It has happened that you prepare for a job interview, having memorized all the important points of your CV, professional experience and relevant skills, and suddenly the moment of the interview arrives, you are in front of the recruiter who asks a question that don't know how to respond?

These are the calls trick questions in a job interview. At these times, even your tongue becomes tongue-tied and it is normal to stutter while responding.

You may think that some of these questions are useless for the position, but the truth is that they hide a second intention on the part of the recruiter. 

Even classic questions like “Why are you interested in this position?”, “Tell us a little about your experience”, seemingly simple questions that aim to know something completely different.

Do you want to know how to prepare for these questions and know how to answer them? Below we list the main questions asked during a job interview and the correct answers.

Top 10 trick questions in a job interview

1. Can you describe yourself in one word? 

This is one of the most common trick questions in a job interview. The objective is to learn about a distinctive feature of the other candidates. To answer this question, It’s not enough to choose a word that sums up your personality.. 

The recruiter is more interested in your characteristics as a professional for that specific function. Instead of happy, intelligent, resilient, empathetic, generous… choose adjectives like:

• Motivated (a good feature for self-employed workers)
  
  
• Successful (having this characteristic attached is always a good sign, especially when going to a new place)
  
  
• Dynamic (demonstrates that you deal well with change and actively seek success)
  
  
• Strategic (ideal for leadership and planning roles)
  
  
• Enthusiastic (good for vacancies that require a change)
  
  
• Organized (suitable for managers and people who accumulate several responsibilities)

2. Why did you leave your previous job?

Don't criticize the previous organization you worked for, nor blame colleagues or bosses for the decision to leave your position. Also avoid justifying yourself with a bad work environment, low wages, termination of the contract or even dismissal.

Opt for a diplomatic response. Talk about professional goals and professional expectations that you did not achieve in the last company. 

Take advantage of your speech to address the desire to embrace new challenges and be part of more stimulating projects.

If you stayed at your last job for a short time, you can also explain that the project did not meet your expectations or that you were looking for something more involving.

3. Can you describe a problem you solved at school or work? 

Prepare in advance for this question by remembering an episode that serves as an example. It is important to have an answer on the tip of your tongue for this question, as the recruiter's purpose is to assess resourcefulness and problem-solving ability.

4. What type of bosses and colleagues do you most identify with? 

The answer will help the recruiter to understand whether if will adapt to the potential boss and the work team. In this case, you should answer that you have already worked with various profiles and know how to adapt to different styles, or simply that you would like to work with a boss who values training and professional growth and gives autonomy to employees, and with a team that supports each other and it is motivating.

5. What is your worst flaw? 

The secret of this question lies in talk about a defect that you have already recognized in yourself and started working to improve. Give examples of these improvement attempts. 

It could be a lack of knowledge of how to use a specific software or a lack of organization and time management. In these cases, show how you seek to resolve these weaknesses through courses or other methods.

The important thing is not to give an image of perfection, but to address this defect with a optimistic and self-improving attitude.

6. How does this position compare to others you have already applied for?

You have two alternatives to answer this question: you can not reveal for confidentiality reasons how previous interviews took place, or you can answer in a generic way, talking about the options available on the market. 

With this basic question, the recruiter intends to analyze the job market and find out how he can attract you to the company.

7. In which department would you really like to work? 

Don't fall into the trap of mentioning other companies or departments, because this reveals that you are applying to every advertisement you find and that you are not committed to the position. 

Instead, focus only on the position at hand. Demonstrate that you are the most suitable person for that position and that you will dedicate all your attention to it.

8. How did you prepare for this interview? 

The recruiter's intention is to find out whether you are really interested in that job or are simply considering your options.

Here you must mention that you researched the company's page and social media. Take the opportunity to ask questions about the sector, company or respective department, and to comment on recent news, in order to reveal that you did your research well

9. Do you have any questions you would like to ask?

Respond whenever "Yes". If you say that you have no more questions, you will reveal a lack of interest and commitment to the interview. 

But you should also not ask questions related to salary, vacations, payments, perks and other sensitive topics. Do questions focused on the company and the vacancy in question, such as: “What are the main functions of this position? Why did they open this vacancy? What profile are you looking for?”

10. What is your salary expectation?

Finally, if you are asked how much you expect to earn, avoid responding on impulse. First research the values in your area of activity, calculate travel expenses and cost-of-living changes, as well as the company's profitability.

You should not answer a value that is too high to avoid giving a bad image and losing your place, nor a value that is too low to avoid compromising your future.

Indicate one salary range that gives room for negotiation and, at the same time, mentions that it values, more than money, the professional growth, O career path and the training opportunities.

Prepare for these tricky questions in a job interview and write a script of possible answers to convey an image of confidence and security. 

Are you looking for direct contact with recruiters?

Contact without the barrier of a screen and impersonal digital procedures can increase recruitment speed and opportunities. 

A Bolsa de Empregabilidade has been bringing candidates closer to companies in the Tourism and Hospitality sector for over 7 years. Through Job Fairs, you can meet recruiters face-to-face and apply for hundreds of exclusive vacancies. 

Secure your place at the next fairs! We will visit the main geographic points of the country to promote employability in a sector that is continually expanding.