Savvy hiring managers can glean a ton of information near yous past asking only a few, well-chosen questions.

Simply while they may seem unproblematic — that's the point — some are actually designed to get you to reveal data you may take been trying to conceal. In other words: they're trick questions.

"To uncover areas that may reflect inconsistencies, hiring managers sometimes ask these tricky questions," says Tina Nicolai, executive career omnibus and founder of Resume Writers' Ink.

But they're not just about exposing your flaws, says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace adept and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job." These types of questions tin help hiring managers break through the "traditional interview dissonance and ataxia," and get to the "raw you lot."

Hither are 17 common examples, complete with advice on how to ace each one.

How would y'all describe yourself in i word?

Why do they ask this? The question is likely being asked to arm-twist several information points: your personality type, how confident you are in your self perception, and whether your work style is a skillful fit for the job, Taylor explains.

What makes it tricky? This question tin can exist a challenge, particularly early on on in the interview, considering yous don't actually know what personality type the manager is seeking. "At that place is a fine line between sounding self-congratulatory versus confident, and humble versus timid," Taylor says. "And people are multifaceted, so putting a short characterization on oneself can seem nearly impossible."

What response are they looking for? Go on cautiously, warns Taylor. "If you know you're reliable and dedicated, but honey the fact that your friends praise your clever humor, stick with the conservative route." If you're applying for an accounting job, the one word descriptor should not be "artistic," and if information technology'southward an art director position, you lot don't desire it to be, "punctual," for example. "Most employers today are seeking team players that are levelheaded under force per unit area, upbeat, honest, reliable, and dedicated. However, information technology would exist a error to rattle off adjectives that y'all retrieve will be well received. This is your opportunity to describe how your best attributes are a great match for the chore as y'all meet it."

How does this position compare to others you are applying for?

Why do they ask this? They're basically asking: "Are you applying for other jobs?" "The hiring managing director is first trying to effigy out how active y'all are in your task search," Nicolai says. Then, once y'all open up, they want to meet how to speak virtually other companies or positions y'all're interested in — and how honest you are.

What makes it tricky? If you say, "This is the just job I'm applying for," that'll send up a red flag. Very few job applicants simply apply to the one single task — and so they may assume you're being quack. However, if yous openly speak near other positions y'all're pursuing, and you speak favorably about them, the hiring managing director may worry that you'll end upwards taking some other job elsewhere, and they won't want to waste their fourth dimension. "Speaking negatively virtually other jobs or employers isn't skillful either," she says.

What response are they looking for? It is advisable to say, "There are several organizations with whom I am interviewing, however, I've non yet decided the best fit for my next career move." "This is positive and protects the competitors," says Nicolai. "No reason to pit companies or to brag."

Tin you lot name three of your strengths and weaknesses?

Why exercise they ask this? The interviewer is looking for red flags and deal breakers, such equally inability to work well with coworkers and/or an inability to meet deadlines. "Each job has its unique requirements, so your answers should showcase applicative strengths, and your weaknesses should have a silver lining," Taylor says. "At the very least, you should signal that negative attributes have diminished because of positive deportment you've taken."

What makes it tricky? Y'all can sabotage yourself addressing either. Exposing your weaknesses tin can injure yous if non ultimately turned into positives, she says. "Your strengths may non align with the skill set or work manner required for the job. Information technology's all-time to set for this question in accelerate, or risk landing in a minefield."

What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to know that your strengths will be a direct asset to the new position and none of your weaknesses would injure your power to perform. "They are too looking for your ability to self assess with maturity and confidence," says Taylor.

Why do you want to work here?

Why do they ask this? Interviewers ask this because they desire to know what drives you the most, how well you've researched them, and how much yous want the job.

What makes it tricky? "Conspicuously you want to work for the business firm for several reasons," Taylor says. "But merely how you prioritize them reveals a lot most what is important to you." You may be thinking to yourself, "I'm not getting paid what I'thousand worth," or, "I have a terrible dominate," or, "All things beingness equal, this commute is incredibly brusque" — none of which endears yous to the hiring manager. "You're also beingness tested on your level of interest for the job," she says.

What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to see that yous've taken the time to research the visitor and understand the industry.

They also want to know that you really want this job (and non but any job); that you accept a can-do attitude; that you lot are high energy; that you tin make a significant contribution; that you understand their mission and goals; and that yous want to exist function of that mission.

Why do you want to leave your current job?

Why do they inquire this? "Your prospective boss is looking for patterns or anything negative, especially if your positions are many and short-term," Taylor explains. They may try to determine if y'all currently have or had issues working with others leading to termination, if you get bored quickly in a task, or other blood-red flags.

What makes information technology tricky? No i likes talking near a job they dislike and why. If not answered diplomatically, your answer could raise further questions and doubts, or sink your chances entirely.

What response are they looking for? They are hoping that you're seeking a more challenging position that is a meliorate fit for your electric current skill gear up. "Know that hiring managers don't mind hearing that you're peculiarly excited about the growth opportunity at their company."

What are you lot most proud of in your career?

Why do they ask this? Interviewers ask this because they desire to understand what you're passionate near, what you feel you excel at, and whether you take pride in your piece of work. "How you draw your favorite project, for example, is nigh as important every bit the projection itself," Taylor says. "It'southward causeless that if you can speak with conviction and pride about your by piece of work, you tin do the aforementioned during important presentations at the new employer."

What makes information technology tricky? Managers may presume that this type of work is what yous really desire to do most or focus on in the future. Information technology can make you audio one-dimensional if yous don't put it in the context of a larger range of skills and interests.

What response are they looking for? Hiring managers desire to see your ability to articulate well, foster enthusiasm in others, and your positive energy. "Only one annotation of caution: In all your zeal to share your successes, remain concise," Taylor suggests. "You want to showcase your ability to present well once on the chore."

What kind of boss and coworkers have yous had the nearly and least success with, and why?

Why practise they enquire this? Interviewers are trying to ascertain if you lot generally take conflicts with people and/or personality types. "Secondarily, they want to know how yous tin can work at your all-time," says Taylor.

What makes it tricky? You run the risk of appearing difficult by admitting to unsuccessful interactions with others, unless you keep emotions out of information technology. You may likewise inadvertently describe some of the attributes of your prospective boss. If you say, "I had a dominate who held so many meetings that it was hard to get my work done," and your interviewer turns beet red — y'all might have striking a nerve.

What response are they looking for? "They want to hear more than practiced than bad news," Taylor explains. "It'southward ever best to start out with the positive and downplay the negatives." You don't want to exist evasive, but this is non the time to outline all your personality shortcomings either. Here you lot have an opportunity to speak mostly nigh traits that you admire in others, nevertheless announced flexible enough to piece of work with a variety of personality types. For example: "I remember I work well with a wide gamut of personalities. Some of my most successful relationships have been where both people communicated very well and set mutual expectations upfront."

Take you lot ever considered beingness an entrepreneur?

Why exercise they inquire this? The interviewer is testing to see if you still have the subconscious desire to run your own visitor, thus abandoning ship, Taylor says. "No firm wants to sense this, as they will begin to ponder whether their valuable training time and money could vanish."

What makes it catchy? Most everyone has considered being an entrepreneur at some point in their lives, but to varying degrees. This question is tricky because y'all can unwittingly exist lured into talking almost your onetime desire to be your ain dominate with besides much perceived enthusiasm. An employer may fear that you still hope to somewhen go out on your own, and they'll consider yous a flight chance.

What response are they looking for? It'southward okay to tell a prospective manager that you once considered entrepreneurship or have worked as an independent contractor. It tin can hands be turned into a positive by stating that you've already experienced it or thought well-nigh information technology, and it's non for you. That might exist more convincing than saying, "No, I've never considered that."

This is an opportunity to discuss why working in a corporate environment every bit office of a squad is most fulfilling to yous. You may too enjoy the specialized piece of work in your field more than the operational, fiscal, or authoritative aspects of entrepreneurship. You can farther abate their fears by explaining exactly why their visitor appeals to you lot.

If you could work for whatsoever company, where would you work?

Why do they enquire this? Hiring managers want to ascertain how serious you are well-nigh working for them in particular, versus the competition, as well as your level of loyalty, Taylor says. "It likewise helps them weed out candidates who may veer from the core career. You may have heard that Google is a keen identify to work, but that off-route strategy would spell doom, every bit you're being given the opportunity to theoretically work at your 'dream job.' The interviewer isn't making chat hither, then stay focused on the job at manus."

What makes it tricky? You might become defenseless up in the casual menstruum of the discussion and inadvertently leak out some well-respected firms, merely this is counterproductive and but instills some doubt about your objectives.

What are they seeking? "Your interviewer wants to know that you're interviewing at your start company of choice." A response to this might be, "Actually, I've been heavily researching target firms, and [your company] seems similar the platonic fit for my credentials. Information technology's heady to me that [your visitor] is doing XYZ in the industry, for example, and I'd like to contribute my part."

What would you practise if you lot won $5 million tomorrow?

Why exercise they ask this? They desire to know whether you'd however work if you lot didn't need the money. Your response to this question tells the employer about your motivation and work ethic. They may likewise want to know what you lot'd spend the money on, or whether you'd invest it. This tells them how responsible you are with your money, and how mature yous are as a person.

What makes it tricky? Questions that are out of left field can ambush you, causing you to lose composure. "They have nothing to practice with the chore at manus, and you may wonder if in that location is whatever significance to them," Taylor says. "Whether there is or non, the fact remains that yous can easily lose your cool if you don't pause and gather your thoughts before you lot answer to a question like this."

What response are they looking for?They want to hear that you'd continue working considering you're passionate about what you do — and they want to know you lot'd make smart financial decisions. If you lot'd do something irresponsible with your own money, they'll worry you'll be devil-may-care with theirs.

Accept you ever been asked to compromise your integrity past your supervisor or colleague? Tell us about it.

Why do they ask this? Your prospective boss is evaluating your moral compass. They want to know how yous handled a delicate situation that put your integrity to the test, Taylor explains. "They may also dig too deeply to test your level of discretion." Essentially they want to know: Did you use diplomacy? Did you publicly accident the whistle? Did a backfire ensue? What was your thought procedure?

What makes information technology tricky? Interviewers want to know how you manage sensitive matters, and are also wary of those who badmouth former employers, no matter how serious the misdeed. "They volition be concerned if y'all share too much proprietary information with the interviewer," she says. "And then information technology is tricky considering you lot must carefully choose your words, using the utmost diplomacy."

What response are they looking for? It'southward wise to be clear, curtailed, and professional in your respond, without revealing whatever internal practices of prior employers. "Y'all have nothing to gain past divulging private corporation information."

Something similar this might piece of work: "There was one time where a fellow worker asked me to go involved in a project that seemed unethical, merely the problem resolved itself. I attempt to be as honest as possible early on if a project creates concern for me nigh the company, as I'thousand very dedicated to its success."

Can you requite us a reason someone may non like working with yous?

Why do they ask this? Prospective bosses want to know if there are whatever glaring personality bug, and what better way that to go direct to the source? "They effigy that the worst that can happen is you will prevarication, and they may feel they're still practiced at detecting mistruths," Taylor explains. "The negative tone of the question is leap to examination the mettle of even the near seasoned business professionals."

What makes it tricky? You can easily shoot yourself in the human foot with this question. If you lot're flip and say, "I can't call up of a reason anyone wouldn't like working with me," you're subtly insulting the interviewer past trivializing the question. So you have to frame the question in a way that gets at the intent without existence cocky-effacing. "Hiring managers are non seeking job candidates who have cocky-pity," she says.

What response are they looking for? You don't want to say, "Well I'm non always the easiest person to be around, particularly when nether deadlines. I sometimes lose my temper too easily." You might likewise pack up and look for the nearest get out. "Conversely, you tin can pb with the positive and go from there: 'Generally I've been fortunate to have great relationships at all my jobs. The merely times I have been disliked — and it was temporary — was when I needed to challenge my staff to perform better. Sometimes I experience we must make unpopular decisions that are for the larger practiced of the company,'" Taylor suggests.

Why accept you been out of work for so long?

Why practise they inquire this? "Interviewers are skeptical by design," Taylor says. "Sometimes you're guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed." This is a daunting question in particular considering information technology can seem offensive. The implication is that you might non be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set up may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns.

What makes it catchy? The way it's worded is naturally designed to exam your resilience.  The key is not to take the allurement and just respond the intent of the question in a calm, factual mode.

What response are they looking for? The hiring managing director wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity volition translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: "I have been interviewing steadily, simply want to find the platonic fit before I jump in and requite my typical 110%," or, "I'm active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups]." "If you lot took off fourth dimension to take care of a personal matter, you tin can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail," Taylor says.

Brand sure you lot're accountable. Don't arraign the unemployment rate, your market place, industry, or annihilation else. This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer.

How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss call up yous are right now?

Why do they ask this? Hiring managers desire to find out if your priorities are in the correct place: current chore outset, interviews second. "They know that the habits you follow at present speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should yous undertake a future chore search," says Taylor. "They besides want to know how you handle bad-mannered situations where you cannot be truthful to your dominate. Ideally your interview is during a suspension that is your time, which is important to point out."

What makes it tricky? The implication is, "How is it searching for a task behind your boss'due south back?" For nigh employed task seekers, it'south uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. And then they're vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time.

What response are they looking for? It'south wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if advisable, and during personal fourth dimension off. If asked pointedly, "Where does your boss call back you lot are right now?" exist vague. Don't say: "I took a sick day." Instead, Taylor suggests y'all try something like: "My boss understands that I have sure break periods and personal time — he doesn't ask for details. He's virtually interested in my results."

What's a hard situation that y'all turned effectually? Depict it to u.s.a..

What exercise they ask this? This gives hiring managers a lot of information in one fell swoop, explains Taylor. They want to know "not simply know how you handle stressful situations, only also how you think through problems, how you define 'difficult,' and what courses of activity you take when faced with any form of adversity."

What makes information technology tricky? It's like shooting fish in a barrel to interpret this every bit an invitation to brag about the success of your turnaround. Don't autumn for it. "The accent is really on how you lot more often than not trouble-solve under pressure level," Taylor explains. "Exercise you illustrate whatsoever signs of stress as y'all draw the event? Were you artistic, resourceful and prompt in its resolution? Did you follow a logical path in doing so?" Cull your examples extremely carefully, since they'll give employers a glimpse at what you consider to exist "difficult."

What response are they looking for? Interviewers want to see that you're a good problem solver, Taylor says. "They place a premium on those who can think clearly, remain professional when nether the gun — and those who can recover quickly from setbacks." To ace the question, be sure you go into the meeting with a prepared with a few examples of times you successfully overcame significant professional challenges.

You lot've worked for yourself for a number of years. How do y'all plan on acclimating to our visitor culture vs. being your ain boss?

Why exercise they inquire this?  If y'all've spent time equally your own dominate, you've about certainly picked up skills that would make you an asset to the organisation. But Nicolai says that your entrepreneurial past can make you intimidating to some hiring managers, who may question your delivery to their cause. "Many employers, specially those who have never been their own boss, tend to shy abroad from individuals who take worked for themselves," she observes.

What makes this tricky?  To bear witness that you lot're not "intimidating" or "threatening," you can be tempted to h2o down your achievements — but underplaying your skills is generally non the best way to bear witness you're the best for the job.

What response are they looking for? "The employer is looking for the candidate to talk about delivery to the company and expressing a want to become office of a larger team where the candidate tin make a contribution," Nicolai advises. If fifty-fifty any part of you misses being part of a larger organization, at present's the time to stress it. "The employer wants to exist needed by the candidate," she says. Accordingly, this is an opening to limited how much y'all want the gig.

How do you define success?

What do they ask this?"Interviewers ask this to run across what makes you tick, but to some degree, also to test your mettle," Taylor says. Your reply gives them insight into your priorities: are you motivated by big paychecks? Being challenged? Learning new skills? "Or," she asks, "do you take a more personal, individualistic approach to success?"

What makes it tricky?  This one is a minefield, since "success" is highly subjective, and fifty-fifty a perfectly reasonable response tin can be easily misinterpreted, Taylor says. "In that location'due south a fine line betwixt sounding ambitious and appearing every bit if you lot're eyeing the top spot in the office —  considering yous 'really desire to advance and make a difference.'"

What response are they looking for?When questions are broad and leave a lot of room for "a virtual inquisition," Taylor advises keeping your answers relatively unobjectionable. "Try to ascertain success in a way that relates to the prospective employer, based on what yous know from the task clarification and conversation," she says. A proficient response? "Applying my brand expertise to the strategic marketing goals you've established for XYZ company, edifice on your existing success."

"That'due south in dissimilarity to a thinly veiled: 'Being in your amazing position, thus freeing you up to do way more of import things,'" says Taylor. Stay specific, and stay job-related.

This article is published in collaboration with Concern Insider. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the Earth Economic Forum.

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Author: Jacquelyn Smith joined Business Insider as the careers editor in February 2014. Rachel is a careers reporter for Business Insider.

Image: A Japanese new graduate, who wishes to be chosen Shinji (R), speaks with a counsellor inside a compartment at Tokyo Metropolitan Regime Labor Consultation Center in Tokyo in this April 8, 2010 file photo. Nihon-GENERATION/ REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao