How to Answer Three of the Toughest Interview Questions

Ask anyone what they think of when they hear the word interview and you may get responses ranging from "interrogation" and "I would prefer a root canal" to "nightmare" and rarely anything in-between. Interviews can put us in the proverbial hot seat making us feel like we have to justify everything that we have ever done or not done for a previous employer. Some people are not born natural salesmen and the key aspect of successful interviewing is your ability to "sell" yourself. Therein lies the problem. The solution? Read ahead and go to your next interview feeling prepared to answer some of the most unnerving questions. Then walk away feeling empowered and wait for the job offer to come in.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. No one wants to hear the phrase "Tell me your weakest quality" but then all of a sudden there it is. The question comes at you and you feel choked. Don't panic. You have practiced the night before your interview, right?
   
   The trick to answering this question is to follow up a negative immediately with a positive. Right after you say your weak point, say a step you are doing to correct it. For example, if you say that in the past, your worst quality was arriving 5 minutes late to work, follow it up by saying that you now set your watch ahead to ensure that you are prompt. Another example would be to say that your weak point may be public speaking, but that you have enrolled in a night course in public speaking and feel infinitely more confident now than you have in the past. Try to be a little creative and honest at the same time. No matter what anyone else tells you, those canned answers of "My worst quality is that I am too good at everything so I do too much" or "I am a perfectionist so I just try so hard to be perfect" sound phoney and will leave employers seeing through you like a clear glass.
2. Probably the second most feared interview question is "Tell me a little about yourself." Depending on your personality, this question can make you feel like running for the door or just as if you are on the therapist's couch--ready to spill your innermost thoughts to a stranger. Don't do either. Re-word this question in your mind to "Tell me how you have contributed to a company" or "Tell me how your goals have lead you to this point in your career" and you will be fine. For example, instead of saying that you are the only child of a poor gypsy, that you have struggled through life and that you are allergic to cats ... you can say things like "I am a real problem-solver that enjoys helping companies come up with innovative solutions to everyday problems." Or, "I have had a passion for technology ever since I was young. My parents tell me stories of how I used to take apart the radio when I was little and try to reassemble the parts. That passion led to my studies at a Technical College and I have pursued a career in this line of work ever since."
3. Falling on the heels of "Tell me a little a about yourself" is "What do you like to do outside of work?" Oh, no. You thought you just had to answer work-related questions and now this. A good response is to let the interviewer know that you enjoy reading the local paper to find new events and happenings in your area, and that you then go out to explore them for yourself. You pick a cool new art gallery or visit a new local music venue that got rave reviews. This tells the employer that you are interested in arts and culture and participate in activities outside of work. If the real answer is that you prefer to lay around in your pajamas on the weekend while gorging on microwave dinners and watching television re-runs, you can keep that between you and the ones that you love.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice a mock interview with your friends a few days before. Arm yourself with questions and answers so that you feel prepared during the real interview.
• Always do your research before embarking on an interview. This step alone will set you apart from the other applicants that have not done their research.
• Have confidence. You have been employed before and you will be employed again. Try to tackle the interview from the perspective that you have something to offer this company. Now is your chance to show it.
• Never talk down about your previous employer.
• Make sure you are early or at the very least on time to your interview--first impressions make a huge impact.