New Interview Questions for the New Year

In an ideal world, job interviews would be conversations between employers and prospective employees that allow both parties to find out whether they're a good fit for each other. Questions toward the interviewee would focus on qualifications and history, while questions in the other direction would focus on company culture and job specifics. Unfortunately, trends moving into 2017 point to more obtuse questions. Here are a few examples, along with some hints on handling them.

"What Makes You Unique and Therefore Better Than Every Other Applicant?"

This job interview question asks applicants to put themselves above everyone else. Although confidence is great, there is value in humility too, and most confident, talented people know that bragging is rarely a good thing. The best way to answer this question is to focus on a combination of several different traits that come together to make you unique.

"Describe Your Ideal Job"

Again, this is a question best answered vaguely in a job interview. You don't want to put off an employer by describing a job that is radically different than the one for which you've applied. Hopefully you've done your research and are sure that your description falls in line with this company's mission and values. After considering that angle, add in some general statements about wanting to solve problems, help people or work with a strong team.

"Share the Most Significant Event That Has Happened in Your Life"

This difficult question is extremely personal, and you have no obligation to answer it with complete honesty. Keep the focus on the job and your life in relationship to preparing for work in that industry. You might want to mention earning a degree or other honor or enjoying huge success in a work project. Try to avoid talking about personal things such as getting married or having children at a job interview, as these are really none of the company's business.

"If You Could Do One Thing in Your Past Over Again, What Would That Be?"

This is another very personal question — and one that interviewers don't think through all that well. Stay away from overly emotional or sad moments, and keep your answer job-focused. Try to choose a work decision from a previous job or a school decision that ended poorly. State the situation briefly, including the outcome, and then describe the choice you wish you had made along with the better outcome that might've been. Make sure you emphasize things you learned from the situation; that knowledge is what makes you able to choose better moving into the future.

Job interviews are stressful enough without difficult questions that don't seem to relate directly to the job. When you encounter questions like these, it's fine to move the conversation back toward the job and your direct qualifications. Feel free to ask the interviewers questions to learn more about the position and show your interest. Make your job interview a collaboration to minimize the importance of obtuse questions.

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