No matter how well you may prepare or how many times you interview, there are certain interview questions that seem impossible to answer. You need to provide just the right amount of information without crossing the line between professional and unprofessional. I would never suggest that you hide any details, but just how do you answer those tough questions? Here are some suggestions on how to respond to those top five most common, yet difficult interview questions to answer.

Question 1 – Why are you looking to leave your current company?

While high unemployment has automatically given many people the answer to this question, there are still many job seekers that will need to come up with a good answer. It's imperative that you do not bash your former employer, supervisor or co-workers even if they are the main reason for your departure. You also need to be careful of the answer if you are applying to a small company. Career advancement is usually the most popular answer. If this is a small company with little room for advancement, however, you may interview yourself out of a job. If you are transitioning from a large company to a smaller one, your response can include narrowing your niche or field of concentration. If you were released from your employer, admit to your mistakes and talk about your plans for improvement.

Question 2 – Please explain the two year gap in your work history.

It doesn’t matter if the gap is six months or two years; this question is always difficult to answer. Unless you took the time off to vacation on a tropical island don’t be discouraged there is an answer. “I was laid off”, however, is not a complete answer. It still does not describe what you did during your unemployment period. “I spent 2 years looking for work,” will raise concerns. Interviewers know that it’s a tight job market, but the question is how did you spend your time? Hopefully while you were unemployed you engaged in meaningful activities. This can include volunteering, taking a class or even attending seminars. You want to show that you spent your time developing your skills and not watching day time talk shows.

Question 3 – Tell us about a time you participated on a team. What was your role and was the team successful?

Unfortunately, some interviewees do not fully understand the question. Their idea of a team is talking about a project in terms of what “I” did. Prior to your interview look up the word “team” in the dictionary so that you can relate your answer to the question. Think of a team that you actually participated on. The team could have been responsible for a project or it could have been your work unit. If the best example of a team is your current work unit, then describe the situation based on a teamwork concept. Is there a common goal that your work unit is required to reach? Is there a productivity measurement that your team is rated on? If so, describe how each member of your unit is responsible for making sure that the goal is reached. Employers want to see how well you work with others. Describe the team’s success in terms of facts and figures.

Question 4 – Tell us about a time that you had a conflict with a co-worker. What was the conflict and how did you handle it?

This is not the time to talk about the knock down, drag out fight that you had in the lunch room because a co-worker ate your salad. This is an excellent time to discuss when you and a co-worker had a difference of opinion over a company procedure or policy. Discuss how you and the co-worker where on opposing sides of the argument and how you came together to resolve the issue. You also don’t want to talk about how you had to go running to the supervisor unless it was absolutely necessary. You want to show that you're able to handle conflict in a professional manner.

Question 5 - Why should we hire you?

Research the company prior to the interview. Discuss how your knowledge and skills are in line with the vision and values of the company. Use the keywords from the job advertisement and give specifics on how well your skills match. This is not the time to reiterate everything you've already said in the interview, but pick one or two traits that have not been covered. Discuss how hiring you will bring added value to the company. Discuss specific projects or figures that show you were successful in an area of interest to the company.

Interviewing is not easy. Even the best employees can make the worst interviewees. Knowing your job “like the back of your hand” does not always guarantee success when searching for a job. Prepare yourself ahead of time to answer those tough common interview questions. A little interview preparation and practice will help to improve your chances of winning the job.