We have the best career test NZ has ever seen! If you’ve been trying find career inspiration, our job match quiz / test might be just what you’re looking for.
Find out how your natural personality and style are adapted in a work environment and how to use that information to help you get your ideal job.
Decoding the Intent Behind Tricky Questions
To navigate tricky interview questions successfully, it’s essential to understand the intent behind them. Interviewers often pose challenging questions to assess your problem-solving skills, creativity, communication abilities, and resilience. By identifying the underlying purpose of these questions, you can craft compelling responses that demonstrate your expertise and impress potential employers.
Common intentions behind tricky questions include:
Assessing your problem-solving skills: Questions that present complex or hypothetical situations allow interviewers to evaluate your ability to think critically, analyse information, and develop innovative solutions.
Testing your adaptability: Interviewers may ask questions about your experiences with change, challenging work environments, or new technologies to gauge your flexibility and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.
Examining your communication skills: Questions that require you to explain complex concepts or processes enable interviewers to assess your ability to communicate effectively and concisely.
Evaluating your resilience: Interviewers may inquire about setbacks or failures you’ve experienced to determine how well you can bounce back and learn from these challenges.
Utilising the STAR Method for Behavioural Questions
The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method is a powerful technique for answering behavioural interview questions, which are commonly used to assess your past experiences and performance in specific situations. By using the STAR method, you can provide structured, relevant responses that effectively demonstrate your knowledge and expertise.
To apply the STAR method, follow these steps:
Situation: Describe the context or background of a relevant experience, providing enough detail for the interviewer to understand the circumstances.
Task: Explain your role and responsibilities in the situation, focusing on the specific challenges or objectives you faced.
Action: Detail the actions you took to address the task, highlighting the skills and strategies you employed.
Result: Discuss the outcomes of your actions, emphasising the positive impact and any lessons learned.
Preparing for Common Tricky Questions
Anticipating and preparing for common tricky questions can increase your confidence and help you craft compelling responses. Some frequently asked challenging questions include:
“What is your greatest weakness?”: Frame your response in a way that demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth. Select a genuine weakness, discuss the steps you’ve taken to improve, and highlight any progress you’ve made.
“Can you explain this gap in your employment history?”: Be honest and concise in your explanation, focusing on any personal or professional development activities you engaged in during the gap. Emphasise your readiness to return to work and your enthusiasm for the role.
“Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager or a colleague. How did you handle it?”: Focus on your ability to communicate effectively, listen to others, and find a resolution that benefits all parties involved. Demonstrate your willingness to collaborate and learn from different perspectives.
Handling Curveball Questions
Curveball questions are unexpected and often unrelated to the job at hand, designed to assess your creativity, critical thinking, and ability to handle surprises. While it’s difficult to anticipate these questions, you can still prepare by honing your problem-solving skills and practising your ability to think on your feet. Here are some tips for addressing curveball questions:
Stay calm: Take a deep breath and maintain your composure. Your reaction to the unexpected question can reveal a lot about your ability to handle pressure.
Take your time: It’s acceptable to pause for a moment and gather your thoughts before responding. This will allow you to organise your ideas and provide a well-structured answer.
Clarify the question if needed: If you’re unsure about the question’s intent, ask the interviewer for clarification. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and ensure you understand the question before providing an answer.
Think out loud: Share your thought process with the interviewer as you work through the question. This can showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills, even if you don’t arrive at a perfect solution.
Be honest: If you’re stumped by the question, admit that you’re unsure of the answer but are willing to learn and explore the topic further.
Practising Active Listening and Asking Thoughtful Questions
Active listening and asking thoughtful questions are essential for navigating tricky interview questions and crafting compelling responses. By fully engaging with the interviewer and seeking clarification when needed, you can ensure that your answers are relevant and well-informed.
Tips for active listening during interviews include:
Pay attention: Focus on the interviewer’s words, tone, and body language. Avoid distractions and maintain eye contact to demonstrate your engagement.
Paraphrase: If needed, restate the question in your own words to ensure you understand it correctly. This can help clarify the interviewer’s intent and provide a foundation for your response.
Ask follow-up questions: If you need more information to answer a question effectively, don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer for additional details or context.
Additionally, prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the company, team, and role. This can demonstrate your interest in the position and provide valuable insights to help you evaluate the opportunity.
By equipping yourself with the tools to confidently tackle even the most challenging interview questions, you can impress potential employers and increase your chances of landing your dream job.