Hard interview questions and how to answer them

No matter how well prepared for a job interview you are, it’s not unusual to get a question that catches you off guard. While it can be nerve-racking being put on the spot, questions like this show your interviewer how well you can think on your feet and if you stay calm under pressure.

To help you prepare for tricky interview questions, this article gives you some examples of what an interviewer might ask you and how you can answer. Once you have an idea of what to expect in your interview, you can tailor possible answers so they’re personalised to you. 

Tips to deal with tough interview questions

Job interviews can be daunting even without the hiring manager throwing in a few questions that are hard to answer. You want to show grace under pressure and the ability to think fast on your feet, so here are a few tips to help you deal with tough interview questions:

• Practise common questions: practise responses to common interview questions, to build your confidence. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to help you get used to an interview setting.
• Stay calm and take a breath: there’s no need to dive straight into your answer after being asked a question. Instead, take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. 
• Provide examples: when answering a question, always try to provide an example that demonstrates your skills and knowledge in action. This helps to provide the interviewer with more context and shows how you apply specific skills to real-life work situations. 
• Answer confidently: even if you feel nervous, do your best to answer confidently. Use positive body language, maintain eye contact and keep your answers concise.
• Prepare your own questions: preparing a few of your own questions can help demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role. But don’t get too carried away – limit yourself to one or two questions, unless you genuinely have more you want to clarify about the role.

Difficult interview questions and how to answer them

You can reasonably expect to be answering tough interview questions in any job interview. Asking these kinds of questions allows the interviewer to learn more about you, gauge your ability to stay calm under pressure and clearly communicate your thoughts. These types of questions are designed to assess your values, attitude, problem-solving abilities and self-awareness.

If you have a job interview coming up, it can be worth spending a bit of time preparing for tough questions, with answers that you’ve already given thought to. To help you get started, here’s a list of common curveballs.

“What is your biggest achievement?”

It’s not always easy to identify and talk about work achievements, which is why interviewers often ask this type of question. They also ask you this to see how confident and competent you are in the skills related to the job. 

When it comes to choosing an achievement, focus on a recent example of an accomplishment at work that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. When you answer, lead with the achievement and follow it up with the part you played and why you rate it as your biggest accomplishment. Even better if it directly relates to one of the duties in the advertised role.

Here’s an example of how you could answer this type of question:

One of my biggest achievements was in my current role, getting the highest sales figures for the third quarter of 2023. I went above and beyond to help customers find what they wanted and upsold products according to their needs. I consider this a big achievement as overall sales were down and I was the only person in my team to meet their target. 

“What motivates you?”

The question of what motivates you is often asked to understand what you enjoy doing and the areas you excel in. When responding to questions about your motivations, it’s important to draw on some personal examples. Whether they’re extracurricular activities, work experiences or studies, pick examples that align with the position you’re applying for.

Here’s an example you can use to inspire your own response to this type of question:

I’m motivated by creating good content and collaborating with talented people. I’ve always been attracted to roles where I can work on challenging projects and bounce ideas off team members to come up with something unexpected. Impressing clients with great, high-quality work is one of the most satisfying things to me.

“Give an example of a time when you showed initiative.”

This question is all about assessing whether you’re able to take action and come up with solutions to problems. When responding to a question like this, it’s important to provide an example where you not only came up with a solution but implemented it. It’s also worth touching on the impact of your decision. If you can provide an example where your actions led to a positive outcome, that’s even better.

For example:

I once worked in a small team where we had to learn new skills to cover each other’s tasks if someone was away. There was one instance where I had to teach myself how to use data visualisation software to complete a report for a client. I watched videos online to learn how to use the software, so I could deliver the report on time.

“What critical feedback do you most often receive?”

This can be a hard question to answer because it requires you to reflect on your ability to take on board constructive criticism. With this in mind, it’s important to provide an example that details a time when you received critical feedback and made changes to improve.

Here’s an example of how you could answer this question:

In the past, I’ve been told that I tend to take on too many responsibilities at once, which can lead to an unsustainable workload and too much stress. Although I enjoy being busy, I can see how saying no to some projects and asking for help with others can improve the quality of my work. I’m actively working on collaborating more and developing time-management techniques and I’m already seeing the difference in my work quality and stress levels. 

“How do you handle stress?”

When it comes to challenging interview questions, the ones about how you handle stress can be some of the hardest to answer. These types of questions are designed to assess how you stay calm under pressure. In your answer, it’s important to provide an example that shows when you were faced with a stressful event, but were able to overcome it without letting it affect your work performance.

For example:

There have been several times in the past when I’ve had to deal with unsatisfied customers, which can be stressful. To avoid feeling anxious, I focus on finding solutions rather than getting defensive. By listening to their complaints and communicating empathetically with people, I’m happy to be able to de-escalate situations without causing them or myself more stress.   

Preparing for tough interview questions is key to making a great impression on the hiring manager. Not only are you likely to feel more comfortable and confident, you’ll also be able to provide well-thought-out responses to difficult questions. Whether you’re highlighting your skills or providing real-life examples of your competencies, by following these tips for tricky interview questions you’ll be well on your way to landing your next job.

FAQs

How do you nail a tough interview?

Nailing a tough job interview requires a combination of preparation, confidence and effective communication. You can prepare for your interview by researching the company, familiarising yourself with the job description and spending some time practising difficult interview questions. This can help to boost your confidence during the interview and can allow you to provide clear, concise answers to their questions.

What are trick interview questions?

Trick interview questions are designed to assess your ability to think critically and handle pressure. These questions often stray from the standard interview format and aim to uncover more about a candidate’s personality, problem-solving skills and thought processes. Trick interview questions can include unusual problem-solving, behavioural-style questions and hypothetical scenarios.

What is the hardest job interview question?

Questions about a person’s experiences, strengths and comfort zone are often some of the hardest job interview questions to answer. For example, questions about your biggest weaknesses can be tricky because they require you to point out what you’re not good at without presenting yourself in a negative light. With that said, by answering this question well, you can demonstrate self-awareness, growth and a proactive approach to professional development.

How do you respond to a tricky interview question?

When it comes to answering difficult interview questions, stay calm, confident and positive. Do your best to provide an answer that demonstrates how your experiences align with the core requirements of the position. Always emphasise solutions and how your problem-solving skills lead to positive outcomes on the job. Tricky interview questions are designed to assess your ability to handle unexpected challenges, so use these instances as an opportunity to showcase your strengths and demonstrate your capacity to think on your feet.