Needless to say, being a 'kiasu' (scare to lose) person by nature, I have collected tons of interview questions and answers through the many years of interviewing people as well as getting interviewed.
I want to share some of the interview questions which I find tricky and tough to answer and I hope they are beneficial to you for your next job interview.
Question One: Why were you not promoted in the last 5 years with your previous company?
These type of questions are usually set to make you reveal your weaknesses and/or any bad records you may have with your ex-company. Some candidates may even bad-mouth their previous supervisor and fell right into the trap laid out by the interviewers.
What I Would Answer:
Due to internal company budget constraints or as a result of unforeseen recession, the company did not have the right budget or enough profit to fund promotions over the last few years. Let them know that promotion is never a good gauge for performance as it is usually based on departmental budgets and HR guidelines etc but being given important job roles and responsibilities are.
Question Two: Are you a Job Hopper?
These type of questions will definitely come about if you have had worked for various companies and the staying duration isn't that long. You may be able to get past such questions if your answer is politically correct.
What I Would Answer:
Due to lack of experience and poor choices, I have been working for companies that offer good pay packages and/or is near to where I lived. After these short term stays with various employers who are not on the same page as me, I have finally realized that finding the right fit is a two way streets. I sincerely believe my current qualification and experiences are the right fit for this position and the company.
Question Three: What are your short and long term salary expectations?
This question is usually being asked to see if salary is the only attracting factor to the job applicant. When I was asked this question for the first time, I didn't know what to say for the long term salary expectation and just shot out a figure which I regretted later on.
What I Would Answer:
Given another chance now, I would have told the interviewers that I am negotiable for a lower short term salary but would appreciate a salary adjustment in the long term if my work performance is on par or beyond the expectation of the company.
Question Four: What is your biggest weakness?
This is actually one of the easier question to answer compared to the aforementioned ones. Most job applicants will tend to realize their 'real' weaknesses such as quarrelsome, poor health, talkative, overslept and so on. Do note that revealing such weaknesses may weake your chance of getting hired.
What I Would Answer:
When asked similar questions, I would usually tell him weaknesses that could also be seen as an added value to the company. For example, I once told one f my previous employers that I am a workaholic and while it is a weakness by itself, that employer was actually impressed and told me that certain projects which have tight dateline may require me to work overtime which was totally fine with me.
Question Five: What makes you want to leave your current job?
This question create the perfect ground for many applicants to talk bad about their current job scopes, boss and company. Whatever you say, never ever badmouth the company you are currently working for.
What I Would Answer:
Be diplomatic in your answer and say that you are actively seeking a company that could provide the right fit and challenges for your qualifications and experiences. Explain how your current skill sets and expertise will make the company grow if they hire you would definitely score points for you.
Tough and tricky job interview questions are set to help filter the bad ones from the good. So long you are prepared for them, you should not have problem getting hired.
If you have any tough or tricky interview questions that you would like to share, please feel free to comment below and I may add it on the list above. Good luck to your forthcoming job interview if you are going for one soon. :D
