Handling Tough Questions

Photo by: tanjatiziana


Handling Tough Questions
by Jessica Watts(c) - www.racingjob.com


An interview is the doorway into the position you are hoping for, but they can be tricky. Interviews are filled with hard questions that can be broad to narrow, however both can stump you if you are not prepared. Broad questions make it difficult to find an answer because in the desire to impress you want to pick the right answer out of a multitude of answers. Narrow questions give you little to work with and its hard just to find an answer.

Some tips for handling tough questions:

1. Practice ’Äì This is probably the single best way to prepare for interviews in general. By looking up a list of frequently used questions you can practice them all with a friend, spouse or significant other and be very well prepared for your interview.

2. Stay Cool ’Äì It is easy to get nervous in an interview, but just keep your cool and stay calm. The calmer you are the better you will feel and the better you look to the interviewer.

3. Let ’Äòem Have It ’Äì For the broad questions you may be asked, it may be difficult to come up with just one answer. Do not bombard the interviewer with everything you think of, but if you have a good top two scenarios, then let them hear it, just remember to keep it brief. This could also show that you have the specific skill that they are looking for and know how to use it.

4. Be Honest ’Äì Just because you can’Äôt think of what you would consider a good answer this is no reason to lie or falsify information. Be honest, because if you are talking about a previous job a call to your ex-boss can give up the fact that you weren’Äôt truthful and you are instantly out!

5. Relate It ’Äì For some of the more narrow questions, you may be asked about what you did in a specific event, but you haven’Äôt had that experience. As stated above, do not falsify or make up any kind of story. If you don’Äôt have that specific experience relate the scenario to another event at home or in a local committee you participate in for a good answer. This shows you can be productive and knowledgeable outside of work and you know how to use your skills.

The questions will be tough and the interview will be stressful, but these tips should help to ease your tension. These five tips could help you have a wonderful interview experience.