Months after the launch of AI image generator DALL-E 2, OpenAI has blessed the world with another AI tool: ChatGPT.
In a few words, ChatGPT is a chatbot that is capable of drafting human-like detailed responses and answers. In case you’re wondering, GPT is the acronym for Generative Pretrained Transformer, the AI fuel powering this robot. What makes it stand out from the rest is its competency in writing – in terms of accuracy, originality (not even the most conventional plagiarism checkers can detect a thing from the text), its natural-sounding delivery, and the ability to create various content types (from haiku to thesis!). No wonder Elon Musk has to call it “scary good”.
As a tech-powered job search engine – of course, we’ve got to join the game! We sourced 11 of the most challenging interview questions, sorted them according to their level of difficulty (Level 1, the easiest; Level 5, the most difficult), and asked ChatGPT to write up the best answers.
Level 1
What is your greatest weakness?
A personality question frequently asked in any interview, nonetheless, doesn’t make it an easy one.
ChatGPT: “I understand that discussing one’s weaknesses in a professional setting can be difficult, but it’s also an opportunity to show that you are aware of your areas for improvement and have taken steps to address them. One weakness I could mention is that I struggle with time management and procrastination at times. To combat this, I’ve been implementing techniques such as creating a to-do list, setting specific deadlines for tasks, and breaking larger projects into smaller, more manageable chunks. This has helped me to stay on track and meet my deadlines more effectively.”
We also forced ChatGPT to incorporate the worst answer “perfectionist”, here’s its response: “One of my greatest weaknesses is that I am a perfectionist. I have a tendency to set high standards for myself and others, and can become easily frustrated when things do not go as planned. However, I have learned to recognize this trait in myself and have been working on finding a balance between striving for excellence and being more flexible in my approach. I try to focus on the progress I have made rather than dwelling on mistakes and I try to set realistic and achievable goals for myself and my team. Additionally, I make sure to take breaks and maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout.”
Our verdict: 4.5/5 for the first attempt. We’re particularly impressed by the first sentence. ChatGPT sounds like it’s really in the middle of an interview and is trying to buy time in the face of a tough question.
Time management is a good pick. It’s a realistic weakness and not so deadly that you might blow your chances of getting hired. ChatGPT also lays out an action plan for improvement, showing the potential employer it is self-aware and is willing to improve.
As for the extra task “Being a perfectionist”, first things first, this has become cliché because too many candidates overused the term in the past, and clearly not everyone can be a perfectionist. The chatbot’s attempt is decent and quite persuasive as it elaborates on why it’s such a perfectionist, and it has a detailed action plan to alleviate the negative impact of going too overboard with striving for excellence. We rate it 4/5.
What is something that you didn’t like about your last job?
This open-ended question is a spinoff of “Why did you leave your last job?”. The key is to be respectful of your last employer and focus on what you look for in a workplace.
ChatGPT: “I believe it’s important to approach this question with a positive mindset and focus on the learning opportunities and growth that came from any negative experiences. In my last job, I found that there was a lack of clear communication and direction from leadership, which made it difficult to prioritize tasks and feel confident in the work that I was doing. However, it taught me the importance of being proactive in seeking out information and feedback, and how to effectively communicate with my team and superiors to ensure that everyone was on the same page.”
A 5-star answer! ChatGPT managed not to bash the previous leadership team. It focuses on why the management style isn’t suitable for it. Instead of demanding the external environment to change, it takes the initiative to make a change.
What is something your coworker assumes about you that is incorrect?
This question is a step further to “What’s your greatest weakness?”. It’s tricky because what others say about you can give your interviewer a glimpse into your work persona, and some answers could be lethal to your application as explanations can be easily perceived as excuses. Even if you manage to find a harmless flaw, you still need to justify why others would make that assumption in the first place.
ChatGPT: “People often assume that because of my professional demeanor and accomplishments, I am not approachable or personable. However, I pride myself on being a team player and building strong relationships with my colleagues. I believe that being able to effectively communicate and collaborate with others is just as important as achieving individual success.”
Because of your professional demeanor and accomplishments? It sounds like ChatGPT has an ego so 1/5. The answer also doesn’t indicate whether those assumptions are impressions or actual depictions of the character. It also doesn’t show whether the candidate did anything to change it around.
Level 2
If we give you a $1 million dollar (marketing) budget, where would you spend it and how would you measure ROI?
When asking this sort of unlimited resources question, interviewers are usually trying to figure out your priorities and goals and whether you’re excited or overwhelmed about such opportunities. Your answer also potentially reveals your frustrations in your previous roles.
ChatGPT: “If given a $1 million dollar marketing budget, I would first conduct market research to identify the most effective channels for reaching our target audience. Based on that research, I would allocate a significant portion of the budget towards digital advertising, specifically through social media platforms and search engines, as they tend to have the highest ROI for most businesses. Additionally, I would allocate a portion of the budget towards influencer marketing, in order to reach a wider audience through trusted voices in our industry. To measure the ROI of these efforts, I would set clear, measurable goals such as increasing website traffic, boosting engagement on social media, and driving sales. I would then use tools such as Google Analytics and social media analytics to track progress towards these goals and evaluate the success of our marketing campaigns.”
4.5/5. A very elaborate action plan showing market understanding and knowledge of using marketing analytics tools. And clearly, it’s not intimidated by the opportunity to play with a large budget.
If you want to bring your dog to work but one of your team members is allergic to dogs, what would you do?
As most jobs involve teamwork, interviewers who ask this behavioral question are gauging how much of a team player you are.
ChatGPT: “I would have a conversation with the team member who is allergic to dogs and understand the extent of their allergy, and if necessary, explore accommodations such as having the dog stay in a designated area away from the team member or finding a solution that works for everyone. Ultimately, the well-being and comfort of all team members is important and finding a solution that works for everyone is the priority.”
5/5! A conventional and rather convenient answer to this question would be “I wouldn’t bring my dogs to work, knowing the risk my team member has to take.” Candidates are going to get a pass with that answer, but they won’t be impressing anyone. ChatGPT shows how to make a compromise without giving in.
Level 3
If you could start your career over again what would you do differently?
Your future employer can learn about your other career interests and estimate how devoted you’re to this profession.
ChatGPT: “If I could start my career over again, I would focus more on networking and building relationships with industry professionals. I would also make sure to take advantage of any opportunities for professional development, such as taking relevant courses or workshops. Additionally, I would be more intentional about finding a mentor or a role model in my field, who could provide guidance and support throughout my career. Additionally, I would not hesitate to take risks and learn from my mistakes, it’s important to be open to new opportunities and take calculated risks to grow in your career. Finally, I would make sure to prioritize self-reflection and self-awareness, to have a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, and how I can improve them to reach my career goals.”
A safe answer, 4.5/5. Staying in your current career is the right move. Extra point for how elaborative ChatGPT’s answer is about how it would have sped up career progression.
Your resume suggests that you may be overqualified/inexperienced for this position. What do you think?
This question is a confidence test. While it could hint that you’re not the best candidate, it doesn’t necessarily mean your potential employer has blatantly given up on you. Sell yourself to persuade the interviewer you’re the right fit. Think of it as an embellished version of “Why should we hire you?”
ChatGPT as an overqualified candidate: “I understand your concern, but I believe that my extensive experience and qualifications can bring a unique perspective and value to the role. I am excited about the opportunity to work with a dynamic team, and I am confident that my skills and experience can help me to make a meaningful contribution to the organization. Additionally, I am always willing to learn and grow in my career, and I am excited about the opportunity to take on new challenges and responsibilities. I believe that I will be a strong fit for this role and I am excited about the opportunity to prove that to you and your team.”
ChatGPT as an inexperienced candidate: “I understand that my experience may not be as extensive as some of the other candidates, but I am a fast learner and I am confident that I can quickly acquire the necessary skills for this position. I am eager to learn from experienced professionals on your team, and I am excited about the opportunity to grow and develop in this role. I have a strong desire to succeed and I am willing to put in the time and effort required to meet the expectations of this position. I am confident that my enthusiasm, drive, and willingness to learn will make me a valuable asset to your team.”
4/5. ChatGPT did not try to argue that its work experience is relevant in both attempts, which is a good way to start. Instead, it highlights personality and work ethic to amend the skill gaps.
Level 4
How would you explain (a technical term) to a 5-year-old?
Technical interview questions like this could be difficult. It’s a test of how much you understand the concept and whether you’re capable of putting yourself in the non-technical users’ perspective.
ChatGPT on cloud computing: “Cloud computing is like having a really big computer that you can use from anywhere, kind of like a magic computer in the sky. Instead of storing all your pictures, videos, and games on your own computer, you can save them on this big computer and access them from any device, like a tablet or phone. This way, you can show your pictures and videos to grandma, even if you’re at school. It’s like having a big library in the sky where you can keep all your important things safe and always have them with you.”
ChatGPT on blockchain: “Blockchain is like a big digital notebook where we can keep track of things like money or special pictures. It’s like a notebook where we can write down what we did, and everyone else can see it too, and they know that it is true because it is written down. It’s like when you have a notebook at school and you write down your homework, and your teacher can see it and knows that you did it. But instead of a notebook, it’s a computer notebook and instead of writing down homework, we write down important information about money and pictures. It’s like a magic notebook that keeps everything safe and in order.”
4.5/5. Cloud computing and blockchain are difficult concepts to the general public as they’re intangible assets. Using metaphors to explain such complex concepts is a great way to help non-technical users understand them. Most importantly, ChatGPT’s answer explains how a 5-year-old can potentially feel the impact of these concepts.
How would you explain the importance of (a trend) to Elon Musk and then to your grandma?
A similar question to the above but more challenging. This competency-based question is testing your technical knowledge and your simplification skills again. This time your audience is an expert and a potential luddite.
ChatGPT on the importance of SEO: “To Elon Musk: SEO, or search engine optimization, is a crucial aspect of digital marketing as it helps to ensure that your website is visible on search engines like Google, when people search for keywords related to your business. By optimizing your website and content for search engines, you can increase your online visibility, drive more traffic to your website, and ultimately, increase sales and revenue for your business.
To your grandma: SEO is like making sure your store is easy to find on Google. By doing things like using the right words on your website and making sure it loads quickly, more people will be able to find you when they search for things you sell. This means more customers and more sales for your business.”
3.5/5. For the answer for Elon Musk, we’d expect ChatGPT to utilize Musk’s businesses in the answer but it didn’t. For any influential figures like Musk, a candidate shouldn’t focus on helping them understand the concept because most likely, they would have heard of it already. The hidden task of this question is to pitch the idea and show them why their companies could benefit from the trend.
Level 5
If you were a dessert, what dessert would you be?
The first half of this sentence sounds like a cheesy pick-up line, but don’t let this throw you off your game. This outside-the-box interview question is certainly a curveball. It’s random and requires creativity in a high-pressure environment.
ChatGPT: “If I were a dessert, I would be a tiramisu. Like tiramisu, I am a balance of different flavors and textures, composed of layers of complexity. The espresso in the tiramisu represents my strong work ethic, the mascarpone cheese my adaptability, and the ladyfingers my ability to work well under pressure. The dusting of cocoa powder on top represents my passion for learning and growing, always striving to be the best version of myself. Overall, just like tiramisu, I am a well-rounded individual, who can adapt to different situations, and bring a unique and enjoyable experience.”
We rate the answer 4/5. This is a pretty tough question because it summons creativity in a short period of time. The connection between cocoa powder and the passion for learning is a bit off.
Why aren’t you earning more at your age?
A question that can feel like a personal attack. It’s also hard to get your answer right without sounding defensive or evasive. Meanwhile, putting too much emphasis on “Salary is not that important” could potentially hamper your chance of getting the salary you deserve.
ChatGPT: “I believe that earning potential is not solely determined by age, but also by a combination of factors such as experience, education, and skill set. While I have gained valuable experience and education throughout my career, I have also made conscious decisions to prioritize other aspects of my life, such as personal growth, family, and work-life balance. I have focused on developing a diverse set of skills that I believe will make me an asset to any company. I am now looking for a role that will make the most of my skills, experience and knowledge, where I can continue to learn and grow, and where I will be able to make an impact, not just on the company but also on my growth and development.”
We rate it 3.5 out of 5. It does need a bit of tweak in the end if you want a fair salary. Instead of “I will be able to achieve a better earning potential in the future”, try “I am ready right now.”
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