How to Answer Tough Interview Questions

No one likes tough interview questions, but they’re inevitable – especially for competitive roles.

Google’s hiring managers are known to ask riddles, some of which have no one right answer. Others are ridiculous, like “What kind of fruit would you be?”

The rest seem downright cruel: “What would someone who dislikes you say about you?”

Fortunately, most interviewers aren’t trying to be cruel. Instead, they’re likely trying to discover how you think and get a feel for your personality.

If you’re applying for a job that requires problem-solving skills or strategic thinking, you plan to answer a few challenging questions in your interview. This can show that you’re both prepared, but can also think on your feet.

Sample Tough Interview Questions

Here are a few examples of common tricky interview questions, and tips on how to answer.

Why should I hire you?
Have you done your homework on the position? If you did, the answer is simple. Explain how your experience and passion are linked directly to the job duties. When you’re done answering, you can ask if there’s anything they’d like you to clarify.

Tell me about yourself.
This isn’t a first date. The interviewer wants to know about your work experience, demeanor, and goals – not what you’re up to on a Friday night. Describe your work and how they relate to the position at hand. Pepper in what you’ve enjoyed about one of your favorite jobs. Try to limit your answer to two minutes. You don’t want to spill all of your accomplishments right out of the gate – there are more tough questions on the way.

How would you wrangle a herd of cats?
This sounds silly, but the interviewer wants to know how you problem solve and handle stress. Show them a glimpse of your leadership and critical thinking skills. How would you organize people in a difficult situation? How would you manage challenging situations and people?

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
If the job you want requires tenacity, persistence, and thick skin, this is the time for you to shine. Show how you can pick yourself up after falling down and keep plugging away.

If you didn’t have to work, what would you do?
Describe what drives you to be productive outside of work. This isn’t the time to start talking about luxury vacations. Translate this answer into what inspires you!

What is your biggest weakness?
This question is waning in popularity, but it still comes up in interviews, so it’s good to have a response ready. Be authentic, but don’t knock yourself down. Discuss something that was a challenge, and how you’ve actively worked to overcome it.

Practice Answering Tough Interview Questions

When you answer these questions honestly, you’re going to give your interviewer a better idea of who you are. This gives an employer a sense of whether you’d fit into the organization’s culture. Do yourself a favor and don’t lie. If you land a job based on a fabricated personality, you’ll likely be unhappy in the long run.

Practice makes perfect. Talk to yourself out loud or ask a friend to play the role of an interviewer. And when you practice your answers, set a timer to keep the answers at one minute or less. Nervousness can make some people ramble. Don’t let that happen to you.

Mock Interviews, Resume Help & More

For further advice and support, CSU Global students and alumni have free access to Global Connect, which provides mentoring, resume writing, interview preparation, and more. Good luck!