Uncomfortable interview questions: why they are asked and how to answer them

1. Why do you want to work in our company?

When this question is asked at an interview, they want not only to understand your motivation, but also to find out how deeply you studied information about the company before the meeting and what you expect from employment.

When answering, try to avoid templates, for example: "You are a well-known company, and your ideas and products are close to me."

You can start with the company website, look up news about achievements and milestones on corporate social networks, and then use this information in your response. For example: "I would be interested to work in a company that regularly receives prestigious awards and gain valuable experience."

2. Why did you leave your previous job?

With this question, the HR manager is trying to understand what did not suit you in your last job, what kind of relationship do you have with a former manager and colleagues, and where your motivation and a desire to work.

During the answer, in no case do not say nasty things about colleagues, boss and the company in which you used to work. It is not at all necessary for a new potential employer to know all the intricacies of the conflicts that you have had in the past.

Therefore, when answering a question about past work, it is better to focus on yourself. Say, for example, that you want to develop further or try your hand at a higher professional level.

3. What are your weaknesses?

This question is not asked at all to confuse you. The goal of an HR manager or potential employer is to find out how soberly you evaluate yourself and your skills and how you talk about your shortcomings.

It is important to remember that the interlocutor is only interested in your professional qualities, and not character traits.

Another possible option is to choose weak sidesthat correlate with the position, and at the same time emphasize that you are working on yourself. For example, if the company is international and English is required from all employees, you can say: “Now I have an average level of language proficiency, but I go to courses and will soon bring it up to advanced."

4. What are your most notable achievements?

This is another question that helps a potential employer "probe" your self-esteem, as well as understand what you are capable of as an employee and how qualified you consider yourself to be in this moment.

Try to give specific examples in your answer.

At the same time, it is important to observe the measure. An endless enumeration of one's own merits can be perceived as a manifestation of conceit and arrogance.

5. What is your biggest failure?

This question is asked to evaluate how you feel about failures, what mistakes in your work you consider critical and whether you know how to learn from them.

A confident and clear answer to a question about mistakes will help to give the impression of a responsible and professional employee.

6. What level of income do you expect?

It is important for the employer to figure out how much you value your skills and whether the company can afford to satisfy your desires. This issue needs to be discussed.

If the HR manager won't start the conversation about money, do it yourself. Prepare for it in advance, look for information on the Internet and find out the average salary of specialists of your level in your area. You can start negotiations with the designation of a “plug” that suits you, for example, from 30 to 40 thousand rubles.

The main thing is not to go to extremes. Too high demands with insufficient professional experience will only scare the employer away, and low wages will complicate your life. Therefore, try to find a middle ground.

7. Why are there gaps in your resume?

Sometimes we have to take a break from our careers due to illness, the lack of a suitable job, the need to care for loved ones, and other personal circumstances. This interview question is an attempt to find out why you took a break and whether you fell out of the trends of the professional environment during this time.

Talking about why there was a break in your professional life or not is only your choice.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

For those who are not used to long-term planning, this is a very uncomfortable question. But employers ask it for a reason. In large companies, a strategy is drawn up for several years ahead, including a team development strategy. Therefore, the HR manager needs to find out how your plans match.

This question shouldn't make you cringe - it's a lot easier to answer than you think. If a five-year period scares you, tell us about your plans for the next 2-3 years.

9. Why should we hire you?

This is another test of motivation and sober self-esteem, and at the same time an ideal opportunity to list your virtues again. In answering this question, be as specific as possible about the benefits for everyone: how you will be useful to the company and how working in it will help you.

The more smoothly you speak, the better. Therefore, prepare in advance: clearly articulate your values, make a list of strengths and relevant achievements, and rehearse the answer.