In today's business world, employers are getting tricky with their job interviews and it is easy to "draw a blank" when faced with a question which could expose undesirable work history.  This article will cover different answering techniques for different tricky job interview questions.

Here are some tricky job interview questions:

Question: What did you do to prepare for this interview?

Employer's motive: He or she wants to determine your initial interest in the position and whether you put effort into researching the position.

Your answer: (Be sure you DID do research before coming to the interview) Describe how you were immediately interested when you found the job posting and the ways in which you found their website and researched on the company's mission and values.  Employers find it valuable when a candidate already understand's the overall mission and values.  Sell yourself by explaining how you will contribute to their objectives.

Question: What are your salary requirements?

Employer's motive: He or she wants to determine if they can afford your requirements.

Your answer: Before giving them a specific number, ask them to give a more detailed description of your duties and responsibilities.  Your number may change once you gain all the information.

Question: Describe a situation where you planned and organized a project from start to finish.

Employer's motive: He or she wants to understand how you work and whether you will fit into their company's environment.

Your Answer: Be as specific as possible and highlight your skills.  For example, if you are an organized person, describe how you made the project run smoothly through organization.  Pick an experience to share which relates to the interviewer's company.

Question: What kinds of people do you find difficulties working with?

Employer's motive: He or she wants to make sure that you will get along with the individuals at their company.

Your answer:  It is in your best interest to be open and honest when answering this question.  If you truly do not get along with a certain personality, but get do not mention anything you risk being stuck at a company with people you dislike.  Don't be too detailed if you share a past experience and give the employer the impression that even if you do end up working with a difficult personality, you always find a way to make things work.

Question: Why do you want this job?

Employer's motive: Do you really know what you want or did you just happen to find our ad and decide to go for it on a whim?

Your answer: Describe the ways in which your past work history, skills, and education have led up to this type of position.  Give the impression that this job is exactly the type of job you've wanted and worked toward.

Question: Are you willing to work over-time?

Employer's motive: He or she wants to make sure that they can request over-time from you when necessary without complaint.

Your answer:  Answer honestly.  If you are not willing to work over-time, then this is not a good job for you.  If you are, tell them you understand the type of work this position requires and you are willing to put in the necessary amount of hours.  It also helps to add that you have worked over-time in the past and are use to putting in extended amounts of hours.

Question: How long have you been job searching?

Employer's motive: He or she wants to determine if there is something alarming about you as a candidate that turned previous potential employers off.

Your answer:  If you have been searching for an extended amount of time, mention good reasons such as being selective about who you've applied for in the past and that you decided to take some time to examine your career goals.

Question:  What did you do to keep up with the training and industry knowledge in your past jobs?

Employer's motive: He or she wants to determine whether you will stay motivated and continue to show interest in their company after being hired.

Your answer: Highlight your past training experience and what motivated you the most.  Describe that you are a quick learner and that you are constantly looking for ways to be more efficient in your tasks.