Answering Difficult Interview Questions

Skilled interviewers know that they should put candidates at their ease and get them to talk about how they have used their skills and experience in the past. Unfortunately, many managers are asked to interview without having ever been trained. It is these unskilled interviewers who could ask you all sorts of weird questions.

Some questions can't possibly tell the interviewer anything about your ability to do the job - but obviously the interviewer thinks that it is a good question. So you have no choice really but to have a shot at responding briefly to the question, then trying to turn the question to your advantage to show off some skill. Some questions you just shouldn't be asked in interviews:

Do you read much? What was the last book you read?

Don't be caught lying - if you are going to say that you have read a key business book, then be ready to answer technical questions about the content of the book. However, few interviewers will expect you to have read a business book. Just be ready to discuss the plot or contents of a book that you have read. Ideally, the book should have improved you in at least some small way.

For example: ''The book talks about the plight of the servant classes in turn-of-the-century China . It's a very humbling description of the effects of poverty and injustice.''

What was the last film you saw?

It does not matter what the last film you saw was. Just be prepared to talk briefly about the plot and why you saw it.

After naming the film, for instance: ''. . . which was a big budget action adventure movie. I watch all sorts of things from independent French films to romantic comedies, but on this occasion I wanted something escapist to watch.''

If you were an animal, what would you be?

The interviewer has probably read a 'pop psychology' book claiming that candidates can be rated based on the types of animals they would describe themselves as. This is a ridiculous question as there is no link between job performance and types of animals.

Unfortunately, you need to play along with this amateur Freud. Select a suitably noble animal such as a lion, eagle, wolf, etc. and go on to relate how its characteristics relate to your ability to do the job. For example, you could argue that an elephant can 'cope with a heavy workload' or that a Labrador 'picks up skills quickly'. Resist the temptation to choose an animal with comical or sinister qualities such as a kangaroo or a snake.

Tell me a story

Ideally, you should tell a story about your career, including examples of the skills that the interviewer is looking for. Perhaps first ask, ''Can I tell you the story of my career?''

However, if the interviewer insists that you tell a story about something outside work, try to tell a story about something that you have achieved - whether it is learning a musical instrument, to designing an extension for your house.

If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be?

Pick someone who has characteristics or skills that would be desirable in the job you are applying for - such as a notable business leader. However, resist citing the really well known business gurus such as Tom Peters or Warren Bennis - as that could make you sound clichéd. Politicians can also be risky choices if you do not know the political leanings of your interviewer. Also steer clear of poets, humanitarians or artists - unless you can argue that they have traits that you would use for this particular job.

All of us have personality defects. What is yours?

A personality defect is a very strong term. Perhaps you could begin your answer by saying: ''I wouldn't say that I have anything as strong as a personality defect. However, I do have areas that I know I could improve on. For example . . .''

And then continue as if you had been asked to list your weaknesses.