Mastering Tough Interview Questions: Part I

Job interviews can be stressful regardless of your level of experience, or whether you’re interviewing for a full-time job or an internship. In the past, we’ve gone over many tricky and unusual interview questions, but there’s always more ground to cover. In this series we’re going to show you some of the toughest interview questions out there, along with advice on how to answer like a pro. Let’s get started.

“If you were stranded on an island with no chance to be rescued, what three items would you bring?”

Interviewers use this question and variations of it to assess your problem-solving skills, creativity, and priorities while under stress. It’s not about the specific items as much as it’s about the reasoning behind your choices and how well you handle unexpected challenges. First, let’s take a look at how you shouldn’t answer this question:

“I’d bring my iPhone, a satellite dish, and a charger. This way, I could still watch Netflix and text my friends.”

This answer demonstrates a lack of seriousness and practical thinking. It doesn’t show an ability to adapt to real-world constraints, and the focus on entertainment over survival could make the candidate seem unprepared for handling challenges. Here’s how you should answer:

“I’d bring a solar-powered water purifier, a large machete, and a waterproof notebook with a pen. The water purifier would keep me hydrated and safe from waterborne illnesses, while the machete would help me gather materials and build a shelter. The notebook would allow me to document my thoughts and devise survival strategies to stay focused and mentally sharp.”

This response is practical, showing that you can think critically under pressure. It balances physical survival tools with mental resilience (through use of the notebook), which indicates adaptability and long-term planning.

“What’s something your parents taught you?”

This question helps interviewers understand your values and character. It gives insight into how you were shaped by your upbringing and what life lessons have had an impact on your professional behavior. Here is an example of a bad answer to this question:

“My parents always told me to look out for number one and not worry too much about others. I think that advice helped me focus on my own goals and get ahead.”

This response could signal selfishness or an inability to work well in teams, which are significant red flags in most work settings. Answering in this way would also reflect poorly on your potential to foster collaborative relationships at work. Here is an example of a good answer:

“My parents taught me the value of persistence. Growing up, they always encouraged me to keep pushing forward no matter how difficult things got. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career. Whether I’m tackling a tough project or dealing with a setback, I know that perseverance will help me find a solution.”

This answer highlights a core trait that’s valued in almost any work environment: perseverance. This answer shows resilience and an ability to overcome challenges—attributes that are attractive to employers.

“Who is your biggest role model in your life and why?”

This question is designed to get a sense of your aspirations and what qualities you admire. It also helps interviewers gauge what motivates you and what kind of leader or colleague you aim to be. Let’s check out a bad answer:

“My role model is Elon Musk because he’s super rich and does whatever he wants.”

While Elon Musk can be a valid choice for his innovations, the reasoning here is superficial. This answer focuses only on wealth and freedom without discussing any deeper values such as leadership, creativity, or perseverance. Say something like this instead:

“My biggest role model is my high school teacher who inspired me to believe in my abilities. She saw potential in me when I doubted myself, and her encouragement taught me to have confidence and take the initiative. I still think back to this lesson when facing new challenges.”

This answer showcases humility and the ability to learn from others. The mention of confidence and initiative directly relates to qualities that employers seek in strong candidates.

“If you went to Mars and found aliens there, explain the process of how you would communicate and trade with them.”

Interviewers will ask a question like this to test your ability to think creatively and demonstrate your problem-solving skills in unfamiliar situations. It also examines your communication skills and how you handle collaborating with others. Let’s get the bad answer out of the way first:

“I’d show them a smartphone and try to teach them how to use it so we could just text each other.”

An answer like this oversimplifies the problem at hand and doesn’t consider the complexities of communication with an entirely new species. The answer also doesn’t demonstrate adaptability or creativity, which are key to this question. A good answer would look something like this:

“First, I’d focus on establishing basic communication through visual symbols or gestures, starting with universal concepts like numbers or simple exchanges. I’d observe their behavior to learn how they communicate, and slowly introduce our methods as we gain more understanding. Once communication is established, I'd explore trading goods that meet both their needs and ours, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship.”

This answer shows a structured, thoughtful approach to problem-solving. It focuses on mutual understanding and cooperation, both of which are essential in workplace communication and teamwork.

The sample answers provided not only highlight key traits like problem-solving, communication, and adaptability, but also showcase the kinds of behaviors and thought processes employers are seeking. Always be prepared to explain the reasoning behind your answers, as that’s where the true insight into your work style and character lies. Next time, we’ll go some more tough interview questions, so be sure to check back with us soon.