Negative behavioral questions, and how to answer them...

In any interview, it's likely that you will be faced with having to answer questions that require you to give what seems to be a negative response. The trick is to turn the potentially negative situation, into a positive one, without being defensive while making sure you stay calm and collected.

Interviewer's deliberately try to expose you to these kinds of questions to see just how well you respond to pressure. Such questions can quickly separate the stronger candidates from the weaker ones, so it's essential that you remain calm when the question is posed to you so that you can answer with confidence.

Some example questions to consider preparing for:

• What's your biggest weakness?
• How do you handle criticism?
• What makes you angry/frustrated?
• What reservations do you have about working for us?
• In what type of business environment is it most difficult for you to function?
• What didn’t you like about your last position (boss/company)?
• What sort of person do you find difficult to work with?
• How do you handle stress?
• What is the worst mistake you have made at work/or failed to reach a target?
• What would you do if you don’t get offered this job?
• Tell me about a conflict you had with a co-worker / your boss and how you handled it.
• Describe a time when you were not satisfied or pleased with your performance.
• Do you have any regrets?

Your answer should explain how you overcame the negative aspect and, most importantly, what you learned from the situation. The key is to always end on a positive.