15 tough interview questions and how to answer them

Finding a job is a difficult and exciting task. Even if you are confident in your abilities, you are still thinking about how to make a good impression before interviewing with your dream company. Anxiety levels increase, especially when the recruiter asks you questions for which you are not prepared. We’ll tell you how to avoid tough interview questions and get an offer.

Why did you leave your last job?

It is better to answer honestly, but calmly and briefly. Detail is your enemy. Say you have different visions for the tasks, but be sure to include something good, for example, you learned a lot in your previous position. You can praise the team, their corporate culture, or their interesting responsibilities. The main thing is not to scold your superiors if you have to leave your position due to a scandal. Make sure you connect your answers to what you want right now. Emphasize that you are interested in professional development and that this company offers more opportunities.

What attracted you to our vacancy?

With this question, the employer wants to know how interested you are. Therefore, it is important that you answer honestly and in as much detail as possible. But in no case should you brag. Insincerity is striking and repulsive. Say you want to meet in person, learn firsthand, and ask questions. By the way, the latter is very important because it will show that you are truly interested but also know your value. Don’t start with questions about wages, focus on the tasks themselves and the relationships in the team.

What do you know about our company?

Show that you know a lot about the company or that your friends recommended it to you. But as in the previous case, do not go too far. Show that your skills can be put to good use here. No claims or lies. Let’s say you browsed websites, social networks or saw some projects. The important thing is to show how your path brought you here. Read all the necessary information and prepare the questions in advance. Otherwise you can cut yourself short and ruin your impression of yourself.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question has long become a meme. Try to answer creatively, but without giving details. For example, I always wanted to travel and communicate with foreigners, and when I learned about your open position, I thought I could do the job I love and be useful here. Or always design, journalism, management, etc. Explain in which areas you want to improve. It looks like you answered but didn’t state your position or anything like that. The important thing is not to give an answer that has nothing to do with your professional qualifications. So don’t say that you will get married and become a mother in five years. Even if this is true, your manager is unlikely to know about it.

Will it be difficult/boring for you?

If you give the impression that you are too advanced an expert, then the recruiter may have a legitimate question about why you came to this particular position. He wants to see if you’ll quit in the first week. It is enough to say that you have wanted to work in this company for a long time and that you have applied for this vacant position. Perhaps in the future you will be offered another position at this company or be considered for a promotion. If they ask you whether this will be difficult for you, it seems that your answers cast doubt on your qualifications. Ask clarifying questions to clear your doubts.

What is your main disadvantage?

The recruiter wants to know what your weaknesses are in order to understand what difficulties you may face and also to check how adequately you evaluate yourself. Don’t say you have no faults or say something trivial like “sometimes I miss commas.” Name disadvantages that can be perceived as advantages. For example, due to perfectionism I may redo a drawing many times, so I have to rework it or miss deadlines. Or: sometimes I’m afraid to show that I can’t handle it, so I take on too much responsibility and I’m afraid to ask for help. I want to learn how to delegate tasks. You can also honestly admit that it may be difficult for you to choose the right behavioral strategy in conflict situations.

Can someone recommend you?

Therefore, the recruiter wants to understand whether someone can confirm your qualifications and also wants to know on what terms you parted ways with your previous boss. Try not to “swim” in this matter so that he does not doubt you. If you’re sure the review will be positive, say you can reach out. In any case, the answer is: “of course”, because there is a possibility that the HR specialist will forget about it. The fact of positive feedback is important to him. If you think your former boss won’t write a good recommendation, contact one of your co-workers you got along well with.

Are you married?

You should definitely not lie when answering this question. Information can be easily checked using your passport. Just say that you are in a marriage that supports you in all your endeavors. Emphasize that your priority right now is your career, so you are ready to put maximum effort into your work. If you are single there should be a similar message.

Do you have children? When are you planning to do it?

The employer asks this tactless question to understand the expenses in case of future maternity leave or sick leave that he will have to give you if the child is not feeling well. It is best to answer honestly. Add that you are a responsible employee and having children will not affect the company’s performance. For example, if circumstances force you to stay at home, say you can work remotely. The important thing is to emphasize that the development in your profession is important and interesting to you.

What other open positions are you considering?

The employer is most likely considering other candidates as well. Therefore, you should not hide the fact that there are many open positions that appeal to you, but you should be sure to emphasize that this particular position is your priority and explain why. These may be similar functions or company values. In response to this next, we recommend asking what advantages the ideal candidate should have as they consider different people.

What is your nationality?

Discrimination based on nationality is prohibited in Russia, so please explain why this question is being asked. Most likely, the recruiter will arrange a stress interview, that is, ask how adequately you behave in unusual situations, whether you can be aggressive, etc. He tries to understand. So easily respond with humor. Say that you are a citizen of the Russian Federation and you do not know the nationality of your ancestors. If you decide to talk about this topic, in no case should you be ashamed of your nationality. Say that you respect all cultures, so you can easily find a common language with different people on the team. If your job involves business travel, add that being from different cultures helps you communicate with strangers.

Which religion do you profess?

Religious questions are considered too personal, so it would be tactless to ask them during an interview. Politely answer that you treat representatives of all religious beliefs with equal respect, love to travel and learn about the culture of different countries.

What are your political views?

This question can also be a qualification test, but in some companies the employer selects employees based on similar personal beliefs. It is best not to guess, just say that you are taking a neutral stance, but try to follow current events. Say that radical views are not close to you.

How much do you earn now?

If you are asked this question, the employer probably liked your resume. He is now trying to evaluate whether his resources are sufficient to provide you with a reasonable salary. Before the interview, we recommend that you look at the average salaries offered by companies for the open position you want. Feel free to bargain, explain that your services and experience can be useful to him.

Have you ever been fired?

It’s a difficult question. If you’ve been fired, of course it’s easy to make mistakes. We know it is unpleasant to remember this, but it is better to tell the truth as the facts can be easily verified. The important thing is to emphasize that you learned a lesson from this crisis situation. Let even your negative experience turn into an advantage. The only thing, in no case do not put the blame on your former boss and colleagues. Focus on what you’ve learned. Then we can say that you look at the situation completely differently. Try to shift the emphasis to why it didn’t work for you. Maybe you studied at university and had difficulties with your family. Since then, tell yourself that you learned discipline and responsibility, because that was the only situation.