The Impossible Interview Inquiry

          What is the most difficult interview question you have ever had to answer? My personal favorite is the innocent, "Tell me about yourself." In a matter of seconds, my mind goes blank. The resume I spent hours working on yesterday nigh is suddenly in a foreign language, and I can't seem to remember anything I did for my 4-year degree. This, my dear reader, is the quintessence of the interview process. Recruiters love to hear you stammer and blunder then blurt out an answer, and they're equally impressed and awed when you give an eloquent and optimistic answer. But for the interviewee, it's the end of the world.

           What are the most difficult questions at the interview? By thinking ahead, you can prepare more efficiently and showcase your confidence and skills. The greatest thing to remember that despite what they say, one question can, most certainly, cost you a job.

1. Why Should I Hire You?
This is not a trick question! The simplest answer to give is, "In the job description, you had required candidates to have [specific hard/soft skills], and I have experience in these skills from [short list of specific job experiences]." Keep your answer as relevant and short as possible.

2. Why Is There A Gap In Your Work History?
If you are a student, you are usually exempt from these questions. However, if you are reentering the work force, this will most definitely be asked in the interview. The standard, "I choose not to say," will not be acceptable. To a recruiter, this gives the impression that you were in jail or under house arrest. If you decided to stay home with the kids, tell the recruiter, "I decided to be a stay-at-home parent to care for and enjoy my children." Make the answer showcase your skills or portray it as a learning experience. If you truly are uncomfortable answering, simply say, "For medical reasons." Under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is illegal for the recruiter to ask for details about medical history.

3. Tell Me One Thing You Would Change About Your Last Job
This is your opportunity to showcase your ideas your former boss never let you do. Did you want to organize a company picnic? Did you want more time in the day for personal ventures? Did you believe you spent too much time in meetings?

4. Tell Me About Yourself
This is a trick question! This is another version of "Why should I hire you?"

5. Explain A Complex Database To Your Eight-Year-Old Nephew
These types of questions test your understanding of a product or service. The more creative and simple an answer is, the better impression you create about your work history.

6. What Would The Person Who Likes You Least In The World Say About You?
This is another version of, "What's your greatest weakness." Reversing the question and saying something that is actually a positive is very generic and very annoying, "I'm such a perfectionist," "I'm too nice," or "I care too much about leaving a good impression." Instead, give a truthful answer of issues that you are improving. An example being, "I get really bogged down in details. However, I'm learning to look at the bigger picture by asking questions and getting a second opinion."

7. Tell Me About A Time When Old Solutions Didn't Work
This one is a tad confusing, because most individuals new to the job market don't have enough work experience to think of a specific answer. This is when your schooling is your greatest asset. Do you remember the one class with that one teacher who you could never understand? How did you pass the class with that teacher who couldn't do their job? What did you have to do in order to find a solution that you didn't do in your previous classes?

8. What's The Biggest Risk You've Ever Taken?
This is not a question about the time at your friend's house when you did a keg-stand (although kudos to you), this is asking when did you get out of your comfort zone. Have you ever had to travel, lead a workshop, or help with a project that wasn't in your job description?

9. Have You Ever Had A Supervisor Challenge A Decision?
This is a trick question. I've asked this question in interviews only to be thrown into a bashing of previous employers. Do not ever, for any reason, down talk previous employers. This tells a recruiter that if you would be let go or treated unfairly, you would be a massive gossiper and embarrassment to the company. Instead, focus on a time of when you had to prove yourself professionally for your work. Has your former bosses ever questioned where you got an answer from, or why you gave a customer a benefit they did not pay for?

10. Describe A Time When Your Team Did Not Agree
Another way to ask this question is, "How well do you work with a team?" talk a bout a specific time which you worked with a group. How did you solve disputes? How well did you communicate? How did you come to a result in your project? What was your creative process? Anything and everything that can be used in a positive light or learning experience is what the recruiter wants to hear about.

            What is equally important is to have questions ready for the interviewer. As a former recruiter, it always irritated me that some of the candidates never had questions for me. I have decided between two equally qualified candidates solely because one asked me questions in return. Having as few as three questions; not including salary, paid holidays or other benefits; creates an impression of professionalism and care for the company. The following is a list of questions to get you started in thinking of what you want to ask at your next big interview.

1. How quickly are you looking to hire someone?
2. What is the next step in the hiring process?
3. What are the people like that I will be working closely with?
4. May I have a quick tour of where I will be working?
5. What type of training will I be receiving?