Job interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience for applicants vying for a position. This process becomes even more challenging when the interviewer in question asks difficult questions pertaining to former employment, background issues or ways in which a potential employee might handle a specific situation. The best way to deal with challenging interview questions is to be honest and genuine. There are a few additional steps you can take to get past the stress of a difficult interview and on the road to gainful employment.
Instructions
1. Research commonly asked tough interview questions ahead of time. Find out how other applicants successfully answered these questions. Examples of difficult interview questions include: What are your weaknesses? Why did you leave your last place of employment? What do you think you could have improved in your last position?
2. Prepare some answers ahead of time. However, be mindful not to sound as though you are just reading off a canned answer if the interviewer asks the question. The idea is to have a general idea of how you can best answer the question so you don't stumble during the interview.
3. Be direct and honest. Potential employers appreciate employees that can speak their minds in a respectful, genuine manner. So when a challenging question comes up in an interview, give an answer that's honest and direct and tell the potential employer what's on your mind. For example, if the interviewer asks why you left your last job, you might say something like "I enjoyed the people I worked with as well as my position, but my supervisor and I just had different ideas on my position. Therefore, I thought it best to allow him to find an employee to better fit the position and to give myself an opportunity for professional growth in another position."
4. Ask for more time or to re-visit the question. Many employers understand that not every question has an immediate answer and can appreciate employees that take their time to formulate a solid answer. When the interviewer asks a difficult question, ask for a few minutes to think about it so that you can come up with a clear, concise answer.
