10 Interview Questions That May Confuse You

Recruiters often ask job seekers about things that seem to have nothing to do with their future work. Simultaneously, the answer to such a question can often depend on whether you will be hired. Here are ten such questions and guidelines on how to answer them.

1. Where do you see yourself in 3-10 years?

Frequent answer: Describe in detail your future career growth, show your desire for development.

In fact: Perhaps this is the most traditional question, which, however, is fraught with several nuances. Proving yourself as a careerist is not always a successful step towards a job offer. If you go to a position where only horizontal growth is possible, you should not focus the interlocutor’s attention on your professional ambitions. Not everyone needs leaders, try and look at yourself from the outside: if you believe in what you are talking about, maybe you should not consider this particular position? Think, analyze, be honest with yourself and your employer, but don’t forget about a healthy dose of cunning.

2. Convince us why we should take you?

Frequent answer: Because I am the best!

In fact: The question is unambiguously baffling if they ask you that after you have already conducted a self-presentation in a detailed way. You must have several arguments, not so much a professional as a psychological ones. At this moment, you can be smart and show those personality traits that are not shown in the resume. For example: “Because I am dressed in the corporate colors of your company” or another answer: “I am a master of sports in ice hockey, and I can lead your corporate team to the top.”

3. Tell us about your hobbies

Frequent Answer: Fishing, travel, collecting.

In fact: The question baffles people who do not have any hobbies.I believe that in order to speak about your hobby confidently, you need to get a good understanding of the company, its values, philosophy, and leaders’ views. Otherwise, you can get into an awkward situation. For example, you are describing hunting as a hobby in bright colors to a Greenpeace interviewer. If you don’t know the company well enough, your hobby response should be neutral.

4. Tell me about your parents

Frequent Answer: This has nothing to do with my professional skills.

In fact: Many job seekers are overreacting, seeing the question as an invasion of privacy. But since it is not uncommon, you need to be prepared for such a turn of events. It is important to understand that the employer does not seek to get into your personal life- the question is to build your behavior scenario. HR evaluates which environment you are from, based on the theory that there is no future without the past. We advise you to tell your genealogy as honestly and positively as your beliefs allow.

5. Why do you want to work for us?

Frequent answer: I want something new.

In fact: If you dream about this job, then it will not be difficult for you to show your interest, prospects, and loyalty. But anything can happen in life: sometimes a candidate loses self-confidence due to a series of failures, or any job is urgently needed, the primary motivator is compensation, which is not supposed to be talked about. In this case, get ready for the interview, rehearse! It is good practice to inquire about the company in advance and feel free to talk about the strengths that interest you. It is crucial for the employer to see a confident and positive attitude, to hear a formulated answer.

6. Describe your most significant failure

Frequent reaction: Confusion.

In fact: Every person in life has had ups and downs, so the possibility of failure cannot be denied. And if a question was asked, it is necessary to answer it, focusing on solving the problem and getting the situation out of the critical zone. We do not recommend hiding any facts from the biography since 93% of recruiters, before making a final decision, collect recommendations from past managers and subordinates about candidates for a position.

7. How do you feel about social networks? How much time do you spend?

Frequent Reaction: Confusion and wondering if all photos from the last party can be deleted before HR reaches their workplace after the meeting is over.

What to do: Here, it is necessary to emphasize that you are in strict control of the time spent on social networks. And this has never affected the quality of your work. Suppose you are applying for a job that’s mostly done online (PR manager, journalist, recruiter, designer, and many others). In that case, you need to focus on how you fulfill your obligations and what you have already achieved.

8. Do you have a good sense of humor? If yes, tell a joke

Frequent reaction: Confusion.

What to do: If you have in mind a neutral anecdote that is not tied to politics and vulgarity, you can share it or be creative and tell a funny story from your work practice. And here is the worthy answer of our candidate, who said that, although making people laugh is not part of his nature, he does not lose his positive attitude and hopes for the opportunity to prove himself, already being an employee of the company.

9. What fruit do you associate our company with?

Frequent reaction: Confusion.

In fact: It is difficult for a recruiter to evaluate a candidate if he is squeezed and is in obvious tension. Such questions sometimes help to shake the interviewer and defuse the situation. It is impossible to prepare for them, but it will be easier for you to come up with an answer to a question if you understand why it is being asked.

10. Will you continue to work for us if we stop paying you money?

Finally, an interesting story from colleagues. Several successful and suitable candidates were rejected by the client, citing insufficient motivation. After doing a little investigation, we found out that all of them were asked the question: “Will you continue to work for us if we stop paying you money?” Our candidates often answered yes, believing that this was the expected answer. However, the employer – a serious international vendor – wanted to find motivated and self-worth people.

Summing up, I hasten to note that the most important thing to remember during the interview is kindness, a positive attitude, and interest in the meeting. And, of course, a professionally written resume.