The 3 Hardest Interview Questions – And How to Answer Them

Interviewing for a job is no easy task for anyone, but particularly for women, with twice as many women suffering discrimination based on their gender when compared to men. That’s why it’s important to stay calm, be prepared, and show you’re the strongest candidate, even when the odds are unfairly against you. Preparing your answers for interview questions is a great way to make sure you’re not caught out, and can make you stand out from the rest of the applicants – so read on to find out how you should answer the three hardest interview questions.

What is Your Biggest Weakness?

This question is notoriously difficult to answer and can make even the strongest applicant freeze in their seat. It is, however, easier to answer than it seems – although the idea of telling your interviewer you’re bad at something makes the best of us uneasy, it’s more about how you answer the question, rather than what you say.

Self-awareness is essential – that you’re aware you have faults. Some people will deny they have any at all when everyone has at least a few. When possible, you should talk about a weakness that won’t interfere with the job you’re applying for – don’t say you’re bad in a team, or lazy, for example. There is an exception, however – you can talk about something that may be related to the job as long as you’re showing you’re dedicated to resolving it.

Use this question to outline how you could improve, but also what you’ve done to improve. Maybe you took a time management course or did one of the operations management degrees offered by Kettering University to boost your expertise and improve your knowledge. And of course, be sincere – never disguise a strength as a weakness. Clichés like “I’m a perfectionist” or “I’m a workaholic” don’t tell the employer that you’re a genuine person with weaknesses, and it also shows that you’re not being honest with them. Be genuine.

Tell Me About an Obstacle That You Overcame

This is a very common question, for several reasons – your work is going to be filled with challenges, and employers want to make sure that you can not only handle them but make the best of them. They also want to make sure they’re hiring someone who can think quickly and clearly, and deal with stressful situations as well as demonstrate some resilience.

One tried and tested method for this question is the STAR method. STAR stands for situation, task, action, result, and is the perfect way to set out your answer. Think back over past experiences – never make a story up, since it’s much easier to be caught out on a lie than you might think, and it will destroy your chances of being hired. Using an actual time from your life is also much easier to talk about than a lie that you have to recall from memory.

In your answer, demonstrating certain traits and skills will push you ahead of the other applicants. One of these is that you can handle pressure – it’s important to tell the interviewer that you are able to tackle difficult situations, whether that’s due to a limited amount of time, or some other factor that made this moment crucial. Show that you kept a calm, clear head, and managed to find the best, logical solution to the problem.

Another important factor is showing positivity – showing that even despite the pressure and difficulty of the moment you could keep a positive mindset, is a big tick for employers. They want people who will add to the workplace and culture of the company, and so showing you can keep a positive mindset will only enhance your application.

Remember to make your answer as relevant to the job as possible – for example, if you’ll be working within a team, use an example where there were difficulties within a team that you resolved. Never say “we resolved” or “they resolved” – employers want to see you, and you alone, can handle challenges, so even if you weren’t necessarily alone in solving the problem, make sure you say “I resolved”.

Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?

This is a tough one, especially if things didn’t end on good terms. There are a few reasons why employers want to know the answer to this question – they want to make sure you’re a good fit for the company, and aren’t a “job hopper” and leave within a few months. They also want to understand what you’re looking for in a new job, and if they can offer that to you. This question also tells employers that you’re serious about finding a new job – if you don’t have clear reasons why you left, you may come across as casually seeing what’s out there rather than determined to find a job.

The most important thing to remember when answering this question is, to be honest. Lying is never a good idea, but that stands even more for this question, as employers will be able to find out quickly if this is the case. If you were fired, be honest about it – there’s no need for too much detail, but be sure to make it clear that you understand the reasons why you were fired, and what steps you’ve taken to overcome those problems.

You should also avoid being negative – this means never badmouthing your previous employer. It reflects badly on who you are, as well as your cooperation skills, and being negative makes you out to be more problematic than helpful. Be respectful – don’t talk about your past employer too much, however. They want to talk about the job you’re applying for, not where you were before, or again you’ll find yourself under the assumption that you’re not serious about finding a new job.

Tackling these three questions is the best start to preparing well for your interview. Remember, at the end of the day, you need to be honest about who you are and your experiences. If they don’t hire you, most likely you weren’t right for the role – don’t take it personally, just keep trying.