Job interviews: how to answer trick questions?

Have you landed a interview for your dream job? Is the stress starting to mount and you're afraid you won't be able to answer the recruiter's questions? Relax and prepare for your interview. Above all, don't put yourself in a position of weakness: a job interview is an exchange between two people.

Here are some tips for answering trick questions.

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Tell me about yourself and your background?

Beware, to this very vague question, it sounds easy, but it traps many candidates.

A job interview isn't a psychoanalysis session, it's an exchange between two people. Forget monologues and long tirades, your interviewer could quickly become bored. Be concise, talk, for example, about your last experience and make the link with the position applied for.

Don't hesitate to offer a presentation: "I'd like to talk about my background and present my latest experience...".

This shows that you're an organized in your speech.

What interests you about the vacant position?

The unavoidable question during an interview. Be positive, smile, show your enthusiasm. To answer this, you need to be well know the job description and analyze the company's website to learn more about the values and culture of the company.

This will allow you to show your motivation. Give the recruiter the impression that you've been following the company for some time and that you've understood the needs of the company.

Don't forget to make the connection with your skills.

What is your main quality? And your main flaw?

Yes, this question is still asked, it crosses generations of recruiters. We wonder why, don't we?

Bref, it's best to prepare for it. Be as honest as possible, without overestimating yourself too much for the qualities and without shooting yourself in the foot too much for the flaws. Avoid saying you're stressed and disorganized, if on the job description it says good stress resistance, organized and dynamic. Be original, find something other than "perfectionist".

After finding your defect, don't hesitate to say you're doing everything you can to correct it, and giveexamples.

A defect well explained, it's not really a defect anymore.

Why you, rather than another candidate?

You prove that you're comfortable with different trades.

How do you explain the jobless periods on your CV?

A period without employment is completely normal. Don't try to lie or make things up. Stay honest with the recruiter. Show that you remained active during this period, that you took care of your family, that you traveled to learn a language.

If youhave been unemployed for a long time, it's because you've been doing formations online or that you've worked on personal projects.

Whatever the reason, stay positive.

Did you have any conflicts in your previous position?

You don't need to go into details, the recruiter isn't your confidant.

What did you think of our interview?

Be precise to answer this question. I enjoyed our exchange, it allowed me to learn more about the position, about the company. It's an opportunity to show that you're still interested in the job, so don't hesitate to highlight a particular task.

You need to show the recruiter that this interview has reinforced your motivation and confirmed that your skills match the company's needs.