Interview questions and answers

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How To Answer Interview Questions About How You Handle Criticism

Criticism comes with the territory in any jobâand in life. So in your job interview, the hiring manager will probably ask how you handle it.

It may come in the form of a behavioral interview question such as, "Describe a time when your work was criticized and how you handled it." Your answerâthe story you choose and how you talk about itâwill tell them a lot about your character and how you perform under pressure.

The truth is that in order to be successful, we all need to be open to criticism. If you aren't, then you aren't coachable. You won't be open to learning things that make you better than you were before. And if you can't do that, then you won't grow and you'll never become as accomplished or as valuable as you could be in your career.

Ask Yourself, "Am I Coachable?"

Hiring manager asks a job candidate about how he handles criticism in an interview

The question we all need to ask ourselves is, "Am I coachable?" Our ability to take criticism and learn from it is crucial to our success. If you don't take criticism well and always become defensive, eventually people will stop trying. That may feel nicer, but ultimately it hurts you. If your boss can't communicate with you and help you become better at your job, eventually they'll just cut you loose.

No one is perfect. We can all learn and improve. Everyone can be corrected or coached to a new place. We'll be better and stronger because of it.

How To Answer Interview Questions About How You Handle Criticism

What does a good criticism response story sound like?

If you're asked about how you handle criticism in a job interview, your response should sound like this:

Tell them about a time someone told you how you could do some task differently or better.
Talk about how you responded and what you did after receiving the criticism (how you did that task better).
Mention what the results were.

This structure fits the STAR technique (situation or task, action you took, and results). Many times, job seekers miss telling about the results of the story (what happened as a result of the action you took), and this is one of the most important parts.

At Work It Daily, our version of the STAR technique is called the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model, and it actually works better in job interviews because the STAR technique is overused and it's easy to forget the "results," how you "grew" from the experience.

As with all of your job interview answers, be strategic. Don't choose a problem that someone criticized you about that is a central component of your jobâfor instance, an accountant who was criticized for her sloppy math would be a bad story to tell, no matter how much she improved. Choose something that is a side component. Maybe the accountant was weak in communication skills with colleagues but took a class and made an effort and now works collaboratively on six team projects per year. Whatever it is, talk about how you responded and how you became better, and give evidence of that.

Hiring managers will always ask about adversity of one kind or another in interviews, so be prepared to talk about a few of these types of topics. Remember: It's all about how you frame your criticism story!

Give interview answers that sell you for the job. Find more than 200 job-winning answers in How to Answer Interview Questions and How to Answer Interview Questions II, available on Amazon.

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How To Answer Interview Questions About How …

Whatâs the one piece of advice given over and over to interviewees? Prepare. Research the company, research the role, take time to analyze whatâs going to be required of you, and take time to assess your own abilities.

Thatâs the advice that Direct Line Group Careers gives to its applicants on their insurance jobs site. So, what do you do when you take this sound advice, but mid-way through a promising interview situation youâre thrown a question that you couldnât possibly have prepared for?

Tough interview questions are becoming more popular for interviewers to gauge how adept a candidate is at thinking on their feet. Without their prepared answers to fall back on, how an interviewee reacts to a question that seems utterly random can be revealing.

The good news? If youâre applying for a role that you have a lot of passion for, in an area where youâre naturally talented or well-practiced (without necessarily having direct working experience), these questions are a great way to show off your abilities. The bad news? Thereâs not much you can do to practice for a question thatâs deliberately obscure. But thatâs not to say itâs completely impossibleâafter all, the purpose of any interview is to see how good a fit you are for the role and the company.

So, however wacky the question is, the recruiter will probably be hoping for you to consider the context in which itâs being asked when it comes to your answer. That means if youâve researched the role youâre applying for and know what is going to be expected of you, chances are youâll have a good idea of the type of logic and thought process theyâre looking for when you make your reply.

Below are a few genuine curveball questions that have been asked in interview situations; while none of them have a necessarily right or wrong response, theyâll often fit into fields of purpose. One way to prepare for curveball interview questions is to get used to looking for what the intention is behind the weirdness!

Curveball Interview Questions

âName five uses of a stapler without staples."
âWhat do you think of garden gnomes?â

What theyâre really asking: Are you creative? Can you see the bigger picture, or are you focused on the detail? Are you happy to improvise, and are you a good communicator?

âGiven 20 light bulbs (which break at a certain height), and a building with 100 floors, how do you determine the height at which the bulb breaks?â
"Out of 25 horses, pick the fastest three horses. In each race, only five horses can run at the same time. What is the minimum number of races required?"

What theyâre really asking: Are you logical? Do you have a good knowledge of probability and equations? Can you figure out an effective method for solving problems and assess its viability?

âHow would you weigh an elephant?â
"If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender, how would you get out?â

What theyâre really asking: How creative are you when it comes to problem-solving? Do you have an eye for important details? How do you improvise under pressure?

What Are All The Questions Really Asking?

Job candidate interviews for an open position

Theyâre all challenges: challenges to normal interview structure, challenges to your ability to think on your feet, and logical challenges that reveal your thought process. Most importantly, donât see a curveball question as an attempt to trip you up: see it as an opportunity to show that you relish a challenge.

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How To Handle Curveball Interview Questions

Most people donât properly prepare for job interviews. As a result, they usually make one of these two common mistakes in their job interviews, and it costs them the job.

You might think you can get away with doing minimal interview prep in your job search, but hiring managers can tell if you haven't done your research and are struggling to answer questions.

If you're not doing enough interview prep in your job search, you've probably run into one of these two problems during your job interviews...

Lack Of Interview Prep = Saying Too Much Or Too Little

In job interviews, people often make two major mistakes related to the Goldilocks principle: either they provide too little information and clam up or they talk excessively, sounding self-absorbed. To succeed, it's crucial to strike the right balance by following the "Experience + Learn = Grow" approach, which ensures well-structured answers.

Itâs very important that you structure your interview answers in a logical format so that you give hiring managers the right amount of information. Behavioral interview questions require more than a simple "yes" or "no" answer. By following the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model for answering behavioral interview questions, you'll effectively answer any question the hiring manager throws your way.

This takes practice, though. And practice is a huge part of proper interview prep. So, do your research on the company, review your resume, and practice your interview answers in a mock interview with a trusted friend or colleague. You'll never fail a job interview by talking too much or too little again.

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2 Ways People Fail In Job Interviews

The job interview is an essential part of the screening process for employers. It helps employers dig deep beyond the resume to find out about 1) your experience and skills for the job, 2) whether you're a good fit for its workplace culture, and 3) your career goals and outlook to determine how dedicated and loyal you'll be to the job and continued employment with the company.

Asking questions is essential to helping employers make the right decision on which job applicant to select for the job. So, let's break down some of the typical interview questions you may be asked and what employers are really trying to find out so that you can provide the best response.

1. "Talk About One Of Your Greatest Achievements At Work."

When employers ask this question, they are trying to see what you consider important on the job and are also trying to understand your key skill set. The best response is an example that can directly relate back to the job you're applying for.

2. "Talk About A Time You Faced A Major Challenge At Work."

Employer/hiring manager asks a potential job candidate a hard interview question

Employers are always trying to see how you face obstacles at work and your approach to dealing with them. Regardless of the challenge you present, the key is to demonstrate that you were able to overcome it and bring results of success.

3. "What's Your Greatest Weakness?"

Employers want to see how honest you are, and the way you answer can also shed light on if you're able to overcome obstacles. Everyone has a weakness, so provide an honest answer but finish off your response with how you've worked to improve on it so it actually isn't a weakness anymore.

4. "Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?"

Employer/hiring manager wants to find out where the job candidate sees herself in five years during an interview

Employers want to find out your long-term goals and how they may fit into their plans. Your response should inform the employer that you're dedicated to the profession and you have a confident outlook to move up in your career with even more experience and skills to succeed on the job. Do not give an answer that indicates you may not stay with the company.

5. "Describe To Me The Type Of Work Environment You Desire."

Job candidate waits to answer an interview question from the hiring manager

It's important that employers ensure you can fit in culturally and they want to understand the type of worker-boss management relationship desired. Say the person supervising is a micromanager, but you are one who has self-drive and desires empowerment. In such a case, conflict is highly likely.

Do your research ahead of time to understand the employer's workplace culture so you respond accordingly. But it's also important in helping decide whether you should even apply for a job because you want to work in an environment where you'll be happy.

6. "Why Do You Want To Work With Us?"

A hiring manager asks a job candidate, "Why do you want to work with us?"

Employers need to find out if you're a serious candidate for the job and if you have a true desire to work for the company and in the specific field you're applying to. If you do your research beforehand, you will have an idea of things you can call out about the employer that impress you. It'll also inform the employer that you're not just randomly applying to any job, but that you have a true desire to work for them.

7. "Why Are You Leaving Your Employer?"

A job candidate answers the hard interview question, "Why are you leaving your employer?"

Employers will ask this question to try to better understand your long-term goals. It's also to ensure that the reason you're leaving is not one that may present itself again on the new job.

If you were fired from your job, the employer wants to ensure the problem or concerns about being fired do not carry over to the new job. Focus on a response that speaks to your desire for more challenge and that will allow you to utilize your experience and skills, and help you to continue to grow them.

When you understand what employers are really trying to find out with the questions they ask, you can tailor your responses so that you come off as the best candidate for the job.

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7 Things Employers Want To Find Out …

Every time you interview, your main purpose is to convince the employer to hire you. The job search is a sales process. The hiring manager (your future boss) is the "customer," and you are both the sales rep and the product. Why should they choose you over all the other "products" out there?

During the interview process, the hiring manager might ask you, "Why should we hire you?" Here are some tips for how you can effectively answer this tough interview question and stand out from other job candidates:

Focus On What You Can Do For The Employer

Job candidate explains why the employer should hire her in a job interview

This question is actually a fantastic opportunity for you to summarize why you'd be a great hire.

Always focus your answer on what benefits you bring, what problems you can solve, and what solutions you can provide. Never, ever say that they should hire you because you need the job or because you really want itâor anything remotely related to your reasons for wanting the job. This is your chance to connect the dots and help the employer see why you're the best person for the job.

Think about things you know the hiring manager (interviewer) is looking forâskill sets, background, character traits, personal qualities, education, experience, or anything else that will make you successful in this role. Relate your answer to these things.

Give An Example

Job candidate answers "Why should we hire you?" in a job interview

Explain how you meet the employer's needs and give an example to support your answer.

Your answer should be framed like this: "You should hire me because you've said you want someone with A, B, and C. I fit all of your requirements. I have A (say what that is), B (maybe give an example), and C (elaborate further)."

This will help you stand out from the other candidates and it gives the employer a reason to hire you.

Keep The Job Description (And Your Skills!) In Mind

Typically, this question will come toward the end of the interview, so you can refer to what you've already talked about, or mention something new that you know they'd be interested in. If it comes in the beginning, use the job description and your research to answer:

Will this job require long hours? Mention your work ethic.
Will this job need someone with great communication skills? Give an example of yours.
Will this job need someone who can learn on the fly? Tell them how you're going to get up to speed quickly and how you've learned and adapted before.
Does this job need someone with a particular background? Mention yours.
Do you have the skill set they want? Talk about your skill set and how you have been successful with it.

Give them examples of what you have achieved in the past. If you haven't done this job before, talk about similar things you've done or qualities you have that will make you successful in this new role.

It's never easy to answer "Why should we hire you?" in a job interview. However, if you do these three things, you'll be able to articulate your skills, experience, and qualifications with ease. And you'll impress the hiring manager in the process!

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How To Answer “Why Should We Hire …

One of the hardest and most important job interview questions is, "Tell me about a time you went above and beyond." Here's the perfect technique to ace the answer every time.

Step 1: Think About A Time You Exceeded Expectations

The first step is for you to sit down and think about a time when you exceeded expectations on the job.

Imagine the times when you were given a lot of praise or maybe you got a promotion or even a raise. Think about what made you earn these things and ask yourself how exactly did you go above and beyond in order to get that appreciation and that recognition.

This is going to help you flesh out the stories that you're going to want to tell in order to validate your experience and your ability to go above and beyond.

Step 2: Break The Story Down

Job candidate tells the hiring manager about a time he went above and beyond at work during an interview

Now, step two is for you to break that story down into what we call the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model for answering behavioral interview questions like, "Tell me about a time you went above and beyond."

You want to think about the experience objectively and factually. Explain to the hiring manager everything that happened leading up to you earning that praise or that promotion or that raise.

Then, you want to talk about what you learned. As a good employee, you always want to be thinking about those experiences and what they taught you.

Lastly and most importantly, you're going to talk about how you grew as a professionalâhow you're going to take what you've learned and apply it going forward. This is going to demonstrate how employers like them could benefit from this added expertise that you've developed.

Step 3: Practice Your Delivery

Professional woman practices her answer to the interview question, "Tell me about a time you went above and beyond?" during a job interview

The third and final step is for you to practice your delivery. You do not want to walk in and wing it. It's super important that, in addition to writing out your answers, you play them back to yourself.

What do I mean by that? Well, I suggest grabbing a mirror and talking out the answers, looking at yourself straight in the eye with a smile, or asking friends or family members to do a mock interview with you. Even recording yourself and playing it back on a video will do the trick.

Doing these things repeatedly is vitally important in job interview preparation, especially when it comes to answering a question like this. "Tell me about a time you went above and beyond," can seem like a daunting interview question, but all you have to do is follow the three steps above to answer it effectively.

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How To Answer “Tell Me About A …

3 Surefire Ways To Connect With Your Interviewer

The difference between most areas of life and the job search process is that, in most areas of life, you know who your competition is. You can analyze the competition's strengths, capitalize on their weaknesses, and prepare accordingly to give yourself the best chance to win.

The job search process is different: you don't know who you are competing against.

Dozens, sometimes hundreds of applicants are competing for a single role within a company. And you never quite know how you stack up against them. So, how do give yourself the best chance to win?

The key is connection. When we connect with others (in this case, an interviewer), it is going to be harder for them to forget your name. Don't make it easy for them to forget you. You have to focus on what makes you unique, and what makes you unique in relation to your interviewer.

Here are three ways you can connect with your interviewer:

1. Research & Relate

Woman on laptop researches how to connect with an interviewer

When you are given the name of the person conducting your interview, the first thing you should do is research their role within the company. Find out as much as you can about their professional life: where they went to school, what roles they held before this one, and what big projects they've had the opportunity to work on.

This not only demonstrates your curiosity but also opens up a space where you can ask questions and connect with the interviewer on a deeper level (in a deeper way than you would if your questions were primarily focused on the job and company as a whole).

The goal is to find something you and the interviewer have in common. No matter how different your professional paths have been, there are commonalities. You just have to do the work to find them.

2. Compliment (The Right Way)

Man connects with his interviewers during a job interview

In some cases, it's probably not the best idea to compliment your interviewer on their outfit. While it might be genuine or innocent, it can come off as insincere, even flirtatiousâand you likely won't receive any "brownie points" for it.

Complimenting (the right way) is an art. For an interview, it comes down to research (again!) and specificity. Avoid complimenting your interviewer on their appearance. Instead, focus on their career accomplishments.

For example, if in your research you come across a project your interviewer worked on, don't be afraid to bring it up. You can say something like: "I noticed you worked on X project last year. The solutions you proposed to deal with Y problem were really creative and original. How did completing this project change your role?"

By complimenting your interviewer in this way, you are focusing on the interviewer as a productive and valuable employee. They will remember how you made them feel long after the interview

3. Tell A Story

Woman tells a story during her job interview

Nothing engages an audience like a story. During an interview, you should think of your interviewer as your audience. Storytelling has the power to connect anyone. It can also help you ace those tough interview questions.

When asked about an obstacle you've overcome recently, don't just go over the facts. Tell them a story. You might find the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model used for answering behavioral interview questions to be helpful.

But remember, every story should end with you on top. What did overcoming that obstacle teach you? What skills did you develop by overcoming it? How did it change your outlook on work? Life?

Don't be afraid to get personal. That is, after all, how we connect with others.

Doing these three things in your next job interview will help you connect with your interviewer, therefore helping you stand out in the hiring process. Connection is the key to making your interview unforgettable.

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3 Surefire Ways To Connect With Your …

How To Answer The Dreaded “Tell Me About Yourself” Question

The dreaded interview question, "Tell me about yourself," stumps a lot of folks. People of all ages and experience levels often fail to answer this one correctly, in a way that conveys meaningful information to the interviewerâinformation they will actually use to consider your candidacy.

First off, please know they are not asking you for a boring chronological recap of your professional history. That is the quickest way to lose their interest! What an employer is really asking is, âWhy should I hire you?"

That being said, here's my three-step process for giving them an answer that gets their attention.

1. Explain What Business Problems You LOVE To Solve

Enthusiasm for solving a business problem they need help with is the quickest way to get a hiring manager's attention. Let's face it, they aren't hiring you for the heck of it. You need to explain how you can make things better for an employer.

You are a business-of-one. At the end of the day, you provide a service for your employer. By talking about the problems you love to solve and how you go about solving them, the hiring manager will clearly see the type of employee you are and could be for their company.

2. Show Them HOW You Know This Is A Good Problem To Solve

Man answers the interview question, "Tell me about yourself."

Companies hire people who can save and/or make them money. So when you provide examples from your personal and professional past that demonstrate the value your problem-solving skills bring, you are proving your worth.

It also shows that you are thinking like an employee who understands that their job is to make things better for the company.

The research you conducted on the employer before your interview will come in handy here. Connect your past accomplishments and problem-solving experience to the current problems you know the company is trying to solve (from your research). You'll impress the hiring manager with your knowledge of the company and you'll further answer the question, "Tell me about yourself."

3. Explain WHY You Want To Leverage Your Problem-Solving Expertise For The Employer

Woman answers the question, "Tell me about yourself," in a job interview.

Let them know how you hope to grow your skills and abilities by taking your problem-solving skills to the next level. Also, mention how passionate you are about what the company does and how you feel connected to its mission (echoing what you wrote in your disruptive cover letter). This lets the employer know you plan to focus on being successful and expanding your value to the organization if you get hired.

Employers love candidates who clearly plan to hold themselves to a higher standard. If you make it to the last round of interviews, you should consider coming prepared for your final interview with a 30-60-90 day plan.

But that's the long game. In your first interview with an employer, combining your problem-solving expertise and your passion for the company in your explanation is an excellent way to answer the interview question, "Tell me about yourself."

If you follow this three-step guideline when answering, "Tell me about yourself," in your next job interview, I guarantee you'll create a compelling story that will have the employer sitting up and taking notice. This is your chance to sell your valueâdon't pass it up!

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How To Answer The Dreaded “Tell Me …

3 Tips On How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Your Job?”

A prepared job seeker will have thought about the questions that will be asked in their job interview. One of them may be: "Why are you leaving your job?" As you think about a response to this question, also consider how the interviewer may interpret that response.

It's important to take caution with how you answer questions in a job interview because when they're not framed properly, they can be interpreted negatively and cost you the job opportunity.

There can be many reasons why you want to leave your job. For example:

You hate your boss
You're bored at work
You want more money
You want more challenges
You don't want to work in this particular field or industry
Or an assortment of other reasons

Whatever your reason is, it's not always appropriate to tell it like it is to the potential employer. Think of a response that will impress the employer that still comes off as an honest reason.

Here are some tips to help:

Give A Positive Response To The Question

Communication in a job interview should always come off as positive. To start, you may talk about the great opportunities you've been given and how much you've learned through your current employer before giving your reason for leaving your job. Employers like to hear things like this because you come off as professional and respectful of your existing employer even though you have made the decision to move on.

Regardless of your true feelings about the situation at work, never bad mouth the company or your co-workers.

Don't Dwell On What Your Current Employer Isn't Offering You

Man answers a question during a job interview

There may be multiple reasons why you want to leave your current job, but you don't need to include information about what you're not being offered. The reason for this is that potential employers can interpret it as an action you may take against them if hired.

For example, instead of saying, "I don't feel challenged at work anymore," reframe the message to say, "I'm looking for new challenges in the area of X, Y, and Z, which I can see this job offers," and then go into the experience and skills you have to offer to further impress the interviewer. Reframing your response this way makes it less likely that the employer will take the information and interpret it negatively.

Focus On The Future

Talk about what you're heading towardsâwhat you want to experience and achieve to continue growing professionally. It works best when you can also tie in how the potential employer could offer that to you. When you answer in this manner, it informs the employer that you are an individual who seeks self-improvement and that you have a real interest in the company because of what they specifically offer. It tells the employer you are someone with great potential for hire who will be dedicated to employment with them for a reasonable amount of time.

"Why are you leaving your job?" is only one out of many questions you will be asked in a job interview. Knowing how to respond positively and framing it in a way that informs the employer why you're a great fit ensures you stay in the running for the job and helps move you on to the next stage of the interview process.

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3 Tips On How To Answer “Why …

If your resume has made it into the "yes" pile, then the first thing a company will do is a phone screening. The purpose of this is to test your communication skills and to do a quick check of your skills and experience to determine if it's worth bringing you in for an interview.

Here are six important tips that will help you ace your next phone interview:

1. Be Prepared

Basic preparation steps include having your resume in front of you, making sure you are on a good phone line where there are no disturbances, and allocating enough time for the phone interview, even if it goes beyond what was scheduled.

2. Research The Company And The Interviewer

Job seeker researching before phone interview

The first question I used to ask job seekers was, "What do you know about us?" If I did not think they had spent the time to do their homework, they were immediately downgraded. So, spend some time researching the company before your phone interview. Check out their website and social media accounts, and see what employees say about them on Glassdoor.

Also, go to LinkedIn and review the background of the person conducting the interview. Check if the manager you will be reporting to participates in LinkedIn groups and discussions, and see if you have anything in common.

3. Exude Energy And Interest

Job seeker showing interest during phone interview

The words you use account for only 15% of the effectiveness of your communications. Intonation and body language are most important, and since you are on the phone, you live and die by your intonation. Put energy in your voice and demonstrate a high level of interest. An old telemarketing trick is to have a mirror in front of you and smile when you speak since that automatically affects your tone in a positive way.

4. Ask Questions And Build Rapport

Woman answers the phone for her phone interview

People hire people they like, so it is important to turn the interview into a conversation by asking intelligent questions. Show off your expertise by following up their question with an insightful question of your own. Those who just answer questions and wait for the next question will lose here. Use a conversational tone, as if you are having lunch with a friend, telling a story, instead of just responding to questions.

For example, here are two ways to respond to, "Can you tell me about your experience at Bank of America"

"At Bank of America, I was hired to oversee the integration of systems that were the result from acquisitions."

Or...

"You know, that was a really challenging experience because I had to integrate all the different systems that were the result of acquisitions. You can just imagine how tricky that would be since there were so many differences between them, and I had to research and document the trade-offs from an integration of each one."

Which is more interesting? I did some interview coaching with a highly accomplished technical manager at Intel who was getting interviews and no call backs. It was immediately clear that he was just responding to questions in a fairly monotone manner and was about as interesting as a memory chip. After some coaching on how to build rapport using the above technique, he had three offers in four weeks.

5. Ask The Most Important Question

Professional woman asking questions during phone interview

Companies have a reason they are looking for talent and it is your job to find out what their chief source of "pain" is. Do this by asking:

"What is the biggest challenge someone will face in this job in the next six months?"

This lets you target your responses and demonstrate how you have successfully handled these challenges before.

6. See If They Have Any Concerns

Don't just end the call wondering how you did. Ask them. If you are going for a sales position, this is mandatory. State something like:

"Based on what we discussed today, do you think I am a good candidate for this position?"

Now, when they respond, you can handle any concerns they may have.

By using these six simple techniques in your next phone interview, you'll be sure to make a good impression on the employer and, hopefully, move on to the next step in the hiring process.

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6 Tips To Ace Your Phone Interview

7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your Job Interview

Asking questions in your job interview not only makes you stand out in positive ways. It also helps you find out things you need to know (during the interview and before you take the job).

Asking these seven questions in your job interview will put you miles ahead of your competition and give you a better shot at the job:

1. If Your Ideal Candidate Walked Through The Door Right Now, What Qualities, Skills, Or Experience Would They Have?

Why would you ask a question like this and potentially highlight how you're not perfect for the job? It's because there is no such thing as the ideal candidate. They can wish all they want, but they probably won't get it.

Where you benefit from this question is that, when you hear what's important to them, you can then talk about those or similar things in your own experienceâwhich elevates you as a candidate. It's almost like getting a cheat sheet for your interview answers.

2. Was The Last Person In This Role Successful? Why Or Why Not?

Woman asks a job candidate an interview question

Knowing the story of what happened to the last person in this job is important.

First, it will help you better answer their questions. If the last person didn't do well, you can talk about how you would do it differently. If the last person did spectacularly well and got promoted, you know what you need to do to be considered successful. Second, you may even discover a few clues that will help you determine if you want to take this job or not.

3. What Will A Typical Day Look Like In This Job?

Man answers a question in his job interview

Their answer to this will help you determine everyday tasks as well as company culture. Is this somewhere you can fit in and be successful?

4. What Are The Biggest Challenges Going To Be For The Person In This Position?

When they talk to you about their biggest challenges, you'll know exactly what stories to tell about how you have tackled (and conquered) similar challenges. You will be showing them that you are a great fit for this job.

5. What Do You Love Most About Working Here?

Hiring managers smile while interviewing a job candidate

Asking a positive question like this one will help you get a better idea of the employer and the kind of experience you could expect to have if you were hired, helping you figure out whether the job is a good fit for you or not. This will also be an opportunity for you to connect with your interviewer and stand out in the hiring process.

6. How Will I Measure My Performance In This Role?

Hiring manager asks a job candidate an interview question

By phrasing the question this way, you're taking full ownership of your work, and the employer will notice that. You are sending the message that you will be accountable for your actions.

Plus, if they can't explain how you'll be able to measure your own performance to make sure you're having an impact, that's a huge red flag. This question will help you weed out the positions where there's little opportunity to develop your skills, receive promotions, and earn raises.

7. What's The Next Step In This Process?

Absolutely never, ever leave an interview without knowing what and when the next step is. Employers expect you to ask about it. If you don't they may assume that you're not that interested in the job. So, ask it to let them know you're interested and to give yourself some peace of mind about what to expect.

Find out more questions to ask, how to research the company, the best interview answers, and cutting-edge interview tips in our Free Job Interview Prep Kit.

Always be sure to prepare a few questions to ask the hiring manager before the big day arrives. Write them down if you have to, and review them before the job interview starts. Good luck!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your …

Many employers now use behavioral-based interview questions to learn more about a candidateâs past experience as a predictor of future performance. These behavioral interview questions are usually the "tough" interview questions that interviewers use as a method of determining whether or not a candidate is a good fit for the open position.

While you canât predict every question you will be asked during the interview process, itâs a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the more common tough interview questions.

1. What's Your Biggest Weakness?

Thereâs really no easy answer to this tough interview question, but it helps to be honest with the interviewer. No one is perfect and if weâre truthful, there are certain things that we can all improve. Try not to provide too much damaging information like an inability to arrive at work on time or at all. This is definitely a loaded question, so tread lightly, but perhaps mention an area that you are working to improve.

2. How Do You Handle Stress?

Interviewers are generally looking for an answer that indicates you can handle multiple priorities and projects at the same time. An answer stating that stress is a natural part of life and you feel equipped to handle the challenges of the job and balance them with the rest of your life may be just the answer that earns you the job.

3. Tell Me About A Time You Made A Bad/Wrong Decision

Woman gets asked a tough question in a job interview

The interviewer is probably not as concerned with the actual decision, but rather how you handled the situation and the outcome. This question is asking about your problem-solving skills and ability to fix an issue.

4. Questions About Honesty, Loyalty, And Good Judgment

Employers want to hire ethical people with integrity, so donât feel like youâve been thrown a curve ball if an interviewer asks you a tough interview question about whether or not youâve ever lied or been faced with a moral dilemma. As is the case in most situations, honesty is the best policy in answering these questions.

5. Tell Me About Yourself

Hiring manager asks a job candidate a question during a virtual job interview

This seemingly easy interview question is harder than it may seem for many candidates. Itâs easy to ace this one if you have a prepared and practiced âelevator speechâ that includes a few highlights from your career history. This is an opportunity to emphasize your best career accomplishments, so take advantage of this question if you are asked during the interview.

6. Questions About Former Bosses And Co-Workers

Sometimes an interviewer will ask a question about what you didnât like about a former supervisor or colleague. These questions are asked to gauge how well you work with others, so be diplomatic in your answer and donât throw anyone under the bus with negativity.

Another great way to prepare for tough interview questions is to ask your friends about the most bizarre and off-the-wall questions they have been asked. You may be surprised at the type of responses you receive!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship