Get The Scoop On Difficult Interview Questions

Get The Scoop On Difficult Interview Questions Dont let a curveball or difficult interview question catch you off guard. Interviews are nerve-wracking enough already, you dont need more pressure! I dont know anyone who enjoys feeling like they are under a microscope, being scrutinized or interrogated.  So what can you do to feel confident and empowered during your upcoming job interview? Learn the types of questions you can anticipate and how the interview process works. When To Expect More Difficult Interview Questions Some industries are known to conduct more difficult interviews. If you are interviewing with a hospital, nonprofit or school, expect a tougher interview, but if interviewing for a contract or gig economy job, you can expect a less challenging interview, according to Glassdoors Economic Research division. And it isnt only the industry that determines tough interviews. Large companies typically run candidates through tougher interviews. The same Glassdoor research found interviews at larger companies are statistically more difficult than at small employers. Examples of Difficult Interview Questions Many job types appear in Glassdoors 27 Jobs With Unbelievably Tough Interview Questions. Youll discover that almost any role is subject to challenging interview questions, from customer service representative to a nonprofit donor family advocate. Here are just some of the most difficult questions listed by Glassdoor, including the role and employer. If you were a Muppet, which character would you be? â€" Donor Family Advocate, LifeNet Health If you had to take only one item to a deserted island, what would that be? â€" Customer Service Specialist, Squarespace How many happy birthday posts do you think Facebook gets in one day? â€" Sales Operations, Facebook Who in history would you want to go to dinner with and why? â€" Flight Attendant, PSA Airlines How do you explain a vending machine to someone who hasnt seen or used one before? â€" Global Data Analyst, Bloomberg L.P. How To Answer Off-The-Wall Interview Questions In most instances, the interviewer wants to understand your thought process or logic for reaching an answer. The good news is, there really isnt a right or wrong answer to these types of interview questions. For example, if asked What type of breakfast cereal would you be and why? your answer will show your self-awareness, personality and style. If your answer aligns with the employers expectations, youre in luck. Its never a good idea to bluff your answer to fit with the company or role. In the long run, this could lead to a mismatch and you could end up hating the job. Begin Preparing Your Answers Today Youll want to prepare for all the traditional interview questions like Tell me about yourself, What are your salary requirements? Tell me about a time when and Why should we hire you? [Read: 10 Crucial Steps To Prepare For Your Interview] The best way to prepare for your upcoming job interview is to practice all your answers out loud. When you just practice in your head, it doesnt have the same effect. Also speak to people you know who may be able to offer insight on the companys interview process, people you will be meeting or give you the inside scoop on what the job really entails. Expect  The Unexpected It is easy to get derailed if you havent prepared for your interview. And preparing means more than printing your resume and picking the right outfit. You need to know what to expect before you walk into the job interview so be sure to ask questions when scheduling the interview. Find out: who you will be meeting with how long the interview will last if youll need to bring anything other than your resume Also, ask what the format of the interview will be In other words, will it be a panel interview or will you only be speaking with human resources? And in case you hadnt heard, employers are making candidates jump through more hoops, such as delivering a presentation or taking a skills test. The more you know about the process, the fewer surprises there will be. The Upside of Difficult Interview Questions Consider the hiring process as a way of matching candidates with employers. Job interviews offer a way to evaluate candidates who are a good fit and this leads to employees who are more productive and have greater satisfaction with their job and company. Its a win-win.  Just make sure you ask your own smart interview questions. [Read Interview Questions YOU Can Ask] This post originally appeared on US News World Report On Careers Want more interviewing help? Get your copy of “Do I Want This Job”