Tough Interview Questions and Answers

Give an example of working with a team member who did not do their fair share of the work load, and explain how you addressed the situation?

This question has many potential pitfalls that need to be considered. Remember that the question is about a co-worker, and not a member of your staff, so factors you are unaware of may apply. Even if you give an answer that worked in a particular scenario, a clever interviewer can manipulate the situation to really test you. A common approach candidates take is to try to appear to be tough and dynamic giving answers like "I approached my colleague and told them that I was unwilling to do most of their work on top of mine, and their efforts improved". A clever interviewer would counter this buy telling you how badly this approach could have gone. Your colleague could have health problems known to management but not you, and require help and support and not an aggressive approach. In answering this question, first show that you have tactfully tried to find out what the issue is. Next show an outcome where you provided support to your colleague and found a suitable resolution. It is important to show that you are proactive and diplomatic and that you did not need to involve management at any point in time.

How have you coped with working with people you didn’t like?
It is possible to doge this question completely by claiming you can’t remember working with anyone you had a particular dislike for. Most interviewers will not push you too hard on this point if you claim you have always got on well with colleagues, but it is unlikely that they will reward your cowardly evasion. The important thing with this question is to demonstrate how you saw through your dislike, and were able to operate in a professional manner. Try an example including someone that had a personality trait that is both positive and negative, such as a colleague that is annoyingly over critical. You could take the approach that after working with someone who is overly critical you began to realize that they did not intend to offend people by their criticisms, and that you found that their personality could be usefully used for checking important documents where everything had to be just right etc. Demonstrate how you earned respect for the person and came to accept them.

Why do you think you are suitable for this job?
This question is a golden opportunity to show you have taken the time to do research and that you have clarity of thought. Do not make assumptions about the job role and company, relate everything back to evidence. Firstly cross reference your experience with the job advert and job specifications and show how your experience fits what they have told you they want. Also try to mention as much relevant information you can about the company to show you have been interested enough to do some research.

Article Source: http://myarticlezine.com

The author is a freelance journalist writing for the Graduates Career UK graduate scheme.

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