9 tricky interview questions to prepare to land the job (With answers and templates)

The job interview – two words that can send shivers down the spine of even the most confident candidate. While preparation is key to navigating the standard questions, it's the unexpected curveballs that can truly throw you off.

But fear not! Here's a compilation of 9 tricky interview questions, along with tips and templates to help you answer them with confidence and land the job.

1. Tell me about yourself.

The trap: Every job candidate will likely face this question right off the bat. Certainly, we can elaborate on our experience in chronological order, a standard approach most job seekers opt for. However, what’s uncertain about the question is that

You’ll want to make sure to talk about your core skills/strengths that align well with the role. I like Jeff Sipe’s approach here: you ask your interviewer if they would like to go in-depth in a particular area of your skills, as a way to take control of the conversation.

Example: Hi, that’s a great question that I’m familiar with. My name is XX, and I graduated from [Insert school name] and have been a [insert role name] at [company name] for x years.

What I can tell you is my core skills are A, B, and C. Based on what I read from the job description and what’s happening on the news, and company portal, I found these 3 skills align well with the role. But as you think about this role today and what the current company needs, is there one you prefer me to focus on? Because I want to give you insights into me that will help you figure out if I’m the right person for the role.

2. Tell me about a time you failed.

The Trap: This question can be a double-edged sword. It's tempting to downplay any failures, but at the same time, you don’t want to sugarcoat it to seem dishonest, or untrustworthy in front of recruiters.

How you handle setbacks speaks a great deal about your character, your ability to self-reflect, and whether or not you typically act to confront adversity head-on or shy away from it.

The Answer Template:

• Define what failure is (Was it about not finishing the task by the deadline, or was it about not meeting the KPI?)
• Briefly acknowledge the failure
• Focus on the lessons learned and how you applied them to improve.

Pro tip: Instead of using “failure” all the way in your answer, I’d suggest using other words like “result”, “challenge”, or “event” to make the situation sound more neutral

Example: "To me, I consider failure as not finishing the tasks by the deadline. I always strive to deliver on time to ensure the efficiency of our work. However, When I first started the position, during my previous project, my team and I encountered an event where we underestimated the complexity of a task and missed a deadline. I learned about the importance of thorough planning and actively communicating any potential roadblocks to my team. This experience led me to implement a new workflow that improved my time management and communication skills significantly."

3. What are your salary expectations?

The Trap: Answering this incorrectly can hurt your negotiation power.

The Answer Template:

• If it is a recruiter call, you may want to deflect the question and propose to discuss it later on.
• If the recruiter insists, provide a typical salary range for the position

Example:

• "Before I answer, I’d like to ask a few more questions to get a better idea of what the position entails. That way, I can provide you with a more realistic expectation.
• If the recruiter doesn’t share the salary range: “I actually don’t understand the full scope of the role at this point to accurately price myself, but I would love to know the budgeted salary range.”
• If the recruiter shares the salary range: “I am open to considering your company's entire compensation package, including equity, bonuses, stock options, and other opportunities.”
• “I've researched the typical salary range for this position and my experience level, and I'm aiming for [insert range] something within that range.”

4. Why are you leaving your current job?

The Trap: Employers ask this question to 1) understand your career goals, 2) see if you are on good terms with your former co-workers. Your best bet is to take the high road by avoiding bad-mouthing your current employer

The Answer Template:

• Focus on the positive aspects of the new opportunity and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Be honest about your reasons for seeking a new position, but frame it in a professional and forward-thinking manner.

Example:

• "While I appreciate my current role at [current company], I'm seeking a position that offers more opportunities for [mention your desired career development aspects]. This opportunity at [new company] aligns perfectly with my ambition to [mention your career goals] and I believe my skills and experience can contribute significantly to your team. I’m ready to join a company that values my skills and allows me to use them more fully.”

5. What is your biggest weakness?

The Trap: Don't come across as arrogant by claiming to have no weaknesses.

The Answer Template:

• It is important to understand what skills are valued in the role that you’re applying for.
• Make sure the weakness you are about to talk about is genuine but doesn't significantly impact your ability to perform the job.
• Mention steps you're taking to improve in that area.

Example:

• "One area I'm constantly working on is public speaking. While I'm comfortable presenting to small groups, I'm actively seeking opportunities to improve my delivery and audience engagement skills by [mention specific examples, e.g., taking a public speaking course, joining a Toastmasters club]."
• “One area I’d like to work on is delegating tasks. Sometimes, I find it difficult to delegate responsibility when I feel I can finish the task on my own. However, in my previous management role, I began to realize that it was critical to delegate tasks to ensure efficiency. For example, I implemented a project management system to oversee the progress of a project. This system enabled me to improve my ability to delegate efficiently."

6. Describe your work ethic in three words.

The Trap: When interviewers ask you this question, they're looking for insight into how you perceive and prioritize your professional values, behaviors, and attitudes toward work.

If you haven't thought deeply about their work ethic or choose generic words without providing substantive explanations, that might make you come across as lacking self-reflection. The key is to select words that genuinely reflect your approach to work and to briefly elaborate on each to give them depth and context.

The Answer Template:

1. Select Your Three Words: Think about your professional experiences and identify themes or recurring qualities that have contributed to your successes or have been highlighted in feedback from colleagues or supervisors.
2. Elaborate Briefly on Each Word: For each chosen word, provide a concise explanation that ties the word back to your professional behavior and achievements. This step is crucial for adding depth to your answer and helping the interviewer understand why these words genuinely represent your work ethic.

Example:

"Dedicated, proactive, and collaborative. I'm committed to delivering high-quality work, anticipating and solving problems independently, and working effectively with colleagues to achieve shared goals."

7. What do you know about our company?

The Trap: Providing generic information on a surface level that everyone knows cannot differentiate yourself and other candidates.

The Answer Template:

1. Do Your Research: Before the interview, spend time not just skimming the company's website but also exploring their press releases, social media channels, and any recent articles about them. Look for information on their latest projects, achievements, and any challenges they might be facing. This will help you understand their current position in the industry.
2. Understand the Mission and Values: Companies often pride themselves on their unique culture and values. Show that you align with these by mentioning them specifically and, if possible, relating them to your own values or professional experiences.
3. Mention Recent News: If the company recently launched a new product, entered a new market, or received an award, mention it. This shows that you’re not just interested in the company but are keeping up with its achievements and developments.
4. Know Their Industry Standing: Have an idea of where the company stands in comparison to its competitors. Understanding the company's strengths and challenges within the industry shows a deeper level of engagement and analytical thinking.
5. Connect It to Your Interest and Skills: Explain why this specific company attracts you and how your professional skills and interests align with its projects or goals. This connection demonstrates you're not only a fan of the company but also a potential asset to their team.

Example:

"I’ve closely followed XYZ Corporation's remarkable growth in the renewable energy sector and am particularly impressed by your dedication to sustainability and innovation, values that resonate deeply with me. Recently, I was excited to read about your launch of the EcoSmart initiative, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 40% over the next decade—a goal that aligns with my passion for environmental advocacy.

What attracts me to this role at XYZ Corporation is not just the opportunity to be part of a company that leads in sustainable energy solutions but also the chance to bring my expertise in digital marketing and community engagement to further promote your environmental initiatives. I’m eager to contribute to projects like EcoSmart, utilizing my skills to broaden its impact and help achieve your ambitious sustainability goals."

8. "What are your biggest career goals?"

The Trap: When interviewers ask about your career goals, they're gauging not only your ambition but also how well your aspirations align with what the company can offer. The trap here is twofold: firstly, overly ambitious goals can make you seem unrealistic or not committed to staying with the company long-term. Secondly, goals that are too modest may suggest a lack of drive or ambition.

The Answer Template: The key is to articulate your career goals clearly, demonstrating both ambition and a realistic path toward achieving them. It's crucial to show how these goals align with the company's direction and values. This not only reaffirms your interest in the role but also your fit within the broader organizational objectives.

Example:

“My long-term career goal is to grow into a leadership position within the digital marketing field, where I can contribute to innovative marketing strategies and team development. I am particularly drawn to this opportunity at XYZ Company because of your commitment to embracing cutting-edge marketing techniques and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. I see working here as an excellent opportunity to contribute my skills and grow professionally, aligning with your mission to redefine the consumer digital experience.”

But I recently also came across Linda’s YouTube video on answering a similar question “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? - Ideal Sample Answer” — she suggests that the ideal answer does not involve you saying that you want to be in a higher level role, such as Manager or Director. I think it also makes sense because some companies might not know exactly if there’s going to be a higher-level role for you in the future; so they may err on the side of caution and not consider you further.

“In the first 2-3 years, I see myself becoming a true expert and master at my role as an X at X company. I plan to immerse myself in the position, understand areas that can be improved on, really get to understand the ins and outs of the business, and look for opportunities to make the team as efficient as possible.”

9. "Do you have any questions for us?"

The Trap: The prompt "Do you have any questions for us?" is often seen as a formality towards the end of an interview, but it's actually a golden opportunity for candidates to leave a lasting impression on the interviewers. The trap many fall into is asking overly generic or superficial questions that reveal a lack of preparation or deep interest in the role or company.

To stand out, it's crucial to craft questions that reflect a keen interest and a proactive mindset, showing that you've done your homework and are genuinely considering how you can contribute to and grow within the company.

The Answer Template: When preparing questions, focus on areas that demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position, insight into the company's challenges, and your desire to make a positive impact. Here's a breakdown of the components in the suggested answer template:

1. Team Dynamics and Collaboration Styles: Asking about team dynamics shows that you're not just interested in the tasks you'll be doing but also in how you'll fit into the team and work with others. It indicates a team-oriented mindset and an understanding that success in most roles depends on effective collaboration.
2. Day-to-Day Responsibilities: Inquiring about the daily tasks and responsibilities provides insight into what your routine might look like and shows you're considering how you can apply your skills and experience to the role. It's a practical question that helps you assess whether the day-to-day work aligns with your expectations and career goals.
3. Specific Company Project or Initiative: This part demonstrates that you've researched the company and found something that genuinely interests you. It suggests that you're already thinking about how you can contribute to significant projects or initiatives and are curious about the impact your role could have on the company's goals.

Example: "I've read about your recent initiative on sustainable practices within the industry and am particularly interested in how this is being implemented within the [specific department]. Could you share how the team is adapting to integrate these practices into their projects? Furthermore, I'm keen to understand how this role might support or drive forward these initiatives.”

Good luck with the interview!