Tricky Interview Questions

Tricky interview questions require thoughtful interview answers

Very few people enjoy the job interview process. Just the fact that you're looking for a new job puts stress on you. You can become nervous, anxious and temperamental during your job search. After all, you're looking at making a big change in your status quo. Most people are adverse to change and don't wear it well.

This being the general case, let's look at how you can embrace the change, be well-prepared and dust your feet off for new and greener pastures. Attitude is everything when you're changing jobs. Your interview answers can land you the job of your dreams. Let's take a look at some of the trickier situations and how to field them to your advantage.

Your interviewer asks, 'What qualifications do you bring to this position?' That's fairly open ended. It's actually an invitation to brag, in a modest way. Interview questions must be anticipated, such that no matter how an issue is presented, your interview answers convey your qualifications while providing relevant information to satisfy the query.

Let's say you're shifting gears in your career path. Your current job is as executive secretary, but you've honed your skills such that you're now qualified to serve as an administrator in personnel. This is a natural step up, but you lack experience in this position. You line up the interview. You're appalled to find that you face three interviewers. No problem. If your knowledge is solid, don't be intimidated.

So, in the case of this question, part of your efforts to enhance your skills involved some work as a volunteer with kids. The objective of the organization was to bring parents and kids together in mutually beneficial conversations on teen-parent issues. Your participation resulted in a decrease in crime, drug use and gang related activities. Use this information to demonstrate your people skills and teamwork talents.

Another common interview question might be a query as to why you want to shift into the personnel field. 'What do you dislike about your current duties?' This is the sneaky version of 'Why do you want to work in personnel?' You want to cover both questions in a well thought out interview answer. It's not that you dislike your current job profile. You've taken steps in education and ambition to facilitate a greater impact on your company's overall objectives. A good interview answer might go as follows. 'I enjoy my current duties, but I want to expand my horizons and contribute more to enable and use what I know to both use my skills and forward a positive interaction between employees and the company.' Then you can go on and elaborate on how your skills can effect that objective.

When you prepare for an interview, make a list of the reasons you should be hired. Then, write out a brief description which proves you're the qualified candidate. Well considered interview answers can get you that step up.