In the last issue, we tackled some of the most common job interview questions you are likely to field. Some of them may have been tricky, but they're small fry compared to some of these common heavyweights that employers reserve for when they really want to put the applicant on the spot.

There are ways to appropriately answer and/or minimize the awkwardness of the most fiendish of job interview questions. However, while we do not advocate that you outright lie to these questions, it is generally understood that interviews are times when we are expected to sell ourselves, where negative elements are downplayed, positive ones emphasized, and things overall are portrayed in their best possible light.  So, use this article as it was intended:  as a guide to better clarify what you’re looking for in a job and a way to plan your thoughts and actions beforehand so there won’t be any need to lie.  Take the following responses as examples of what would be an appropriate answer and not necessarily as a script for what you ought to say.       

"Some of this job will be repetitive and mundane. Are you okay with that?"

Ouch, of course no one is overjoyed about repetitiveness, and they know this, which is why if you’re overly positive, you'll smack of insincerity.  They're not just looking for an intelligent, positive response here, but one that's believable. To that end, in answering this interview question, an example of a good response would be something like: "Of course all jobs have elements that are repetitive and less interesting than the others, but I've always tried to give 100% in every aspect of my work--mundane or not."

"How have you managed to attend this job interview during office hours?"

This tough interview question may as well have been rephrased: "Does your boss know you're here?" because that's what they're asking. It should be fairly obvious that the right answer isn't "I pulled a sicky!" An example of a good answer to this is: "I took some of my pre-allocated holiday time to attend.” 

"You know what the job involves - which part do you think sounds the least appealing?"

This interview question is an incredibly uncomfortable one, and unfortunately there is no easy way out. You could try and keep it short with a "Having read through the job description, there isn't anything that really doesn't appeal to me", but if the job does have unappealing elements (and 99% of jobs do), then you'll come across as insincere. If there are aspects of the job which you can see yourself hating, then be honest about it--just make sure it isn't a major part of the job, and try to play it down when answering the interview question with a "but every job has some areas which don't appeal, so I would still endeavor to take on these less appealing elements in a mature and professional manner."

"What kind of person do you find it hard to work alongside?"

Although this interview question seems like an easy pitfall, there is real potential to turn a negative into a positive! Start off your answer with your best trait, as in: "I've always thought of myself as very hardworking/sincere/quick/efficient, and so I sometimes find it frustrating to work alongside those who lack that particular quality. That said, I do pride myself on being very easy to get along with and a team player, and I have never met someone I couldn't work alongside." When answering the interview question this way, you highlight your positive points rather than other people's negatives.

"To be honest, you seem to be overqualified for this position..."

Not an interview question as such, but something that definitely needs to be effectively deflected.  If they feel you're overqualified, it seems to imply you're either desperate for work (which you may well be, but you don't want them to know) or likely to move on within a few months. If this comes up, you need to convince them that it's just the kind of job for you--it's hard to do, but when answering this question, it would need to convince them that you have a high tolerance for the less savory parts or that this kind of work is the type of thing you love doing and that they should be thrilled to have someone like you aboard.

"You haven't been in your current job very long - why?"

The job interview process is expensive both in terms of costs and time--the employers don't want to be in a position where they hire you and find you're looking to move on within three months. They need their investment to be rewarded, and as such you need to set their minds at ease and convince them that it is your intention to be in 'for the long haul'. A reasonable answer to this would therefore be something along the lines of "I felt I had learned all I could with my current employers and need to move on to enhance my career. I am now ready to settle down and devote myself fully to something I can commit to in the long-term."

"You've been in your current job for a very long time - why?"

The flipside of the long-term human resources investment coin is that employers are often unimpressed by someone who seems to lack the ambition or ability to get another job. It's a bit unfair, and should be easy enough to defend with one of the many legitimate explanations of employee dedication--a love of the job, good friendships, or a good old fashioned sense of loyalty.

"Have you been attending other job interviews?"

This question is tough and can have both negative and positive repercussions. It could be an assessment of how much you want the job ("I'm only applying to this one simply because it seems ideal for my ambitions and skill set") or a cheeky way of assessing if their rivals are interested in you ("I've been talking to a few other companies and considering my options"). You have to use your own judgment to work out their intentions based on the tone of the interviewers and the other interview questions they ask. If you are in any doubt you could try hedging your bets and combining both types of answers: "I have been talking to some other companies, but in all honesty this job is my preference, as the job description seems to match my experience and skill set."

"What is your current salary?"

This is a cheeky job interview question that you should avoid giving an exact answer to! It is in the best interest of the employer to try to save money as much as possible, and by working out your current wage they hope to be able to offer you the bare minimum (a slight increase on your current salary).  If you don't tell them, then you're in a far better position to negotiate.  Hence, an appropriate response:  "It isn't about the salary for me really - it's the whole job package that interests me." Avoid directly answering the interview question here, and you should be fine.

These tough interview questions are difficult to answer sufficiently, but the employer knows this. Remember, every applicant will receive the same grilling, so given the right preparation, you will have the edge to pull yourself ahead of the competition. 

Gail Kenny is the managing director of Puregenie--an online recruitment agency for the travel industry.