In the exciting and often challenging job search process, job interviews are a crucial point. They are the opportunity to stand out, present your skills and experiences, and demonstrate why you are the right person for the position. However, in the midst of the typical questions about your experience and capabilities, you sometimes come across what are known as “trick questions.” These questions go beyond the obvious and are designed to assess specific aspects of your personality, your values, and your ability to adapt.
Trick questions are a resource used by interviewers to discover your authenticity and coherence, beyond your technical answers. Its purpose is to investigate your ability to face unexpected situations and your alignment with the company’s values and objectives. In this article, we will explore in detail how to approach these trick questions in a job interview and how to prepare yourself to answer them with confidence and success.
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How to answer trick questions?
Answering a trick question can be challenging, but with proper preparation and confidence in your answers, you can overcome this crucial stage of the job interview.
The importance of preparation
The key to successfully tackling trick questions lies in preparation. Before the interview, thoroughly research the company and the position you are applying for. Understanding the company culture, its values and its objectives will allow you to align your answers with what they are looking for.
Also, practice answers to possible trick questions. You can do it in front of the mirror, with a friend, or using online resources. Practice will help you articulate your answers clearly and confidently, avoiding improvisation.
Remember that it is not about reciting memorized answers, but rather adapting your experiences and knowledge to the specific interview questions.
Avoid improvisation in responses
Improvisation can lead to incoherent or unconvincing answers. When faced with a trick question, take a moment to reflect before answering. Don’t feel pressure to respond right away; It is perfectly acceptable to take a brief moment to organize your thoughts.
Listen carefully to the question and make sure you understand it completely. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if necessary. Once you are sure of what is being asked, structure your answer logically. You can use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to give concrete examples to support your answers.
Stay calm and confident during the interview. Don’t worry about short silences or pauses while you think about your answer. It is better to offer a well-thought-out response than a hasty response.
Tricky Questions In A Job Interview?
What do you know about the company?
When faced with the question “What do you know about the company?” In a job interview, it is essential to go beyond the simple description of the company. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your research and your connection to the organization.
RESPOND EMOTIONALLY
Instead of just listing cold facts about the company, use this question to show your enthusiasm and emotional alignment with the organization. Why are you attracted to this particular company?
An effective response could be: “This company is much more than just a business entity. It is a benchmark in our sector and, most importantly, shares a mission and values that go beyond business. I deeply identify with their focus on social responsibility and quality customer service. Their commitment to sustainability and innovation motivates me to want to be part of this team and contribute to the achievement of its objectives.”
This approach demonstrates not only your knowledge of the company, but also your passion for being part of its mission and your alignment with its values, which can be a differentiating factor in your job interview.
Why do you want to work here?
When faced with the question “Why do you want to work here?” During a job interview, it is important to go beyond a superficial answer. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm and how you plan to contribute to the company in the future.
DEMONSTRATE ENTHUSIASM AND CONTRIBUTION
Interviewers look for candidates who are not only interested in the position, but can also contribute to the company’s success. Here is an effective strategy to respond:
Explain why you are excited about the opportunity to work at this particular company. Mention how your experience and skills can contribute to their growth.
For example, you could say: “I want to work here because I am excited about the company’s project and its commitment to innovation. I believe that my experience at XYZ allows me to provide creative solutions that will help fulfill the company’s mission. My track record of accomplishments on similar projects makes me confident that I can contribute significantly to the team and the growth of the company.”
By focusing on your enthusiasm and how you can contribute, you demonstrate your commitment to the company and your vision for the future, which can increase your chances of being considered the ideal candidate.
What are your strengths?
When you are asked about your strengths in a job interview, it is essential to highlight your skills in a balanced way and support them with concrete examples. This question is an opportunity to “sell” yourself as the ideal candidate for the position.
HOW TO “SELL YOURSELF” IN A BALANCED WAY
The key to responding successfully is to balance humility with confidence. Instead of listing a long list of strengths, focus on those that are relevant to the position and provide concrete examples to support your statements. Let’s exemplify:
Identify your strengths that are directly applicable to the job and provide real examples of how you have applied them in the past.
For example, you could say: “My strengths include the ability to lead teams effectively. In my previous role, I led a multidisciplinary team on a successful project that resulted in a 20% increase in the company’s operational efficiency. My ability to communicate clear objectives and motivate my team was essential to achieving those results.”
By highlighting your strengths in this way, you are providing concrete evidence of your worth as a candidate, which can positively influence the interviewer’s decision.
What are your weak points?
Asking about your weaknesses is an opportunity to show your capacity for self-reflection and your commitment to personal and professional growth. Instead of highlighting your weaknesses, you should focus on how you can turn them into strengths and provide examples of how you are working to improve.
TURN WEAKNESSES INTO STRENGTHS
The key focus is to demonstrate that you are willing to address your weaknesses and turn them into opportunities for growth. Instead of offering weaknesses that are critical to the job you are applying for, mention areas that are not essential to the position.
For example, you could say: “One of my areas of improvement is my public speaking skills. However, I am committed to overcoming this weakness. I have started taking public speaking courses and have practiced presenting at internal meetings to improve this skill. I believe this experience will help me be a more effective communicator in the future.”
By addressing your weaknesses in this way, you demonstrate your willingness to constantly grow and improve, qualities highly valued by employers. This shows your ability to turn weaknesses into strengths and to proactively overcome challenges.
In your former company, what vision do you think your colleagues had of you?
This question assesses how your colleagues perceived you at your former company and how you fit into a work team. The key when answering this question is to show your ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment and your openness to diversity of opinion.
ASSESSMENT OF HOW YOU FIT INTO A TEAM
Instead of focusing on your colleagues’ perception of your personality, highlight the qualities they highlighted about you in terms of teamwork and collaboration. You can mention qualities such as being hard-working, empathetic, flexible or a good communicator. This shows that you are a person who integrates well into a team and gets along well with others.
For example, you could say: “At my former company, I think my colleagues perceived me as a committed and collaborative team member. I was always willing to help and worked well together to achieve our common goals. “I was appreciated for my ability to listen to others and find solutions as a team, which contributed to the success of our projects.”
This answer demonstrates your ability to work as a team and adapt to a collaborative environment, which is a valuable asset in any workplace.
How would you feel if your manager was younger than you?
This question seeks to evaluate your openness to generational diversity and your ability to work as a team with people of different ages. It is important to respond with tolerance and flexibility, highlighting that age is not a determining factor in professionalism.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERATIONAL TOLERANCE AND FLEXIBILITY
In your response, focus on your superior’s professionalism and skills rather than his or her age. Make it clear that you value the experience and knowledge your boss brings to the team, regardless of the age difference. This shows that you are a tolerant and non-judgmental person.
For example, you could say: “I don’t see age as a determining factor in a leader’s effectiveness.
What really matters is competence, the ability to make informed decisions and the ability to lead and motivate the team. If my manager is younger than me but he demonstrates these qualities, I will be completely open to learning from his experience and working together to achieve our common goals.”
By highlighting the importance of professionalism over age, you show your willingness to collaborate in a diverse and multicultural work environment, which can be a positive factor in your job interview.
How many years have you not worked? Because?
This question seeks to evaluate your ability to justify periods of inactivity in your work history. Instead of seeing them as an obstacle, you should show how you used that time productively and how you remain committed to your professional development.
JUSTIFICATION OF PERIODS OF INACTIVITY
It is essential to demonstrate that you have not been completely inactive during those periods.
Explain how you have used that time to acquire new skills, train yourself, participate in volunteer activities, or take care of a family member. This shows your commitment and motivation to continue growing professionally.
For example, you could say: “During my downtime, I took the opportunity to continue my education and earn certifications relevant to my field. I also got involved in volunteer activities where I was able to apply and improve my professional skills. Despite not working in a paid position, I continued to dedicate time to my personal and professional development, which has prepared me to take on new challenges with even more experience and skills.”
By justifying your periods of inactivity in this way, you demonstrate your proactivity and your willingness to continue learning and growing, qualities highly valued by employers.
How much do you want to earn?
When asked about your salary expectations in a job interview, it is important to show that you have done your research and are flexible in negotiation. Your answer should reflect your understanding of the job market and your willingness to adapt to circumstances.
RESEARCH AND FLEXIBILITY IN SALARY NEGOTIATION
Before the interview, research the average salaries for your position in your industry and location. This will give you a reference point for your answer. During the interview, instead of giving an exact figure, suggest a salary range that reflects your knowledge of the market and your willingness to negotiate.
For example, you could say: “After researching the market and considering my skills and experience, I believe that a competitive salary range for this position would be between X and Y. However, I am willing to discuss and adjust this figure based on benefits and opportunities. additional services that this company can offer. My goal is to find a fair and equitable salary that reflects both the value I can bring and the company’s salary practices.”
By showing your flexibility in negotiation and your understanding of the market, you are showing that you are an informed candidate and willing to find a mutually beneficial agreement in terms of salary.
Conclusion
In a job interview, so-called “trick questions” may seem challenging, but they are an opportunity to stand out as a candidate. Preparation and the way you answer these questions can make the difference in your success.
Remember the importance of researching the company, showing enthusiasm and emotional alignment with its values. When talking about your strengths, balance humility with concrete examples of competencies. Regarding your weaknesses, demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional growth.
When it comes to your relationship with your coworkers, focus on qualities that highlight your ability to work as a team. When addressing the age difference between you and your boss, highlight the importance of professionalism and skills over age.
If you have periods of inactivity in your work history, justify them by showing how you took advantage of them to grow and learn. Regarding salary expectations, research the market and show flexibility in negotiation.
Overall, preparation, authenticity, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities are the keys to successfully tackling trick questions in a job interview. Remember that these questions offer the opportunity to highlight your skills and fit effectively into the company, which will bring you closer to the job you want.