Top 10 Tricky Job Interview Questions—Plus, Ways to Answer Them!

Job interviews are crucial in landing a job, which is why you should prepare for them. Tricky job interview questions, in particular, pull you out of your comfort zone, making you think out of the box. However, you can get ready for them with our tips and sample answers.

But first, here are tips to help you make a good first impression on interviewers:

Conduct a thorough research on the company.

A lot of your interview answers will be based on what you’ve learned about the company. Adjust your replies to fit what the company needs and wants.

Look professional.

Arriving early for the interview shows your professionalism. But looking polished from head to toe is also a must. Make sure your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free. Refrain from over-the-top fashion, hairstyles or makeup that may distract the interviewer. Remember, all these apply to any type of interview, whether it’s done face-to-face or through video.

Practice open non-verbal communication.

Interviewers not only listen to what you say but also watch how you say things. Show confidence by smiling and maintaining eye contact. Relax your shoulders and make yourself comfortable.

Why Employers Ask Tricky Job Interview Questions

Over the years, hirers have become creative in crafting tricky job interview questions. These let them get better acquainted with jobseekers, who may have rehearsed answers to more common questions. Don’t think that interviewers just want to give you a hard time! When you understand why they’re asking challenging questions, you can better prepare yourself.

Here are the things they want to learn about you:

How you react to unexpected situations

Work life can be full of surprises. Things don’t always don’t go the way you want them to go. When the interviewers ask a difficult question, they’re checking your reaction. Mumbling incoherent replies tell them you don’t work well under stress.

If you fit company culture

Sure, your qualifications are important. But hirers also want to know if you’re good to work with. Will they feel comfortable hiring you? Will you get along with other team members?

Your behavior and values

Some questions pose “What if?” situations, designed to gauge how you handle surprising situations. The question may be a bit of a shocker like “Are there any skills on your resume that you exaggerated?” If you act defensive, then be sure that the interviewer is taking note of it. But if you calmly confirm that your resume is accurate, you give a favorable impression.

How you think

Out-of-the blue questions like “If you were to describe yourself as a color, what would it be and why?” are designed to throw you off. But don’t worry, there is no right answer for this question. Interviewers just want to see how fast you think on your feet and your reasoning ability.

Top 10 Difficult Job Interview Questions and Answers

Answering tricky job interview questions can also be tricky. You want to come across as genuine, but interesting enough to intrigue the interviewer. To help you ace interviews, we outlined 10 difficult questions. We’ll decipher them one by one and give sample answers for each.

1. “Tell me about yourself.”

Employers usually ask this first, so seize this opportunity to immediately impress them. Keep your answer brief, and don’t just repeat what you put in your resume. Summarize your answer in three points. First, explain your current role and responsibilities. If you just graduated, give your short educational background. Second, give your career highlights and achievements. Lastly, make clear how your experience has prepared you for the offered job.

Sample Answer:“I’ve been working in the media industry for five years— first as production assistant then as a segment producer. I’ve helped produce three documentaries that have won international awards, including the New York Festival. I believe that the skills and experience I’ve gained from my work can help you expand your content and reach your audience.”

2. “Why do you want to work in this company?”

The interviewer wants to see how much you know about their organization and business. You can start your answer with your expectation about the role. Follow it up with why the job piques your interest. This shows them that you’ve fully read what the job entails. Finish it up with what you can offer them once hired.

Sample Answer:“I enjoy developing games, but in my last job, I merely executed ideas. I look forward to creating original storylines that fellow gamers will enjoy playing. Reading about your company’s advocacies on diversity and creative development was a bonus. I knew I wanted to be a part of this inspiring organization and contribute to its long-term growth.”

3. “How does this job compare with others you’ve applied for?”

The interviewer wants to know how actively you’re looking for a job. If you’re applying to other companies, there’s no need to mention their names. The trick is to give the impression that you have options, but that you’re seriously considering their specific company.

Sample Answer:“Yes, I’m in the middle of interviewing for a few positions. At this point, I’m still evaluating my options. But I think this role is a good fit for my skills and career progression goals. I think my experience is best aligned with this specific role.”

4. “Why are you leaving your current job?”

The interviewer wants to dig deep into your motivations. Are you leaving because of the pay? Did you disagree with your boss? Generally, employers want to hear that you’re looking for new challenges. Additionally, you can mention things you liked in your last job. Then say that you also see these things in the company you’re interviewing for. Always remember to keep your answer positive!

Sample answer:“Though I enjoyed working at my former company, there weren’t many opportunities to advance my career. I liked the relaxed work environment there, which I’m also happy to see here.I think it’s time for fresh challenges to keep me motivated.”

5. “What is your ideal company to work for?”

The recruiter is trying to gauge how invested you are in the job offer. Also, they want to know how loyal you will be to the company. Will you be easily swayed to join another company if a better offer comes along? No employer wants to hire someone who only sees the company as a stand-in. So, keep your answer general, and insinuate that this company may betheone.

Sample answer:“Marketing is what I’m really interested in. I applied to this job because your marketing department is one of the strongest in the industry. At this point, being an account executive can help me develop the skills I’m targeting. I’m excited to grow in this company—and eventually be an account manager.”

6. “What are your weaknesses?”

Employers want to know if you’re self-aware and willing to improve. As a jobseeker, you don’t typically want to reveal your weak points. Nevertheless, you can use this to your advantage. Tell a brief story about how you’ve turned a weakness into a strength. Make sure that this strength is connected to the job you’re targeting.

Sample answer:“My boss told me that I needed to work on my collaboration skills. This was because I was used to working on my own. As a result, my teammates hesitated to approach me. From then on, I took the initiative in inviting them to lunch and asking for their help. Our team became more solid, helping us effectively meet our targets.”

7. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Through this question, employers measure your level of commitment. Explain how the company can help you reach your career goals. Then express your interest in growing with a company that helps you grow professionally. Also, you can share what type of role you want to land in five years.

Sample answer:“In the future, I hope to be an art director. When I saw this job ad, I saw how this role could shape both my artistic and leadership skills. The ad mentioned how the company values its employees’ career advancement. This is compatible with my goals, so I applied for this job.”

8. “Why are there gaps in your employment history?”

This may cast you in an unfavorable light. However, don’t act defensive and calmly explain why you took a work break. Whatever your reason, emphasize how you focused on professional and personal development during this time. Let employers know how this helped you bounce back, more competent than ever.

Sample answer: “I decided to take a break to reassess my career path. I’ve always wanted to learn interior design. I decided to take a certificate course to support my architecture degree. I worked as an assistant to an interior designer for a few years. Now, I’m ready to tackle this role and offer my experience.”

9. “Tell me about an incident when you made a mistake.”

Like the question about your weakness, you need to choose your words carefully while answering this. Acknowledge your past mistake and take full responsibility for it. Blaming others makes you look petty. Also, it’s better if your mistake is due to your lack of experience and not carelessness. Focus on the lessons you learned from the error.

Sample answer:“I was managing my first project. I wanted so much for it to succeed that I did most of the work and neglected my other duties. As a result, I failed to meet important deadlines that impacted the workflow. From then on, I learned to delegate tasks and manage people more effectively.”

10. “What can you offer us that other jobseekers can’t?”

Here, you have the opportunity to brag—but don’t do it! Instead, focus on how your experience and skills fit the job description. You should’ve already researched the company’s achievements and pain points not mentioned in the job ad. Pleasantly surprise your interviewer by mentioning how your knowledge can provide solutions to their issues.

Sample answer:“As a hotel operations manager, I am always looking for new ways to improve our services. In my previous job, I fine-tuned our booking process online by gathering feedback from our clients. I initiated the revamping of our website, and I partnered with other booking sites to widen our reach. I think my expertise can be helpful to your new hotel.”

Ace that job interview!

Calm your nerves by knowing how to answer these tricky job questions ahead of time. During the interview, jot down notes so you can refer to them if you have your own questions. This shows your attentiveness and interest in the job. If you find it difficult to answer a question, pause and take a breath. It’s okay to collect your thoughts before giving your best answer.

Ready for the job interview? First, #LetsGetToWork by creating or updating your profile. For more jobs, visit JobStreet or download the JobStreet app on Google Play or the App Store.