Top 11 Toughest Job Interview

Questions and Answers Samples

1. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position. Remember
that the key to all successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the
interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell what the buyer is buying.
This is the single most important strategy in job hunting.

Good answer sample:

"Certainly, I'd be happy to. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and
have spent the last six years working in software development. I've had the
opportunity to work on various projects, from developing mobile applications to
leading a team of developers in my previous role at XYZ Company. I'm known for
my problem-solving skills and my ability to work collaboratively with cross-
functional teams. Outside of work, I'm passionate about volunteering for coding
boot camps, where I mentor aspiring developers."

2. Why should we hire you?

Whether your interviewer asks you this question explicitly or not, this is the most
important question of your interview because he must answer this question
favourably in is own mind before you will be hired. So help him out! Walk through
each of the position’s requirements as you understand them, and follow each with a
reason why you meet that requirement so well.

Good answer sample:

"You should hire me because I bring a unique combination of technical expertise,

leadership experience, and a proven track record of delivering results. In my
previous role at ABC Inc., I not only led a team that completed a critical project
ahead of schedule but also identified and implemented process improvements that
saved the company 20% in operational costs. My ability to collaborate effectively
and my commitment to continuous learning make me a valuable asset to any
team.”

Harshit Srivastava
Talent Acquisition Leader
3. How did you hear about the position?
This is one of the simplest question and answer scenarios in any interview, but
that doesn’t mean it can’t ruin our chances at the job if we answer incorrectly.

Good answer sample:

“I saw the job posted on a website, and the position seemed interesting so I wanted
to learn more”
“I found the position while looking for jobs online”

“Your company was recommended to me by somebody I worked with in a previous

job and had

heard good things about your organization”
“I heard about it from a friend”

4. What's your greatest strength?

This question seems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don't want to come
across as egotistical or arrogant. Neither is this a time to be humble.

You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples
from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold
after being shaken awake at 2:30AM.

Be mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific
example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most
recent and most impressive achievements.

Good answer sample:

"One of my greatest strengths is my adaptability. I thrive in dynamic work
environments and have consistently demonstrated the ability to learn new
technologies quickly.

For example, at my previous job, I was asked to lead a project that involved using a
programming language I had never worked with before. I immersed myself in
learning it and successfully delivered the project on time."

Harshit Srivastava
Talent Acquisition Leader
5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
One reason interviewers ask this question is to see if you’re settling for this position,
using it merely as a stopover until something better comes along. Or they could be
trying to gauge your level of ambition.

Reassure your interviewer that you’re looking to make a long-term commitment…

that this position entails exactly what you’re looking to do and what you do
extremely well. As for your future, you believe that if you perform each job at hand
with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves.

Good answer sample:

“I am definitely interested in making a long-term commitment to my next position.
Judging by what you’ve told me about this position, it’s exactly what I’m looking for
and what I am very well qualified to do. In terms of my future career path, I’m
confident that if I do my work with excellence, opportunities will inevitable open up
for me.

It’s always been that way in my career, and I’m confident I’ll have similar
opportunities here.”

6. Why did you apply for this position?

We need to sound like we want the RIGHT job and that we’re being picky.
Companies want the best performers, and the best performers are picky in their job
hunt. Stay away from negatives and complaints too. Do not bad-mouth our current
company or boss. Focus on the positives of the company we’re interviewing with.

Good answer sample:

"I want to work here because I'm drawn to your company's culture of innovation
and your commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Your reputation for fostering employee growth and development also aligns
perfectly with my career aspirations. I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute
my skills and be part of a dynamic team.”

Harshit Srivastava
Talent Acquisition Leader
7. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced
at work, and how you dealt with it.
Focus on a specific work-related challenge and talk about how we overcame
obstacles, used it as a learning experience, used the resources around us
(including people/colleagues if applicable), and ended up with a positive result!
That’s how to answer this interview question. Keep it work related, not personal.

Good answer sample:

“In my last job, we were facing a tough deadline and my boss was out for the day.
Our client was expecting a project to be delivered by 5PM, but we were far behind
schedule.

I took the lead on the project, delegated tasks to the four other team members in a
way that I thought would utilize everyone’s strengths best.

And then I re-organized my own personal tasks so I could dedicate my entire day to
contributing to this project as well.

The project was a success and we delivered the work on-time. I went on to lead
more projects after that, and used what I learned to be a better project manager.”

8. Why did you leave your last job?

Career counselors like to think about good jobs as the intersection of our skills,
interests, and values.

Our interests will show our investment, and our values can help illustrate our fit
with the company.

Good answer sample:

"I left my last job because I felt that I had outgrown the opportunities it offered. I
was seeking new challenges and a role that aligned better with my career goals.

I wanted to contribute my skills and expertise to a company where I could make a

more significant impact, which is why I'm excited about the opportunity with your
organization."

Harshit Srivastava
Talent Acquisition Leader
9. How do you handle stress or pressure?
An easy question, but you want to make your answer believable. Absolutely…(then
prove it with a vivid example or two of a goal or project accomplished under severe
pressure.)

Good answer sample:

"I handle stress and pressure by first staying organized and breaking down tasks
into manageable steps.

I also prioritize effectively and maintain open communication with my team to

ensure everyone is aligned and informed.

Additionally, I make it a point to take short breaks to recharge and maintain a

healthy work-life balance."

10. Can you describe a challenging situation you

faced at work and how you handled it?
This question seems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don't want to come
across as egotistical or arrogant. Neither is this a time to be humble.

You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples
from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold
after being shaken awake at 2:30AM.

Be mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific
example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most
recent and most impressive achievements.

Good answer sample:

"One of my greatest strengths is my adaptability. I thrive in dynamic work

environments and have consistently demonstrated the ability to learn new
technologies quickly. For example, at my previous job, I was asked to lead a project
that involved using a programming language I had never worked with before. I
immersed myself in learning it and successfully delivered the project on time."

Harshit Srivastava
Talent Acquisition Leader
11. Would you lie for the company?
This another question that pits two values against one another, in this case loyalty
against integrity.

Try to avoid choosing between two values, giving a positive statement which
covers all bases instead.

Good answer sample:

“I would never do anything to hurt the company..

” If aggressively pressed to choose between two competing values, always choose

personal integrity. It is the most prized of all values.

Good Luck In Your Job Search!

Harshit Srivastava
Talent Acquisition Leader
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Harshit Srivastava
Talent Acquisition Leader