Think Before You Answer
Have a job interview coming up? As much as you might hear you shouldn't be nervous—you're evaluating them as much as they're evaluating you—it can nonetheless be nerve-wracking sitting across from someone who has a major say in your career path. And while most interview questions are pretty straightforward, some are designed to trick you. Before your next interview, make sure you're careful when answering these 20 deceptively simple questions.
1. Tell Me About Yourself
If you've had hundreds of interviews before, you'll likely have this one down pat. Also nicknamed the elevator pitch, your interviewer is looking for how well you can summarize yourself professionally. The biggest mistake you can make? Rambling. Focus on your previous experience, relevant achievements, and what brought you to this opportunity.
2. What's Your Greatest Weakness?
Admitting your shortcomings to your potential employer might seem like a pretty glaring trap, but there's a reason why this question is asked. Never, ever say your weakness is your "perfectionist" tendencies! Be honest—they're interested in your willingness to improve and the progress you're making.
3. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
Whether you quit or were let go, there's no need to go into extreme detail. Plus, what interviewers are particularly looking for here is how you describe your former employer and team. That means even if your experience was not-so-pleasant, it's best to keep the bitter past to yourself and focus on what you're looking for next.
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4. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
Again, you're not expected to launch into your life's work. Heck, your interviewer often isn't even expecting an overly ambitious career plan. This question is just their way of gauging whether your professional goals align with theirs, and specifically, with this opportunity. You don't need to have everything figured out, but it's good to show some sense of direction!
5. How Do You Handle Conflict with Coworkers?
Not everyone is happy-go-lucky all the time, but in a workplace, you still need to maintain professionalism. So, how skilled are you at handling difficult conversations without becoming defensive? Make sure to present a strong example that supports your case!
6. Why Should We Hire You?
Sorry, saying "because I want money" isn't going to cut it. Another mistake is launching into grand claims about your abilities; believe it or not, this often only backfires. You simply need to convey to your interviewer that your previous experience connects well with the position and the company's specific needs, so explain what you can contribute!
7. What Would Your Previous Manager Say About You?
You probably don't need us to tell you to be careful with this question! Sure, you might think the best answer is to exaggerate all your good points, but inventing glowing feedback could come back to bite you if the company actually contacts your references. As always, be honest and think about all the constructive feedback you've received.
8. How Do You Handle Stress?
Stress gets even the best of us, so you probably don't want to say it "never affects you." Remember, your potential employers aren't expecting you to be perfect—they're more interested in how you respond when things get overwhelming and your plate is already full.
9. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
When the money questions do come up, you'll want to play your cards right. Immediately low-balling yourself could weaken your negotiating position, but an unusually high figure could also kick you off the list. Make sure to research typical salaries beforehand and ask about the position's range before leading yourself into a trap!
10. Why Do You Want to Work Here?
"Because I need a job" isn't going to magically land you the role. Employers often use this question to see whether you've thoroughly researched their organization and understand what the role involves, so lean into that! Bring up specific aspects of the organization or professional opportunities that interest you, and how they might connect to your goals.
11. Tell Me About a Time You Failed
While you obviously don’t want to detail how badly you messed something up in your previous roles, you still want to show your interviewer that you own up to your mistakes and what you did to improve. The best examples paint a positive picture and show that, despite your errors, you learned from the experience.
12. Are You Interviewing with Other Companies?
Yep—this question sounds every bit like the trick question it kind of is. Sure, some employers may simply want to understand how quickly they need to make a hiring decision and whether you're considering competing offers, but others may use it as a way to gauge how interested you are in the specific opportunity they’re offering. Make a bad slipup, and it could cost you.
13. How Do You Respond to Criticism?
Being confident in your abilities is valuable, but you should still be able to respond well to criticism. Otherwise, your interviewer might question your willingness to learn from others. That said, you don’t want to lean too hard into the negative bits, either! Go with a balanced answer that shows you make improvements when the feedback is useful.
14. Would You Be Willing to Work Overtime?
Of course, you’d likely be tempted to answer this one with a big, fat no, but there's often more to consider than your availability. If flexibility is natural in the role you applied for, declining could reveal some telling traits about your work ethic. However, this question can also let you in on the not-so-great parts about the company's working culture, so be careful in your response!
15. Tell Me About a Time You Disagreed with Your Boss
There might have been many times you disagreed with your boss, but your interviewer has a particular goal with this question: they want to know how you approach disagreements even when there's a difference in decision-making power. Choose an example that demonstrates not only your respect for professional boundaries, but also your willingness to consider different, even conflicting, perspectives.
16. What's Your Biggest Professional Achievement?
You might be tempted to use this question to brag, but potential employers want to see what you value professionally and how you measure success. Talking about a larger project done in a team? Don’t take all the credit! As we’ve said already, it’s best to be honest, so recognize other people's efforts while explaining the results you helped achieve.
17. What Do You Know About Our Company?
This isn’t a pop quiz, and if you say one thing wrong it won’t necessarily cost you the opportunity. However, your interviewer still wants evidence that you've come prepared; fumble this question, and they may wonder how seriously you're considering the role. Make sure to do thorough research beforehand!
18. What Would You Do If You Didn't Know How to Complete a Task?
No one’s perfect, and there will be times when you’re not sure about how to do something. Employers often ask hypothetical questions like this to evaluate your willingness to seek assistance, especially when you really need it, so don’t just say you'd figure everything out on your own!
19. How Soon Can You Start?
Don’t get excited just yet—when you get this question, your interviewer may just be determining whether your timeline matches their hiring needs, especially if they need to fill a vacancy quickly. Be realistic about your commitments if you need to give your current employer a two-week notice!
20. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
The answer to this one is always, always yes. Never say you don’t have any questions, as that could unintentionally suggest that you haven't thought carefully about the role or company. Come prepared with your top three or five that focus on performance expectations or what success looks like. You can even end with a fun (but still professional) one that shows off your personality!
