More Tough Interview Questions

Remember the line in Ocean's 11 when Danny quips "You're either in, or you're out. Right now!" Have you ever thought about how that line applies to today's interview process? You know, when you're in the interview and feel under such pressure to deliver an all-star performance? No time for wishy-washy responses, for sure; you have one chance to hit a home run with solid answers. No matter how many people you get a chance to perform before, in the end, just like in the movie, you're either in, or you're out, and the lines you deliver as you play your part will ultimately land you the role, or not.

Since January of this year, I have been collecting tough interview questions from clients -- questions they have been asked in an interview (or have asked candidates) beyond the typical tell me about yourself and why should we hire you? Here are a few of the questions:

• If we hire you, will we be taking a risk, or earning a reward, and why? (Commercial Loan Officer - Banking)
• Please tell us how you're an asset or a liability to an organization and defend your answer. (General Manager - Automotive Industry)
• In what ways do you support a company's vision and values and in what ways do you sabotage it? (Engineer - Manufacturing)
• In general, would your colleagues describe you as a giver, or a taker, and share some examples? (Project Coordinator - Non-Profit)
• By your very nature, do you act or react and give us specific examples of your choice. (Customer Service - Telecommunications)
• Please describe three strategies you will use to contribute to our bottom line, and how long will it take for you to achieve same? (Account Executive - Medical Sales)
• Will you lead or will you follow and which do you think is more important in today's volatile climate? (Administrator - Health care)
• Do you inspire, or do you despair, in the face of change and adversity and tell us something about that. (Branch Manager - Tech-related service)
• What can we expect from you as an employee and what do you expect from us an an employer? (Uncategorized)
• What is the number one reason for us to not hire you? (Manager - Hospitality)
• If we bring you on board, how will you earn your keep? (Project Manager - Construction)
• Tell us something about you that only your mother would know. (Senior level executive - Insurance Industry)
• Are we better off with you, or without you, and how so? (Sales Manager - Graphic Design Firm)
• If you were a member of this Selection Committee, what is the single-most important question that we should be asking you, that we haven't? (Vice President - Human Resources)
• As a manager, do you implode or explode when things don't go your way and what happens after that? (Manager - Retail Chain)

What is the toughest question you have ever been asked during an interview?

posted by: billiesucher

Comments

[Catherine Jones]

I was once asked:
"Tell us someting you've done which you're not proud of".

It was tricky but interesting and I've used it with candidates since.

[billiesucher]

Catherine -- thanks for the excellent addition. I have not heard that question before either! Good one! Appreciate your reading Career Hub. Best to you!

[Christian]

how do you deal with a bottle neck?

[billiesucher]

Christian, wonderful question! Haven't heard that term used in a while...here's a definition of the word "bottleneck" at:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bottleneck
Thank you!

[Jamie]

This is all very interesting but wouldn't it be more helpful to know what the best way to answer some of these questions would be and what it is employers are looking to hear? Some of these are rather tough questions and while it's nice to know them, it would be better to know how to answer them. Also, isn't the question about something only your mother would know a little too personal, possibly even illegal? It seems borderline in my opinion. Speaking of illegal questions, that would make for a great topic to address, assuming there is an area for how to handle such questions. Just a thought. Appreciate all the helpful information throughout the hub, thanks.

[billiesucher]

Hi Jamie -- thanks for your comments and yes, I agree, I think some of these questions are tough. Regardless of the question asked of you, I would encourage you to give an answer that best reflects you, who you are, and what you are about, so the employer will get to know you, your value -- what you bring to the table. Canned responses are just that...canned responses...so I'd encourage you to shy away from those; employers have already heard them. With respect to the question about the "mother" reference, it is indeed inappropriate; can't speak to its legality. By the way, here's another "tough question" someone told me just last week; it was the "wrap-up question" to their all-day interview......"So, what is the most important thing you would like me to remember about you?" Thanks for reading and your thoughtful feedback. Best to you! Billie

[Glen]

Describe a time you made a mistake, what did you learn, and how would that apply to this position?

[Full Circle NY]

We address even more tough interview questions and how to answer them in a podcast on our blog. Thanks for this valuable post to the web community!

[WealthNet Partners]

"What has been your biggest failure in life" was one that really stumped me. I was pretty taken aback as I've never heard that sort of question before or since, so I just sort of sat there for a few minutes in shock, heheh.

Marc

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