Tricky interview questions, such as “Why do you want this job?” help recruiters learn how you handle pressure, better understand your thought process, and see whether you’re a good cultural fit. Even though they may throw you for a loop, rest assured that recruiters aren’t trying to stump you; they simply want to get to know the person behind the resume.
Preparation is key for acing job interviews. So, in this article, we’ll cover common hard interview questions and answers to help you feel more confident and craft job-winning responses!
Key Takeaways
Some tricky interview questions include “Why should we hire you?”, “What’s your greatest weakness?”, and “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Research the company, read the job description, and do a mock interview to feel more confident with tricky interview questions.
If a question throws you off guard, don’t panic; it’s okay to take a moment to form a well-thought-out response.
15 Tricky Interview Questions with Sample Answers
Here’s a list of common tricky interview questions and sample answers you can use for inspiration:
#1. Why are you leaving your last job?
If you were laid off because of redundancy, it’s fine to say it as it is. However, if you’re leaving because you hate your job, you shouldn’t let the recruiter know that. They’re asking this question to assess your professionalism and fit for the position, so refrain from bad-mouthing previous employers or colleagues.
The trick is to be honest but focus on the positive reasons you’re moving forward.
Here’s an example:
Good Answer
While I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned in my previous job, the company underwent a restructuring that resulted in me taking on more administrative tasks, which I didn’t enjoy quite as much as the creative ones. I am now seeking a position where I can contribute my design expertise and dedicate myself fully to creative projects.
#2. Why should we hire you?
This is a different way of asking, “What sets you apart from other candidates?” or “What makes you a good match for this position?” In other words, this question helps recruiters find out what you bring to the table and whether it aligns with what they’re looking for.
So, emphasize relevant work experience, skills, and accomplishments to answer this question effectively. To take it to the next level, quantify your achievements. Don’t brag, though, as workplace arrogance can be very off-putting.
Here’s a good answer to this tricky interview question:
Good Answer
You should hire me because I’m a certified Scrum Master passionate about maximizing organizational efficiency. In my previous role, I led an agile transformation that improved team velocity by 20% across three departments.
#3. What’s your greatest weakness?
Admitting your shortcomings may not be easy, yet no one is perfect. You need to be tactful when answering this question, as you may otherwise blow your chances of landing the job. Ideally, your answer should show self-awareness and convince the recruiter that you have a growth mindset.
To answer this tough interview question confidently, identify a weakness that doesn’t impact your ability to perform the job well. Then, describe the steps you’re taking to overcome it.
Your answer could sound something like this:
Good Answer
My greatest weakness is public speaking; delivering presentations in front of a large crowd can make me nervous. I joined Toastmasters a couple of months ago to overcome this, which has already helped me feel more confident when giving speeches.
#4. Why do you want this job?
Recruiters ask this question to determine how well you align with the role and the company. So, “I need to pay bills” won’t secure you the job.
The key to answering this tricky interview question is to show that you’ve researched the company and are genuinely interested in working there. To do this, be specific: your answer should explain why you’re passionate about their mission, values, vision, or products/services.
Here’s a good example:
Good Answer
I would love to join your team because I admire your company’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, particularly your reusable packaging initiative. As a long-time advocate for zero waste, I’m eager to promote products that benefit customers without harming the planet and help your company grow.
#5. Sell me this pen.
If you’re interviewing for a sales role, hiring managers may ask you to sell something on the spot for a simple reason: they want to determine your sales approach and test your sales skills.
Here’s how to answer this tricky question without crumbling under pressure:
Ask questions to identify the interviewer’s needs, problems, or desires regarding pens.
Tailor your answer to their needs or present the pen as a solution to their problem by emphasizing its relevant qualities.
Create a sense of urgency and close the sale (e.g., “Well, you’re in luck! I have a couple of these in stock. Would you like to have one of your own today?”).
If you aren’t sure where to start, consider asking the interviewer one of these questions:
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
How often do you use a pen?
What are you looking for in a pen?
What do you typically use pens for?
#6. How do you handle criticism?
Recruiters want to know how to respond to negative feedback because it shows whether you’re willing to grow. Additionally, they aim to assess your resilience, emotional intelligence, and professionalism.
All behavioral interview questions, including this one, can be answered easily by using the STAR method. Here’s a simple formula you can follow to craft a compelling answer:
Crafting a Strong Answer
Start by describing a relevant situation.
Detail your tasks, role, responsibilities, or challenges in it.
Describe the actions you took to fix or handle the situation.
Highlight the positive results of your efforts.
Here’s a real-life example of using the STAR method to answer this tricky interview question:
Good Answer
At my previous company, a coworker from another department told me that my reports were too complex. I realized I had to make them more accessible for non-technical teams, so I simplified charts and included summaries with key insights. This new format facilitated cross-functional team collaboration and became standard within our company.
#7. If you were an animal, what would you be?
This may sound like an unexpected interview question, but make no mistake: recruiters don’t ask it just for fun. They want to understand how you see yourself and how well you’d fit on their team. To answer this question, pick an animal that matches your positive qualities and the traits the company values or expects you to have.
Let’s see an example:
Good Answer
I think I’d be an eagle. Their vision is sharp, and they spot opportunities from miles away. This is also something that comes naturally to me. As a big-picture thinker, I like to anticipate challenges and constantly seek to identify areas for improvement.
#8. What motivates you?
This may seem like a relatively easy question, yet you must choose your answer carefully. While you should be honest, it’s best to avoid mentioning extrinsic motivations (i.e., rewards or incentives, such as money or praise).
Your response should demonstrate your suitability for the role and alignment with the company's values, so name something that genuinely inspires you and is relevant to the job. To describe what motivates you in an impactful way, include specific examples or a short story in your answer as such:
Good Answer
Customer satisfaction is what motivates me the most. In my previous job, one customer was very upset because they received damaged items right before an important event. I arranged overnight replacements and followed up to ensure all packages arrived in pristine condition. I was absolutely thrilled to find out that this helped rebuild their trust and loyalty to the company.
#9. How do you handle conflict in the workplace?
No workplace is immune to conflict, so it’s no surprise recruiters want to gain insight into your conflict management style before you join.
Answering this question can be tricky, however, as you don’t want to come off as someone who sidesteps issues or adds fuel to the fire. Your answer should be specific and highlight your professionalism, communication skills, willingness to collaborate, or other positive qualities.
Here’s an example of an effective answer:
Good Answer
I see conflict as an opportunity for improvement. At my previous job, my team once had a disagreement regarding workload distribution. I held a meeting where everyone shared their perspective and proposed that we redefine project priorities and redistribute tasks accordingly. Ultimately, this enabled us to deliver the project ahead of schedule.
#10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This is a difficult interview question for many candidates, particularly those who are new to the workforce and still unsure about their career aspirations.
The good news is that you don’t have to have it all figured out; what you need to show is that you have ambitions, and they align with the role. Otherwise, recruiters may think you won’t stick around and choose another candidate. So, even if you aren’t exactly sure where you’re going, show eagerness to grow with the company.
If you’re out of ideas, here’s an example you can tweak to suit your situation:
Good Answer
In five years, I plan to become an expert in resolving customer issues. I hope to transition into the role of a team lead, which would allow me to share my knowledge with others and help them deliver excellent service to your customers.
#11. Tell me about yourself.
Asking the “Tell me about yourself” question is one of the most common ways recruiters start an interview. Its open-ended nature is what makes it tricky; most candidates don’t know where to start, what to say, or how to wrap it up.
Luckily, you can easily avoid rambling by following these three steps:
Answer Clearly in 3 Steps
Briefly describe where you currently are in your professional life (don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements!).
Summarize your professional background (internships, education, previous jobs, etc.) to explain how you got there.
Mention your career goals and what got you interested in applying for this particular position or company.
Here’s what it could look like in practice:
Good Answer
My name is Dana Richards. I’ve been a junior accountant at XYZ Inc. for the past two years, where I led the payroll automation process, resulting in a 25% reduction in payroll errors. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and am currently pursuing my CPA certification. I’m eager to contribute my accounting acumen to your company, as I deeply admire your inclusive work practices.
#12. What would you do if you had to work with someone you don’t get along with?
Hiring managers ask situational interview questions, such as this one, to assess how you’d handle difficult situations at work and see if you possess specific qualities they’re looking for.
While it may seem like this question only concerns teamwork, it also assesses your interpersonal skills, such as communication and empathy. Therefore, the best way to answer this tricky interview question is to highlight these.
If possible, use the STAR method and provide a specific example of how you’ve handled a similar situation in the past to create a strong response like this one:
Good Answer
I would approach this situation with patience and empathy. At my previous company, I had a colleague with a different work style, so I initiated a one-on-one meeting to understand their perspective. This helped us establish shared goals and avoid misunderstandings.
#13. Why is there an employment gap in your resume?
There’s a common misconception that employers generally perceive employment gaps as raging red flags. Because of this, many candidates aren’t even sure whether to mention them when writing a resume or attending a job interview. In reality, though, they’re completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
When addressing employment gaps, your goal is to provide a concise, reasonable explanation and show that you’re ready to return to work. If possible, highlight anything relevant you’ve learned during that time.
Here’s an example:
Good Answer
I took a break to care for a family member. Now that they’ve fully recovered, I’m eager to re-enter the workforce; I’ve recently completed two online courses in project management to ensure a smooth return.
#14. What are your salary expectations?
If we were to rank tricky interview questions, salary-related ones would probably appear near the top of the list. And it’s not just because discussing money can be awkward; a wrong answer can cost you the job or get you hired at a much lower pay rate than you deserve.
To answer this tough job interview question effectively, check Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for information on average wages. Then, provide a range that aligns with the industry norms and your qualifications.
For example:
Good Answer
Based on my research, I believe a fair salary for a professional with my qualifications is between $70,000 and $85,000 per year.
#15. Do you have any questions for us?
Asking no questions is a common interview mistake; it makes you look unprepared and unmotivated. Instead, ask something you want to learn about the role or the company.
Here are some examples of what to say when the recruiter asks, “Do you have any questions for us?”:
Examples of Questions to Ask
What is the next step in the hiring process?
What does a typical day in this role look like?
How do you conduct performance reviews for this role?
How would you describe the work-life balance in the company?
Does the company offer any opportunities for further development?
15 More Tricky Interview Questions
Some examples of other tricky interview questions you might want to prepare for include the following:
Additional Tricky Interview Questions
What is your dream job?
How do you handle stress?
Tell me about a time you failed.
What is your greatest strength?
Why are you changing career paths?
What was your worst experience at work?
What achievement are you most proud of?
Describe a time when you overcame a crisis.
How would you improve our services/products?
How would your former employer describe you?
Describe a time when you showed initiative at work.
What negative feedback do you receive most often?
If you could change one thing about your last job, what would it be?
What would you do differently if you were the CEO of your previous company?
If you had the opportunity to have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
How to Prepare for Tricky Interview Questions
Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for tricky interview questions:
Interview Preparation Tips
Do your homework. The job listing is packed with cues that indicate what the company expects in the ideal candidate, so read it carefully. Whenever possible, match your answers with the job description. Also, don’t forget to research the company!
Don’t rush. Don’t feel pressured to respond to tricky questions right away; you can always take a minute to gather your thoughts. A thoughtful, well-structured answer is much more effective than rambling.
Practice. Preparing answers in advance and conducting mock interviews can help you feel more confident. Just don’t recite them word-for-word; this may sound robotic, and you might have to tweak your answers based on the situation.
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Hopefully, our guide to tricky interview questions has helped you feel more confident in your job search.
While some questions can catch you off guard, remember that the key is to make your answer relevant to the job. And if that isn’t possible, remaining professional and striking a balance between humility and confidence will usually do the trick!
Tricky Interview Questions FAQ
#1. What is the hardest interview question?
“What is your biggest weakness?” is generally regarded as the hardest interview question, as it calls for introspection and requires you to balance honesty with tact.
#2. Why do interviewers ask tricky questions?
Interviewers ask tricky questions to learn things about you they can’t see in your resume, such as how you handle pressure, think creatively, and solve problems on the spot.
#3. Can tricky interview questions be a deal-breaker?
Tricky interview questions can only be a deal-breaker if answered poorly. Recruiters don’t expect perfection, but if you show a lack of self-awareness or motivation, they may no longer be interested. For this reason, it’s best to take a moment before responding.
