Following are some typically encountered interview questions. Review the questions and just practice how you could answer them; you can find few suggestions as well:
1. Tell me about yourself
This is the most commonly asked questions during an interview. You have to keep a short statement already prepared in your mind. Be careful in answering, it should not look like you have rehearsed it. The answer should seem like a spontaneous one. Limit the answer to work experience related until and unless instructed. Say about the things you achieved in your previous/current jobs that are relevant to the job you are being interviewed for. Begin with the job with the oldest back and then work up to the latest.
2. Why did you leave your last job?
Be positive in any case of the situations. Never discuss about any major issues with management or ill behavior of the supervisors, colleagues or the firm. If you do so, you are the one to see the bad. Have a smile on your face and answer them about leaving the job for a positive cause like as a chance or as an opportunity to do better or to do something special or some other positive cause.
3. What experience do you have in this field?
Discuss about particulars that are relevant to the position you are being interviewed for. If you do not posses relevant experience, then just get as close as it is possible.
4. Do you consider yourself successful?
Answer to this question should be mostly ‘Yes’, and briefly explain the reason. One of the good examples is that you made some goals among which you have already achieved some and are on the way to meet the rest.
5. What do colleagues say about you?
Make sure you get quotes from one or two of your co-workers, what they think about you. It can be a precise statement or also a paragraph will do. Ex: “Vinay Bharadwaj, a colleague at Wipro, always said I was the most dedicated and hard working employee he had ever seen.” It should sound as powerful as Vinay himself having said the statement at the interview.
6. What do you know about this organization?
This is another most commonly asked interview question and you should be already having lot of research done on it soon after getting to know about the interview. You should know things such as when they were established, what their progress is and what their goals are. Also you can include the present major issues and the major players in the organization.
7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Feel free to provide development activities relevant to the position. A wide range of activities can be included, as positive self-development. Be prepared with some good ones ready to mention.
8. Are you applying for other jobs?
Be genuine but do not waste so much of time on this question. Answer it short and straight and then focus on this job application and what contribution you can make for this firm. Anything other than this can be a distraction.
9. Why do you want to work for this organization?
This question may need some thought from your side and definitely is based on the study and research you have done so far on the organization. Sincerity is really important here and can easily be caught if you sound insincere. Make sure you relate the answer in terms of long-term career goals.
10. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Make sure that you are aware of the company policies on family relations working for the firm. This can influence your answer even if they have asked about your friends not family relations. Make sure to mention someone’s name only if they are well considered.
11. What kind of salary do you need?
A big question. A wicked minute game that you will possibly lose if you answer immediately. So do not just answer it. Rather, say something else like, “That is a tough question in fact. Can you tell me the salary range for this position?” Mostly the interviewer will reveal the range of package. Else if not, you can say that it depends on the responsibilities of the Job. Then offer a wide range.
12. Are you a team player?
Of course, say “Yes, I am a team player.” Make sure to elaborate the answer with some examples. Be prepared with some information that can show you as you frequently perform for the well-being of the team instead of just for yourself; this shows your positive attitude on team work. Do not drag the answer; just make it short and sweet.
13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Providing information to this is not as simple as it looks like. Any answer can distract the purpose. It is wise to answer it like “I would like it to be for a long time” or “As long as the firm and I consider that I am doing a good job.”
14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
This is again another serious question. Don’t take it silly or do not show them as if you just like firing people from their jobs. Simultaneously, you should mention that you would do it if circumstances demand to, particularly when you find employees who create a horrible situation to the organization. You should note down that firing is not similar to layoff or reduction in force.
15. What is your philosophy towards work?
The interviewer does not intend to have a lengthy or fancy dissertation here. He just wants to know if you have powerful feelings that the job will get done. Yes, that is the types of response which works better here. It should be positive and short, showing some advantage to the Company.
16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
You can be genuine to answer the question with ‘Yes’ if you mean to. However, as this is the kind of job you prefer, do not answer it as yes, if you do not mean it.
17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
Say No, if you have not. However, be genuine if you have. Explain it briefly and avoid saying any negative things about the organization or people involved.
18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization
You should be exciting for this question. It offers a chance for you to highlight your best features as they are relevant to the job being interviewed for. Be prepared for this question in advance, putting your earlier achievements relevant to this position.
19. Why should we hire you?
Stress the points how your best qualities meet the organization needs. Avoid comparing yourself with other candidates to highlight your assets. That is a bad sign towards your attitude.
20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made
Be prepared with a good one. Make sure that the suggestion was approved and later considered successful to the organization. One that is relevant to the applied job is a plus point.
21. What irritates you about co-workers?
This is definitely a trap question. You should think wisely and pretend like you are thinking about it hardly. And finally it is better to come up as if nothing irritates you. A simple statement such as you get along with the coworkers will be a great answer here
22. What is your greatest strength?
Many answers seem good, just be positive. Some good examples include your problem solving skills, your ability to prioritize, your ability to work under pressure, your leadership skills, your professional expertise, your ability to focus on projects, your positive attitude and so on.
23. Tell me about your dream job.
Keep yourself away from a particular position. You cannot win with your answer. If you say this is your dream job, you will lose credibility. And if you mention some other job, you will be planting a doubt that you would leave this position if you get the other job. Best thing here is to stay inherent and say something such as “A job where I love my work, like the people around me, and can contribute my knowledge and skills.”
24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Mention numerous reasons and provide experience, skills and interest.
25. What are you looking for in a job?
Refer answer # 23
26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
You should not be insignificant here. It would take unfaithfulness to the company, lawbreaking or violence to get you to purpose. Simple objection will leave you as a complainer.
27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
There is no better answer than saying money is certainly important but the work is more important.
28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are many good possibilities: Problem Solving, Creativity, Hard Work, Patience, Initiative, Experise, Team Player, Leadership, Positive Attitude, Energy, Loyalty, and so on.
29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor
This is the biggest trap among all the questions. The interviewer usually asks the question to find if you speak anything ill about your boss. If you fall for it and say something bad about your previous supervisor, you may lose some good points here. So, be positive and improve a poor memory on any issues with your supervisors.
30. What has disappointed you about a job?
Don’t focus on any negative or minor points here. Safe areas to choose are some positive ones, such as lack of enough challenge, or mention some points that sound like you would have shown more positive results with your contribution, if there was more responsibility offered to you.
31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
You can say that you will still succeed under specific kinds of pressure. Be ready with some example that is relevant to the position that you have applied for.
32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Best answer is to stick with, “Probably this one.” And do not give any doubtful clue that sounds like you have another job in your priority. Get ready with some strong reason, why this job matches to you.
33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
This is purely a personal attribute that only you would know, but some good examples include – Recognition, Achievement, Challenge and so on.
34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
This is again up to you. You need to be honest here. If you have some serious constraints that make you not work in the weekends and nights, just answer it straight.
35. How would you know you were successful on this job?
There are many ways that are good measures:
- You set some good standards for your work and you always meet them
- Your former supervisor says that you are a successful employee
- Most of your outcomes are great success
36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
Before attending the interview itself, you should be ready to answer this question. Best way is to discuss with your family as assuming that there is a chance this question may come up. You will see the consequences if you say ‘Yes’, if actually the answer is a ‘No’.
You may say Yes just to grab the opportunity and think that there are fewer chances of you being transferred to some other place in near future. But this company may pass a transfer for you within 2-3 months of your joining as you showed willing during the interview.
37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
This question is a straight dedication and loyalty one. You need not to worry about it in depth in terms of philosophical or ethical implications. You can simply say ‘Yes’.
38. Describe your management style.
It is better to avoid labels kind statements, some of the most used labels include consensus, progressive or salesman, they can have various meanings or definitions depending on the type of management specialization you are listening to. It is safe to pick the situational style as it will imply that you will choose the style depending on the circumstances, which is like ‘one size fits all’.
39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
Here you need to come up with those that gain you credibility. Make it simple and small, well done mistake with a good lesson learned. One of the best examples is “working very far ahead of coworkers during a project which resulted in coordination off”.
40. Do you have any blind spots?
This is again a wicked question. Though you know any of your blind spots, it is always better not to hand over them to them. Particularly do not disclose any personal spots of concern. Let the employers do their research part on your blind spots (bad points).
41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Here, you need to be very careful to point out those traits that are needed for the job, at the same time you also should posses them.
42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Irrespective of your experience and qualification, simply say, “I am very well qualified for the position”.
43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
First, though you have some experience that the interviewer is unaware of, just remind him about it. Otherwise, mention that you are a quick learner and hard working. To boost up your answer be prepared to have a simple example that proves that you posses the said traits.
44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Be positive and generic. Some safe qualities include: holds high standards, loyal to subordinates, have good sense of humor, and is knowledgeable. Most of the bosses believe that they posses all these traits.
45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
Take a particular incident. Here, focus on your problem solving methodology and not on the dispute that you settled.
46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Be genuine. Do not forget to point out if you believe that you are pretty much comfortable working in different roles.
47. Describe your work ethic.
Focus on the advantages to the organization, such as willpower to get the work done and working hard, still enjoy the work.
48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Make sure that you tell about something that was far away from your control. Show your acceptance and do not express any negative feelings.
49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Speak about having fun through one of your achievements for the company.
50. Do you have any questions for me?
It is always good to have some questions ready with you. Questions that are related to your association with the organization will be good. Some examples include: What sort of assignments will I be handling to assist on? How soon can I be ready to be productive? And So on.
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