7 (Really Hard) Interview Questions You Must Answer Properly

7 (Really Hard) Interview Questions You Must Answer Properly

Interviewing isn't easy. The employer is the customer and you're the business-of-one trying to prove you're the best service provider for their job. Studies show it costs a company as much as 130-140% of your salary to hire you. That includes things like benefits, taxes, training, etc. The stress of choosing the right candidate worries hiring managers. The result is a series of intense interview questions designed to let them, 'kick the tires and look under hood' before they invest.

Behavioral Questions = Let Them Inside Your Head

Hiring managers often use behavioral questions in an interview in an attempt to have you reveal your true professional self. These are open-ended questions designed to make you give longer answers. Your answers will demonstrate your personality, aptitude, and experience level. These three things matter greatly to employers who choose a candidate based on their ability to fit in with the company's culture. Here are seven intense interview questions you should always be ready to answer:

1) What's wrong with your/past current employer? This question seeks to understand what's driving you to leave the job. Happy employees don't go on interviews for new jobs. The hiring manager is trying to see if you have unrealistic expectations of employers.

2) Tell me about the worst manager you ever had? Again, seeking to understand your expectations, the hiring manager wants to know what kind of management style you don't work well with. Especially, if it's a style they currently use.

3) What's the worst job you ever had? A hiring manager needs to know what type of work disengages you. They also want to understand what (if any) attempts you made to fix the problem. When unhappy, are you proactive and try to fix your situation,? Or, do you sit around and get disgruntled?

4) Why are you better than anyone else for this job? A test to see if you can balance confidence with humility, this question is designed to see if you have a grasp on reality and can articulate how you are different from the competition without resorting to 'throw them under the bus' tactics.

5) Why were you fired? For those that have been involuntarily terminated, you need to be able to objectively share what happened and be accountable for your actions. If you resort to blaming and explaining your way out of any wrong-doing, you'll be dismissed as in denial.

6) What are your weaknesses? Nobody's perfect. If you can't discuss your areas in need of improvement then you aren't self-aware enough to grow on the job. In fact, if you can't explain how you are already trying to minimize these weaknesses, then you are showing a lack of understanding about the need to always be improving as a professional.

7) Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult person? This question gets to the core of what you're like to work with. Whoever you choose to explain is likely your polar opposite. The hiring manager needs to know what type of co-worker you struggle to collaborate with and whether you know how to find a way to work together successfully. They are paying you to do a job, and that means getting along with all types of people, even ones who don't work like you do.

Tip: Hiring Managers Hear What They See

One of the biggest reasons a hiring manager asks intense interview questions is to not only evaluate your answers, but to evaluate your non-verbal communication skills i.e. your body language, facial expressions, hand gestures, eye contact, etc. Hiring managers can tell when someone is acting nervous or untruthful. That's why everyone should work on their interview answers as much as they can before they go to the interview. It will help you relax and communicate with more confidence.

A Final Thought...

The questions above are designed to help the hiring manager understand how you have interpreted past professional experiences and whether or not you've used what you've learned to become a stronger professional. What you say and how you say it tells a hiring manager a lot about your anxieties and frustrations as they relate to work. If you aren't careful, you will provide an answer that can get you disqualified. The best way to avoid making a mistake is to invest time in preparing for interviews. Employers don't want to hire high-maintenance employees. Any sign that you might be difficult to work with and they'd rather pass on hiring you. 

Workplace Disagreements: How To Handle Them The Right Way

The workplace is a dynamic place. Unfortunately, any time multiple humans get together, there is potential for conflict. Disagreements in the workplace can be unpleasant. Assuming two people are at odds with one another, that negative vibe can quickly spread through a team or organization.

It is almost a guarantee that into each career some disagreement will fall. It would be impossible to always agree on strategy and tactics with colleagues. It would also be counterproductive to always have agreement in the workplace. Encouraging and promoting different ideas and perspectives are key to coming up with solutions and teams performing at high levels.

The task becomes determining if a disagreement is healthy. If it is unhealthy, it can be difficult to diagnose and solve the problem. No matter how much people say, “Let it go, it’s just work,” that is easier said than done. When people put so much into their career and job, it often becomes worth it to try to understand disagreements. Navigating these squalls can go a long way to saving or strengthening relationships, and improving one’s professional reputation.

Try The Mirror Before The Window

For starters, when there is a disagreement in the workplace, look in the mirror before peering out the window. In other words, reflect on your actions and perspective before looking at anyone else. In fact, this advice is handy in a lot of situations. Something to keep in mind is that, in most disagreements, each side genuinely believes they are doing the right thing. Each person’s stance can be completely foreign to the other, but if the conflict is approached with an attempt at understanding and mutual respect, a positive resolution is more likely.

Talk To A Mentor, Not Out Of School

Having someone to talk to about the matter can be helpful. Someone who is removed from the situation, can be trusted, and is discreet. If this person can bring a unique perspective, all the better. He or she can listen, ask challenging and thought-provoking questions, or maybe he or she has been there before and can offer some thoughtful advice.

However, choose a confidant carefully. The other side of this advice is to avoid airing grievances in the workplace. Always attempt to take the high road. Talking too much to too many people can not only be counterproductive and damage relationships, but it can be harmful to a one’s reputation. The point of talking to someone about the situation is to help you assess your perspective.

Take A Positive Approach

After reflecting on a disagreement, as uncomfortable as it may be, it is almost always most productive to sit down with the other party. Rather than approach the meeting as adversarial, go into it seeking to understand, make progress and find a resolution. Ask each other questions, try to help each other see the other’s perspective. If there is a commitment to compromise and flexibility upfront, good things often happen.

Engage A Facilitator

Good intentions alone may not help. In the event addressing the disagreement head-on is not successful, or the other party is not receptive, it may be helpful to engage a third-party facilitator. The facilitator may need to serve as a mediator, or the person may be helpful in creating a more constructive meeting environment. Either way, there is often value to having someone objective and removed from the situation provide another set of eyes and ears.

In order to be most effective, the facilitator should be someone both parties agree about participating. Many organizations have HR or organizational development consultants in-house that can serve this purpose. Smaller employers may not have that luxury, but there may still be an HR professional or other trusted resource equipped to help the situation. The point is, this person will need to be credible, respected, and willing to provide candid feedback.

Disagreements at work are going to happen. In many instances, disagreements are productive and good signs of diverse thought. They do not need to be the end of the world, but the ones that matter cannot be allowed to fester. Working in an environment where there is hesitancy to disagree or offer an alternative can squash creativity and add unnecessary stress.

When disagreements crop up, it’s important to stay professional, reflect on each side’s perspective and try to find the best solution possible for the good of everyone involved. No two situations are going to be alike, but by taking a measured, collaborative approach, even the toughest hurdles can be overcome.

9 speaking habits that will make you sound smarter

There are four kinds of speakers in the business world:

1. The incoherent, who meander, use tons of jargon, and talk of things interesting mostly to themselves.
2. The coherent, who can verbally communicate facts and opinions but seldom say anything memorable.
3. The articulate, who speak succinctly and clearly but whose words are seldom persuasive.
4. The eloquent, who use language and body language to win the hearts and minds of listeners.

Eloquent people sound smart, regardless of how intelligent they are. The opposite is true as well. Smart people who are incoherent — like some engineers I've known — often come off as if they're of limited intelligence.

Fortunately, eloquence is a skill that can be taught, practiced, and mastered. Here are nine easily mastered techniques to quickly make yourself more eloquent and smarter-sounding.

1. Stand or sit with spine straight but relaxed

Eloquence is more than just how you use language. It's also how you use your body language. The position of your back is the foundation of your body language and therefore the root of your eloquence.

Slumping communicates a lack of confidence in yourself and your words. The other extreme, a ramrod straight back, says "fight or flight." A straight but relaxed spine puts you in a mental and physical state from which words flow smoothly and easily.

2. Keep your chin up

The position of your head is just as important as the position of your spine, a fact reflected in many common expressions. To "hold your head high," for example, is to show pride and determination. To be "downcast" means you're already beaten down.

An upright head is essential for eloquence for physiological reasons as well. A tense neck — inevitable if your head is facing down — tends to strangle your words, preventing you from speaking clearly.

3. Focus on your listeners

Eloquence is meaningful only if people are listening to you, and they won't listen if you're thinking about something else or if your eyes are wandering all over the room. Eloquence without attention is mere speechifying.

Two special cases: Avoid glancing sideways — it makes you seem dishonest, i.e., shifty-eyed. If you must check your notes, use your eyes to look downward without nodding your head.

4. Speak loudly enough to be heard

For maximum eloquence, speak loudly enough so people farthest from you can hear but not so loudly that it's uncomfortable for those in front.

If you're unsure of your volume, ask somebody in the back if they can hear you clearly. If they answer yes, say "How about this?" in a voice slightly less loud. If they answer no, crank your voice up a notch.

But never raise your voice to a yell. Yelling makes you sound insane rather than eloquent. If you find yourself in that position, either ask for a microphone or request that people move closer.

5. Buttress words with appropriate gestures

Use your hands to emphasize key points. The easy way to learn this skill is to watch how celebrities and popular public speakers use gestures as they speak. Note how their hand movements seem to "emerge" from their words.

If you're not actively using a gesture, keep your hands still. Fiddling with your glasses, rattling your papers, scratching yourself, and so forth will distract the audience from your message and "cancel out" your eloquence.

6. Strategically position your body

Add power to your words by moving your body appropriately. For example, if you're speaking to a group from a stage, you might move from one spot to another to signal that you're introducing a new idea.

Similarly, when sitting at the conference table, incline forward slightly when you want to emphasize a point. Reorient your sitting position when you move from one subject or concept to another.

7. Use vivid words that everyone understands

Clichés — especially biz-blab — are the opposite of eloquence. Use unexpected but common words or phrases that illustrate points in a memorable manner. Example: "common as houseflies" rather than "dime a dozen."

Also avoid words that your audience might not understand. Using fancy words makes you sound snobby, not smart. If you absolutely must introduce a term unfamiliar to the audience, define it in plain language.

8. Speak at different speeds

Speaking at a single speed quickly turns whatever you're saying into a monotonous drone. Instead, slow down and speed up depending upon the importance of what you're communicating at the time.

If you're summarizing or going over background, speak more quickly than when you're providing new information. When you're describing introducing an important concept, slow down to give listeners time to absorb it.

9. Use pauses to create emphasis

Silence isn't just golden, it's also the crowning glory of eloquence. For example, a slight pause before you're about to say something important creates suspense. It leads your audience to "hang on your every word."

Similarly, a pause after you've said something important emphasizes its importance and gives listeners a moment to reflect on its importance. 

The only 6 things you need to bring to a job interview

Job interviews are stressful because so many factors are out of your control — like what the hiring manager will ask or whether your personality matches what they're looking for.

But there is one thing you cancontrol that can make all the difference: How prepared you are.

Career experts and hiring managers say to be (and appear) fully prepared, you really only need to bring six things with you to the interview.

Here are the essentials they say you should show up with:

1. Directions

Don't risk a technology malfunction by relying solely on your smartphone for directions. 

Whether you're taking a car, train, subway, or bus, go ahead and print out a set of directions as a backup, writes Liz Ryan, CEO of Human Workplace, on Forbes.com. 

In addition, Ryan suggests doing a test run of your directions the day before or a few days before so you know how much time to set aside for your commute. 

2. Copies of your résumé

Despite the transition from the traditional paper résumé to more dynamic social-media templates, such as LinkedIn, many hiring managers still expect candidates to arrive with a few hard copies.

Amanda Augustine, a career-advice expert and spokesperson for TopResume and a career consultant for Amanda Augustine LLC, says if you happen to know the exact number of people you'll be meeting with, bring at least one copy for each of them, plus a few extra to be safe. 

"You'll need one for you to reference while you talk, and one copy for each interviewer, just in case they aren’t prepared," she says. 

3. Pen and notepad

A number of career experts and hiring managers we reached out to emphasized the importance of bringing a pen and paper.

Jotting down a few notes during the interview can come in handy as you write your post-interview thank-you note later that day. (But remember to listen closely to the hiring manager, and don't get distracted by your note-taking!)

Also, if you're interviewing for a consulting, finance, or engineering position, you will likely have to answer impossible brainteaser questions. It can be helpful to have a pen and paper as you attempt to work through these questions.

4. Questions

You're not the only one in the hot seat on the big day. In nearly every interview you will have the chance to ask your own questions.

Use this part of the interview to your advantage. Ask smart questions to impress the hiring manager and to figure out if this place is a perfect fit for you. The career experts recommend having a few written down ahead of time rather than having to come up with them on the spot. 

While questions may vary depending on the company you're interviewing with, here are some impressive ones that will work in any situation:

1. How do you see this position evolving in the next three years?
2. What can I help to clarify that would make hiring me an easy decision?
3. How will the work I'll be doing contribute to the organization's mission?

5. Portfolio of sample work

Depending on the job you're applying for, it is a good idea to bring samples of your work. "The medium needs to match up. You should not bring a binder of print material to a digital publication," explains Business Insider's director of talent, Stephanie Fogle. "And be prepared to talk about it."

6. A positive attitude

"Most importantly, come with your A game," Augustine says. "Confidence, a positive attitude, and a genuine interest in the role and the company will set you apart from the competition. When you and another candidate have comparable skill sets, the only thing that will set you apart is your passion."

19 signs your coworkers secretly hate you

While some coworkers may have no qualms about letting you know they despise you, others will try to remain diplomatic and professional but hide those hard feelings.

1. Your gut tells you they don't like you.

k

If you feel like your coworkers don't like you, it could just be in your head, but it could also be true. If they treat you differently than everyone else, you're probably not their favorite person. Trust your gut and continue looking for other signs if you have a strong feeling about this.

2. They don't smile when you're around.

We're not talking about the occasional bad day or mood swing. If your coworkers make a conscious effort not to smile when you're in the room, something isn't right.

3. They can't maintain eye contact with you.

It's difficult to look someone straight in the eye when you don't like or respect them, says Taylor. If you notice your colleagues avoid eye contact while speaking with you, those are probably the reasons.

"They're afraid that you may be able to detect hostility, so the path of least resistance is for them to look away or avoid being around you wherever possible," Taylor suggests.

4. They avoid you.

If you notice that your coworkers take the stairs when they see you waiting for the elevator, or they wait until you return from the break room before they head in, those are good signs they're avoiding you.

5. They feed the rumor mill.

This is childish and unprofessional behavior, but it happens in workplaces all the time: Someone doesn't like you, so they spread rumors.

6. They don't acknowledge your presence.

If your colleagues don't say "Good morning" when you arrive or "Have a great night" on their way out, they may be telling you they don't like you, says Taylor.

7. They're short with you.

If you ask, "How's it going?" and they always respond with "OK" or "Fine" — or if their emails always get straight to the point and never begin with a friendly "Hello" or "Good afternoon," this may be a sign they're not a huge fan of you.

"If they sound like a moody teenager, then that's a pretty big red flag," says Kerr.

8. They give off negative body language.

Whether it's a subtle eye roll, constantly assuming a closed-off position with arms folded across their chest, or they don't look up from their computer screen when you enter their office, your coworkers' body language will often reveal their true feelings toward you, Kerr says.

9. They never invite you to social events.

If you never make the cut for lunch, happy hour, or project meetings over coffee, your coworkers may be trying to send you a message.

10. They communicate with you primarily via email, even though you sit close by.

If your coworkers don't like you, they'll probably try to limit their in-person communication with you. If you notice a shift toward more digital correspondence, that's a sign.

11. They constantly disagree with you.

Continuously gunning down your ideas is a sign they don't like you.

"If it feels like someone shoots down every thought before you've even finished a sentence, then it's often because their dislike is so strong that they are biased against anything you suggest, even when it's a great idea," says Kerr.

12. They never ask about your personal life.

If you notice that your colleagues speak with each other about their kids or hobbies, but never bring up these topics with you, they're probably just not interested in hearing about your life, says Kerr.

13. They don't ever include you in their office bantering or humor.

"Joking around is a key way that relationships become cemented in any workplace, and not inviting you into the inner circle of bantering is a sign your coworkers may not feel comfortable around you enough to think of you as 'one of the team,'" says Kerr.

14. They steal credit for your ideas.

These coworkers could just be "glory hogs," says Taylor.

But if they go out of their way to steal the limelight from you and only you, they may be trying to drive you out.

15. They assume unauthorized power.

Sometimes coworkers who want to muscle in on your position will play boss even when they have no authority, says Taylor.

16. They create cliques that are reminiscent of high school.

If you feel like you're in a scene from the movie "Mean Girls," and you're not invited to hang out or sit with any of the office cliques, your colleagues probably don't like you very much.

17. There's a fundamental lack of trust.

If you're questioned excessively about your motives or your coworkers only dole out information on a need-to-know basis, they may be trying to sabotage your career, says Taylor.

18. They get defensive around you.

"If they often and immediately get defensive around you, it could indicate that there's a lack of trust, and possibly deeper dislike," says Kerr.

19. They never make you or your work a priority.

Another big sign your coworkers despise you: They never make your concerns or problems a priority, and they don't treat your work with the same level of urgency they do your colleagues', Kerr says.

How To Overcome Your Interview Anxiety

You’re familiar with the feeling. Your palms start sweating, you start to shake and for some reason, your mind goes completely blank. Sounds like a dreaded case of interview jitters! Nerves can bring even the most professional candidate to their knees, impeding their chances of securing the job, even if they’re the most qualified.

If you know that you’re prone to nerves, make sure you take the necessary steps to control them; before you step into the interview room, not after. Here are a few helpful tips.

How to Overcome Interview Nerves:

1. Be prepared.

Nerves are often triggered by anxiety. It’s common to worry that you won’t know the answer to a particular question at interview, or that you won’t have the necessary knowledge to wow your prospective employer. You can help alleviate this concern by doing your research. Predict possible questions and make sure you know the answers. Feeling well prepared can help to calm your anxiety.

2. Sleep well.

It might be tempting to soothe your worries with several glasses of wine the night before. While this may feel good at the time, it certainly won’t the next day. Have a relaxing bath, avoid too much alcohol, eat well and get a good night’s sleep.

3. Think ahead.

To save yourself time worrying in the morning, lay out your best suit, make sure you’ve already purchased your train tickets or petrol, get some money out if you need to buy lunch, and make sure that all your time on the day is spent focusing on the important task – preparing for that interview.

4. Practice, practice, practice.

If you’re really anxious, ask a trusted friend or family member to perform a ‘test’ interview on you the day before. You’ll get a chance to practice your performance and also receive some valuable feedback.

5. Stay positive.

Remember, you can do this. You’re qualified for the job, you’ve got some great credentials and you’ve got the necessary experience. This company is just as lucky to be interviewing you as you are to be interviewed by them! Boost your self-confidence by telling yourself that it’s in your power to get this job. You can do it.

And in the Interview Itself…

If you feel your heart start to race and your forehead break out in a sweat, take a deep breath. Remember, the people interviewing you want you to succeed. They’re desperately seeking the right person to join their company, and they’re really hoping that you’re that person.

If you start to feel nerves getting the better of you, ask for a moment to pause and gather your thoughts. If necessary, be honest with your interviewers, and explain to them that you’re feeling nervous because the job matters a lot to you. It’s likely that they’ll understand; after all, they’re human too, and they’ve probably experienced nerves at some point in their lives.

Take it slow and steady and keep reminding yourself, this is your job. You can achieve it!

How To Be More Organized At Work

Organization is a pain, but the simple truth of the matter is organized people get more done. Why? Generally speaking, they have better time management, live with less mess and get in less trouble. If you want to decrease the mistakes you make and stop getting in your own way the only real option is to become organized.

It’s easier said than done certainly, but if you follow a few simple steps you can earn a lasting result – provided you’re ready to commit long term!

Prioritize

Always keep your mind on what’s more important of any two choices. When presented with your options, be sure to pick the one that will benefit your goals in the long run. Don’t let yourself slip into things that appear in front of you and lose sight of what’s important; it can be tempting, particularly if we focus on the ‘right now’ instead of the future. Remember, goals and values will see you through to the end; don’t lose focus for two minutes of mild gratification. If you forsee yourself having trouble with managing your priorities out of the gate, try downloading an on-the-go app like Priority Matrix. It works, really!

Compartmentalize

Keep the different things in your life separated, whether it’s keeping your professional and personal lives separate, divergent groups of people around you or actual, physical possessions. This can be as esoteric as refusing to discuss certain things with people they don’t concern, or as direct as throwing some of your old possessions into a container system – anything from old furniture to old cars could be messing up your inner peace, introducing subconscious what if’s to your otherwise ordered world.

Sometimes, breaking down attachments will take all of the endurance you have; don’t wait, take all of your old office furniture, legal pads, University assignments (passed or failed) and seek a storage solution, located in one place to visit if you must. Ideally though, everything you no longer need will gather dust and be rarely thought of.

Deal With Things Right Away

Unless you have more important things to be doing (see the prioritize section), solve problems as soon as they crop up. The old staying would be a stitch in time saves nine and tacky though it may sound it’s entirely true. If your house needs cleaning, do it in little steps rather than all at once three months later. Need a job? Start looking right away. Need to confront someone? Do it now. The big problems arise when swear you’ll handle it tomorrow and never do.

Get Rid Of Chaotic Influences

At the end, organization has to be based within, but having chaos all around you isn’t any kind of help. If you take the time to get rid of the difficult crazy or otherwise chaotic influences in your life, be they a friend who’s always getting you into trouble or just a bad habit that’s causing you to trip over your own feet, then you have a much better chance to get what you want if there’s nothing in your way.

Remind Yourself Why

Motivation is a large part of gaining a result. If you know why you’re getting organized, have a goal or a dream that you’re organizing yourself for then it’ll be a lot easier to handle. Whenever things get hard, remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. It helps.

Getting organized is a quick route to results, get the jobs done as quickly as possible and know what you’re doing while it’s happening. Get rid of the things holding you back and build up on the things pushing yourself forward. An organized mind gets what it wants.