Difficult Contract Interview Questions
Answers to Difficult Contract Interview Questions.
You must get some yourself. So, it is better to prepare for them beforehand and know the answers before they ask the questions.
You don’t want to be humming and haaing when they interviewers ask them.
You need winning interview techniques to stay ahead of the pack.
How to Survive a Tricky/Adversarial Interview
The following difficult contract interview questions are common to most tricky or adversarial interviews. So, in order to convince the interviewer that you are the best person for the contract, you must prepare and rehearse your answers meticulously.
Study the job description and the candidate profile; research the company; and match your skills and accomplishments to the employer’s requirements.
When preparing your answers, consider what each question is designed to find out about the candidate’s suitability for the position on offer.
1. Why are you leaving your current job?
The client is seeking to identify problems you have had in the past that you may carry over into your new contract.
So, never criticize your previous client or work colleagues.
Avoid statements that may convey a negative impression of yourself or your ability to get on with others.
State that you are looking for a new challenge and briefly explain why you see the position as an important step forward in your career.
2. Why should we take you on rather than one of the other candidates?
The interviewer wants to know what unique quality makes you the best person for the contract.
So, to differentiate yourself from the other candidates, you must show that you have researched the company thoroughly and studied the job description.
You should be prepared to demonstrate clearly how your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments match the employer’s specific needs.
It is important to convey genuine enthusiasm for the post.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This particularly tricky question requires painstaking preparation and rehearsal.
The interviewer is looking for evidence of critical self-assessment and a commitment to continuous self-development.
So, s, therefore,tress specific job-related strengths and accomplishments.
Select one weakness that could be viewed both as positive and negative, e.g. you are a perfectionist who tends to work too long hours.
Show, by particular example, how you successfully address this tendency.
Make sure to portray yourself in a positive light.
Never mention a weakness that is directly related to the job for which you are being interviewed.
Remember, your interview body language can help you or hinder you.
4. Tell me about yourself
The interviewer wants to know how well suited you are to the job and how you can benefit the company.
Spend no longer than two minutes answering this question.
By analysing the job description and carrying out detailed company research in advance, you will have a clear idea of the ideal candidate.
Focus on your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments that relate to the advertised position.
Remember that the company has a problem and they are looking for the best solution.
Prove to them that you can solve their problem better than anyone else.
5. Would you be likely to renew your contract?
If hired, are you likely to commit yourself fully to the company or will you seize the first opportunity to move on?
Show that you have a structured way of establishing goals.
Stress, therefore, that you are ambitious, but realistic. Let them know that you plan to develop your skills and abilities professionally within the company.
6. Why do you want to work for our company?
The interviewer is trying to discover how much you know about the company.
So, once again, detailed company research will pay handsome dividends when it comes to answering this question.
The candidate who displays a knowledge of the company and an awareness of the challenges it faces is more likely to be selected than the tongue-tied interviewee who looks perplexed when asked why he or she wants to work for that particular company.
You should find out as much as you can about the company’s organisational structure;
- its financial history;
- its range of products, goods or services;
- the company’s aims and objectives;
- its philosophy and culture;
- its trading methods;
- the company’s history, current position, and future developments;
- its competitors;
- Any company training programmes;
- its attitude towards its customers;
- its achievements; and
- any problems it may have.
Tailor your answer in terms of their needs not yours.
So, be positive. Say that you like what you’ve heard about the company and the way they treat their staff and customers.
Stress, therefore, that you are confident that you can make a meaningful contribution.
There are many interview rejection reasons. Make sure that you follow the above to cut these down.
So, you can turn difficult contract interview questions to your advantage. Make them work for you rather than against you.
To help you here are 10 contract interview tips to remember.
Good luck!
