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Tough Interview Questions

Difficult Job Interview Questions

By Alison Doyle, About.com

These are some of the tough interview questions that you may be asked on a job interview. Review the questions and consider an appropriate response, based on your background and skills. There aren't necessarily any right or wrong answers, but carefully consider the job you are applying for, your abilities, and the company culture before you respond.

Tough Interview Questions

Questions About Co-Workers and Supervisors - Best Answers

  • Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a co-worker who wasn't doing his/her fair share of the work. What did you do and what was the outcome?
  • Give me an example of a time when you took the time to share a co-worker's or supervisor's achievements with others?
  • Tell me about a time that you didn't work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?
  • Have you worked with someone you didn't like? If so, how did you handle it?
  • Tell me about a time that you helped someone.
  • Tell me about a time that you misjudged a person.
  • How do you get along with older (younger) co-workers?

Questions About Your Abilities - Best Answers

  • Tell me about a time that you worked conveying technical information to a nontechnical audience.
  • Tell me about a time that you worked with data, interpreting data, and presenting data.
  • Why do you think you will be successful at this job?
  • Tell me about a time that you participated in a team, what was your role?

  • Questions About Yourself - Best Answers

    • What would you do differently if you could start your working life over?
    • How do you balance life and work?
    • What is your preferred way to communication - instant message, phone, or email?
    • Do you check voicemail and email when on vacation?
    • What is your favorite book? How about your favorite movie?
    • What historical figure do you admire and why?
    • If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be?
    • What did you do during this six month gap in employment?
    • What led you to this point in your life?
    Questions About Your Career Goals - Best Answers

    • Start with your graduation from college and explanation the rationale behind each of your career moves.
    • Also explain the thinking process that went into making each if those decisions.
    • How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done?
    • If you stayed with your current company, what would be your next move?
    • How do you measure success?
    • Describe your dream job.
    • Describe a job that would be your worst nightmare.

    General Questions

    • It's your dime.
    • Convince me to hire you.
    • What is your favorite game?

    Add an Interview Question to the List
    How to submit an interview question to add to the list.

    More Interview Questions and Answers
    Questions you'll be asked when interviewing, how to prepare answers to interview questions, along with sample answers to typical job interview questions.

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