Interview questions

Yesterday I had another interview with one of the leaders in the social media world. This interview was for a summer internship that would potentially turn into a job at the end of it. This would be an amazing opportunity if it works out.

What I want to talk about today is challenging interview questions. For this position I would be working closely with important clients but also with a team from the company. For this reason you have to be able to work with multiple different people and multiple different opinions. During the interview, I was asked the question “Was there ever a time where you and your boss from your previous internship disagreed on a certain thing and how did you work through it?” At that moment I was thrown a little off guard. Its not like I didn’t prepare for this interview but at that moment my brain was so scrambled that I couldn’t think of an exact time. If I could have taken a few minutes to really think about my four working months then I could have easily given her an answer but I was stumped. Luckily I pulled something and was able to answer the question.

We all know how to answer the basic question “Tell me about yourself” “If you can describe yourself in three words what would it be?” “Tell me about your previous experience”. We prep for these questions, so when we are asked we already have a set answer.  I did a little research about hard interview questions, just so I can be more prepared next time.

Here are some questions that I found to be tough.

- Why should I hire you?

            Most people don’t think about this most basic question. It makes sense though; you are applying for a position, why should they take you? To answer this question you really need to do some research, about the company and about yourself. Tell them exactly why you would fit into this position, maybe because of who you are or some of your experiences.

- Tell me one thing you would change about your last job?

            Do not go and bash your previous employment or boss, people talk and it could go around. I would turn this question into not what you wanted to change but something your looking for in this new job. Something that you want to see happen in this job that didn’t happen in your last.

- What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

            This one you just have to be prepared for and have an answer. It’s a good one though; I don’t even think I could answer it right now.

- What is your greatest weakness?

            This one is tough; we all want to say “My greatest weakness is that I am a perfectionist!” Using a strength and turning it into a weakness is well weak. Talk about a true weakness and what you are doing to overcome it. Honesty is better in this situation.

I hope this helps all of you out there doing interviews! I know for my next interview I will be more prepared to answer the tougher questions.