What are the 5 HARDEST Interview Questions to Answer? Interview Tips for Your Job Search

Abby introduces the video by stating its purpose: to discuss five challenging interview questions. She emphasizes that these questions are not necessarily the hardest but are commonly found to trip up interviewees. Abby encourages viewers to like the video and subscribe to the Life Work Balance YouTube channel for more career advice. She also mentions that she has previously created videos on how to answer the 'tell me about yourself' question, which is often the first question in interviews. The focus of this video is to provide strategies for handling these difficult questions.

Abby delves into the first hard interview question: 'Tell me about yourself.' She explains that the key to answering this question is balancing professional and personal information, with a focus on relevant professional experience. Abby advises against sharing personal details that aren't pertinent to the job, such as relationship status or recent relocation, to avoid potential discrimination. She suggests using the 'present-past-future' formula to structure the response, highlighting current relevance to the position, past achievements, and future career aspirations. Abby also provides a link to more detailed advice on answering this question in the video description.

The second question tackled is 'Why should we hire you?' Abby clarifies that this is an opportunity to pitch oneself and differentiate from other candidates. Unlike the 'tell me about yourself' question, which is more historical, this question asks directly why the candidate is the best fit for the position. Abby advises reflecting on why one wants the job, why they are the best candidate, and what unique qualities they bring to the role. She also mentions that she has a separate video dedicated to answering this type of question and encourages viewers to watch it for more insights.

Abby addresses the tricky subject of answering questions about conflict, such as 'Tell me about a time you experienced conflict with a co-worker or supervisor.' She explains that the aim is to share an experience where conflict was resolved positively, avoiding stories with negative outcomes. Abby emphasizes the importance of demonstrating effective conflict resolution skills and suggests using the STAR or CAR method for structuring the response, focusing on the context, actions taken, and the positive resolution achieved.

The fourth hard question Abby discusses is about personal weaknesses. She warns against falling into a self-deprecating cycle and advises candidates to discuss a recognized weakness they are actively working to improve. Abby suggests that candidates should avoid clichéd responses and instead provide a genuine reflection of an area for growth, along with the steps they are taking to address it. She also mentions a separate video with more advice on answering this question and provides a link in the video description.

The final question Abby covers is about leaving one's current or last job. She advises against leading with negative reasons, such as disliking one's boss or co-workers, as this can raise red flags. Instead, Abby suggests focusing on positive growth opportunities, seeking more challenging work, or aligning with personal values as reasons for leaving. She emphasizes the importance of presenting a growth mindset, which employers value for contributing to the development of the team and organization.