Up Against the Wall (Part 1)

Bob Weinstein is a journalist who covers technology, project management, the workplace and career development.

  Career Development  

No matter how much preparation goes into a job interview, there’s no escaping those mind-bending questions. Unlike indisputable solutions to mathematical problems, there are seldom pat answers to tough interview questions.

Every interview is unique because the variables are different. Increasingly, interviewers are getting away from the obvious textbook questions (“Tell me about yourself…”) and asking thought-provoking ones that may have a half-dozen right answers. And there is no telling what kind of an interviewer you’ll face. Most are experienced and demanding, but don’t be surprised if you’re facing an inept and bungling one, too. Similarly, job candidates run the gamut from confident, knowledgeable and secure to uncertain, anxious and easily ruffled. What category would you put yourself in?

The length and depth of most job interviews are contingent upon the job, its responsibilities and qualifying skills and experience. Experienced IT project managers trying to land positions with global communications firms looking for bi- or tri-lingual candidates, for example, are primed for tricky, mind-stumping questions.

The experts below offer valuable interview tips and strategies that can help you answer tough interview questions--and leave a positive and lasting impression with interviewers.

Expect the worst
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