Hi there, everybody!
My name is Richard McMunn from the interview training company PassMyInterview.com, and in
this video tutorial I'm going to teach you my top five tough interview questions, and
in particular, I'm going to give you suggested answers that you can use to pass your interview.
So whatever interview you have coming up, please do stick around and watch the content
from beginning to end, because I promise you it is going to help you to pass your interview.
Very warm welcome to this tutorial.
That is me there on the right-hand side.
I've been helping people for over 20 years now to pass their interviews, and in particular,
in this video, we are going to focus on how to answer tough interview questions.
And like I say, I'm going to give you suggested answers that you can use during your interview
preparation.
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OK.
Straight into it.
Question number one of our top five tough interview questions and answers.
“Tell me about a time when you didn't get on with a work colleague?”
So, two important tips before I give you the suggested answer.
What not to say: don't say it was their fault and they were the ones who had the problem,
not you.
Even if that is the case.
But instead, what you should say - do say you looked at this as an opportunity to build
bridges and resolve the situation with a positive outcome to the benefit of the company.
So, they are looking for people who resolve this kind of situation.
They take responsibility for it.
So here is my suggested answer for the tough interview question “Tell me about a time
when you didn't get on with a work colleague?”
“In a previous job, I can remember a member of staff within the office taking a dislike
to me.
For some reason, he appeared to not involve me during conversations, or when I tried to
contribute, he dismissed my views and opinions.
Whilst it wasn't a pleasant situation to be in, I knew I had to be the one who resolved
it.
I started out by trying to speak to him on a one-to-one basis and I would sit with him
during coffee and lunch breaks.
I would always talk to him positively and ask how he was and what he'd been up to at
the weekends.
He was continually cold towards me, and so I decided to ask him outright whether there
was an issue.
As soon as I confronted him on the issue, his attitude changed.
Although he didn't say it directly, I felt he knew he hadn't been particularly nice towards
me.
However, since that day we have got on really well, and our relationship has progressed
to the point that we've met up for coffee on a couple occasions outside of work.
Now, this has been beneficial to the team because we can now work together more productively
on important projects.
Whenever a negative situation occurs, I will always try my hardest to turn it into a positive
one.”
So, that's a really good response and it shows you as the smart, intelligent person.
You are being the mature one, and there is a positive outcome to that situation.
You've taken responsibility for it, which is good.
Question number two of our top five top interview questions.
“Describe a time when you failed in a work situation?”
A really difficult question to answer because there is obviously a temptation to say that
you never fail, but the fact is we all do.
So, what not to say don't say: You are pretty near perfect and that you've never failed
in a work situation!
We have all failed at times.
Now, what you should say, is explain how you failed, the impact it had on the team and
then what you did to put it right.
That's the important part.
So, here is my suggested answer to the interview question: “Describe a time when you failed
in a work situation?”
“When I initially started out in my previous job, I was given an important task by my manager
that had a tight deadline.
Because I was keen to impress, I started working hard quickly to get the job done and to the
right standard.
However, due to my hastiness, I had failed to read one part of the brief correctly, which
meant the project wasn’t completed to the right specification.
As soon as I realized I had made the mistake, I informed my manager, apologized and looked
to put it right.
I learnt a lot from that experience, and ever since then, I ensure I adopt a thorough, analytical
approach to all tasks I undertake.
I don’t make mistakes often, but if I do, I will always react positively, take responsibility
and learn from the experience.”
So, again, this is showing you as a mature employee and you are taking responsibility
when things don't go according to plan, and that is the perfect answer.
Next interview question: Who's the worst boss you have ever had?”
Really difficult one, and I've heard this asked in many interviews and people don't
answer it correctly.
Now, before I give you the suggested answer here are two important tips for getting this
answer correct.
What not to say: don't say you've had lots of bad bosses.
Now, this will make the interview panel think it's you who has the problem, but instead
what do you say?
Well.
If you have ever had a negative boss, say you kept your opinions of them to yourself
as it's important you respect their decisions and instructions.
So, here's my suggested answer for the interview question: “Who's the worst boss you've ever
had?”
“To be truthful, most of my bosses and managers have been brilliant.
There has only ever been one boss who I didn’t agree with the way that he did things, but
I was still very much respectful towards him, and I kept my views and opinions to myself.
The only reason why I felt he wasn’t particularly great as a boss, was that he continually changed
his mind about how we should tackle certain projects, and he didn’t appear to be confident
in his choices.
Having said that, I understood that he must have been under pressure from senior managers,
so I always did all I could to help him out and do my own job to the best of my abilities.”
So, of course, we've all had a difficult boss that we don't want to work for, but that shows
a high level of maturity that you understand why the boss might have been under pressure,
so you need to be very careful how you answer that particular question!
But hopefully, that suggested response will help you during your preparation.
Next interview question of our top five tough interview questions and answers.
“How do you think your co-workers would describe you, both good and bad?”
Again, a really difficult question, but here are two tips on getting this answer correct.
What not to say: so, don't say anything bad that is a match for the job description.
So, let's say you are being interviewed for a role that requires you to work collectively
with other team members to achieve difficult tasks.
Don't say that your co-workers would probably say you like to work alone, and you're not
particularly good in a team environment!
Now what to say instead: do say a number of good things your co-workers would say that
are a match for the job description.
So, if the role that you're being interviewed for is customer-focused, say “Well they
would say that I'm really good with customers.”
and “I go above and beyond to help them”, things like that.
Also, say one bad thing, and then three good things about yourself!
Here's how to answer this interview question: “That’s a difficult question, but I guess
if I am really honest they would most probably say the one bad thing about me is that I am
sometimes not very good at delegating team tasks when we are all working together on
an important project.
It’s only because I care so much about the finished project that I try to do a lot of
the work myself.
Having said that, I am learning to let go and trust my work colleagues as they are just
as important as I am, within the team.”
In respect of the good things, I believe they would say I am reliable and can be trusted
to complete a task professionally.
I am a loyal and hardworking person, and an invaluable asset to the team.
And finally, I am someone whom they could rely on in their hour of need, or if they
ever needed support in a difficult situation.”
That's a great response because you are getting one negative, and then three positives!
You are loading it with positive words.
Next interview question of the tough interview questions tutorial.
“What's the first thing you would do in this job if you are successful?”
Two tips for answering this correctly.
What not say: don't say you would sit back and take your time to become accustomed to
the role.
But instead, what you should say: do say you already have a plan in place of what you intend
to do and then break it down into three things.
The fact that you will learn the role quickly; you will fit into the team, and then you will
make an immediate impact.
So, here is my suggested answer to the tough interview question: “What's the first thing
you would do in this job if you are successful?”
“I would want to hit the ground running, and in order to order to achieve that, I would
do three things.
Firstly, I would learn the job as quickly as possible and in order to achieve that,
I would take comprehensive notes and spend time reading up on the role during the evenings,
once I got home from work.
Secondly, I would introduce myself to the team and get to know everyone as soon as possible.
I feel it’s important that I fit in with the team quickly.
Finally, I would want to undertake an important project or task to show you what I am capable
doing.
Because you would be putting your trust in me, I would be keen to repay that trust by
showing you what I am capable of doing within the role, quickly.”
That's a great answer again!
Now, if you'd like a copy of all of these answers that you can use, and also to get
access to more sample interview questions and answers, if you click the link below the
video right now, it will take you through to my website: PassMyInterview.com.
You can get free 30 days access to my online interview training course.
There are over 50 interview questions and answers, so I actually give you the answers
to all of the questions!
I give you a mock interview, and I give you tips on interview technique and the top ten
things that you should say during your interview, to make sure you pass.
Thank you for watching guys!
If you have any questions at all about your interview, I would you love to create some
questions for you.
Tell me what interview you have got in the comments section below this video and I'll
come on here each day and I'll give you suggested answers.
Thanks for watching!
Don't forget to subscribe and give the video a like if you've enjoyed the content.
I’d very much appreciate that!
And good luck in your pursuit to passing your interview.