When interviewers ask difficult questions, they aren’t specifically trying to stump job seekers. But it can be a good dividing line between who they will hire and who they won’t. There are a variety of questions that interviewers will ask with the intention of weeding out the individuals that they don’t think would be a good fit for their open position. If you want to make a good impression, look out for these common questions and learn how to answer appropriately and impressively.
- What is your process for solving the problem?
The most common behavioral interview question starts with “tell me about a time,” so most applicants are aware of how to handle this process. You describe your narrative in a way that you hope will be on track with the company’s own mission. But that is where some interviewers will throw out a curve ball. Sometimes, after the problem you solved they will ask you about the process. Most people don’t consciously think about their decision-making process, but thinking about this before you interview will be a good step to creating an answer that will impress the hiring manager and make them think seriously about bringing you on their team. - Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
Our culture convinces us that we don’t have the luxury of second-guessing our decisions. When we do, we chalk it up to regret. Many job seekers will have a knee-jerk reaction to this question that will tell them not to admit to faults, but the interviewer isn’t trying to find flaws with you. They want to know that you can critically think about the decisions you’ve made in the past. And that you are willing to learn from your mistakes. Before your interview, think about the things you might have done differently in your career. Demonstrate that you’re willing to accept that your decisions are imperfect and that you could have done it differently to achieve a better outcome. - What do you like to do in your free time?
Most candidates breathe a sigh of relief when they hear this question. The problem is that most candidates overthink their answers. They want to impress the manager by sharing some of the same interests, so they may look at LinkedIn to determine what they have in common. While managers do sometimes like to make personal connections with potential employees, what they really want to know is what makes you tick. What is your motivation? You can simply be honest with this answer, but do it in a way that expresses who you are as a person and not just a list of your hobbies.
Are you ready for your next job interview? Contact Harvard Resource Solutions, now hiring for jobs in Troy MI, to see how we can help today!
