How to Answer Tricky Behavioural Interview Questions

How to  answer tricky interview questions
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How do you convince a potential employer to hire you and not the dozens of other qualified candidates? In this tough competitive market, you must possess the ability to be on top of your game especially during your interview. Remember, the hiring manager will never think about giving you a second chance. So, why not make a grand impression during your first round of interview?

Interview can be nerve-racking even for a seasoned professional. The chief aspect of an interview process is to provide the hiring person an opportunity to see that you have the required skills and competencies of the role. Interviews not necessarily involve formal questions. The executives also like to use behavioural interviewing to weed out candidates for positions. It is technically a new method of job screening. It might sound interesting but this is one of the toughest parts a candidate confronts.

Behavioural questions replace the typical traditional method of interviewing a candidate such as what are your strengths? Tell me about yourself or what is your passion? Well, these questions can be answered with a vague reply filled with the right buzz words. Managements eventually discovered that these types of questions do not reveal whether the candidate has the required skill set to succeed in the job. Rather, these questions reveal that the candidate is good at telling his manager what they want to hear.

So next time when you prepare for your interview do not forget about the tricky behavioural questions. Here are a few examples of such interactive questions and the best possible responses.

Question: Supposedly, you had confronted a problem in your last job, how did you resolve it?
This is the right opportunity to show your problem solving skills and critical thinking. It is best to demonstrate a problem that you had tackled and that will be applicable in your new job.

Answer: My department was showing a stagnant sales cycle. I immediately brought the issue to the attention of my manager with a list of solutions.
“I was given the authorization to implement my suggestion. As a result, within a span of time, the department was able to see an increase in the annual sale by 5% without incurring any additional costs. I firmly believe this is a crucial problem-solving experience you aim to bring to your team”.



Question: Tell me about the most stressful situation you had faced earlier:

Answer: this question assesses your coping skills. Try to exhibit the positive behavioural competencies such as decision-making, conflict resolution or even conceptual thinking. You can always control your responses and say;
“I was managing the design and implementation of a new website project. Initially, the project had all the key players involved. Gradually, the major decision makers started disagreeing about the goals and objectives of the project. However, I stayed calm and immediately designed a strategy involving key people who would offer an insight and new perspectives. The project instantly got a backup and in the end we were able to meet the deadlines”.



Question: What did you like best and least about your previous job?

Answer: this is one of the trickiest questions that can reveal a lot about you. Don’t be negative while talking about what you like the least. Keep it brief. Instead highlight the things you like the best that will appeal to the hiring manager.

The best response can be “I thoroughly enjoyed leading my team and motivating the group to work together towards achieving the desired goal. However, I am looking forward for a change that will offer greater responsibilities and challenges.



Question: When were you most satisfied in your job?

Answer: your answer will reflect what actually motivates you. Therefore, your answer should make the interviewer gain some insight about your personality.

“I was quite satisfied with my previous job because I worked directly with the client and their problems. This was an important part of my job. However, as there is no limit to a satisfaction level I keep chasing for the same with greater responsibilities.



Question: Why do you want to work and here and why would we hire you?

Answer: this is a great opportunity to sell and make the hiring person realize that you have a goal in life and are not sending resume just because there is an opening.

“I have selected some of the key companies whose mission statement is in line with me. Your company is one of them and is high on my list of desirable choices. Moreover, with my five years of work experience I am confident about making a difference in your company”.

The secret is to use all your life experiences as examples for your answers.