Interview questions 

Don't let 2 or 3 difficult interview Questions ruin your job prospects!
 
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

- of the KILLER Kind! (KQ)
by Essential Career Advice Review.

Most people prepare well for job interviews, so recruiters have turned to more devious interview questions  to sort the wheat form the chaff. 

So 'The Essential Career Advice Review' investigates the KQ -  Killer Interview Questions.

But First......

	If you'd have trouble answering these interview questions, you'll definitely  need to read this article.

Interview Question: 1 

The rapid pace of technology today is unparalleled.
How do you stay up with the pace?

Interview Question: 2

"What would you like to see inscribed on your headstone?"

Interview Question: 3

"What steps would you take to terminate an employee 
who is not performing adequately?"

Interview Question: 4

Can you tell me something you've never told
anyone before?"

Interview Questions - the unexpected ones!

Nerves jangling.....face reddening and the faintest hint of 
sweat on your forehead: it's the typical interview scenario.

However, so far so good. You're doing very well. You've answered
all the questions.  You begin to relax. You can see the end in sight......
and lots and lots of fat pay checks. 

Then your interviewer turns to you and behind the seemingly
disarming smile, hits you with the killer:  

Cue verbal paralysis as you search in vain for the right response
to an interview question that seemingly has no 
connection to the job you are going for. 

You may not have been tangoed but it's the interview 
equivalent: you've just been hit by the killer Question (KQ).

The Phenomenon of killer Interview Questions

The Phenomenon of killer Interview Questions is not new but it is 
much more commonplace than ever before.

According to recent research by Office Angels,  90% of
employers now use various forms of killer interview questions.

When Office Angels conducted the same survey two years earlier
the figure was 75%. 

Although Killer Interview Questions were originally targeted at 
salespeople, this form of devious questioning is now targeted at all 
professions and jobs.

And the reason for this is simple: Although we may not like it, these interview questions serve a very valid purpose. 

As John O'Neill, the resident interview expert advisor at www.job-interview-questions.com explains: 

"The Killer Question is simply an excellent way of discovering how the applicant handles being caught off balance. How he handles the unexpected."

"We love 'em!"

And employers are now basking in their new-found tool for sifting 
the wheat from the chaff. 

As Richard Quinn of Broadband Technologies, says:

"This form of interview questions allows an employer to see how fast the interviewee is on his feet. These interview questions are essential as they provide an vital insight into how that candidate might deal with 'real-life' situations.

Another big fan of this type of interview questions is Sue Stoughton,  who is managing director of SJP Recruitment.

As Sue explains:

"Killer Interview Questions help us see a candidate's initiative, intelligence, listening skills, discretion and behavior in a pressurized environment. 

You'll also get an indication of how diplomatic the candidate can be when put on the spot"

 

How to prepare - and win!

So we know employers love these types of interview questions 
but what do candidates think of them and more importantly, how can you prepare for them?   

To help us, we turned again to John O'Neill, whose company's 
software product 'Job Interview Questions & Answers' is designed 
specifically  to help candidates prepare for all the interview questions they might face in 2 hours.

As John explained:

"The key really is to prepare well.....and to stay calm. And remember: What interviewers are really looking for is how you respond to something you were not expecting. They want to see how you perform - and react under pressure. 

So no matter what they ask you - try to stay calm, relaxed 
and focused on the question.

And here is another vital point: Most killer questions are actually
quite EASY to answer. Yes, they may SEEM very difficult but if you can
stay relaxed and carefully examine the question - you'll always find 
a good answer.

On our own website, we give two great examples of this. For example, imagine the interviewers asks you :

"How would you react if I told you your
   interview, so far, was terrible?" 

Now this question SEEMS difficult - but stop for a moment and really
think:

How would you react if your interviewer said that to you?  Would you 
get angry, annoyed or maybe, even insult the interviewer back? 

If so, you would have fallen for the trap.

Listen to the question again and this time pay close attention to the most important word in the question -'If'. 

The question is quite easy.

The interviewer is NOT saying that your interview is terrible. He is 
asking: "How would you react IF I said your interview was terrible."   

In other words, he is trying to find out how you react to criticism. 

In the daily grind of the real business world, people  lose their tempers
and shout and criticize each other. 

The interviewer wants to JUDGE how you might react to such situations
in the work place. 

So listen carefully to the question and don't fall for the bait. Let the
interviewer see you calmly considering the question and then begin your respond: 

Here's another example of a question that seems very hard - and yet
is in fact very easy.

Imagine the interviewer said to you:

"What is the worst thing you have heard about 
our company?"  

This is known as a 'shock' question. 

It is designed to throw you off balance - to make you uncomfortable and then to see HOW you will react. 

Again, at first glance it may SEEM a difficult question, however  it is quite 
simple to answer once you don't fall in to the trap of trying to answer it objectively. 

It is just a trick question injected into the interview to test you. The interviewer is an old pro. He knows the questions that can unnerve interviewees. He is  carefully watching for your reaction. 

However you have done your homework, too, and instead of getting hot and bothered you smile and simply say: 

Sample answer.

"The worse thing I have heard about your company is how  hard it is to get a job there and how tough, detailed and  rigorous their job interviews are.!"   

A simple but effective answer. 

Now watch your interviewer respond to that!  You see, if you take your time and stay calm how easy these 'difficult Questions' can be! 

(These samples of interview questions are taken from 
'Job Questions & Answers" best-selling  software program )  

The real solution to  Killer Interview Questions......

Well, the key seems to be 

• To prepare well, 

• Stay as relaxed, calm and focused as you can, 

• And if you have prepared well - you can expect to do well."

And finally..... 

Should we be afraid of killer interview questions? 

No. Although they are important and can make a big difference 
we should keep them in context. 

As Sue Stoughton, managing director of SJP Recruitment. points out:

"Employers are not trying to catch people out with killer interview questions. They are just one tool they will use to discover what people are really like. Candidates need to turn the questions to their advantage by approaching them in the most positive light and by remembering they are basically there to sell themselves in under 40 minutes.

So as you get ready for your interview this week,

• Do your preparation, 
  

• Do your research 
  

• And even though you can't know exactly what the KQ will
  be, prepare yourself well for the unexpected.
  
  
  Don't simply hope it won't come. The evidence suggests you will 
  have to deal with a killer!  

Recommended help

For help to prepare for your interview, 'The Essential  Career Advice
Review' recommends the following sites

Need more help for your interview?

  The Essential  Career Advice
Review' has more essential advice and fact sheets on:

• Pre-interview Strategy: All the essential things you must do
  BEFORE your interview 
  

• How to prepare and research properly for your interview.
  

• How to understand the MIND of your interview and predict what he may ask.
  

• How to dress to WIN for for interview.
  

• How to make a first GOOD IMPRESSION.
  

• How to RELAX and BANISH interview nerves.
  

• EVERYTHING you need to know about your interview.
  

• Three essential things you must do AFTER your interview.
  

• What to do if you get the job?