Tough interview questions and how to answer them
Job interviews are stressful, especially when hiring managers ask hard interview questions. These questions reveal a job seeker’s Big Five personality traits, soft skills, and hard skills. The tricky interview questions also assess if you are right for the role.
They go beyond just your technical skills and experience. In this article, we explore tough interview questions. We also provide sample answers you may use. We'll also discuss why employers ask these questions, and how you could impress them by answering well. We'll cover the following:
Tough interview questions and how to answer them
Dealing with tricky behavioural questions
Tough interview questions and how to answer them
Many job seekers in Singapore think hard interview questions are those that measure your technical knowledge. While these are difficult to answer, they're easier to prepare for.
Suppose you're a fresh graduate applying for a programming job. You studied computer science or got relevant certifications. So, questions about programming languages and tools should be easy.
The toughest interview questions assess your values, attitudes, problem-solving abilities, and self-awareness. When faced with these questions, you must be creative, analytical, and reflective about your responses. It's also essential to understand the underlying intentions behind the questions.
For instance, an interviewer may ask about a time when you faced a difficult situation at work. This helps them assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. They want to see if you can handle pressure and make smart choices in challenging scenarios. While there's no wrong answer, it's best to respond in a way that highlights the skills mentioned.
Below are several of the most common hard questions with answers to help you ace them. Use the sample answers to prepare your own based on your skills and experience.
What is your most significant achievement?
This question helps the hiring manager. It lets them understand your self-assessment abilities and values. It helps gauge your ability to choose accomplishments that matter to you. Your answer gives the interviewer an idea of your career goals and priorities.
Choose an achievement you're proud of that showcases abilities and skills relevant to the job you're applying for. Many employers emphasise three soft skills: self-management, influence, and creative thinking.
You could mention skills like these while describing what the achievement was, how you accomplished it, and why it's important to you. Here's how someone applying for the role of a marketing content manager might respond:
"As a marketer, one of my most significant achievements was leading a cross-functional team. Our biggest challenge was to increase the market share in a competitive sector. To tackle this, I went for collaborative efforts involving the product, sales, and creative departments.
We started by conducting a comprehensive market analysis. I helped the team to tap into collective knowledge to identify new opportunities and enhance our target demographics. We then worked closely with the creative team for our advertising content to appeal to the new audience segments. I ensured the sales team provided feedback on customer preferences and competitive offerings. We worked on incorporating them into our promotional strategies.
Our teamwork led to a 30% increase in sales over six months. It also improved customer engagement on many digital platforms. "
What motivates you?
Interviewers often ask this in strength-based interviews to understand what you enjoy doing and where you excel. Your answer reveals if your skills and personality are a good fit for the job.
When considering a response to this question, it's a good idea to draw on examples from your past work experience. Try to align your answer with the position you're interviewing for. Here's how someone applying for a healthcare position might answer:
"As a nurse, I'm motivated by the opportunity to help others. I like the idea of going home every day, knowing that I made a difference in someone's life. This sense of fulfilment and purpose drives me to excel in my work and provide the best possible care to those in need.
This motivation extends beyond my work. I enjoy volunteering on my days off to provide free healthcare to the nearby underserved community."
Give an example of a time when you showed initiative.
This job interview question aims to gauge your ability to take action and come up with solutions to problems. Taking initiative is a quality that many employers value in their employees. Singaporean workplaces value your ability to work in a team and your collaborative abilities, which they assess.
When answering this question, think about times you had an idea. It may have been for improving something at work or university. Here's a sample answer:
"At my last job at a tech startup, I saw the customer support team struggle. They had longer response times and less customer satisfaction. I took the initiative to develop a comprehensive FAQ section for our website by collaborating with the customer service and product teams. We identified common queries and developed clear, concise answers. I also built a small internal tool for customer service agents to update the FAQs as new questions emerged. We saw a 40% reduction in basic inquiry tickets within the first month."
What critical feedback do you most often receive?
Many find this a hard question to answer. A hiring manager or interviewer asks this to see how you take feedback. More specifically, they want to know if you can use constructive criticism to improve your performance. Your answer also reveals if you are able to adapt and take responsibility for your actions.
Responding to this question requires self-awareness. Provide examples of critical feedback you received that you acted upon. Give your answer a positive spin by highlighting the steps you took to improve. Also, mention the outcome of the changes you made. Here's how a sample answer might look:
"As a content writer, the critical feedback I often receive is that I need to make my writing more concise and focused. My editor has pointed out that my sentences tend to be too long. This makes it difficult for readers to follow my thought process.
To address this, I've consciously tried to write shorter sentences and double-check my work before I submit it. I've also been paying attention to how I organise my paragraphs, making sure that each one focuses on one idea or topic. I also try to structure the content in bullets wherever possible. These changes have improved readability, and my editor has recognised my efforts."
How do you handle stress?
This is a tricky question because it has many possible answers. You could approach it in a variety of ways. You can talk about the ways you cope with stress in general. These may include exercising, meditating, visiting the Gardens by the Bay or spending time with family and friends.
While this response works, being specific is a good idea. Answering within the context of your experiences and the job you're applying for makes your answer more compelling. It also allows you to show that you're right for the job. Provide an example where you overcame a stressful situation at work and didn't let it affect your performance. Here's a sample answer when applying for a leadership role:
"During a tough project at my last job, I faced a situation. A key deadline was coming fast, and a surprise obstacle arose. My stress levels were high, but I remained calm and focused on finding solutions. I organised a team meeting to discuss the issues and the best course of action. After considering our options, we devised a plan to address the problem and meet the deadline. We also worked on breaking the problem into smaller problems and assigned them based on each person's bandwidth.
Through effective communication and teamwork, we got the job done. And despite the stressful circumstances, I maintained my composure so as not to affect my performance and that of the team."
Dealing with tricky behavioural questions
Here are tips that can help you deal with difficult behavioural job interview questions:
Practice answering tough interview questions
Preparation increases your confidence and helps you give the best answers. To do this, you can conduct mock interviews with a friend or family and ask for feedback.
You could also record yourself answering interview questions and then review the recording to see how you did. In either case, take note of areas for improvement.
For example, if you find that you use fillers like "lah" or "like" too often, work on reducing this habit.
Stay calm
Keeping a cool head is crucial in interviews. It allows you to think more clearly and provide thoughtful answers. One of the best ways to do this is to come prepared.
Conduct research on the company and the position you're interviewing for. Practise answering interview questions you find difficult. The confidence that comes with knowing you're prepared for this stage of the hiring process will help you stay calm.
Take a breath
Breath control is an effective way to quell your stress response. It also helps promote a sense of calmness. Both are important. They help you to communicate well and show your qualifications in an interview.
Take a deep breath before answering tough interview questions. It helps you keep your composure by slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure.
Deep breathing requires inhaling through your nose, filling your lungs with air for a few seconds. Your chest and belly should expand. Then, exhale slowly through your mouth or nose.
Answer confidently
Exuding confidence in an interview helps you make a strong impression on the hiring manager or interviewer. It may help you appear more self-assured and capable, making your answers more persuasive. This can go a long way to improving your chances of landing the job.
Your choice of words can distinguish between appearing confident or unsure in your interview. Use words that convey certainty, even when answering difficult interview questions. These include "definitely" and "clearly." It's best to learn to reduce the use of "Umm", "Ahh", and "Lah". Using fillers often may reduce credibility and show uncertainty.
Conclusion
Knowing how to answer tough interview questions is essential for a successful job search in Singapore. It can help you make a good impression on your job interview. It's on the hiring manager or interviewer. And it can increase your chances of getting the job.
Prepare for difficult or tricky questions by thinking of your responses and practising them. Learning how to stay calm and answer confidently is also a great way to deal with these questions. By using the tips and insights in this article, you can put your best foot forward and ace your next interview.
FAQs
Here are answers to a few FAQs about common difficult interview questions a hiring manager or interviewer may ask:
- How do you nail a tough interview?
Being well prepared is vital to ace a job interview filled with tough questions. Research the company and review the job description before the interview. Go over your resume and cover letter. Take note of the responsibilities of the role you're applying for.
You can also go through common behavioural questions asked by hiring managers. These can help you determine the questions you might face in the interview and how to answer them best. - What are trick interview questions?
Trick interview questions test essential soft skills. These include problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-awareness. They also help hiring managers determine how well they handle pressure. You need to give good answers quickly to move to the next job interview stage. - What is the hardest job interview question?
Questions that are hard to answer vary depending on the industry and the position you're applying for. For many, tough interview questions require them to think about their past. Sharing situations with an ethical dilemma or conflict of interest can be tough.
Remember to approach these questions with honesty and integrity. A good attitude and confident speaking would help you handle the toughest questions. - How do you respond to a tricky interview question?
Before answering tough questions in a job interview, pause to gather your thoughts. Stay calm and composed throughout the interview. Think of the interviewer's intent and try to relate your response to the position.
If the question is about your former employer, remember to be tactful. Don't talk badly about the company or your previous manager. Your goal is to showcase your professionalism, important skills, and relevant experience.
Speaking highly of your previous employer is a good sign that you're a team player, a valuable trait in any organisation.
