The journey into the world of employment can
take different forms. For some, it can be easy
while for others it might be very difficult.
Finding that particular job that resonates with
you; that brings out the nest in you; that
makes you be on top of your game at all time is
not child’s play. The
higher the level of the interview process the
more difficult the questions you are asked.
And your ability to tactfully answer these
questions will put you in a vantage position
over other interviewees.
It is important to note that apart from the
regular interview questions, some other
questions may pop up that are not even
related to the job you are applying for.
Sometimes interviewers do this to see how you
can think on the spot and make decisions when
you have a short time to decide. And also
know that it is one of the ways to separate the
wheat from the chaff.
So what are some of the hard questions you
may likely be asked at your next interview?
Let us consider 10 of such questions.
1. How did you or will you deal with a non-
performing colleague? This is a human
relationship question. The essence is to test
your ability to work with people and be a team
player. Definitely there will be times that
colleagues fail in their duties and your own
work is affected, but how do you deal with
such situation? Tell the panel that you will find
out if all is well with the colleague provided
everything necessary to do his/her work is
available. Tell them you will ask if there is
nothing disturbing this colleague and if
anything, how may you help so that his/her
work and yours does not suffer.
2. Describe your relationship with your last
boss or supervisor: The truth is that you can
never have a perfect boss or supervisor. There
will always be areas where you disagree with
him/her. And these disagreements sometimes
can be awry and leave much to be desired.
However, you don’t have to tell the panel how
you hated your boss or supervisor, because
doing so will give an impression of how you
will be relating with your new boss or
supervisor should you be hired.
3. How do you get along with older or younger
colleagues? The world of work is dynamic and
you will meet different people with different
ideologies and age ranges. Your colleagues
could be older or younger. Except if there are
laid down policies that stipulate how to relate
in terms of addressing each other, for example
as it is in some corporate organisations where
they address each other by their first names,
then how you relate and get along becomes
critical. Mention that respect is a virtue that
you have (hopefully you do), and that giving
everyone their dues is how you deal with
people, whether they are younger or older.
4. What is your main weakness? This is a
tricky question and many interviewees fail it
because they unwittingly give answers that
focus on their inability to deliver on the job.
Remember that always, during interview focus
should always be about your strength and that
is what you should always project. So in a
situation like this tell them you have
tendencies to over work. Or that you can’t
stand it when targets are not met. This way
you have turned ‘weakness into strength’ by
giving such reply.
5. What salary do you expect? Many job
applicants fail at this stage of the interview.
Many make the mistake of talking money at
the first stage of the interview. Doing this may
project you as being money conscious. Do all
you can at this stage to show what value and
how you will add that value to the company.
But when it gets to the salary part, be careful
not to be the first to mention a figure, because
you may mention an amount lower than what
the company is planning to pay. You should
wait and let them give you a range that they
are willing to pay and then pick a figure that is
slightly above the median amount. But if you
are not sure, you can tell them you will get
back to them so you can go and do your
research to know industry standard as it
relates to the job you are applying for. You
can do an online search.
6. Where do you see yourself in the next five
years? Another very knavish question that
requires some level of dexterity in answering.
Interviewees who are not skilled will fall into
this trap easily. When you answer this
question you must show how this job will help
you build a career. Don’t say you are going to
switch careers and move on to something else
that might suggest to the interviewers that you
are not committed and focused. Mention
where you see yourself in five years and how
this job is key to take you there, not the
money, but the challenge, experience and
opportunity that comes from doing such a job.
7. What kind of a leader are you? A novice
might be caught napping here. Someone who
does not know that leadership is not about the
position but responsibility will goof with this
question. Basically, there are two types of
leaders (but further breakdown exist),
autocratic or democratic. An autocratic leader
does not listen to team members. He just
issues commands and everyone must obey
without questioning. But a democratic leader
is one who carries team member along; listens
to their views and opinions and then accepts
when he makes mistakes and makes amends.
He also does not arrogate all the glory to
himself but acknowledges the efforts made by
other team members. So this question is
seeking to find out if you are a team player. So
watch your steps before you slip.
8. If you find money or any other valuable
within work premises that the owner cannot
be traced, what will you do? Before anything,
you should know this is a question about your
integrity. Can you be trusted is what they want
to know (Hopefully you can be). Tell them
since the money is not yours and the owner
cannot be traced immediately you will hand it
over to the company for keeps in case the
owner shows up later, or as the case may be,
hand it over to the police. And if you have an
experience that can back that point give it.
9. Why should I hire you? Many job applicants
freeze at this question. Naturally you would
have thought that the interviewer should know
why you are there facing the panel in the first
place, so why the question “Why should I hire
you?” You are expected to show the panel that
you have the necessary set of skills and
experience to deliver on the job. That is why
you should have done your homework to
know what the job entails and then go there
and tell them you are well equipped with the
skills and experience you have garnered from
past jobs you have done.
10. Why do you want to work here? “Why do
you want to work here” is similar to “Why
should I hire you”, but they are not the same.
At this question of why you want to work here,
you are simply to tell the panel of your
admiration for the organisation. Point out
some noble projects they do, some CSR
projects, how they treat their staff with high
regard and make working environment
conducive and how their activities are helping
to make life better for people and so on.
There you have ten of some of the hard
interview questions that you may be asked
during your next interview. Remember that
the interview session is not primarily set up to
look for ways to disqualify you, but for you to
proof to the interviewer that you are qualified.
I wish you all the best at your next interview.

summerize

Nice.