10 Ways to Answer Tricky Questions in Job Interviews

There is a phrase that many job seekers are afraid of “we will evaluate your profile and, depending on the case, we will contact you”. This is a subtle way of saying “you are not the candidate we are looking for”. And, of course, when things don’t go well, many ask themselves, “what did I do wrong in the interview?”

the team of awesome.clubbased on job sites, articles by HR professionals and opinions from netizens, sought the answers to the most uncomfortable questions you may hear in a job interview.

It is a common question for women, especially young women. The idea, of course, is to find out if the candidate will take maternity leave and assess what impacts this can have on the company. Therefore, it is better, in most cases, not to answer this question directly (“yes” or “no”). Instead, choose a more general answer: “professional growth is my priority for the next X years”.

The interviewer may also ask if the candidate lives alone, if he lives in a rented apartment or in his own home, and if he has a mortgage. These questions aim to find out the degree of independence and financial well-being of the interviewee. That is, they are directly related to the intended salary. This can reveal a lot about issues related to financial independence. Therefore, it is advisable to tell the truth, but not in a completely direct way. For example: “I have certain financial commitments that do not allow me to lower my salary expectation to that amount”.

It’s best to be honest when talking about your weaknesses. But it is important to show that you are working to transform them into more positive aspects. A good tip is to tell the recruiter how you turned these defects into strengths. For example, a year ago you didn’t know English, but you signed up for a course and now you already have a certain command of the language. There are no perfect people, but recognizing your flaws and working through them is a mature approach that is sure to be appreciated.

There are several reasons why a contractor might ask a question about a candidate’s religion or political stance. This type of questioning can help to assess how the professional’s relationship with his co-workers will be, considering their defects and limits. But it’s important to keep in mind that it’s your right to keep your personal life a secret. If so, it’s worth asking the recruiter (politely) why this information is relevant to the interview. Knowing the answer makes it easier to understand if you’re really willing to share your personal preferences.

This question can be used as a way of assessing the psychological profile of the interviewee. The fact is that, according to some psychologists, married people tend to have a more balanced mental health. Despite being a controversial point of view, there are recruiters who rely on it when choosing a candidate. But in the end, what would be the correct answer? It is recommended to opt for one that is as generic as the one about having children in the near future (we have already covered it here in the post). One possible answer is “career and work are my current priorities”.

This question requires a balanced answer. The goal of the HR professional, with this questioning, is to find out if the candidate is capable of performing a self-assessment in a critical way. So, try to answer: something like “I think they appreciated me…” and add your strong point. For example, are you always ready to help your colleagues? So tell about it! This kind of answer won’t come across as arrogant and at the same time it will highlight your strengths.

Abstract questions are asked to elicit spontaneous responses and gauge the prospective employee’s reaction—will he be embarrassed, make a joke, or say he doesn’t understand the question? The answer shows how the potential employee behaves in the face of unforeseen circumstances. In fact, there is no single right answer, which means it doesn’t matter which fruit you choose. But it is important to keep in mind that if you mention an exotic fruit, you will be seen as a person who “thinks outside the box”. The most important thing is to stay calm and answer with good arguments.

This is another question that has several types of possible answers. But be careful: look for a word that makes sense in the context of the vacancy. For example, when applying for department head, opt for terms like “leader”. If the position is low responsibility, choosing words like “observer” will be great. Finally, there are the more general and universal answers, such as “realistic” or “extrovert”.

Most people tend to answer that, yes, that lack of salary for a while is not a problem. After all, it would show dedication to the company. But the best answer may not be that. More qualified professionals tend to have better chances of being replaced and, therefore, know that they are valued in the market. So answering “no” (politely) can be a good thing.

This question is usually asked at the end of the interview. And it’s not usually polite to say you don’t have any questions. So prepare in advance. Avoid asking for information that is already part of the job description or that is on the company’s website. Ask, for example, why the vacancy was created or why the previous occupant left it. This type of attitude, in addition to showing analytical skills, tends to provide you with information to avoid the mistakes that caused the previous employee to leave.

What tips would you add to this list for passing a job interview? Have you ever experienced a funny or curious situation in a selection process? Tell in the comments!