How do I answer tough job interview questions?
I have had a few job interviews lately, and I do my best to prep lots of possible answers to questions but you can't prepare for everything. If I get asked a question I didn't explicitly prepare for, I feel like I freeze and don't know what to say and those are the points in the interviews I always agonize over after. Please please share tips for keeping calm and composed in a interview...
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For a complete guide to this topic, read the wikiHow article How to Answer Tough Questions in an Interview
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Expert Comments
Instead of stressing yourself out trying to prepare for every conceivable question you might receive, focus more on what you are curious about and what you want to learn regarding the role, the team, and the company. A lot of people falter by thinking they need to provide a perfect answer for every question, but the reality is that not every question you get will be perfect. So it’s your job as a high-value candidate to dig a little deeper.
Don't be afraid to respond to a question with a question! Ask for clarity and get specifics: Why is this a priority now? What has the team done in the past regarding that issue? How do you hope the next person in this role will take this problem head-on?
This approach will help you narrow down exactly what the employer is looking to understand about you, and it provides you with more clarity on which specific stories from your professional past you should highlight as most relevant to the person you’re talking to. This can help ease your stress and anxiety in an interview since it's no longer an unintentional interrogation and more of a human-to-human conversation.
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Don't be afraid to respond to a question with a question! Ask for clarity and get specifics: Why is this a priority now? What has the team done in the past regarding that issue? How do you hope the next person in this role will take this problem head-on?
This approach will help you narrow down exactly what the employer is looking to understand about you, and it provides you with more clarity on which specific stories from your professional past you should highlight as most relevant to the person you’re talking to. This can help ease your stress and anxiety in an interview since it's no longer an unintentional interrogation and more of a human-to-human conversation.
Is there ever a time where it is not a good idea to answer a question with a question during a job interview?
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If you are completely unclear about why a question is being asked in the first place, you have free reign to follow up with clarifying questions.
Now, if the feedback you are getting is that you're asking quote-unquote too many questions, that would be a red flag for the kind of manager you're walking into. If they're being tight-lipped, close to the vest, and not sharing a ton of information while still hoping that you give them a great answer, that is a pretty telltale sign about how they're going to be as your actual manager moving forward. To me, that's a sign for you to run for the hills.
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Now, if the feedback you are getting is that you're asking quote-unquote too many questions, that would be a red flag for the kind of manager you're walking into. If they're being tight-lipped, close to the vest, and not sharing a ton of information while still hoping that you give them a great answer, that is a pretty telltale sign about how they're going to be as your actual manager moving forward. To me, that's a sign for you to run for the hills.
Authentically. Don’t try and be something you’re not in an interview. Be straightforward and honest. If the job is the right fit, they will see you shine through the words you’re saying. Be confident, have good energy and remember interviewing is not just about them, but you’re interviewing them as well.
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First of all, any interview-related question is going to be related to the job opening. If you are applying to this job, I highly encourage you to do research to really understand the job you're applying for, their requirements, the company you are applying for, their background, and all of that. If that has been previously studied, then no matter what they ask, you will have an answer.
If they ask questions about you or your past experience, my answer is just two words: be honest . You don't need to have a perfect answer. What they're attracted to is not just your work ethic, but also who you are, your personality. Also, don't make your answers sound scripted. The interviewer can tell. A lot of the time, you can prepare and prepare and prepare, and then they ask none of the questions you prepared. They may ask something completely different, and you just say what comes to mind. Be honest, respectful, and professional. You'll be fine.
When it comes to remaining calm and composed, you're always allowed to take a deep breath . I recommend being aware of your body language and not holding your shoulders tight, because this itself is you being self-protective, and that's a fear-based posture. I recommend, if it's a sit-down interview, you open your shoulders wide and keep your arms at your side. And that posture itself shows confidence and will appear calm, even if you are nervous. And you can just take a deep breath or say something professional, like, “I need to think about that. Let me think about that for a minute.”
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If they ask questions about you or your past experience, my answer is just two words: be honest . You don't need to have a perfect answer. What they're attracted to is not just your work ethic, but also who you are, your personality. Also, don't make your answers sound scripted. The interviewer can tell. A lot of the time, you can prepare and prepare and prepare, and then they ask none of the questions you prepared. They may ask something completely different, and you just say what comes to mind. Be honest, respectful, and professional. You'll be fine.
When it comes to remaining calm and composed, you're always allowed to take a deep breath . I recommend being aware of your body language and not holding your shoulders tight, because this itself is you being self-protective, and that's a fear-based posture. I recommend, if it's a sit-down interview, you open your shoulders wide and keep your arms at your side. And that posture itself shows confidence and will appear calm, even if you are nervous. And you can just take a deep breath or say something professional, like, “I need to think about that. Let me think about that for a minute.”
Reader Comments
If you find that you have a tendency to freeze up when you don't know what to say during a job interview, here are some things you can do to buy yourself time and compose yourself:
- Take a drink of water
- Ask them to repeat or clarify the question
- Say "That's a great question! I'm glad you asked that question because..."
To make yourself less nervous:
- Before the interview, take deep breaths, think of happy things, move your body around
- During the interview, have something offscreen to fidget with
- Convince yourself to embody a persona who is the Most Qualified and Confident Candidate ever
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- Take a drink of water
- Ask them to repeat or clarify the question
- Say "That's a great question! I'm glad you asked that question because..."
To make yourself less nervous:
- Before the interview, take deep breaths, think of happy things, move your body around
- During the interview, have something offscreen to fidget with
- Convince yourself to embody a persona who is the Most Qualified and Confident Candidate ever
I like to come prepared with some stories that I can kinda fit into any question that's thrown at me. That way, if I'm asked a question I don't know the answer to, I can either sidestep the question and answer with my story or answer the question as best I can and then pivot into my story to end on a strong note. The story should showcase your strengths.
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I also used to freeze up during interviews, and I know that it can look really bad. And then you think about how it looks really bad and it makes you evern more nervous so you freeze up more. The way I broke out of this cycle is telling myself to just start talking and the rest will follow. Just make sure that when you start talking speak confidently and with conviction. If you stammer or falter that will make you more nervous. Sure, the first couple seconds of your answer may not be the best but I found that once I started talking, I would get over my nerves and my answer would work itself into something at least passable!
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It sounds like you're putting in great effort with your prep, and that’s a fantastic start. It’s totally normal to feel a bit flustered when faced with an unexpected question. But, with a few strategies, you can stay calm and composed in the moment and feel more confident.
Most importantly, remember that the goal of an interview is not to give perfect answers, but to showcase your skills, mindset, and how you can contribute to the team. Even when things don’t go exactly as planned, the fact that you're showing up with the right attitude is what truly counts.
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Most importantly, remember that the goal of an interview is not to give perfect answers, but to showcase your skills, mindset, and how you can contribute to the team. Even when things don’t go exactly as planned, the fact that you're showing up with the right attitude is what truly counts.
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