I know very few people who treat interviews like a walk in the park. Some more, some less, but everyone feels like they are being tested and imagines scenarios where they won’t know what to say or will say the wrong thing. 

During one of my first post-graduation interviews, I received one of the worst questions to me… "what are your strengths and weaknesses?".

After listing 3 common and predictable strengths, I stumbled when it came to weaknesses, mumbled something, and then went silent for 20 seconds, which felt like 15 minutes in my mind.

How did I get out of it?

"Well, it’s hard to shoot yourself!"

The look of disgust and disapproval I received came through loud and clear. I knew I would never get that role.

A few years later, I finally found myself on the other side of the table, trying to ask more reasonable questions to the candidates I interviewed. No one should have to answer such useless questions. Besides, tell me,who actually answers them honestly (and with good reason)?

Over time, interview questions have evolved, but some of the most difficult ones have remained the same. Let’s break them down and change our perspective on how they can actually work to our advantage:

Tell me about a time you failed

• Why it’s intimidating: You don’t know how honest you can be, you don’t want to make a bad impression, and it’s uncomfortable to talk about failures with someone who is evaluating you.

• Reframe: Everyone loves a good story especially one where a hero learns a crucial lesson from an unlikely situation and comes out stronger. The word failure sounds harsh; instead, think of it as "a time when things took an unexpected turn, but I used the experience to grow."

• Opportunity: Share a real experience, ideally from a time when you had less experience. Briefly describe the event and your efforts, but focus on what you learned and how it has shaped the way you solve similar problems today. Did your mistake help someone else? Did it lead to innovation or prevent others from making the same mistake? How did it make you better?

 Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work and how you handled it

• Why it’s intimidating: You might let negative emotions take over, say too much, or come across as aggressive.

• Reframe: Conflict is normal, even at work. You can describe these situations in a neutral way by focusing on the two different perspectives rather than proving that you were right.

• Opportunity: Demonstrate your communication skills. Maybe a stakeholder had a rigid perspective, and persuading them was initially difficult. Showing how you listened, validated another viewpoint, and used that information to present options, support your case with data, or engage in open and honest dialogue proves that you don’t let conflict ruin collaboration.

Why is there a gap in your resume?

• Why it’s intimidating: Let me just say, I think this question should be illegal. Especially post-COVID. It’s scary because you might feel like you have nothing “valuable” to justify months or years without work.

• Reframe: You can build trust by adjusting the level of vulnerability based on what you feel comfortable sharing. This isn’t a trick question, they just want to understand if you gained skills outside of work and whether you stayed up to date.

• Opportunity: From volunteering to courses to mentorship, not having a formal job doesn’t mean you weren’t growing. Why not highlight those experiences? And if you took time off due to burnout, family responsibilities, or health issues? You’re not obligated to explain everything. Keep it brief and shift the conversation back to your motivation. Focus on why this role and this company excite you. Don’t justify, don’t waste precious time. The best strategy is to highlight what inspired you to apply and why you’re a great fit.

Bonus tip: Don’t waste time thinking about everything that could go wrong. Prepare thoroughly for the questions you fear the most, and focus on all the positive feedback you’ve received from colleagues, managers, and clients over the years.

Right before the interview, look at a funny meme, watch a video that makes you laugh, or talk to someone who believes in you. Don’t try to be perfect, you don’t need to be. Be honest, trust in your value, and show them that this opportunity is the perfect match between what you can do, what you want to learn, and the alignment between your values and theirs.

It’s easy to forget all the meaningful things we do. Reread your past performance reviews and always keep a copy as a resource for the stories you’ll share in future interviews.

Always ask for LinkedIn recommendations from the people who give you the best compliments at work. You may not need them now, but when you start looking for a new job, they’ll be incredibly valuable.

Don’t take your skills for granted, and always stay prepared. Sometimes, opportunities come at the most unexpected moments, and having a clear idea of your strengths allows you to seize them instantly.

I hope this article helps you! Share it with a friend who panicks before every interview, and let me know how it went. You can connect with me here or through LinkedIn. Always happy to grow my network and learn what contents helps you best.

About me

Hi, I’m Roberta! As a former senior recruiter for companies like Atlassian, TomTom, Booking.com, and Tony’s Chocolonely, I know what it takes to stand out in the job market. Now, as a certified career coach, I help ambitious expats land the right job and create a work-life balance they love. Let’s connect, I'm looking forward to share many more insider's tips with you!