Job interview: 6 tricky questions you WILL face

Be careful how you respond to these questions for some of them are meant to test whether you really have the skills and passion for the job, writes Rajesh Nair, CEO, TopGear Consultants.

Candidates who appear for job interviews often find themselves in a tricky situation when asked about their previous organisation and colleagues.

The biggest challenge is to decide how much to reveal and conceal in an effort to put one's best foot forward.

Here, Rajesh Nair, CEO, TopGear Consultants tells us how to tackle the most common and trickiest questions in a job interview. Read on.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

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1. What is the one big mistake that you feel that you have done in your career?

Through this question, the interviewer is looking for the corrective responses to your mistakes.

Admitting your mistake is very important for any professional in his career as it is the very first step in rectifying your mistake.

Be honest and try to give an example wherein you have not only corrected the mistake but also learnt from it.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

2. Why do you want a change when you are doing so well in your current job?

The interviewer in this case wants to know your definition of success -- what exactly is driving you.

The employer also aims to analyse your situation at work through your response.

If you say that I'm really good and talented but my job sucks, it will not really help your case.

Every employer looks for a team player who can adapt well and be flexible to fit into their team.

So the answer should ideally be a combination of factors like current challenges at work, opportunity for growth, more responsibilities, and improved CTC.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

3. What is the one thing that you'd like to change in your current boss/colleagues?

The interviewer is trying to figure out the rapport you share with your boss/colleagues.

It is very important not to criticise your current company or your boss. But it leaves a very bad impression.

The interviewer also wants to know how good you are at managing your boss. You can always use an example where you actually changed that one behaviour.

For example: In case your boss did not give you space as a professional and you actually convinced him to delegate more and take a review every fortnight. This would present you as a thought leader who is proactive and action oriented.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

4. What is more important -- CTC or job satisfaction?

Although money is an important part for any professional while looking out for a change, it should not be the only reason for change.

So obviously the answer cannot be one of them.

One of the candidates we'd interviewed said: "It is important that my company pays and treats me well".

Job satisfaction has a lot to do with the culture of the company.

So your answer could be CTC OR job satisfaction in isolation cannot be termed important. CTC and job satisfaction in equal measure would be important.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

5. Do you carry your work home?

This question is very tricky because saying yes would mean you are not efficient to complete your work on time and saying no would mean that you are not flexible and passionate.

The best answer would be: I do carry my work home sometimes when the work load is more.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

6. Have you ever been sacked?

The best answer here would be the truth.

In fact, even if you have been laid off and the way you reacted and handled it would show lot of character which would work for you.

In case you had been asked to leave due to the economic slowdown you should be honest about it. Also mention how you coped with it and channelised your fears and insecurities.

Failure is an integral part of success.

You can always present your case as someone who has seen how life without a job is and therefore would take very work that much more seriously.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh