4 of the Toughest Interview Questions, and How to Respond

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a challenging or difficult personality at work?

Here the hiring manager is checking your communication/interpersonal skills, and how you navigate a relationship with a difficult coworker in a respectful manner. Even if you didn’t handle it well in the past, you can add that you are wiser now and would tackle such people in a different way in the present. It demonstrates that you are a learner.

If you are able to create change in the world over the next 10 years, what will that impact look like?

This future-oriented question checks if the candidate is selfish or able to think about the organization in the long run. The candidate's goals and aspirations are valid, but they must be in sync with the vision of the company they would be associated with for such a long time.

1. Take a few seconds to think, not feeling awkward at the slight pause. You can also ask the interviewer to repeat the question, while you think of a good answer.
2. It is okay to let the interviewer know you are thinking about the answer, taking a minute to think of a suitable response can showcase your honesty and desire to give a quality response.
3. Be confident when you do answer.