How to Answer the Top 5 Tough Interview Questions? With examples.

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when the interviewer asks tough questions you might not have prepared for. However, the key to success in interviews is being well-prepared and confident. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common tough interview questions and provide example answers to help you ace your next interview.

 

1. "Tell me about yourself."

This question is often the first one asked in an interview and can be quite open-ended, leaving many candidates unsure where to begin. When answering this question, you should focus on your relevant skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for the job. Here's an example answer:

"My name is XX (if you have not mentioned your name before). I'm a recent graduate with a degree in marketing, and I have XX years of experience working in both digital and traditional marketing roles. During my time at XYZ Company, I managed a successful social media campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in website traffic (remember to highlight one of your biggest achievements). I'm also proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and have experience with data analytics tools like Google Analytics. In addition, I have excellent communication and relationship management skills that helped me achieve great results in my previous job (do not forget to mention soft skills). Overall, I'm passionate about marketing and excited to apply my skills in a new role."

 

2. "What are your weaknesses?"

This question can be tricky to answer, as you don't want to highlight any major weaknesses that could disqualify you from the job. However, it's essential to be honest and self-aware when answering this question. Here's an example answer:

"One area that I've been working on improving is public speaking. While I'm comfortable presenting to small groups, I tend to get nervous when speaking in front of larger audiences. To overcome this, I've been taking public speaking courses and practising with friends and family. I'm committed to improving my public speaking skills and am confident that I will continue to make progress."

You can also mention things like "I sometimes have trouble asking for help", "I focus too much on the details", or "I find it difficult to say no" and explain how you would like to improve them so it will not impact your job.

 

3. "Why do you want to work for our company?"

This question is designed to assess your level of interest in the company and your motivation for applying for the job. To answer this question, you should research the company beforehand and highlight specific reasons why you are interested in working there. Here's an example answer:

"I've been following your company for a while now and have been impressed by your innovative products and strong company culture. I was particularly drawn to your commitment to sustainability and the environment, which aligns with my personal values. I'm also excited about the opportunity to work with a talented team and contribute to the company's continued success."

When answering this question, you can talk about the company's products and services and why you want to work with those products and services. You can also mention their company values, culture, and business strategy, such as sustainability and environment, and how they align with your values or goals. It is also good to link your answer with the company's clients if you have experience working with a certain type of client, which your employer may find beneficial.

 

4. "Tell me about a time when you failed."

This question is designed to assess your ability to learn from failure and overcome challenges. When answering this question, you should focus on a specific example and highlight what you learned from the experience. Here's an example answer:

"During my previous job, I was tasked with organizing a large-scale event that ended up being much more challenging than I anticipated. Despite my best efforts, the event was not as successful as I had hoped. However, I took the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong and how I could improve next time. I realized that I had underestimated the amount of time and resources needed to organize such a large event and that I needed to improve my project management skills. I used this experience as a learning opportunity and worked to improve my skills in these areas."

 

5. "How do you handle stressful situations?"

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle pressure and stay calm under challenging circumstances. When answering this question, you should highlight specific strategies you use to manage stress. Here's an example answer:

"When I'm faced with a stressful situation, I try to break down the problem into smaller, more manageable tasks. I also make sure to prioritise my tasks and focus on the most important ones first. Additionally, I make sure to take breaks and practice self-care to help manage my stress levels. For example, I might take a quick walk."

Interviews are all about preparation. If you do sufficient research, you can often come up with a list of questions you may be asked during your interview. Thinking about how to answer those questions and writing down bullet points will help you be more confident during an interview and considerabiliy increase your chance of success. If you want to learn more about how to answer and prepare for interviews effectively, you can also join our live webinars.