Ways to handle queries about salary, weaknesses and more

long last, you’ve been selected for a job interview. After spending hours tweaking your cover letter, resume and LinkedIn profile, your hard work has paid off and recruiters want to learn more about you directly.

But an interview slot does not mean you’re guaranteed the job, of course. Not by a long shot. As career expert Thomas Denham explains: “The interview is an elimination process. The employer is trying to weed out those who are not the most worthy of the position.”

Even if you’re typically great at answering questions, it will be nerveracking to respond if the interviewer throws you a curveball.

Here are five particularly tricky questions you are likely to face during an interview, and how to respond in ways that will make it clear that you’re the best person for the job.

What salary do you think you deserve?

This is an important question to answer, but don’t answer it right away. In fact, it’s in your interest to turn the question around.

“The person who states the salary is the loser,” notes Denham, who says you run the risk of throwing out a number less than what the employer was planning on paying. If possible, ask for a salary range and then indicate a number toward the high end.

If the interviewer demurs when asked to give a salary range, say that what’s most important to you is to find a great job that matches your skill set, and that you feel confident the company pays competitive salaries. That way you aren’t pinned down in any way and it shows you care more about being a good fit with the company than in making a lot of money.

The salary negotiations will come later when the company wants to hire you.

What didn’t you like about your last job?

Don’t use this question as a chance to talk about the problems with your previous employer or to bad-mouth the company or boss. Instead, concentrate on the positive: your desire to use the skills you have learned in your current and previous jobs in a new position.

Consider talking about how your experiences have taught you where and how you truly shine, and in what ways that will benefit your new employer.

What is your biggest weakness?

No need to actually admit any weaknesses you have that are not related to the job you’re after. You also should think twice before saying something like “I’m too detailoriented” or “I work too hard.”

Denham suggests responding with, “I have a tendency to say yes and get over-committed.” Make sure you discuss a specific area you’re improving on or give an example of how you’re working on prioritizing if you respond with Denham’s recommendation. Always talk up your strengths.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

When asked this question, the worst move you can make is to admit that you have no clue.

“It’s basically like saying, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing with my life and I have no idea how long I’ll stay with this job,’” Denham says. To the hiring manager, this is not a good look. Instead, underline your commitment to your career and how you want to continue building it with this new position.

Why should I hire you?

“Go back to your resume and look through it for the three to five things that make you outstanding,” Denham says. Then repeat those things to the interviewer, if and when he or she asks why you are the best person for the job.

According to Denham, your prospective employer assumes that “past performance is always the best predictor of future performance.” So help the interviewer believe the same about you — that your great past performance will predict future great performance when you land the job.

Peter Economy is a best-selling author and an associate editor for Leader to Leader.