top of page

๐ŸŽฏ Tackle these 5 tricky job interview questions

Writer's picture: patriciamauclairpatriciamauclair



As a former recruiter, Iโ€™ve witnessed firsthand what separates a successful candidate from the rest. Itโ€™s often not the what but the how of their answers that makes all the difference.


๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—˜๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ฌ๐—ง๐—›๐—œ๐—ก๐—š. ๐Ÿ”ฅ. The biggest mistake I see candidates make is underestimating the depth of these questions. A generic or surface-level answer wonโ€™t cut it.ย 



โœ… What sets the best candidates apart?


Itโ€™s the subtle nuances:


โ€ขย Choosing stories that showcase both measurable results and personal growth.


โ€ขย Demonstrating adaptability by tailoring your management style to the situation.


โ€ขย Owning failures with humility but showcasing resilience and learning.



The devil is in the details, and as a recruiter, I could often tell within minutes who had taken the time to prepare deeply and who hadnโ€™t. The most polished candidates donโ€™t just answer questionsโ€”they connect their experiences to the companyโ€™s needs, showing that theyโ€™ve already imagined themselves in the role.


  1. Tell me about yourself

    • Common mistakes:ย Rambling, listing all past jobs, or speaking for too long.

    • Pro tips:ย Craft a concise brand statement, highlight key achievements, and show enthusiasm for future collaboration.

  2. Why should we hire you?

    • Common mistakes:ย Repeating the job description without personalizing it.

    • Pro tips:ย Emphasize your unique skills, align them with the companyโ€™s challenges, and demonstrate the value you bring.

  3. What is your greatest weakness?

    • Common mistakes:ย Giving critical or fabricated weaknesses.

    • Pro tips:ย Share a genuine, non-critical weakness and explain how youโ€™re addressing it.

  4. Tell me about a time you failed

    • Common mistakes:ย Blaming external factors or not taking responsibility.

    • Pro tips:ย Share a real failure, end with a positive outcome, and explain what you learned and how it improved your future decisions.

  5. Whatโ€™s the hardest problem youโ€™ve solved?

    • Common mistakes:ย Not clearly explaining your personal contribution.

    • Pro tips:ย Use the starr framework (situation, task, actions, results, reflection) to highlight your role and impact.


Final tip:ย With thoughtful preparation, you can confidently navigate tough questions and leave a lasting impression.

Ready to conquer your next interview?ย ๐ŸŒŸ

1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

5 Jobsearch mistakes

I know that job searching can be such a lonely and frustrating process, especially when youโ€™re not getting feedback. Itโ€™s so easy to make...

Comments


BBCC_Badge.png
GMCcredential.jpeg
ICFcredential.png
bottom of page