Ques 1. Tell me about yourself
Ans : The most
often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared
in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to
work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done
and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for.
Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.
Ques 2. Why did you leave your last job?
Ans : Stay
positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with
management and never speak ill of supervisors, co- workers or the organization.
If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving
for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special
or other forward- looking reasons.
Ques 3. What experience do you have in this field?
Ans : Speak
about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not
have specific experience, get as close as you can.
Ques 4. Do you consider yourself successful?
Ans : You
should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that
you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the
others.
Ques 5. What do co-workers say about you?
Ans : Be
prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a
paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I
was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having
said it at the interview herself.
Ques 6. What do you know about this organization?
Ans : This
question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the
interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the
current issues and who are the major players?
Ques 7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last
year?
Ans : Try to
include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of
activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones
handy to mention.
Ques 8. Are you applying for other jobs?
Ans : Be honest
but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and
what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.
Ques 9. Why do you want to work for this organization?
Ans : This may
take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done
on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be
sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.
Ques 10. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Ans : Be aware
of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your
answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to
mention a friend only if they are well thought of.
Ques 11. What kind of salary do you need?
Ans : A loaded
question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first.
So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can
you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken
off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the
job. Then give a wide range.
Ques 12. Are you a team player?
Ans : You are,
of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show
you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good
evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact
tone. This is a key point.
Ques 13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd
like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.
Ques 14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
Ans : This is
serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire
people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When
it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful
situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same
as layoff or reduction in force.
Ques 15. What is your philosophy towards work?
Ans : The
interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have
strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that
works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.
Ques 16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Ans : Answer
yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you
prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.
Ques 17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
Ans : If you
have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things
about the people or organization involved.
Ques 18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.
Ans : You
should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your
best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little
advance thought to this relationship.
Ques 19. Why should we hire you?
Ans : Point out
how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other
candidates to make a comparison.
Ques 20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made.
Ans : Have a
good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then
considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real
plus.
Ques 21. What irritates you about co-workers?
Ans : This is a
trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates
you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.
Ques 22. What is your greatest strength?
Ans : Numerous
answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to
prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure,
Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership
skills, Your positive attitude.
Ques 23. Tell me about your dream job.
Ans : Stay away
from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for
is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the
suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best
is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like
the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.
Ques 24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Ans : Give
several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.
Ques 25. What are you looking for in a job?
Ans : Plese
Refer answer # 23
Ques 26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Ans : Do not be
trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking
to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.
Ques 27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
Ans : Money is
always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better
answer.
Ques 28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
Ans : There are
numerous good possibilities:
Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player,
Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver
Ques 29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.
Ans : Biggest
trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you
fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the
interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any
trouble with a supervisor.
Ques 30. What has disappointed you about a job?
Ans : Don't get
trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:
Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.
Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.
Ques 31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
Ans : You may
say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that
relates to the type of position applied for.
Ques 32. Do your skills match this job or another job more
closely?
Ans : Probably
this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more
than this one.
Ques 33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
Ans : This is a
personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge,
Achievement, Recognition.
Ques 34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
Ans : This is
up to you. Be totally honest.
Ques 35. How would you know you were successful on this job?
Ans: Several
ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your
outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful.
Ques 36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
Ans : You
should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think
there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the
real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career.
Be honest at this point and save yourself uture grief.
Ques 37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization
ahead of your own?
Ans : This is a
straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical
and philosophical implications. Just say yes.
Ques 38. Describe your management style.
Ans : Try to
avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or
consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which
management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says
you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.
Ques 40. Do you have any blind spots?
Ans : Trick
question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not
reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on
your bad points. Do not hand it to them.
Ques 39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
Ans : Here you
have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well
intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working
too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.
Ques 41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you
look for?
Ans : Be
careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
Ques 42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Ans : Regardless
of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the
position.
Ques 43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of
experience?
Ans : First, if
you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up:
Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.
Ques 44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Ans : Be
generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair,
loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have
these traits.
Ques 45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute
between others.
Ans : Pick a
specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the
dispute you settled.
Ques 46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a
project?
Ans : Be
honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
Ques 47. Describe your work ethic.
Ans : Emphasize
benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done
and work hard but enjoy your work are good.
Ques 48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Ans : Be sure
that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and
no negative feelings.
Ques 49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Ans : Talk
about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.
Ques 50. Do you have any questions for me?
Ans : Always
have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to
the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of
projects will I be able to assist on? are examples.
And Finally Good Luck
And Finally Good Luck
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