Tricky Questions

The following tricky questions may be asked at the interview. Think about the best way to answer them. Have a look at the instructions enclosed here. They may be of use to you. Consider them carefully and give answers to the questions.

1. Have you already done the best work you are capable of?

Candidate should show confidence in regards to past work, believe that the best work is ahead of him, see this position, and the co-workers, as a positive way achieve more. Candidate should be modest, but confident.

2. How long will you stay with the company?

Candidate should have researched the company and be able to explain how he/she will integrate themselves in the company.

3. Who is your role model?

Applicant’s role model should contain the qualities and competencies employers would like to see in a successful candidate.

4. What would you like to be doing five years from now?

Applicants should see themselves well integrated in the company. Candidate should have researched the company and explain their potential skills that could benefit the company.

5. How would your friends describe you?

Answer should show focused and hard-working qualities and competencies. Descriptions should show the skills needed for this position.

6. Why should I hire you?

Candidate should take the opportunity to sell their skills, knowledge, and abilities. Candidate should try to prove why they are perfect for the job, that they will do the job, and that they are manageable.

7. Can you tell me what things really bother you?

They want to see if your answers maintain a reasonable level of consistency or if they are merely a facade. They are looking out for candidates with chips on their shoulder and repressed anger. The employer is seeking those who dislike under-performance and sloppy work practice.

8. How ambitious are you?

Job Seeker should demonstrate a real ambition that is also backed by a persistence and real enthusiasm to succeed. However, check that this ambition is balanced by a sense of clear-headiness and an innate common sense. Make sure that the candidate is ‘grounded’ in reality.

9. Do you think this company is ambitious and if so, why?

Job seeker should demonstrate a good knowledge of the company, especially its past achievements, and have an optimistic and positive view of its future.

10. What important goals have you achieved in the past year?

Look for an answer that demonstrates real ambition that is also backed, not only by persistence, but by a real enthusiasm to succeed. Try to determine if they have a record of practical achievement.

11. Describe a time when you took extra effort to make sure the person with whom you were communicating with had really understood your point. How did you do this?

The candidate's answer should show that they understand why clarification is an important part of communication.

12. How do you explain a complex technical issue to someone who has less technical knowledge than you?

Job seeker should be able to express his/her knowledge in a clear, simple manner; answer should show that they have the ability to explain technical matters to non-technical people.

13. Do you have any questions you would like to ask us?

Candidate should still be eager to show his knowledge and interest in the company; their comments and questions should be aimed to prove that they want the position.

14. Tell me about a time when you helped to successfully mediate in a conflict? How did you feel?

Candidate should show that they are helpful in resolving conflicts by understanding each co-workers view of the situation.

15. Describe a time when everyone in the meeting was opposing your ideas. How did you manage to work it out?

Candidate should appear to know how to convince others that their point is right. Sees conflict as natural. Never personalizes it, but explains the issues involved forcefully; stands up for what he believes is best for the business in a logical and reasonable manner.

16. How would you handle a conflict between you and higher management?

Job seeker should appear to be able to reason logically and forcibly argue for what is best for the company; should be respectful to, but not intimidated by higher management.

Unit 4

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