Tough Interview Questions and Answers

If you were an animal at the zoo, which animal would you be and why?

Alternative and related questions:

If you were a dog, what breed of dog would you be?
If you were a biscuit, what type of biscuit would you be?
If you were a make of car, what make would you be?
If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?

The meaning behind the question:

Clearly the interviewer fancies themselves as a bit of an amateur psychiatrist. Superficially, it’s a fairly silly question really. However, the answers candidates give can be very revealing. The interviewer is obviously testing your ability to think on your feet – but they are also looking for some further insight into how you perceive yourself.

Your answer:

This is definitely one of the most difficult questions to answer. You’ve got to quickly think of all the different possible animals (or dog breeds or cars, etc.) and then pick one which has certain – positive – characteristics which you feel match your own. You’ve then got to explain your choice to the interviewer. This isn’t easy – but don’t panic; stall for time if necessary. And remember that there is no ‘correct’ answer to the question – it’s all about how you reach your answer and how you express yourself.

Example:

I can’t say anyone has ever asked me that before! If I could just have a second to think about it… Right, I think the chimpanzee springs to my mind. They’re a lot like humans really. They work together as a team, co-operate with each other for the benefit of the whole group, are sensitive to each other socially – and they always seem to have a good sense of fun and humour!

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More tough interview questions and answers

You must surely have more than one weakness?

What character flaws do you have?

How do you handle being criticised?

What really makes you lose your rag?

How did you cope with the most difficult colleague you've ever had?

Are you able to make difficult decisions and tough choices?

Why haven't you achieved more in your career?

What don't you like about this line of work?

Where does your current employer think you are at the moment?

What are your current boss's weaknesses?

What are your current employer's plans for the year ahead?

What reservations do you have about working for us?

You've been out of work for a while. Has it been difficult finding a job?

What's your sickness record like?

What do you think of me as an interviewer?

If you were in my position, what questions would you be asking?

What would be the toughest question I could ask you?

What makes you better than any of the other candidates I'm interviewing?

I think you're overqualified for this job. Don't you?

What will you do if I decide not to hire you?

See this pen? Can you sell it to me?

If you were an animal at the zoo, which animal would you be and why?

If there was a monkey hanging from a chandelier, how would you get it down?

Why don't polar bears eat penguins?

How much water would it take to fill St. Paul's Cathedral?