Answering tough interview questions is no cakewalk.
It’s war.
It's hard enough to try to look good in your interview suit
without getting a run in your pantyhose. Now you have to appear
calm, cool and collected as your potential boss throws a
multitude of crafty questions to test your ability to think
under pressure.
Have no fear. I’m here to help you win the job interview
battle.
Use these 5 amazing answers to the all time toughest interview
questions and Sun-Tzu yourself to job interview victory.
1) Tell me about yourself?
Every interview starts out with this tough question.
Your 60-second answer should be a borderline brag statement
filled with enthusiasm and tailored for the position
you’re interviewing for.
Short and sweet, your response should be powerful, memorable and
give the interviewer some insight into your personality and
skill set. Most importantly your answer should include numbers:
years of experience, percentage of sales and number of
supervised employees if applicable.
How to answer the " Tell Me About Yourself" tough
interview question
If you are a Retail Sales Manager, here’s how you might answer
this interview question.
-
“I
am a results-oriented sales manager with 10 years of
progressive retail experience. My sales and management
contributions to luxury boutiques and high end department
stores have resulted in a 35% increase in sales for the past
3 years and a measurable boost in employee retention and
morale in my department.
-
I believe that my strong organization and leadership
abilities coupled with my talent to mentor and train sales
professionals will serve your organization’s mission and
goals. I’d like to discuss how my exemplary customer service
techniques and proven ability to shorten the sales cycle
could be a valuable contribution to your organization.”
This 60 second speech can also double as the opening paragraphs
for your cover letter or résumé’s summary of qualifications. Use
this answer and rework it as if it were your own.
2) What is your greatest strength or weakness?
The strength question is easy to answer. Look over the job
description and talk about a skill that is necessary to complete
any task advertised. Match your strength answer with one of your
tangible skills and voila you’ve given the perfect answer the
hiring manager wants to hear.
The weakness interview question is tough.
But it’s easy to conquer if you are well prepared.
This classic tough interview question is used to test your
ability to turn negatives into positives and also measures your
diplomacy skills.
Never mention a negative flaw of any kind,
without including a statement that balances your weakness with a
positive characteristic.
How to answer the " Strength or Weakness"
tough interview question
If you are a Type A workaholic that has no tolerance for
imperfection, how do you turn that statement into a positive
one? Instead of saying that you don’t work well with lazy people
whose desks are cluttered, use a response that is more palatable
to the interviewer.
Tell the interviewer that you like to work long hours and will
not stop until the daily tasks are completed and close to
perfection. You brainstorm best...alone in your office or cube,
but enjoy collaborating with people that are committed to
excellence.
3) Why should I hire you?
Tailor your response to the job description and the expectations
of the hiring manager. Discuss the specific skills and
expertise that are suited for this position, not your previous
employers’ expectations. This is another opportunity for you
to use expound upon your 60 second brag statement and sell
yourself.
How to answer the "Why Should I Hire You" tough
interview question
Talk about ways that you will save the company money or make the
company money in this position. This approach shows the
interviewer that you’re interested in results, performance and
action, not just talk. If you are interested in the position and
feel you will work well with this manager, this is a great time
to tell the interviewer you want this job.
4) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This tough interview questions test your ability to plan ahead
and your internal motivation. If you have no vision for yourself
how can the interviewer expect you to grow within the position?
How to answer the "Where Do You See Yourself"
tough interview question
Talk about your long-term career goals. But only if your 5 year plan
relates to the position you are interviewing for. If you
secretly want to own your own make-up line, but are interviewing
for a position as a copyright attorney, don’t disclose your Estee Lauder dreams to the hiring manager. You will appear
unfocused and self-serving.
If you want to talk entrepreneurial lawyer language, discuss how
you’d like to bring in more accounts to grow the firms’
business. Present a five year plan that marries your desire to be
an entrepreneur with the long-term vision of the company.
5) What are your salary requirements?
This is my favorite tough interview question. Here’s how you
should answer it. Respond to this question with another
question.
When the interviewer asks, “What are your salary requirements?”
You respond with confidence, “What salary range are you
working with? I will be open to any reasonable offer
commensurate with my experience.”
Then pause. Don’t move, fidget or respond.
How to answer the "How Much Money Do You Want"
tough interview question
If the interviewer
takes 30 seconds to respond; let them. The first law of salary
negotiation states: Whoever answers first
loses. If the interviewer asks you the same question, rephrase
your response, but don’t give the dollar amount, EVER. If you
ask for $75,000 and the interviewer was willing to give your
$87,500, you lose. The interviewer wins.
Use these tips above to conquer any of your fears. With these
answers you can reply to the classic smattering of tough
interview questions and enter any serious career negotiation
with confidence.
