number you cite is different from the one they discover, your credibility is shot and so are your chances for the position. If you believe you are underpaid and therefore looking for a sizable pay increase, state the reason and add that you will seriously consider their best offer.

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

If you are building your career, cite a job title two or three above the position you’re interviewing for. If you are a more seasoned executive interviewing for a top-level position, the answer is always directing the company growth to the next level. Don’t mention a non-career related goal.

3. What are your greatest strengths?

Pick relevant strengths and skills required for the job. Use language from the job description. For example if the company is looking for a Web Developer with JavaScript, CSS and HTML, talk about your hands on experience with those languages. Avoid generic answers like “I’m a hard worker.” Instead, give a more explicit response such as, “I’m a slave to my ‘to do’ list. I never leave the office until I’ve completed my list for the day and have a new list created for tomorrow.

4. What are your greatest weaknesses?

Avoid answers like “I’m a perfectionist.” It is not a flaw. Instead, be honest and state a concrete weakness, follow-up with how you’ve overcome it and finish with strength, ideally positioning yourself competitively. For example, ” As a QA Engineer, I could have more technical depth and hands-on coding skills. I recently completed several programming courses at the local University. My Mobile knowledge is strong.

5. What is an example of a time you failed?

Discuss a time you learned from your mistake. For example, “In a newly formed multinational team, we were late on our first product launch. I learned that, especially with international partners, it’s critical to double-check even basic assumptions like what’s a month and what’s a day, to clearly spell out more milestones then track and verify them throughout the process.” Make your lesson learned an “Aha!” relevant to the job you are applying for.

6. Why did you leave your current job?

Being negative about your current employer is unprofessional, so remain positive. For example if your current manager is undermining your advancement, say that you don’t see room for growth. Then explain how a job at this new company would be a better opportunity.

7. Do you have any questions for me?

Before the interview, make a list of questions about the company, the position and the person interviewing you. Bring the list. When this question comes up, glance at your list and ask the top one or two. Conclude the interview with statements that clearly indicate your interest, your value add for the position and these final questions:

What can you tell me about my competition and how I compare?
When will you be making your decision?
If I have not heard anything, when is it okay to follow up with you?

Tough questions. Winning answers. As Pele says, “Everything is practice.” Practice, perform, repeat, until the offer is yours.

7 Toughest Interview Questions…and how to answer them.

Connie Dorigan, Founder and Director of Recruiting, sees the food processing industry as the link between good living and good people. She’s the west coast’s most experienced and trusted food processing recruiter. She also provides Executive and Career Coaching and lots of free job search tools. Once you’ve connected with Connie, you’ll always be connected.

This is a general interest article and does not constitute specific or legal advice.

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