The 6 Toughest Interview Questions and How to Nail Them

There is no doubt that interviews are tough for both parties. Since the interviewee has no idea what will be thrown at him or her, it is safe to assume that the interviewee's position is the tougher of the two. Potential employers use hard questions to "separate the herd" and find a star employee. Get a leg up on the competition by preparing for tricky queries. Here are the six toughest interview questions and how to nail them.

Why Should I Hire You?

A good answer requires you to do some homework. Recommend yourself within the context of the company. For example, you should say, "I want to be a moving force in this global company and help further the company's mission to bring eco-friendly solutions to consumers."

What Goals Do You Have?

Review the objectives you wrote on your resume. A good solid answer will echo the statements you made in your resume. Avoid telling the interviewer you want to one day run the department. Here is an example, "My career goal is to gain employment with a global company that focuses on cutting edge railway technology. Coming in on the ground floor will give me a bigger picture of the company at large."

Are You a Team Player?

A simple "yes" or "no" will suffice for this question. Provide details about your answers. You could say, "Yes, I am a team player. I have had plenty of experience working with teams on special projects in my career and during my years of education."

How Do You Resolve Conflict at Work?

Your potential boss does not want to hear "no," because everyone has had conflict. Be honest, be brief and describe how you handled the conflict. Do not give too much detail or get into a long dialogue about who did what to whom. Talk about what you learned in these situations.

What Do You Believe Is Your Greatest Weakness?

It is easy to share your strengths, but it takes honesty to reveal your weakness. Tell the interviewer about a real weakness you have and tell how you are working to improve it. Never say that you have no weaknesses, since this will come off as arrogant.

What Qualities Would the Perfect Manager Have?

Do not describe yourself. Instead say something like this, "The perfect manager should be a leader who has the ability to share his or her vision with the team. The perfect manager will see the end game but have the ability to coach the team with the right plays to get there."