All job interviews look alike, but each difficult question is difficult in its own way. In this article we have tried to shed some light (first of all on what hard means, and then on why it is) by lining up some of them. The most common. Here are the ten difficult questions you might most easily hear at a job interview.
To understand the reasons for this difficulty and understand how to face it or - why not - get around it, it is first of all necessary to ask what “difficult” means for a question. Don't know the answer? Does it push us to tell the recruiter something about us that we don't want to say? Does it bother us? Does it expose us to the risk of showing a weakness? We will see it together.
But in the meantime, what are the ten difficult questions at the job interview?
The Ten Difficult Questions in the Job Interview
- How do you react to criticism?
- What was your biggest mistake, and what did it teach you?
- When was the last time you disregarded a statement or rule, and why?
- What added value would it bring to our company?
- What are the three positive qualities that you lack?
- Which books have influenced you the most?
- Do you like me as an interviewer?
- What role does money play for you?
- What's the craziest thing he has done?
- What made during periods when he did not work / study?
The premise: a question isn't always what it seems
Before we go into detail and understand more about the ten difficult questions at the job interview together, it is important to reiterate that a question, at the interview, is not always what it seems.
Many times, in fact, the questions are just pretexts that the recruiter uses to obtain information about you that otherwise he would not have: why you would not say them verbally, or why you would never include them among the competences of your CV .
Such as information related to your emotional intelligence . Or your soft skills . Among the skills most sought after by companies in the coming years.
A few tips to get started
Experts have identified 9 tips for your job interview , but when it comes to answering a difficult question, there is only one advice: stay calm, take a deep breath and reflect.
Often a candidate is told: “ Tell me about her . ” The recruiter in this case is not interested in the content of the answer: rather he wants to evaluate the resistance to stress. Here is a case in which your self-control will be your best answer.
1. How do you react to criticism?
It would be a mistake to answer: “I don't mind at all, on the contrary they help me grow” . Nobody would believe you. In the face of criticism, it is normal to feel attacked. In answering, do not enter the private sphere, but refer to the professional field. Explain that constructive criticism can only be helpful, even if " sometimes it can be unpleasant to receive ." You will give the impression of reacting "like a human being", but accepting the criticism positively.
2. What was your biggest mistake, and what did it teach you?
Attention! Here they want to put you in trouble. First of all, you must be clear that excessive sincerity may not be appropriate. However, even in this case the rule applies : no lies .
First, think about what you might identify as a "mistake". Your interviewer will certainly not be happy with "anecdotes", such as the wrong purchase of a car or a badly planned vacation. The recruiter expects an answer that makes him understand if you are capable of self-assessment and self-criticism . Do not name situations that could repeat themselves and that could cause you to repeat the potential mistake.
Another serious mistake would be to blame others for the mistake: this is misjudged, even if your boss or your colleagues really had partial responsibility. Knowing how to recognize your mistakes is a quality, contrary to popular belief.
3. When was the last time you disregarded a rule or instruction, and why?
The recruiter certainly doesn't want to know if you passed the pedestrian crossing with red three days ago. If anything, you can say this as a joke, to take some time.
The recruiter wants to know if you often break company rules, that is, if you do not hesitate to neglect the instructions, or if on a certain occasion you have acted against the rules, but you did it carefully and only because the situation required it. It is therefore a question of whether you are able to assess on a case-by-case basis. The answer, however, requires caution: you must not look like a rebel or a champion of blind obedience.
4. What added value would it bring to our company?
This is a common question, which in no case should worry you. You can prepare your answer in advance by reading the job posting carefully and understanding which of your skills will suit you best. Mention qualities like your absolute reliability and / or your great motivation. Also note that you identify with the company's philosophy and that you find the position you are applying for stimulating.
5. What are the three positive qualities that you lack?
This question doesn't have to make you sweat either, because you can easily prepare the answer. Think beforehand about what you might say and point out that in your opinion these are simply qualities that you have not yet developed sufficiently, but that you can enhance. Indeed, that you intend to do so.
6. Which books have influenced you the most?
This is a variation of the motto “Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are”. To avoid like the plague an answer like: “Nothing comes to mind: I don't have time to read”.
If you really don't read or read only infrequently, you can fall back on the Internet and appeal to news sites. Otherwise, be careful with politics and other thorny issues, as well as with controversial authors. Obviously, it doesn't even make sense to name number 1 among the bestsellers of the moment, if you haven't read it: it could become an own goal.
7. Do you like me as an interviewer?
This particularly difficult question is a real trap. Never start singing the interviewer's praise or reassuring him that "you felt really good". Even if the recruiter seems genuinely sincere and asks you for constructive criticism, don't be tempted by the seemingly simpler answer. It is more effective to move to the meta level and say with a gentle smile, “This almost sounds like a trap question. Can we go back to the task description once again? There would still be a point… ".
8. What role does money play for you?
Forget the humility baths. Rather, argue why, in your opinion, a good performance should receive adequate compensation. After all, just as the company wants to make a profit from its services to customers, so do you: you want to feed your family, have a roof over your head, etc.
But be careful: sensitivity, when it comes to money , is maximum. Don't be provocative, rather show the recruiter a friendly and calm attitude.
9. What's the craziest thing he has done?
You can tell in complete tranquility the "follies" (lawful) made in your life. But on those in the professional field, confidentiality is better. The goal of this question is to find out how creative you are and if you can also take unconventional paths. But compliance with the rules (of all the rules) and the ability to calculate risk are not negotiable values. Remember it.
10. What did you do when you did not work / study?
The recruiter is inquiring about a void in your CV - stay calm and friendly. If this emptiness bothered him, he would not have invited you to the cognitive interview. Filling the holes in your CV with little scams or big lies is not a good solution, because sooner or later the deception will turn up. It is more effective to positively illustrate professional holes.
Even a long stay abroad is positively evaluated, because it brings further life experience. Today, periods dedicated to children or a non self-sufficient relative are considered a plus. Even periods of reorientation are no longer looked upon with suspicion, on the contrary they are considered a valid experience.
Our general tips
Occasionally a little humor doesn't hurt: at least you can buy time when faced with a difficult question. Eg:
- Question: "What weaknesses do you have?"
- Answer: "So ... weaknesses. How much time do I have?"
But be careful not to overdo it. Make the joke with a friendly, non-provocative smile, and immediately move on to answer the question seriously.
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