TOP 7 ‘MOST DIFFICULT’ INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND HOW TO ANSWER THEM!

When answering this first question, talk about the following 4 things:

• The SKILLS you have.
• Your EDUCATION BACKGROUND &
• ACHIEVEMENTS in your career to date.
• The TYPE of person you are and what you will do in the role.

And you will notice, those 4 things stand for S.E.A.T. You can remember the seat structure for “tell me about yourself” because you will be sitting down on a seat at the interview.

I also strongly recommend you practice your answer several times before your interview. Sit down in front of a friend or mirror and practice your answer. It is imperative you give a confident answer to this first interview question to create a positive impression on the hiring manager.

Here is my top-scoring example answer to help you.

“Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this position. I graduated from college with excellent qualifications in subjects perfect for this industry. My SKILLS are perfectly aligned with the job role. I am a diligent, responsive, loyal, commercially driven, and results-focused employee who not only puts the needs of my team first but also strives for our collective success.

I have EXPERIENCE collaborating on time-sensitive projects and taking the lead during challenging situations to achieve a successful outcome. In my current role at Company X, I worked on a team that achieved the best sales for a new company product, and my manager praised me for delivering outstanding service to customers.

One of my proudest professional ACHIEVEMENTS was recommending that the company implement a customer feedback survey on its website. The survey helped improve customer service standards and identify new products, which generated a 17% increase in sales.

In addition to my professional skills, I am the TYPE OF PERSON who is positive, embraces change, supports co-workers and takes responsibility for their ongoing professional development.

Overall, I am genuinely excited about the possibility of contributing to [Company’s Name] and growing with your team. I believe my diverse experience, skills, and passion make me a great fit for this role. Thank you for considering my application.”

Let’s continue with the rest of the top 7 most difficult interview questions.

Do not say you want the job for financial reasons, or that the company is close to where you live! Again, make sure you practice your answer until you know exactly what to say in the real interview. Here is my brilliant example answer to help you.

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?

“I want this job for three reasons. First, the job is one I am passionate about, and it is perfect for my skills, abilities and qualifications.

The second reason I want this job is because I am passionate about this industry. We spend a lot of time at work, and I want that time to be spent doing something I love and where I can see the impact my work is having.

Finally, I want this job because it is with your company. I researched you before submitting my resume. I was attracted to your workplace values, forward-thinking approach to business, and the way you foster a supportive and inclusive work environment where there is equal opportunity.”

This difficult question is being asked to determine if your strengths will benefit the employer and to see if they align with the job description. The job description usually comes with the job posting and it states the strengths needed to perform the job role competently. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the job description before your interview.

I also recommend you give an example of where you have previously demonstrated one of your strengths in a challenging situation. Here is my best top-scoring answer to help you.

WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS?

“My strengths match the job description. I am a confident and decisive problem solver who leads during challenges.

For example, in my last position, the company website went down late on a Friday afternoon. To minimise disruption to business operations, I sourced a contractor online to investigate the issue, and they got the website back up and running again in time for the weekend.

Other strengths include my cost-conscious approach to work. I will use company resources and supplies carefully to save you money. Finally, perhaps my greatest strength is creativity. I will always look for new ideas and opportunities in the industry that will add revenue to your business.”

Most people respond by saying they either don’t have any weaknesses, or their weakness is being a perfectionist. Do not say either of those things.

Be honest about your weaknesses but make sure you follow up with how you’re working to improve. And, above all, avoid weaknesses that are critical to the job.

Here is exactly how I would answer this tough interview question.

WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?

“My weaknesses are PUBLIC SPEAKING and saying YES to people. I am not yet confident in public speaking, but this is a skill I would like to develop.

If there are any opportunities in this role for me to give talks or presentations to my team, I would like to try it.

My second weakness, saying YES to people, is because I don’t like to let people down. If people ask me for help or to do additional work, I automatically say YES, which sometimes means I overcommit. However, I am trying to be more mindful of the need to assess my capacity for extra work before committing.”

The hiring manager will use the answers to this question to decide which one candidate can add the most value to their business, so it must be answered confidently.

Do not say, you should hire me because you’re hiring and I need a job! You must give valid reasons why you are the best candidate.

WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?

“You should hire me for four reasons. The first reason is that I am a solid match for the job description and require minimal training and supervision in my work. I can come into the role and immediately impact the team.

The second reason is that I have a track record of achievement, which I will replicate for your company.

The third reason you should hire me is because I am passionate about continuous improvement. I will continually improve my skills by undertaking training courses to ensure you see good value from my salary each month.

Finally, the fourth reason you should hire me is because I am seeking long-term employment with your company. This means I want to become a part of your ongoing success, specialise in several business areas, and you won’t have to readvertise the position for years to come.”

When answering this and other behavioural interview questions, I recommend you use the STAR method to structure your answer (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Begin your answer with the SITUATION you were in.
• Next, give brief details of the TASK that needed your attention.
• Then give in-depth details of the ACTION you took to achieve the task.
• Before finally giving the RESULTS of your actions.

Here is my example answer that uses the STAR method. 

TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU FACED A CHALLENGE AT WORK AND HOW YOU DEALT WITH IT.

SITUATION: On a Friday afternoon in my previous job, the company website crashed. This was a problem because we had an online SALE planned for the weekend and the company IT department had already left.

TASK: My task was to take the lead, find a solution to the problem, and get the website back running again before the weekend sale.

ACTION: I assessed my options and determined the best solution would be to source an online web developer through the website UpWork.com to investigate the issue. After shortlisting two candidates with relevant skills and experience, I interviewed them via Zoom.

After selecting the most competent candidate, I gave them a brief, and they set to work. I stayed online throughout and monitored their work while maintaining close communication and answering any questions they had.

RESULT: By 6 p.m. that evening, the website issue had been resolved, and the website was up and running again. On Monday morning, my manager praised me for my calmness and ability to take the lead during difficult situations.

This question is being asked to determine if you want to stay at their company long-term and to also assess your career goals and aspirations. Do not say you plan to have moved on to a new job with a different company in five years’ time. Here is my brilliant example answer that demonstrates loyalty and ambition!

 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

“In five years, I see myself having grown significantly within this company, taking on more responsibilities and further developing my skills through the completion of training courses. I aim to contribute to projects that align with the company’s mission, and gain experience across different departments to understand more about how the business operates. Additionally, I aspire to be in a leadership position where I can mentor junior team members and foster a collaborative and supportive work environment. I am committed to continuous learning and adaptability, and building a long-term career here.”

Facing tough interview questions can be challenging, but with the right preparation, you can respond with confidence and impress any employer. By mastering these top 7 most difficult interview questions, you’ll be ready to showcase your skills, handle pressure, and stand out from the competition. Remember, practice makes perfect—so refine your answers and walk into your next interview with confidence!