Here's how you can navigate difficult interview questions with ease.

To navigate difficult interview questions with ease, prepare thoroughly by practicing common questions, researching the company, and reflecting on your experiences. Stay calm, listen carefully, ask for clarification if needed, and provide structured responses focusing on your skills and achievements. Be honest, confident, and show your problem-solving abilities.

Although you might have practiced the most likely questions while preparing for the interview, this is a common situation. Don't hesitate to ask for a few seconds to take a quick review of the question. Most interviewers appreciate honesty. If you have prepared with sincerity you should be able to tackle the question with confidence. Still, if you are not able to answer the question, politely say that you are not able to answer it at the moment while emphasizing that you are a fast learner and you should be able to pick up the skill or knowledge in question. Be confident and don't lose your momentum, keep your smile on and maintain friendly eye contact.

Practice is the unique and best methodology to overcome difficulties : learning from unsuccesful interviews bring a lot in terms of interview management. Failing is a success if you capitalize your experience. In my experience, preparation is key especially about preparation of real and practical examples: talking in general is so so boring and frustrating for the interviewers. Do not neglect to repeat and choose the right terminology and again practice will permit you to handle communication quite easily.

I have been on both sides (interviewer - interviewed) many times, I consider there are no difficult questions in an interview. There are questions that we do not have an answer for. I think it is fair to share our perspective, and what we know and let the interviewer know we do not have an answer for one specific question (bonus if I research and answer next time possible). If we are being interviewed and it happens we do not have answers to several questions, maybe the role is not for us. To be better prepared for interviews, I research as much as possible about the company, role, and interviewers. I try to anticipate potential questions and also prepare good questions myself for the interviewers.

In my experience preparing for an interview can help relieve anxiety and stress before and during the interview. While it is always good to know the company’s values, mission, goals, and objectives, it is also important to be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to the necessary requirements of the job description. Understand how your values match with the company’s value. It is also important if possible to research the person or potential employers interviewing you. With a LinkedIn check you may be able to find something of commonality, or learn about their background to be able to ask sufficient questions and allow for the conversation and connection to flow easier.

Prepare a document that includes situational questions and work on documenting your experience and challenges. I have written down some of my best personal stories using the STAR method, to common questions we are often asked during interviews. After each interview, I add more if necessary. This has helped me answer situational questions with ease.

Personally, I look forwarding to speaking on behalf of my unconventional career experiences, whether it be employment gaps due to lay offs or an unique short term endeavor. It can be tricky for the resume itself to propel you to the initial round of interviews but once there, it's the chance to conceptualize a textual summary of your career; to clarify any assumptions, and proudly take ownership of your experiences. Your transparency can serve as a great strength for your candidacy. It validates the unpredictability of the job market and just, life. Trust me when I say, you are not the first candidate to have ever endured whatever you deem to be a "less-than-favorable" career episode, and the right employer will recognize that.

It's not uncommon to feel nervous or anxious before an interview. However, calming your emotions, as opposed to crunching them down, can be very productive. Instead of focusing on your nerves or the potential questions you may be asked to answer, concentrate instead on the feeling you get after you have given a great interview. You feel on top of the world. When you shift what you are paying attention to in this way, you may naturally feel a surge of confidence and find a smile on your face. Anxiety naturally relaxes and your breathing relaxes. Carry this great feeling, not worry, into your interview.

Follow the principles of a flowchart and think about questions that you can anticipate so you can answer them properly AND WITH PROOF. This seldom-used tip can be the difference between "issue" and "crisis."