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7 Tough Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

October 12, 2024

No matter how well you prepare for a job interview, some tough interview questions will always catch you off guard.

These are questions that job seekers struggle with the most during a job interview, or wished they could have answered better, adding to your job hunting depression and causing you to feel bad. So we’ve included answers to all seven questions below. Let’s begin!

1. Where do you see yourself in (X) years?

To determine whether this position corresponds with your aims and career ambitions, hiring managers ask challenging interview questions like this. You can reassure the hiring manager that you are committed to your industry and that your goals are compatible with this particular employment by identifying the connections between your career aspirations and this position.

Answer: “In five years, I want to be recognized as a highly respected employee with extensive knowledge of XYZ. In this position, I’d have the chance to gain such skills over time. I read that your organization has an excellent leadership training program, so in five years, I’d like to have finished it and further honed my talents to take on a leadership role eventually. I’d also like to accept people management responsibilities.”

2. What are your weaknesses?

This challenging interview question aims to gauge your self-awareness and willingness to take proactive steps to address any technical or soft skill deficiencies.

Prepare with some set of real-world examples of a weakness.

Answer: “I’ve had a long-standing fear of public speaking, but I recently finished a Toastmasters course, and I recently presented a presentation to my supervisor, which I’m incredibly proud of. The following week, I have another presentation set, and I have requested a dependable colleague to evaluate my delivery so I can keep improving in this area.”

3. Tell me about yourself.

With this question, an employer seeks to learn three things by posing this query—first, your pertinent educational and professional background. Second, the abilities and knowledge attained in earlier positions are relevant to this opportunity. Third, explain why you were drawn to this position and what you hope to find in your next job.

Answer: “I have a master’s degree in digital marketing and am a business management graduate. Since graduating from college, I have had a rewarding two-year marketing career in the sports industry. I’ve had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of digital marketing during my experience in this field. I believe my recent email marketing campaign, which raised our conversion rate by 10%, best exemplifies my digital marketing abilities. I credit my prior employer for helping me acquire the digital abilities I now possess, but I feel it’s time to move on to advance my knowledge even further. I’m therefore searching for a more difficult position at a dynamic, international company with room to grow as a marketing professional. I was thrilled to be asked to interview for this position because of this.”

4. Why are you the best candidate for this role?

Like you, the other candidates are competent and have the necessary skills. Focus on your USP while responding to this question. Your top three or four strengths and an illustration or supporting information make up your USP.

Answer: “Thanks to my expertise in stakeholder involvement and business knowledge, I have experience successfully managing projects from start to finish. I have the years of experience you need, and I have boosted our customer satisfaction numbers by 25% year over year by using a creative approach to issue resolution. Promotions have recognized my outstanding work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond. I can’t wait for this chance and the prospect of working here.

5, Why do you want the job?

They are interested in learning how this position fits your long-term professional goals. Or how financially desperate you are.

 Some years ago, experts preached against focusing on financial and non-financial gains in job interviews. But it’s 2022. Follow the money! The fun fact is that some hiring managers are moved when candidates are practical and brutally honest. But then, how exactly do you say, ‘I only need this job for the money respectfully? 

Advisor on global talent-hiring Jon Spencer gave the best answer in this Quora thread.

 ”Easy; you don’t say it. There are accepted norms in interviewing, and anyone with minimal emotional intelligence will know that saying that you only want the job for the money is one of the no-nos.

It’s a given that most people would be attracted to a job by a generous remuneration package. You know it, the employer knows it, and the employer knows you know it. No need to say it.”

6. Why are you looking for a new job?

The interviewer wants to know what transpired in your present or former position to influence your decision to go elsewhere. Therefore, even though you should never insult your present or former employers, you should be honest when explaining your decision to enter the job market.

Rather than saying the usual “I need a new challenge.” say this; “My current employer is a small company with restricted career advancement,” Once I was qualified, they could not give me a job that fit my experience. After working there for three years, I’m eager to find a position where I can apply my growing knowledge and abilities to improve a business.”

7. What is your salary expectation?

Instead of considering how much money you need, consider how much the position will pay. After that, you can tell the interviewer with confidence and support regarding your pay expectations. This gives you the confidence to respond positively to this inquiry and positions you well for subsequent negotiations.

Answer: “I am seeking $X based on my research of comparable occupations and information from the most recent CareerBuddy Salary Guide. Given the demands of the position, this salary is competitive.

For more questions and answers, read this!