The way you handle those difficult questions you're asked during an interview can land you the job or perhaps leave the hiring manager less-than-impressed. You need to be prepared and have the right attitude, Richard Bayer, chief operating officer of the Five O'clock Club, a career coaching and outplacement company, says.
To help job candidates plan and prepare, Bayer has complied a list of 10 tough interview questions and some suggested answers. Here are some excerpts:
1. "Tell me about yourself." Be succinct. Don't delve into every job on your resumé and waste the interviewer's time with details that don't apply.
2. "Why didn't you finish college?" Stay positive. Don't say, "I couldn't decide on a major." Instead, say, "I love computer animation and took a few courses, but I wanted to get out there and make things happen."
3. "How long have you been unemployed?" If you've been unemployed for six months or more, think about what you've done during this time period, find something honest to say, and make it relevant to the job you're applying for.
4. "Tell me about the worst boss you've ever had." Don't be sucked in by this question. Say "I've learned something from every one of my bosses."
5. "What are your weaknesses?" If you name a weakness, make sure you show how you've dealt with it.
"What are your strengths?" >
