How to Respond to Difficult Interview Questions

You sit face-to-face with the interviewer, feeling confident and self-assured, when he suddenly asks you a question that stumps you. It might be a question you never expected to be asked or it might be one you knew would come up, but for which you don't have a great response. What do you do?

First, and foremost, don't panic. It's like that old deodorant slogan, "Never let them see you sweat." Next, while you're taking the time to remain cool, calm and collected, pull together your thoughts before you respond. Interviewers don't always expect candidates to have a ready-made answer, so taking the time to think before you respond can actually make you appear more professional. Finally, take note of the question that seems to have tripped you up so you can prepare an answer for it in case you are asked it or a similar one in a future interview.

Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses

One of the most common and difficult questions that job seekers tend to be asked in interviews is "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" This is also one of those questions where too many applicants have chosen their answer from the same playbook of interview question responses. Instead of using the same old standard, boring answer, your goal should be to come up with something refreshingly new and true. Yes, true.

While most applicants can easily identify their strengths - they have good organization, communication or interpersonal skills - these are just empty words that don't really say much. And when it comes to selecting an appropriate response to their weaknesses that won't negatively impact their chance at landing the job, they use the same answer everyone else uses, like working too hard or being too tough on themselves. That's why it so important to really take time and give some thought to what you bring to a new employer while honestly assessing where you need further development.

Begin by making a laundry list of what you really feel your strengths and weakness are. Look at all your performance reviews for ideas of what past supervisors have said. Did they call you a team builder or say that you run rings around your coworkers when it comes to productivity? Did they criticize you for your impatience because you want things to happen quickly or suggest that you brush up on your report writing skills? Right now your main focus is to gather information and collect as many of your own real strengths and weaknesses as possible. Next, you need to map out how to build a response utilizing one of your strengths and weaknesses.

Make Your Strengths and Weaknesses Work for You

Let's say a past boss said that you are highly productive which leads to a certain amount of impatience. Bam! There you have it, your strength and your weakness all neatly wrapped up into one complete thought. Now you just need to be sure to communicate to the interviewer that you are working on retaining your high productivity level while learning to relax a bit more and you try not to expect everyone to perform at your same high level. Maybe you even mention you're taking a yoga class to unwind.

Now you might not be so fortunate as to have a closely linked strength and weakness. You might be someone who is very good at building relationships but when it comes to your work, you focus too closely on details. You can still make it work.

You start by describing how you get along and interact well with people at all levels within and outside the organization; however, when it comes to your work, you find that you sometimes get too wrapped up in the details. You know it's important to be accurate and you also know it's important to let things go. And by the way, you note, your attention to detail has never caused you to miss a deadline.

It's really all about taking the time to look at who you are. Don't just borrow the same overused strengths and weaknesses that every other applicant is using. Come up with something fresh and real about who you are. People who are at the top of their game know what they do best and where they need to improve. Now it's your turn to learn how to clearly articulate what you know about you.