Tricky interview questions.

[Undiscovered]

The most difficult question to answer is "why is your answer exactly the same as the last two candidates?"

I think the most difficult question I ever experienced was from a senior manger- not my direct line manager- and was the secret curveball at the end of the interview: "well, your answers were good and you've represented yourself to a high standard. However, there's something about you I just don't like. Why should I give you the job?"

 

[ComUtoR]

I think I have a "tricky question" On the back of another thread.

"Are you prepared to..."

Many people believe the role concerned is confined to certain duties. I never thought I'd have to examine the line for a dead body but I have been asked to do that. Some may get caught out when asked about a part of the role that they may have been unaware would be part of their every day duties. Some may be casually talking about reasons why they left previous employment or why they have chosen this role etc and not realised that the new role has those very same duties.

One of the reasons I left one employment is the late nights/early mornings. Now I'm working all hours of the clock.

Train Drivers (at least down our neck of the woods) are still customer facing. I genuinely thought I'd never speak to a customer again.

Think about the role and reasons why you want to the job and remember that there is more to a role than what is seen from the outside.

 

[red2005]

I think I have a "tricky question" On the back of another thread.

"Are you prepared to..."

Many people believe the role concerned is confined to certain duties. I never thought I'd have to examine the line for a dead body but I have been asked to do that. Some may get caught out when asked about a part of the role that they may have been unaware would be part of their every day duties. Some may be casually talking about reasons why they left previous employment or why they have chosen this role etc and not realised that the new role has those very same duties.

One of the reasons I left one employment is the late nights/early mornings. Now I'm working all hours of the clock.

Train Drivers (at least down our neck of the woods) are still customer facing. I genuinely thought I'd never speak to a customer again.

Think about the role and reasons why you want to the job and remember that there is more to a role than what is seen from the outside.

Some very good points there! anyone going Into an Interview nowadays with the mindset train drivers have nothing to do with the likes of customer service simply won't get the job.

 

[ComUtoR]

...with the mindset train drivers have nothing to do with the likes of customer service simply won't get the job.

Or Studying, Taking exams/assessments, training, training and more training, and errrrr. possibly a little cleaning too...

Was even out shovelling snow a few years back too.

 

[red2005]

Or Studying, Taking exams/assessments, training, training and more training, and errrrr. possibly a little cleaning too...

Was even out shovelling snow a few years back too.

Ha yep!

 

[DunfordBridge]

I was once asked about the challenges of train driving on a daily basis. I cited time-keeping due to external events whilst continuing to drive safely. I did not think to mention anything more obvious and routine because I did not view it as potentially challenging.

 

[red2005]

I was once asked about the challenges of train driving on a daily basis. I cited time-keeping due to external events whilst continuing to drive safely. I did not think to mention anything more obvious and routine because I did not view it as potentially challenging.

Oooooops lol

 

[shorts]

This is a great thread
I have recently been through a DMI and have been successful. A couple of questions I was asked:
"tell me about a time you have motivated someone you worked with? "
" tell me about a time you have had to adapt to a changing situation"
I first went on about a 24 kickboxing session where I had to motivate others. The second question I described a time where I was driving my bus and an old lady fell and I had to call an ambulance.
I would like some advice on the MMI as I have the computerised assessments and the MMI as the final stage of this process. Xx

 

[ComUtoR]

I would like some advice on the MMI as I have the computerised assessments and the MMI as the final stage of this process. Xx

Do exactly the same as you did with the DMI. The MMI is not much different and any interview advice is the same I would give for any interview. As you have passed the DMI already then apply the same principles you did and you should sail through.

 

[Bromley boy]

Hardest I have faced was "give an example of when you were unfairly criticised."

A real minefield of a question because obviously you've got to admit to being criticised for something (so be very careful what this is!!!) and then explain how the criticism was unfair. It would be very easy to give an example of criticism which wasn't unfair in which case you're immediately marked down as someone who can't take criticism!

 

[red2005]

Hardest I have faced was "give an example of when you were unfairly criticised."

A real minefield of a question because obviously you've got to admit to being criticised for something (so be very careful what this is!!!) and then explain how the criticism was unfair. It would be very easy to give an example of criticism which wasn't unfair in which case you're immediately marked down as someone who can't take criticism!

Agree totally! I was always told always end your answer to a question like that with a positive!

For example I was asked about weaknesses I had......to which I replied I used to take criticism to heart and felt like I was doing something wrong and maybe letting someone down in some form.
(Made sure I emphasised that it didn't cause me to kick off in any way)

However experience has now told me that sometimes it's not about always someone trying to bring you down or pick out negatives in your performance, It can also be constructive and help you become a stronger employee or person. I now use criticism in whatever form it comes as a learning aid.

I don't know to this day where I pulled it from as it was a question I certainly wasn't expecting but I got the job so it must of been ok or I was very lucky lol!!

But yes some of these questions can be minefields but the key really is to take a breath and truly think about your answer and don't just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

 

[goatie]

one of the guys where I used to work had an interview and was asked "what is your weakness"
So he thought for a bit then told them " hot sausage rolls, just can't leave them on the plate"
he got the job

 

[red2005]

Ha brilliant!.....and probably much more acceptable than "I don't have any weaknesses" lol

 

[AD15]

Great advice. ????????????