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

Just 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 inquire these tricky questions," says Tina Nicolai, executive career motorbus and founder of Resume Writers' Ink.

But they're not only 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 Beliefs and Thrive in Your Chore." These types of questions tin can aid hiring managers intermission through the "traditional interview noise and clutter," and get to the "raw you."

Here are 17 common examples, consummate with communication on how to ace each one.

How would you depict yourself in one word?

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

What makes it tricky? This question tin can be a challenge, particularly early on in the interview, because you lot don't actually 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, then putting a short label on oneself tin seem nearly impossible."

What response are they looking for? Go on cautiously, warns Taylor. "If you know you lot're reliable and dedicated, but love the fact that your friends praise your clever humour, stick with the bourgeois route." If you're applying for an bookkeeping job, the 1 word descriptor should not be "artistic," and if it'south an art director position, yous don't desire it to be, "punctual," for example. "Near employers today are seeking team players that are levelheaded under pressure, upbeat, honest, reliable, and dedicated. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to rattle off adjectives that you think volition be well received. This is your opportunity to draw how your best attributes are a great match for the chore 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 yous applying for other jobs?" "The hiring manager is first trying to effigy out how agile you are in your job search," Nicolai says. Then, once you lot open up, they desire to come across how to speak nigh other companies or positions you're interested in — and how honest you are.

What makes it tricky? If you lot say, "This is the only job I'm applying for," that'll send up a red flag. Very few job applicants merely apply to the one single job — and then they may assume you're being dishonest. However, if you openly speak nearly other positions yous're pursuing, and you speak favorably about them, the hiring managing director may worry that you'll cease upwardly taking another job elsewhere, and they won't desire to waste their time. "Speaking negatively about other jobs or employers isn't good either," she says.

What response are they looking for? Information technology is advisable to say, "There are several organizations with whom I am interviewing, however, I've not yet decided the all-time fit for my next career move." "This is positive and protects the competitors," says Nicolai. "No reason to pit companies or to brag."

Can y'all name three of your strengths and weaknesses?

Why do 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 see 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 indicate that negative attributes have macerated because of positive actions you've taken."

What makes it tricky? You can sabotage yourself addressing either. Exposing your weaknesses can hurt yous if not ultimately turned into positives, she says. "Your strengths may not marshal with the skill set or piece of work style required for the job. It'south best to prepare for this question in advance, or take a chance landing in a minefield."

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

Why do you want to piece of work hither?

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

What makes it tricky? "Conspicuously you lot want to work for the firm for several reasons," Taylor says. "But simply how you prioritize them reveals a lot about what is of import to you." You may be thinking to yourself, "I'chiliad not getting paid what I'm worth," or, "I take a terrible boss," or, "All things being equal, this commute is incredibly short" — none of which endears you lot to the hiring director. "You're likewise being tested on your level of interest for the task," she says.

What response are they looking for? Hiring managers desire to meet that y'all've taken the time to research the company and understand the industry.

They also want to know that y'all actually desire this job (and non just any job); that you accept a can-do attitude; that you lot are loftier energy; that you can brand a pregnant contribution; that you understand their mission and goals; and that you want to be part of that mission.

Why do you want to leave your current task?

Why do they enquire this? "Your prospective dominate is looking for patterns or anything negative, specially if your positions are many and curt-term," Taylor explains. They may try to determine if you currently have or had issues working with others leading to termination, if y'all become bored chop-chop in a job, or other red flags.

What makes it tricky? No ane likes talking virtually 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 lot're seeking a more challenging position that is a better fit for your current skill ready. "Know that hiring managers don't mind hearing that you're especially excited about the growth opportunity at their company."

What are you lot near proud of in your career?

Why do they ask this? Interviewers ask this because they want to empathise what you lot're passionate nigh, what yous experience you excel at, and whether you lot accept pride in your work. "How you depict your favorite project, for example, is almost as important as the project itself," Taylor says. "It'south causeless that if you can speak with conviction and pride almost your by piece of work, y'all can do the same during important presentations at the new employer."

What makes information technology tricky? Managers may assume that this type of work is what you lot really want to do most or focus on in the hereafter. It can make you sound one-dimensional if you don't put information technology in the context of a larger range of skills and interests.

What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to see your ability to clear well, foster enthusiasm in others, and your positive energy. "But one note of caution: In all your zeal to share your successes, remain curtailed," Taylor suggests. "You want to showcase your ability to present well once on the job."

What kind of boss and coworkers take you had the almost and least success with, and why?

Why practise they ask this? Interviewers are trying to ascertain if y'all generally have conflicts with people and/or personality types. "Secondarily, they want to know how you can work at your best," says Taylor.

What makes it tricky? You run the gamble of appearing hard past albeit to unsuccessful interactions with others, unless you continue emotions out of it. You may too inadvertently describe some of the attributes of your prospective dominate. If y'all say, "I had a boss who held and then many meetings that information technology was difficult to get my work washed," and your interviewer turns beet blood-red — you might accept hit a nerve.

What response are they looking for? "They want to hear more practiced than bad news," Taylor explains. "Information technology's always best to start out with the positive and downplay the negatives." You don't want to exist evasive, simply this is not the time to outline all your personality shortcomings either. Hither you have an opportunity to speak generally almost traits that you admire in others, yet appear flexible enough to work with a variety of personality types. For example: "I think I work well with a broad gamut of personalities. Some of my well-nigh successful relationships accept been where both people communicated very well and set up mutual expectations upfront."

Have y'all always considered beingness an entrepreneur?

Why practice they inquire this? The interviewer is testing to see if y'all however accept the hidden desire to run your own visitor, thus abandoning send, Taylor says. "No firm wants to sense this, as they volition brainstorm to ponder whether their valuable preparation fourth dimension and money could vanish."

What makes it tricky? Virtually everyone has considered being an entrepreneur at some point in their lives, merely to varying degrees. This question is tricky because you tin can unwittingly exist lured into talking most your i-fourth dimension desire to exist your ain boss with as well much perceived enthusiasm. An employer may fear that you lot yet hope to eventually go out on your own, and they'll consider you lot a flight chance.

What response are they looking for? It's okay to tell a prospective manager that you in one case considered entrepreneurship or take worked as an independent contractor. Information technology can hands exist turned into a positive by stating that you've already experienced it or idea about it, and it'due south not 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 as part of a squad is most fulfilling to you. You may also enjoy the specialized work in your field more than the operational, financial, or administrative aspects of entrepreneurship. You lot can further allay their fears by explaining exactly why their visitor appeals to you.

If y'all could work for any company, where would you work?

Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to define how serious you are about working for them in item, versus the competition, every bit well as your level of loyalty, Taylor says. "Information technology also helps them weed out candidates who may veer from the core career. You may have heard that Google is a slap-up place to piece of work, but that off-road strategy would spell doom, as you're being given the opportunity to theoretically piece of work at your 'dream job.' The interviewer isn't making chat here, so stay focused on the job at hand."

What makes it catchy? You lot might get defenseless up in the casual flow of the word and inadvertently leak out some well-respected firms, but this is counterproductive and only instills some doubt about your objectives.

What are they seeking? "Your interviewer wants to know that you're interviewing at your first company of choice." A response to this might be, "Really, I've been heavily researching target firms, and [your company] seems similar the ideal fit for my credentials. It'southward exciting to me that [your company] is doing XYZ in the industry, for example, and I'd similar to contribute my role."

What would y'all do if you lot won $5 one thousand thousand tomorrow?

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

What makes it tricky? Questions that are out of left field can ambush you lot, causing yous to lose composure. "They have nothing to exercise with the job at hand, and you may wonder if there is any significance to them," Taylor says. "Whether there is or not, the fact remains that y'all can easily lose your cool if you don't pause and get together your thoughts before yous respond to a question similar this."

What response are they looking for?They desire to hear that you'd continue working because you're passionate about what you lot do — and they want to know you'd make smart fiscal decisions. If you'd do something irresponsible with your ain money, they'll worry you'll be careless with theirs.

Have you lot ever been asked to compromise your integrity by your supervisor or colleague? Tell us about it.

Why practise they ask this? Your prospective boss is evaluating your moral compass. They desire to know how you handled a fragile situation that put your integrity to the exam, Taylor explains. "They may besides dig also deeply to test your level of discretion." Substantially they want to know: Did you use diplomacy? Did you publicly blow the whistle? Did a backfire ensue? What was your thought process?

What makes information technology tricky? Interviewers want to know how you manage sensitive matters, and are also wary of those who badmouth erstwhile employers, no matter how serious the misdeed. "They will exist concerned if you lot share too much proprietary information with the interviewer," she says. "So information technology is tricky because you must carefully choose your words, using the utmost diplomacy."

What response are they looking for? It'south wise to be clear, concise, and professional in your answer, without revealing any internal practices of prior employers. "You have cipher to proceeds past divulging private corporation information."

Something like this might work: "There was once where a fellow worker asked me to get involved in a project that seemed unethical, merely the problem resolved itself. I endeavour to be as honest every bit possible early if a project creates business organisation for me nigh the company, as I'm very defended to its success."

Can you requite us a reason someone may not like working with you lot?

Why practise they ask this? Prospective bosses desire to know if in that location are any glaring personality issues, and what meliorate style that to go direct to the source? "They effigy that the worst that can happen is you will lie, and they may feel they're still adept at detecting mistruths," Taylor explains. "The negative tone of the question is bound to test the mettle of even the well-nigh seasoned business organisation professionals."

What makes it tricky? Yous can easily shoot yourself in the foot with this question. If you're flip and say, "I can't call back of a reason anyone wouldn't like working with me," yous're subtly insulting the interviewer by trivializing the question. And so y'all have to frame the question in a way that gets at the intent without beingness self-effacing. "Hiring managers are not seeking job candidates who take self-pity," she says.

What response are they looking for? You don't want to say, "Well I'm not always the easiest person to be around, peculiarly when nether deadlines. I sometimes lose my temper too easily." You might also pack up and look for the nearest go out. "Conversely, you can lead with the positive and go from there: 'Generally I've been fortunate to have swell relationships at all my jobs. The just times I have been disliked — and it was temporary — was when I needed to challenge my staff to perform amend. Sometimes I feel nosotros must make unpopular decisions that are for the larger good of the visitor,'" Taylor suggests.

Why have you been out of piece of work for so long?

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

What makes it tricky? The way it's worded is naturally designed to test your resilience.  The key is not to take the bait and simply respond the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner.

What response are they looking for? The hiring managing director wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this bulldoze and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: "I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit earlier I jump in and give my typical 110%," or, "I'1000 active in my job search, and I keep my skills electric current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups]." "If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you lot tin certainly state that without giving a lot of particular," Taylor says.

Make sure you're accountable. Don't blame the unemployment rate, your market, manufacture, or annihilation else. This is about how active and excited you are to exist making a contribution to the employer.

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

Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right identify: electric current chore first, interviews 2d. "They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a hereafter job search," says Taylor. "They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you lot cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally your interview is during a interruption that is your time, which is important to betoken out."

What makes information technology tricky? The implication is, "How is it searching for a chore backside your boss's back?" For most employed job seekers, it'southward uncomfortable to lie most their whereabouts. So they're vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time.

What response are they looking for? It's wise to explain that yous always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or later on work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. If asked pointedly, "Where does your boss recall you are right now?" be vague. Don't say: "I took a sick day." Instead, Taylor suggests you try something like: "My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal fourth dimension — he doesn't inquire for details. He'due south most interested in my results."

What'south a difficult situation that you turned effectually? Describe it to us.

What do they enquire this? This gives hiring managers a lot of information in one brutal swoop, explains Taylor. They want to know "non only know how you handle stressful situations, but too how you retrieve through bug, how you define 'difficult,' and what courses of activeness you lot accept when faced with whatsoever course of adversity."

What makes it tricky? It'southward piece of cake to interpret this as an invitation to brag nigh the success of your turnaround. Don't autumn for information technology. "The emphasis is really on how you generally problem-solve under pressure," Taylor explains. "Do you illustrate any signs of stress as you describe the event? Were you creative, resourceful and prompt in its resolution? Did you follow a logical path in doing so?" Choose your examples extremely carefully, since they'll give employers a glimpse at what yous consider to be "difficult."

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

You've worked for yourself for a number of years. How practise you plan on acclimating to our company culture vs. beingness your own boss?

Why practice they ask this?  If you lot've spent time as your own boss, you've nigh certainly picked up skills that would make you an asset to the organization. Only Nicolai says that your entrepreneurial by tin can brand you intimidating to some hiring managers, who may question your commitment to their cause. "Many employers, peculiarly those who accept never been their own boss, tend to shy away from individuals who have worked for themselves," she observes.

What makes this catchy?  To show that you're not "intimidating" or "threatening," you tin exist tempted to water downward your achievements — merely underplaying your skills is mostly not the best way to prove you lot're the best for the chore.

What response are they looking for? "The employer is looking for the candidate to talk about commitment to the company and expressing a desire to become part of a larger team where the candidate tin can make a contribution," Nicolai advises. If even any role of you lot misses being role 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 express how much you want the gig.

How practise you lot define success?

What do they ask this?"Interviewers ask this to see what makes you tick, but to some degree, also to test your mettle," Taylor says. Your answer gives them insight into your priorities: are you motivated by big paychecks? Existence 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 can exist easily misinterpreted, Taylor says. "At that place'south a fine line between sounding ambitious and appearing every bit if you're eyeing the top spot in the office —  considering you 'really want to advance and make a departure.'"

What response are they looking for?When questions are wide and leave a lot of room for "a virtual inquisition," Taylor advises keeping your answers relatively unobjectionable. "Attempt to define success in a style that relates to the prospective employer, based on what you know from the job description and conversation," she says. A good response? "Applying my make expertise to the strategic marketing goals y'all've established for XYZ company, building on your existing success."

"That'southward in dissimilarity to a thinly veiled: 'Beingness in your astonishing position, thus freeing y'all up to do mode more important things,'" says Taylor. Stay specific, and stay job-related.

This commodity is published in collaboration with Business organisation Insider. Publication does non imply endorsement of views past the World Economical Forum.

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

Image: A Japanese new graduate, who wishes to exist called Shinji (R), speaks with a counsellor inside a compartment at Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities Labor Consultation Centre in Tokyo in this April 8, 2010 file photograph. Nippon-GENERATION/ REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao