Geek to Geek: Hardest Interview Question

What’s the hardest question you’ve ever been asked in a job interview and how did you answer it?

Tamara: Mine was actually “Tell me about yourself.”  Okay, so that’s not a question; it’s an imperative statement.  Anyway, it just seemed so vague.  I told them about my education, which was the only thing I had accomplished at that point in time that was relevant to the job.  I think that’s the key; to focus on what is most relevant and try not to be caught off-guard.  I’m guessing I did alright since I got the job.

Steve: Stupid and strange “puzzle” questions.  They’re supposed to show how you think, but part of me just can’t get over how they seem like gimmicks.

Ellen: I’m usually one of those jerks who always comes up with an answer for anything, and on top of that I haven’t had many official interviews for my jobs. But one thing I know I’m super bad at that often comes up in interviews, is discussing what I’m good at. I have the hardest time discerning whether I sound cocky when I discuss my abilities, and am always worried that instead of impressing them, I’m blowing hot hair in their faces. I know that unless I tell them what I can do, they’ll never know, but finding a balance between being matter-of-fact and being smug is a process I always complicate and fill with worry. It just came to me that I should practice/find sentences ahead of time that I’m comfortable with, and that have been approved by friends, that also won’t short-change me to a prospective employer.

Bonnie: Other than the dreaded “What are your weaknesses,” I think the toughest was when the person interviewing me for a management position set up a hypothetical worst case scenario and wanted the answer right away. There was no time to think it through, so I just answered as logically as possible – basically, “handle everything with diplomacy.” It must have been what they wanted to hear, because they offered me the job!

Lauren: I applied for a lot of jobs in 2010, many of which I wasn’t even interested in, because I knew getting a job would be rough. Probably the worst question I was for an interview to be a social media manager at a banking company, “What do you like most about banking?” 

I answered honestly, “Nothing.” I tried to tie it into how their customers probably aren’t big banking geeks either, and a good social media manager would tie banking into stuff they actually cared about.
Obviously, I didn’t get the job. But getting that question was a turning point for me. I decided to get a part time job as a cashier while I narrowed my prospects to jobs that dealt with topics I actually cared about.

Ewen: I think I’ve reached a point where for me the actual difficult interview questions are just the ones that are going to reveal that the job is a poor fit for my skills. When I was younger and not as able to deal with social stuff in general, all of the above was staggeringly intimidating to me, but thankfully I got past that. There are a lot of cliche interview questions that either have a standard answer (Q: How would you deal with a conflict with a coworker? A: [Something that shows you can deal with conflicts yourself without bugging your boss.]), or that are an opportunity for you to blather and try to make yourself look good (Q: What would you say is your best quality?) that I’ve got more or less figured out. On the other hand I’m an introvert and not much of a salesman, so I have a hard time giving good and honest answers to for example questions pertaining to customer service, especially the kind of “customer service” that involves extracting more money out of customers.

Scott: All of them?  Okay, getting specific…
“Why do you want this job?”
The obvious answer, “Because I need the money,” sounds far to mercenary to me, even if it is the most honest.  I try to emphasize the learning experience, using what I know in a new manner.

“What’s your worst quality?”
Again, the obvious is, “Answering these questions.”  Far too many exams in high school and university and too many Public Service entrance exams have me looking for the “right” answer.  I tend to wing this one with a non-answer.  But this question can die in a fire for all I care.  It’s tough enough trying to project a persona that isn’t introverted me long enough to make a decent first impression without having to start denigrating myself.  The question is looking for someone who fits into the corporate culture and doesn’t really work with social chameleons.

 

  • http://www.lastres0rt.com Rachel Keslensky @ Last Res0rt

    Maybe not the hardest one, but my most hated: “What do you want to do when you grow up?”

    … mostly it seems to belittle what I’ve done so far, but also it makes it very awkward for me to come up with an answer that ISN’T “something I’m already doing, but in a professional context” — because make no mistake, I LIKE what I’m do, and I know how to do it. Dealing with the answer usually involves me pointing to the skills I’ve picked up with what I’ve already done and how they can be used professionally. Not really sure it helps by that point, though; just asking that question is usually a clue something isn’t going to work here.

  • http://www.monsterville-online.com Tamara Hecht

    I’m assuming, since you’re interviewing for a job, that you’re already the age of majority. Therefore, the question was phrased in a rather patronizing manner. They should have asked you something like “where do you see yourself in five years?”

    That said, I think you answered it well. Moreso, it definitely sounds like you are building towards a progeeky career. You should like what you do, learn as you go, and make it into a sustainable career – you’re definitely on the right track. Maybe you will dedicate your skills to a more open-minded company or maybe you will start one such company on your own. In any case, you don’t need someone else’s permission to pursue the career you want. Keep at it. :)