19 interview questions that are designed to trick you

Flickr/Strelka Institute for Media

Savvy hiring managers can glean a ton of information about you by asking just a few, well-chosen questions.

But while they may seem simple — that's the point — some are actually designed to get you to reveal information you may have 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 coach and founder of Resume Writers' Ink.

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

Here are 19 common examples, complete with advice on how to ace each one.

Can you tell me about yourself?

Why do they ask this? They ask to determine how the candidates see themselves as it pertains to the position. "The employer wants to hear that the candidate did their homework," says Nicolai. "The interviewer is also listening for a level of confidence in how well the candidate portrays herself through the information that is communicated. Additionally, the interviewer is listening for strong behavioral competencies, which help determine a right fit with the job. If this opening answer is weak, it can send the remainder of the interview into a tailspin or cut the interview short."

What makes it tricky? It can tempt you to talk about your personal life — which you shouldn't! "Most candidates are not versed in seeing this as a trick question, so they may answer by speaking from a personal perspective: 'I have three kids, I'm married, etc,'" Nicolai says. "Believe it or not, even the most seasoned candidate falls for this question especially when prompted by the interviewer to elaborate."   

What response are they looking for? A focused, laser-sharp answer conveying your value to the organization and department. "The employer wants to hear about your achievements broken down into two or three succinct bullet answers that will set the tone of the interview," she says. Remember, what we tell people about us is what they hear. So stay sharp and convey your top strengths when answering this question.

For example, you can try something like: "I am known for turning around poor performance teams as a result of my innate skills in analyzing problems and seeing solutions very quickly." This statement tells the interviewer that the candidate has analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and leadership ability to turnaround business performance, among other things.

"At least four behavioral skills are conveyed in this simple response, and it sets the tone for the interviewer to ask more targeted questions," Nicolai says. 

How would you describe yourself in one word?

Why do they ask this? This will most likely come up to elicit several data points: your personality type, how confident you are in your self perception, and whether your work style is a good fit for the job, explains Taylor.

What makes it tricky? This question can be a challenge, particularly early on in the interview, because you don't really know what personality type the manager is seeking. "There is a fine line between sounding self-congratulatory versus confident, and humble versus timid," Taylor says. "And people are multifaceted, so putting a short label on oneself can seem nearly impossible."

What response are they looking for? Proceed cautiously, Taylor warns. "If you know you're reliable and dedicated, but love 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 "creative," and if it's an art director position, you don't want it to be, "punctual," for example.

"Most employers today are seeking team players that are levelheaded under pressure, upbeat, honest, reliable, and dedicated," she adds. "However, it would be a mistake to rattle off adjectives that you think will be well received. This is your opportunity to describe how your best attributes are a great match for the job as you see 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 manager is first trying to figure out how active you are in your job search," Nicolai says. The interviewer wants to see how you speak about other companies or positions that hold your interest — and how honest you are. 

What makes it tricky? If you say, "This is the only job I'm applying for," that'll send up a red flag. Very few job applicants apply to only one job — so they may assume you're being dishonest. If you openly speak about other positions you're pursuing, however, and you speak favorably about them, the hiring manager may see you as unattainable and pass. "Speaking negatively about other jobs or employers isn't good either," she says. 

What response are they looking for? It is appropriate to say, "There are several organizations with whom I am interviewing, however, I've not yet decided the best fit for my next career move."

"This is positive and protects the competitors," Nicolai says. "No reason to pit companies or to brag."