Most Challenging Interview Questions: Remote Jobs- and How to Answer
I have applied for a lot of jobs. Like over 400 in two years. While not every application leads to an interview, I’ve certainly navigated my fair share of first, second, and even third-round interviews. I’d consider myself an experienced interviewee, but I’ve definitely stumbled on more than a few questions along the way. Here’s a curated list of some of the most challenging interview questions I’ve encountered.
Keep in mind, this list will not contain the standard (but difficult) interview questions such as “tell me about yourself”, “explain your greatest weakness”, or “why do you want this role?”. Indeed has a great article on common interview questions and how to answer them that I highly recommend.
- How do you handle arbitrary?
This question threw me for a loop because the question itself is arbitrary. After a quick second to think, I was able to speak about my problem solving skills and some examples of arbitrary tasks I completed in my previous role and how I go about solving them.
- Describe yourself in a team setting?
This question is a bit different from others as they wanted me to explain the type of person I am in a remote team meeting.I emphasized that I strive for balance in meetings, ensuring that I listen to my colleagues’ ideas without dominating the conversation. It was an opportunity to showcase my collaborative nature.
- What is a common misconception people have about you?
This one stumped me. I hadn’t given much thought to how colleagues might perceive me, especially in a remote context. I ended up sharing that, as a first-generation college graduate, some may underestimate my capabilities based on my background.
- Who is someone you would not like to see in your new workplace?
I did not like this question. At all. It felt a bit like a trap, especially since the organization seemed to have cliques. I opted for a diplomatic response, saying I wouldn’t enjoy working with someone rude or disengaged, but I always strive to build positive relationships with my colleagues.
- Name something bad about a previous boss.
Again, I don’t really like to badmouth any colleagues, but I ended up saying that I wish they could have tried harder to retain employees.
- What is one question we didn’t ask you, but we should have?
This one was extremely difficult and really threw me off. I ended up asking them a question about why I was a great candidate for the role because I could not think of something more creative.
Navigating challenging interview questions can be daunting, especially for remote positions where communication is key. Each question is an opportunity to showcase your skills, personality, and fit for the role. Embrace the challenge, prepare thoughtfully, and remember that even experienced interviewees learn and grow from each experience. Let me know your most challenging question and good luck out there!
