Answering Questions
When you answer an interviewer's questions — no matter how simple or difficult — there are certain rules you must follow. First and foremost, you must be clear in what you are saying. Don't skirt the issue at hand; be sure to answer the question that you are being asked. Candidates who ramble and seem to go off on their own tangent are not likely to be hired.
Use Anecdotes
Where you can, cite evidence or tell the interviewer some sort of story that supports what you are saying. If you claim to be, for example, a strong leader, discuss a time when you demonstrated strong leadership skills. Try to ascertain the heart of each question, and be sure your answer clearly articulates your capabilities.
If you are unsure of what the interviewer is asking or what he is trying to get at with a question, don't be afraid to ask. Asking for clarification during any part of the interview will not be looked down upon unless you start asking for clarification on every question.
Do not ignore your weaknesses; the interviewer is certainly going to try to find them. Once you know exactly what your biggest weaknesses are, spend time alleviating them. This will give you the ability to talk about the subject with a certain amount of pride.
Be Confident
The most important thing to remember when answering any question is to always project confidence. Even if the interviewer is questioning your abilities or skills in a particular area, answer with confidence and conviction.
Difficult Questions
Having an impossible question — one which you don't have an answer to — thrown at you is probably one of the worst things that could happen during an interview. Yet this situation happens quite often when a recruiter deliberately attempts to stump you. Many interviewers admit to asking candidates questions they know they can't answer, simply to see how they react. This is one test you want to make sure you pass!
Especially in interviews for high-pressure jobs, you should be prepared for questions that are both utterly complex and absolutely zany. Often, there is no right or wrong answer to these questions, but there are right and wrong reactions.
If you have an impossible question thrown at you, the best way to handle the situation is to think about the question for a few seconds. If you come up with an intelligible answer, great! If you can't, a simple “I don't know” or “I cannot answer that question” will do just fine. Avoid making apologies! Don't be sorry just because you don't know the answer; simply say you don't know and move on with the interview.
Regardless of what you say, always remain confident in your response — even when you don't have an answer at all.
