Toughest Face-to-Face Interview Questions

Your business may have a few (or more than a few) common interview questions for job candidates. It is a good idea to have questions of varying levels, for example, some that are easy, a few that are of medium difficulty, and others that are tough. Of course, toughness is in the eye of the beholder, and you should avoid asking tough questions for the heck of it. Instead, ask tough questions that give you insight into what is going on in a job candidate’s head. Here is a look at three difficult face-to-face interview questions and possible answers.

1. What is the most horrible job you had?

Bad answer: I hated working as a cashier for fast food. The customers were rude, and no one at the restaurant cared.

Better answer: One job that comes to mind is when I was a fast food cashier at [name of restaurant]. Customer dissatisfaction was an issue, with customers often complaining about high prices and undercooked food. I proposed to management that they train cooks better and run special-price deals more frequently.

2. Why should we hire you over the other applicants?

Bad answer: I go the extra mile, and I meet more than the minimum educational requirements.

Better answer: I stay current in my training, as you can see from my recent workshops on marketing and IT. This ongoing curiosity is a hallmark of mine and an example of how I go the extra mile. I have a proven record of accomplishments such as that time last year when I saved XYZ 20 percent by reducing customer wait times.

3. Why did you leave your last job?

Bad answer: The boss was a distrustful guy who watched me like a hawk to make sure I arrived on time. Plus, the pay was bad.

Better answer: I thrive in environments of trust and where employees are praised for initiative and independence. The cultural fit at the previous job was lacking, and I would like a position that compensates me well for my work and educational experience.