When you are facing an interview panel, even the most basic questions can unsettle you. So imagine the situation when you have to face a volley of tricky questions that tests your diplomacy and commonsense rather than the subject matter expertise as such.

Let’s admit it! Any interview can be an intense experience as you have to leave an impression in a few minutes. Your resume might have given the interviewer a fair idea of your academic qualifications, hobbies, skill sets and work experience but they reserve these tricky questions to get a glimpse of you as a person.

So, here are a few tricky questions that interviewers may ask the candidates, which may even leave them dumbstruck, blank or embarrassed!



1. How do you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10?

Though anyone will be tempted to give a top score for themselves, this could be seen as an arrogant or over smart act. So, stay grounded and go for a score that is above average of say 6. Make sure to support your rating with your values, experience and skills.

2. How will you carry out near impossible multiple tasks in a day?

Here you should take up the middle path and be diplomatic. This question is to find whether the candidates can handle stress. So if you say that you expect a reasonable work load, it will send out the message that you are not hardwired to handle the corporate world stress. You also don’t want to say that you will finish the tasks by staying awake all night. The smart answer will thus be that you will prioritize and delegate the tasks to ensure timely completion. This will highlight the point that you believe in executing the work in perfection instead of rushing through it.

3. Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team?

Though you will be tempted to say that you are a team player, but hold on and think about the role that you may be handling. If you will be working on an individual level, indicate that you are competitive to discharge your responsibilities. On the other hand if it is a team job, make sure to clarify to the interviewer that you are adept to work in a team and highlight your interpersonal strengths and capabilities.

4. Don’t you think you’re over-qualified?

If you say yes, it will indirectly be admitting that you are a misfit for the position. Instead, try to convince that you are willing to take up that role and keen to be part of the team on a long term basis. May be the interviewer is trying to measure your commitment and the risk of attrition before hiring you with this tricky question. So, be specific. You can list out some sound reasons that made you choose this company such as you are impressed by the culture of the company or the challenge of a startup organization or to prove your worth.

5. How will you function with a non-cooperative member in a team?

This is a tricky question to answer. Answers like “I will report the matter to my supervisor” or "I will take up the matter with the rest of the team” will not get you anywhere. A better response will be that you got your work completed with the team effort. Bad-mouthing in an interview is a negative trait that could fire back.

These are some of the many such questions that you can expect in an interview. The best way to dodge these is to be well prepared by understanding about the new organization and the boss. Do your ground work so that you are not caught unawares. Best of luck! Overcoming limitations is just a click of mouse away in this age of effective and advance communication technology. For further information on online English speaking course or to experience the wonders of virtual classroom fix a demonstration session with our tutor.

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- By Shailja Varma

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