How to answer tricky interview questions

Sponsored post by McLaren Recruitment

Getting to the interview stage of an application process is exciting! It’s a sign that your application stood out and that you might be a good fit for the organisation. But interviews can be daunting too. And often, you can get tripped up by what seems like the simplest of questions.

With decades of experience in recruitment, the team at McLaren Recruitment have sat in on plenty of interviews. In this blog, they are sharing the questions they see that trip candidates up - especially the ones that seem simple at face value - and their top tips for dealing with them.

Q1 Tell us about yourself…

It’s a super common question - often the first one you’ll get in the interview. And it’s one that often trips even the best candidates up.

Here’s what people get wrong when they try to answer this question.

• They simply go through their CV and their work history

• They spend too much time talking about irrelevant things rather than focusing on what is relevant to the role they’ve applied for.

• They spend too long answering the question, leaving less time for other questions (and possibly losing the interview panel's interest in the process).

So what’s a better way to deal with this one?

Be concise. Be confident. Make connections.

Before you get to the interview stage, think about your ‘elevator pitch’ - a 30-second sum-up of what you offer. Start with that and then expand on some of those elements to offer a well-rounded picture.

1. Who you are:

Give a concise snapshot of your background or current role. Think of this as your professional headline. What would someone need to know about your career journey in one sentence?

2. What you do well:

Highlight one or two key strengths, skills, or achievements. Focus on what’s most relevant to the role, especially if you can speak to outcomes or community impact.

3. Why you’re interested:

Finish with why this role or organisation appeals to you. This is your chance to show alignment with their mission or kaupapa.

Try to keep your answer to this opening question to around two to three minutes long. That’s long enough to include enough detail but not so long that you’ll waste precious time on this one answer.

Q2 Why do you want this role?

It can be tempting here to try to give a perfect answer that ticks all the boxes about the role. But being authentic is just as important.

It is, however, a chance to show that you understand what the role entails and that your expectations match that. It’s also another chance to show that your values fit with those of the organisation, something which is particularly key in the for-purpose sector.

Q3 Tell us about a time when…

This question is another staple of the interview process and can lead in several different directions - a time when you felt under pressure, a time when you had to work as a team, a time when you had to overcome a challenge.

The good thing about this question is that you have control over your answer. You can choose scenarios that you know well, and that can be tailored to fit the role you are applying for.

Before your interview, sit down and think up some examples for the different types of scenarios. Don’t get too caught up in the details, but have enough that you can create a concrete picture and draw conclusions from it.

Q4 Can you tell us about - insert tricky part of your career history here.

Today’s career paths aren’t linear. You might have sideways moves, or jumped from organisation to organisation due to role change opportunities, or you might have a big gap on your CV due to pausing a career to raise a family, deal with health issues or take personal development time like travelling.

None of these are issues. But they might be something the hiring panel want to talk about. Be prepared to answer questions and show how the skills and experiences you have built as a result of these moves can benefit the role you are applying for.

Q5 Where do you see yourself in five years?

The problem with this question is that you might not know! But it’s a common one, so it’s worth preparing for. 

The key is striking a balance between being specific - no vague answers like “I’d like to keep learning and moving forward” and being too specific - “I’d like to be head of the marketing team within the next two years”. Think about including points on learning and skill development, growing responsibility, and making a meaningful contribution.

Answers that suggest you might leave the organisation are also not the best. While saying something about wanting to start your own business might sound ambitious, it doesn’t signal a long-term commitment to the role you are applying for.

Q6 Do you have any questions for us?

This is usually a sign that the interview is coming to an end, so you might be tempted to just say no and get out of there. But saying no means you miss out on a crucial opportunity.

This is your chance to find out more about the role or the organisation, or clarify something which might be a sticking point if you are offered the role. Having one or two thoughtful questions to ask also shows you have done your homework and are clearly interested in the position.

While these questions might seem tricky, with a bit of simple prep, you can develop answers that will give you the confidence you need in any interview situation. Once you have your basic answers in place, all you need to do is make some tweaks each time to ensure your answers are tailored to the role you are applying for.

If you are looking for your next role, McLaren Recruitment can help to connect you with amazing organisations that are looking for your skills and experience. Find out more here.