Acing the employment interview requires that job candidates take the time to prepare. Tough interview questions force job seekers to think on their feet. And by participating in mock interviews, answering the toughest interview questions, any job candidate can survive even the most difficult and harrowing employment interview. Here is how to answer those interview questions:

Why are you looking to leave your current position?

The interviewer is trying to determine if a job seeker is unhappy or dissatisfied with her current job, and if the possibility exists that the same issues will arise if she is hired. For job seekers who are currently unemployed, the interviewer wants to know why you were laid off.

Why are you interested in this position/our company?

The interviewer is really interested in what value you can add to the prospective employer and how your credentials can support the organization’s direction. He is also trying to discern if the job candidate is interested in the position and/or the company for the right reasons.

What is important to you in a work environment?

When the interviewer asks this question, she is trying to determine if the job seeker is the right fit for the job and the organization’s cultural environment. She is also trying to understand the kinds of things that the interviewee will likely focus on if hired.

Why should we hire you?/What makes you the best candidate for this role?

The interviewer is trying to determine if the job seeker has the proper credentials, knowledge and experience for the job. She is also assessing the candidate’s self-confidence and ability to perform in the role.

Tell me about a specific situation where you failed.

The interviewer is trying to determine if the job seeker is forthright when admitting to failure. He is also trying to discover if a job seeker learns from her mistakes, and if she is taking enough, too little, or too many risks on the job.

Tell me about a past accomplishment you are especially proud of.

For this question, the interviewer is trying to determine what is important and of value to the job seeker and what kind of environment he/she will thrive in.

Tell me how you handle conflict at work.

The interviewer is trying to determine if the job seeker is level-headed and fair when dealing with workplace conflict. Conflict is unavoidable in the workplace so the interviewer wants to know if you manage conflict in a constructive or destructive manner.

When responding to questions in an interview, remember to keep it short (no longer than two minutes for each question), keep it positive and keep it truthful. Any job seeker who takes the time to practice answering each of the seven tough interview questions will find that the employment interview is less daunting and harrowing.