Tough interview questions and how to answer them

In this article you will learn how to answer 3 of the most difficult/tough interview questions using STAR technique. So if you have a job interview coming up for any role or any company, make sure you read this article very well because you are going to learn tough interview questions and how to answer them.

3 Tough interview questions and how to answer them 

• Tough Interview Question #1: Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenging situation at work.

This is a really tough interview question to answer correctly.

TIP: Use the STAR technique when answering any tough behavioral interview question that starts with, “tell me about a time…”

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result.

• You start off your answer and you briefly outline the SITUATION you were faced with.
• You then move on and explain the TASK that needed your attention.
• You then give specific details about the ACTION you took.
• Before finishing off with the RESULTS of your actions.

An important tip is to always make sure the results are positive from the action you took.

Let’s now take a look at a brilliant answer that uses the STAR technique to the question, “Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenging situation at work.”

Brilliant Example Answer:

SITUATION: “It was late on a Friday afternoon when the company website went down. This situation had potentially disastrous consequences for the business because an online sale was due to commence at 09:00 a.m on Saturday, and the company depended heavily on the sales.

TASK: Because I genuinely cared for the company, I agreed to stay behind late after work with my manager to try and resolve this challenging problem. The clock was ticking and we needed to work fast.

ACTION: My manager asked me to start calling around local IT companies to see if they could help. Unfortunately, because it was late on a Friday afternoon, none of the local IT companies were answering the telephone. I then came up with an alternative idea and that was to try and hire a freelance web developer online.

After 15 minutes I was able to find a suitable IT experts online who had exceptional reviews, and was able to start work immediately. I then set up a quick Skype call with the developer and despite his English not being very good, I managed to explain the problem in sufficient detail.

RESULT: After 90 minutes, and several additional communications with the IT expert, he was able to find a solution, and get the website back up and running again. Finally, I asked the contractor to provide me with a step-by-step tutorial for ensuring the same problem never happened again.

By using my initiative and a patient and calm style of communication, I was able to find a solution to this challenging problem that ensured the online sale could go ahead the following morning.”

That’s a brilliant example scripted answer to that tough interview question, “Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenging situation at work” that utilizes the STAR technique.

• Tough Interview Question #2: Tell me about a time when you have conflict with a co-worker.

TIP: In your answer to this tough interview question, show you are the person who tries to resolve the conflict amicably for the sake of the team.

Below is a brilliant answer to the interview.

Question: “Tell me about a time when you had conflict with a co-worker.”

Brilliant Example Answer:

SITUATION: “In my previous job, a member of the team was not doing their job properly. He kept running late with tasks and his attitude was poor. His actions were starting to have a detrimental effect on the team.

TASK: Because I cared about the performance of the team, I felt it was my task to speak to him to try and get to the bottom of the issue.

ACTION: I spoke to him in private and I explained my concerns but he started to become confrontational and defensive. However, I remained calm, I reasoned with him. and I explained that I didn’t want him to end up in trouble with our manager.

I also stated that we all had a duty to do our jobs to a high standard and that his actions were impacting negatively on the overall performance of the team.

RESULT: Eventually, he began to see reason, and he agreed to change his ways moving forward. By using a calm approach to the situation, I was able to achieve a successful resolution for the team.”

• Tough Interview Question #3: Tell me about a time when you made a mistake.

TIP: In your answer to this next tough interview question, show that you always take responsibility whenever you make a mistake. Do not respond to this interview question by saying that you never make mistakes! If you do, you will not pass your interview!

Below is a brilliant answer to the interview.

Question: Tell me about a time when you made a mistake.

Brilliant Example Answer:

SITUATION: “I was working in a previous role and an important customer ordered a large number of items from our website. The customer had previously telephoned me and stated that they needed the goods urgently.

TASK: It was my responsibility to pick and pack the customer’s items, and dispatch them on a next day delivery service.

ACTION: In my hastiness to get the job done quickly, I failed to pack one of the customer’s items. The next day, the customer called me to complain, and I was horrified to learn that I had made a foolish mistake.

I apologized unreservedly before sending the missing product out on a next day priority delivery service. I then informed my manager about the mistake. I apologized to her before explaining why the mistake had occurred.

I then went on to say that I had since implemented a ‘double check’ system to make sure the same mistake never happened again.

RESULT: I learned a lot from my mistake, and I was pleased that I was able to quickly resolve it for the customer, and implement positive, preventative actions moving forward.”

So those are three brilliant answers to very tough interview questions that are likely to come up during your interview.

Thank you so much for reading this article and I wish you all the best for passing your interview.