Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Answer:
This is the most general and probably the most difficult question, as one has to cover up the entire life story within
a couple of minutes. But if handled well, this can be the best from the candidate’s point of view. There is no need to
explain about your childhood, hobbies or schooling. Instead this is an invitation to convince the interviewer what
you can offer the company through your education, training or experience. Yes, you can describe your co-curricular
activities; interest or part time work provided they have some relation with the job you are applying for.
As you have to prove your credibility for the job, it is important to explain how you attracted in this particular kind
of job, company and your key accomplishments in the previous job. Again the time allotted to a particular candidate
would be limited and hence one should make most out of it focusing on the above-mentioned points.
You can answer in this way as you are in this current company for two years and no more find the work interesting.
You want new challenges for learning new things. Point out that there are no advanced opportunities in the present
company and therefore you decided for a change, which will be helpful in your career goal.
Lay off – This is also a very common thing in most of the private sector but the answer should be specific with facts
and figures behind your lay off. There can be a situation that a company faces bankruptcy and so decided to cut the
number of employees or even eliminate some departments. Again one can explain that position along with his/her
group was eliminating as the project on which they were working on was cancelled. So it’s not a big taboo these
days and you just have to explain it in a more effective way.
Get Fired – Its becomes a little difficult to answer in this circumstances but one should be honest and quick while
explaining it. Explain frankly whether you have faced any unfair circumstances or did something wrong that pushed
you under this situation. Neither you have to present your former employer in a negative way nor a victim of
yourself. Always explain what you have learned from this experience in making you stronger.
Examples -
Procrastinate - I used to have a tendency to procrastinate but now I am prepared to make a strict schedule for all my
projects even setting up a deadline.
Time management – Because of my busy schedule time management is a problem for me. But I have recently
purchased a PDA that can help me in keeping better organized.
Speaking in front of a group – I used to get nervous while speaking in front of a group but now taking public
speaking classes and have become much more comfortable.
Perfectionist – Most of time I focus a little more on my project with intend to be a perfectionist. That brings a little
more stress but now I when I am working on a project, first I list out all priorities and then started work on it.
Answer: This is one of the questions that every interviewer asks at the end but surprisingly the common answer is
‘no’ which shows a wrong attitude. The answer should be ‘yes’ following a couple of thoughtful questions. The
questions can be related to the company, the kind of position and even you can ask the interviewer about his likes
and dislikes about the company.
Always avoid asking questions on package like salary, vacation as these show that you are much more interested
about the compensation than the job. You can ask about the kind of projects you have to work if you will be
selected. Also don’t forget to ask the next step in the interview process of the job.
Answer: Mention specific information related to the position you are attaining the interview. If you don’t have any
experience in the respective field then just clear them that you are a fresher and just completed your academics or
what so ever.
Answer: One should always answer yes following a brief explanation. The best answer should be like this: Yes I
can consider myself successful as I have certain set goals from which I have achieved and rest is on the track.
Answer: One should always come up with some quotes from co-workers either any particular statement or
comment. It really doesn’t matter in any interview whether you said a positive or negative.
Answer: This question requires some research on the organization prior to interview. It is better to find out the
market status, products, competitor, development issues and effort for its advancement etc. Also it’s important to
know company’s history and yearly growth rate that can show a clear aspect for its bright future. All these things
can show your genuine interest in this company.
Question: 9. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Answer: Tell about your various improvement activities that you have done in context of your job. Activities
related to any project in the previous organization or even some more academic qualification that can be mentioned
as a positive self-improvement. Mention some handy ones.
Question: 10. Are you applying for other jobs?
Answer: Don’t waste much time in answering this question and reply with honestly. Your focus should be on this
organization and the level of commitment you can do for the growth of this organization.
Question: 15. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Answer: Don’t specify any particular time period and your answer should reflect that you want to work for a long
period provided both the organization and you are happy with the job.
I am looking for a long-term commitment and so want to work as long as my contribution is recognized.
Question: 16. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
Answer: This is a serious one, as the answer will show your whole organizational responsibility. Your answer
should be something like that you will like to fire someone when anyone’s personal ambition or in general work
comes against the betterment of the organization. When it comes to the organization it is the duty of every
committed employ to protect the organization.
Question: 18. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer: Since you have to work then it is better to say no with a note that you like to prefer this kind of work. But
your answer can be yes if you really mean it.
You can also mention that you are looking for the right opportunity to apply your present skills and at the same
time develop new ones from the experience and that would be an asset to the organization.
Question: 25. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Answer: Provide several reasons including your interest, skills and past experience with other organization that can
prove you.
Question: 26. What are you looking for in a job? Or tell me about your dream job?
Answer: Don’t mention any specific type of job as it has both positive and negative aspects. Instead, answer
something like this:
A job that I enjoy doing the work while applying my present skills and also that provides me opportunity to learn
something more.
A job that offers an opportunity to grow, growth in terms of position, responsibility and also salary that in tern
provides a sense of fulfillment.
Question: 27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
Answer: "Money is always important but work is most important". This is the most simple and effective answer.
Question: 28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
Answer: There can be number of good answers like loyal, energetic, leadership quality, team player, patience, hard
working etc. Just present it in a positive attitude.
Question: 29. What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
Answer: The intent of this question is to describe your weaknesses. So it is always better to discuss the weakness
that you have developed as your strength. Your answer should reflect in a positive way as such your last boss had
pointed it out just to encourage you.
Example - "S/he did not mean it as a negative point but suggest me to present my work in a little more dynamic and
creative way". I took help of my seniors and able to make some real improvement in my skills.
Questions: 30. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Answer: Don’t response in an ordinary way, as it would take it as unfaithfulness to the organization. Again any
minor objection will present you merely as a complainer. So your answer should be in a practical way. For
example: an irresponsible person who pays more attention to others rather his/her own duties.
Question: 32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Answer: Answer should reflect that you like this job and describe this as it suits your profile and interest.
Question: 37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
Answer: This question directly invites your attitude of dedication and loyalty. So, just say ‘yes’ without its ethical
implication.
Question: 38. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Answer: Don't analyze your qualification and just say that you are well qualified for this position.
Question: 43. Do you think that your academic performance truly reflect your talents?
Answer: Don't say that you deserved better marks rather you may mention that if you had avoided certain mistakes,
perhaps you would have performed better. But you have learnt lessons from it.
Questions: 44. What did you hate most on your previous job or organization?
Answer: Your answer should be something like that you have not find any such thing as an employ should enjoy
every part of his job. Only this kind of attitude can show your efficiency and dedication.
Question: 45. You have a job. If you were appointed here, how long would you take to join us?
Answer: This question is to check your commitment. So if you are keen to join the new organization don't ever tell
that you can join the next day. Just tell that you will join as soon as possible. You can explain that you have some
pending work in hand which you need to finish and so you need one or two weeks. Such an answer will make the
interviewer clear that you are committed to your work and you better understand your responsibility.
Question: 46. You are an employed person. Now you are seeking this job. Don't you feel that you are snatching the
opportunity of an unemployed person?
Answer: Example - No I don't think so. I know that I have a good job now but it doesn't provide that much
opportunity to grow my professional capabilities. I think your organization is in a state of growth and expect better
prospect here. Again when I will leave my current company, a vacancy will be generated there. In this way I am not
snatching the opportunity of an unemployed person.
Question: 47. How did you cope with the stresses and strains in obeying the instructions of your supervisor? Did
you not feel that you were surrendering your self-respect on such situations?
Answer: In every organization there are rules and regulations to follow, which are necessary for its growth. In fact,
if my supervisor points out any mistake of mine, I take it in a positive way and do the best to avoid in future. So I
experienced no difficulty in obeying instruction or handling criticism.
Question: 48. Why haven’t you found a new position before now?
Answer: I am not looking for any job and finding the right kind of job takes time.
Question: 51. If you had your choice of jobs and companies, where would you go?
Answer: Here, you have to give job preference and answer should reflect that the job profile and company suits
very much to your career goals.
Question: 53. Describe what would be an ideal working environment? Or what kind of a work environment are you
comfortable in working?
Answer: An environment that provides me a chance to use and enhance my skills for the betterment of the
organization. The organization should also provide an open communication environment among team members.
Question: 55. What is your long-range objective? Or what are your long-term goals?
Answer: I have divided my long-term goals into different segments as short term objective as it will easy to
achieve. My short term goal is to get a good job in a company that provides better opportunity to grow
professionally as well as personally.
Question: 59. Have you been involved in any extracurricular or volunteer activities while at university or college?
Answer: Describe all kinds of extracurricular activities you have participated and focus on how these helped in
improve your personality.
Question: 61. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Answer: Just give a common answer with characteristics like hardworking, innovative, problem solving skill and
above all a team player.
Question: 64. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute?
Answer: While answering this question, choose any specific incident and focus on the steps you have taken in
solving rather than the main problem.
Question: 65. Do you have a sense of humor or do you take yourself too seriously?
Answer: Laughter lightens heart and is necessary for making a tension free atmosphere. As professional life is full
of pressure and success depends on how you handle pressure, humor or laughter is essential and so I also enjoy
these moments.
Question: 66. Are you willing to learn, no matter how difficult it is?
Answer: No point to say 'no' and explain that you are here to learn new things while working and so ready to learn
new things to develops my skills and that also proofs beneficiary for the organization.
Question: 67. What challenges do you think you'll face in this job?
Answer: Describe the kinds of challenges you came across in your previous company and how you successfully
tackled them. Explain that you are ready to face it or any other kinds of challenges, which you will try to solve with
dedication, hard work and also by the cooperation of your colleagues.
Question: 71. How would you react if I told you that your interview, so far, was TERRIBLE?
Answer: Never panic if you hear this question as the interviewer is just asking and not saying that it is terrible. He
just tries to figure it out the way to react to criticism. No need to angry or show any kind of rigid attitude rather
listen the question and response it calmly.
Question: 76. You would have admired someone for his or her work, what made you make him your role model?
Answer: This does not hold that much importance as far as interviewee is concerned but one can answer it in three
different ways:
1st - I have no role model though there are several people that mostly admires for their work which they do with
complete dedication.
2nd - Point out a list of very prominent personality and explain their positive values that makes you consider as
your role model.
3rd - Even you can include any one of your close as your role model with explanation of his personality.
Question: 77. What sorts of decisions are most difficult for you?
Answer: The interviewer wants to find out whether you are hesitant or inclusive over important issues or not. One
of the best answers can be that you are hesitant over an issue in which you have less knowledge. So trying to find
out the best of information about the topic before coming into any final conclusion.
However, your answer should not reflect any weakness and try to point out any situation in which you have to make
a decision without sufficient information. Also include in your answer that whenever you have to take a quick
decision, you usually bank on your experience.
Question: 78. Tell us about a time when you had a personality clash with your co-worker or boss?
Answer: The main intention of the interviewer is to find out how comfortable you are in getting along with others
or not. Also the interviewer tries to find out what kind of co-workers or boss you want to work with. While
answering this question is a little diplomatic and try to evade the question with a soft answer.
Example: I have never face such situation and easily gotten along well with everyone I worked with.
If you have come across such situation, then fell free to talk about the arrogant boss or irresponsible co-workers you
have had to deal with.
One can answer this question by distinguishing personality clash and clash of values but focus should be on work
ethics. Talk about how your boss forced to do something unethical or how the irresponsibility of co-workers led to a
conflict.
Question: 82. What have you gained from your work experience?
Answer: Pick out one or two work experience and explain it in detail and express what you have learnt from your
activities. You can also answer, "My experience taught me to develop my interpersonal skill and lead my team.
Also you can mention how you guided your teammates in different conditions that enhance your self-confidence.
Question: 83. How would you rate your persuasive skills? Give me proof of your persuasiveness.
Answer: T his answer should reflect your leadership quality but don’t mention any example in which you are
working as a team leader, rather explain a situation in which you actually don’t have authority but still you were
able to convince others. Describe your responsibility and the out come of your persuasion and why and how others
came forward to co-operate you. Also mention you have got any reward for your effort.
Question: 84. How would you react if your manager, your supervisor and your team leader ask you to do something
at the same time?
Answer: The interviewer tries to find out the way you handle pressure and how you identify priorities? So you have
to first check the level of priority of each responsibility and on the basis of that choose the most crucial one to do
first.
Example: Suppose your manager is asking you to arrange an office party in the coming week and at the same time
you have to submit the project to your supervisor you are working for, then you should give priority to the project
as it is more important. Later you can report your manager that the party can be arranged within a couple of days.
The manager can very well understand you’re responsibilities and would appreciate for your better supervision.
Question: 85. It's your first job. Do you think that you would be able to handle the job despite your lack of
experience?
Answer: If you are a fresher, the interviewer may ask this question. However, it will better for you to first find out
the basics needed for the job and do some ground works accordingly. Give examples of your interest, expertise, and
academics, and relate them to the current job.
You can also take help of some professionals and same kind of organization in collecting information on this field,
which can make them feel that you are interested. So the most important thing is to match your skills with the
occupation.
Question: 86. Are you creative? Are you analytical? Can you work under pressure?
Answer: Hey, you got to give an affirmative answer with a suitable example as these questions test your confidence
and capability. Since past achievements are indication for your future success talk about your past experience,
achievements and while explaining stick to what you can do. Also discuss a particular assignment in which you
excelled yourself.
Again, it’s important for you to know the required qualification otherwise it will not possible for you to show your
eligibility. So study first the basic qualification required for the respective post and then highlight your selling
points i.e. experience, skills, achievements and academics by targeting the job to prove their relevance to the job.
Question: 90. Do you consider yourself organized? And do you manage your time well?
Answer: Here you have to proof your skills regarding time and task management. You can answer that you manage
your time very well by completing your project before schedule. Also mention any project that you have completed
in time and can tell the interviewer about your performance reviews in the previous job.
Question: 91. What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
Answer: Again this question offers you a chance to present your USP. So it becomes important for you to
understand the details of the job and give an answer that should reflect your skills and experience. Try to mention
every aspect of your academics experience, achievements and responsibilities in your conversation, as the
interviewer may not have caught all the information.
Question: 93. Have you ever had to work closely with a person you didn't get along with? How did you handle the
situation?
Answer: The main intention of the interviewer that you are able to put all personal difference aside and give only
priorities to work. Here you should show your flexible nature and can get along with anybody to make the work
done. Give also some of your previous work related example.
Question: 96.What are you doing, or what have you done to reach your career objectives?
Answer: Talk about all kinds of academics and training programs that you’re doing for shaping your career.
Question: 98. If you could start again, what would you do differently?
Answer: Here self-revealing is not important.
Example - Though everyone wants to make some changes but I think, I have learnt a lot from all of my mistakes
and hope can use my experience in prospect.
Question: 99. How would you RATE me as an interviewer?
Answer: You should answer this in a friendly manner. This question is to measure how you react under pressure.
You should repeat this question with a smile and may say calmly that it is one of the tough interview you have ever
been attain with some different kinds of questions but I think I have succeed in this
Question: 100. What is your salary history? Do you expect that pattern to continue?
Answer: Here you have to describe the salary structure of your last organization and the percentage of increment
that you had got at the end of the term. Also mention that increment depends on the overall performance and the
extra responsibilities that one bears. However, every company should provide excellent reward to its employees for
their committed effort.
You can also explain the negative aspects or drawbacks of the previous company's salary structure that forced you
to look for a better company where I will be rewarded according to my performance.
Every organization or institution requires good professionals in different fields, who are capable of taking the
organization forward. So it becomes essentials for every candidate who comes for interview to present
himself/herself in a professional way in order to become a part of the organization. To be successful in an interview
needs attire, confidence, poise and excellent communication skills. Most interviews are competency based and so
candidates are asked to answer a number of questions in order to demonstrate their practical knowledge and their
ability to tackle adverse situation.
Apart from doing a little research on the company, it will better to prepare answer to some common interview
questions the interviewer is likely to ask as such as: tell me about yourself, what are your strengths and weakness,
why do you want to work here, why should we hire you, etc. Here are a number of commonly asked questions that
can give you an overall idea about the kind of questions that an interviewer asks and surely this will boost your
confidence in any interview