How to Answer Tough Questions in an Interview

Steps

1. Apply for jobs you really want. If you're not really sure about a job, every question will be tough to answer.
2. Know yourself. Consider your strengths and weaknesses, and be aware of the qualities you offer a potential employer. Think about how your past experiences have helped you.
3. Before the interview, think about (or write down) all the possible questions you could be asked, and come up with answers to them.
4. Recognize that the interviewer is interested in you. Don't sell yourself short, and realize that you have something to offer. This will make questions easier to answer.
5. Talk about the future as much as the past. Avoid discussing uncomfortable things from your past and focus on what you can do for the company and why you want to work there. If caught off guard with a question, don't answer right away. Take some time to compose your thoughts, and then answer as best you can.
6. Try to answer all questions as positively as you can. Don't speak negatively about former employers, former companies or former management.
7. Do some research about the company and the position you are interviewing for. If possible, talk to someone who has the job and find out what the companies look for in an employee. Don't lie, but position yourself as the ideal candidate.
8. Look over your resume' before the interview as many questions may come from your resume'.
9. Don't ramble especially when answering a tough interview question. Answer the question...get in and get out of it! If you seem unsure they may continue the same line of questions that are making you uncomfortable.
10. If you don't understand the question, it is alright to ask them to repeat it rather than assume you can fake your way through an answer. People usually rephrase a question the second time through and that can give you an edge.

Tips

• Be clean. Shower 1 hour before, no perfume, no "statements" like punk clothing/haircuts/jewelry/nose or earrings/other body art. If you want to sell yourself, be relaxed and ready to kick butt.
• Give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview. You don't want to be late or rushed--arriving early will allow you to enter the interview calm, cool and collected (and ready to answer questions).
• Keep in mind that a job interview is not "just about you". It is also your opportunity to determine if the company is one you wish to work for. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, the worst thing you can do is say no. Always have at least two or three job or company related questions ready.
• Do a bit of research in advance of the interview and learn about the company's history and direction.During the interview, refer to things you've learned about the company. This tells the interviewer that you have an interest in the company and understand its mission, giving you an edge over applicants who simply "walk in".
• Turn potentially negative answers into positive ones. A common example would be "What are your weaknesses?" The worst answer to give is that you haven't any. Find a weakness that you've improved upon and use that for your answer to this common question. "I learned in my previous position that my computer skills were not as strong as I would have preferred. I have since completed classroom training in that area, and have greatly improved." Remember, the question isn't meant to determine what the "weaknesses" are- it is meant to determine what you have done to correct them.
• Always bring questions full circle back to your stated achievements and qualifications. When the interviewer asks a "How would you handle xxx?", a good answer would be "I had a similar situation in a previous position, and I handled it by.." Whenever a positive result was achieved, it is imperative that you note it. "My actions resulted in a decrease of operating expenses by 15% while increasing revenues by 25%."
• Practice asking yourself questions in a mirror or have someone you know assist. Do what all US Presidents, court witnesses and executives do to prepare for tough questions: using a role-playing format, have someone ask you the same potentially tough questions, giving you the opportunity to practice your answers and delivery. Allow yourself practice to work through not only the best answer but one you're most comfortable delivering.
• Use the STAR method when asked questions such as have you ever been in a group that did not work well together? Discuss the Situation, what Tasks you needed to achieve, what Actions you took, and the Results. It's okay if the situation ended badly. Discuss what you learned and how you would have handled the situation differently.

Warnings

• Do not go there hoping to get the job. It produces sweat, stupid answers, etc., as anticipation is not a good thing. Go there to show them what they will be losing if they don't hire you. Don't wish for the job, just go and prove how good you are. Do not humiliate yourself--just convince the company you are a good human and they will want you. Easy.
• Don't try to impress the interviewer by using vocabulary you don't know. If you don't know what a word means, don't use it. Otherwise you will come across as ignorant and insincere.
• Don't appear arrogant or the interviewer will try to stump you by asking even harder questions. Pay attention to your body language!