How To Ace Interviews

Middinti Usha Nandini HR (Exclusively designed & compiled for the students of Audisankara Group of Institutions)
How to ace the Interview Questions
Note: This book contains answers to typical interview questions that students can use as models for
their own answers.
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INDEX
1. Job Interview Etiquette----------03
2. Tell me about yourself----------04
3. Why should I hire you? / describe your work ethic---------08
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?-------------10
5. Why do you want to work at our company?-----------13
6. How do you feel about working nights and weekends?---------14
7. Can you work under pressure?-------------15
8. What are your goals?--------------16
9. Are you willing to relocate or travel?------------17
10. What motivates you to do good job---------------18
11. What makes you angry?------------19
12. Give me an example of your creativity-----------------20
13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?---------------20
14. Are you not overqualified for this position?---------------21
15. Describe your ideal company, location and job----------------21
16. Tell me about something you did –or failed to do –that you now feel a little ashamed of-22
17. What are your career options right now?------------------23
18. Explain how would be an asset to this organization?------------24
19. What are your outside interests?----------25
20. Would you lie for the company?--------------25
21. Who has inspired you in your life and why-------------26
22. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?------------27
23. How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition---------28
24. If you won Rs 10 million lottery, would you still work--------------28
25. Tell me something about our company---------------29
26. How much salary do you expect?----------------30
27. Where do you see yourself five years from now?--------------31
28. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer--------------32
29. Do you wish to pursue higher education?-----------------32
30. What are your expectations from your first job?------------33
31. Why from ECE to Software domain?---------------33
32. Are you applying for other jobs?-----------------34
33. What will you do if I decide not to hire you?-----------35
34. If there was a monkey hanging from a chandelier, how would you get it down?--------35
35. See this pen? Can you sell it to me?--------------36
36. Describe a teacher you once had who you enjoyed being taught by?--------------36
37. Describe what you want to do in the future?-----------------37
38. Describe one of your personal achievements that you are proud of?-----------37
39. Do you have any questions for me?
40. Words to Describe Uniqueness / Exceptionality in You----39
41. Opinion Preferences In Gds Or Debates & Jam---------42
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1. JOB INTERVIEW ETIQUETTE
Positive body language -Give firm handshake
-Smile when answering questions
-Look the interviewer in the eye
-Sit up straight
-Lean slightly forward to show interest
Positive attitude -Show interest or eagerness for the job
-Be courteous to everyone you meet, including the interviewer
-Don't say bad or negative things about other people, jobs, or yourself
-Focus on the good things you have learned from past experiences
-Focus on the good you can do for this job; be confident
After the interview -When leaving the interview, let the interviewer know that you really want
the job, and ask them what is the next step
-Make notes about the interview as soon as it's over - for new ideas and to avoid mistakes
-Be ready with the message of thanks to the interviewer
Follow-up after the interview -First thank the interviewer for his or her time
-Say what you liked about the conversation
-Say what you like about the company
-Try to point out something you learned in the interview
-Say that you are interested in the job and why you think you would be right for the job, and add
any facts about yourself that you may have forgotten to mention; you can add to any answers you
gave in the interview
Appearance -Make sure your hygiene is perfect for the interview
(Take bath or shower; use deodorant; brush teeth; clean hair and nails)
-Wear appropriate clothes
Things to do to make a good impression -arrive early and alone
-bring everything you need
-prepare to answer questions
-keep pen and paper in a folder and arrange it neatly
Four steps to interview success -research the company
-prepare answers to interview questions
-prepare questions to ask the interviewer
-practice your interview skills
Common interview questions -what kind of worker are you
-what kind of work do you want to do
-what are your goals
-what are your strengths and weaknesses
-do you show ethics
-do you handle conflict well
-what kind of pay do you expect
Things to remember before answering interview questions -don’t give personal information;
-talk about your skills listed in your resume
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-think before you speak

-be polite
-let them finish speaking before answering
-answer professionally
A. The eight interviewing skills are:
1. Be Prepared 2. Show You Care. 3. Be Positive about Self and Others. 4. Say What You CAN Do.
5. Match Your Strengths to the Job. 6. Support Your Position with Facts. 7. Stress Personal Qualities
(such as responsibility). 8. Use Body Language Effectively.
B. The seven major types of questions are:
1. Direct request for Information. 2. Questions on strengths. 3. Questions on Weaknesses
4. Hypothetical questions. 5. Follow-up questions 6. Stress Questions 7. Broad, open ended
questions
C. Learning Objectives:
1. Learn eight important interviewing skills. 2. Learn to identify basic types of questions asked in an
interview and how to answer them. 3. Learn about related issues, such as guidelines for dressing,
dealing with the receptionist, and follow-up letters. 4. Learn how to stress their own strengths
while answering questions. 5. Learn how to be persuasive in oral communication.
6. Learn how the job interview moves through stages from rapport building to the close.
2. Tell me about yourself.
Points to Emphasize:
[Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extra careful that you don't run off at
the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education,
work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely
to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it. Start answering with an introduction
of what kind of person you are. This would help you to create a positive image about you to the
interviewer. Use traits like result oriented person, creative person, etc. This trait should relate with
the vacancy under discussion. Never start with "Myself so and so". Reflexive pronouns are used to
refer to nouns which have been used in the sentence before. As you are starting a new sentence,
use of myself is incorrect. Instead, start with "I am so and so ‘’. Remember always to give your
answer a positive tone.]
Your introduction starts before you even speak a word. So dress to impress, have a calm and
confident attitude. A genuine, bright smile, firm handshake and eye contact with the interviewer
creates a good impression. When the interviewer asks you to introduce yourself, please say
something that is NOT there in your resume. Something that defines you as a person and reflects
how you truly are. The first words you speak are the most important. 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. (Note: The purpose is just to let you
know a structure of self-introduction that I think is good and appropriate. Don’t include too many
details of education, because your Resume covers everything regarding your qualification. Include
your managerial skills. Make sure that you are not repeating the same information you have
mentioned in your CV in the same way it was presented. The interviewer must be carrying your
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profile in almost all the cases. No need to explain your strengths & weakness at this points (as that
will definitely come along).Try to keep this informative as well as short and free of errors, Make
sure that you answer this question with some small pauses (as if you are thinking), with smile
(when necessary) and naturally. First impression might not be the last impression. But first
impression lasts!! Greet your interviewer with "good morning/afternoon/evening sir/ma’m"
(whichever is applicable).
ANSWER:
Introduction: [My name is xxxxxxxxx. I am from ---------. I am in my final semester of B.Tech in
Electronics & Communication Engineering at Audisankara College of Engineering & Technology
(say the complete name of your college in case of pool campus. The interviewer might not know
your college's abbreviation)].
Background
[Then move into your educational background and your experience details. Give them some
interesting facts about that. For ex., the first rank you scored any additional course you attended,
etc. You don't DO your degree. I am PURSUING Electronics and Communication Engineering
from…]
I was born in a small village called -----------. ----------is located about 70 kilometers south of the city
of Nellore. I spent my first 16 years of life in ---------. --------- is famous for temples, textile mills.
My everyday activities include going to College, playing cricket, studying, watching television, and
ideally I go to temple at night. School was a wonderful experience for me. I really enjoyed learning
new ideas, I studied consistently, and I was attentive in class. But I never believed in cramming
before the night of an exam just to get a higher grade or staying up all night to finish a term paper.
At Audisankara, I focused on achieving my goals including learning English language, participating
in extracurricular activities, and doing well in all my classes.
Interests
[You cannot say, you don’t have any other interests, other than academics. Even if you are very
studious, your answer should include reading non-textbooks and following cutting edge stuffs in
technology. A company looks for candidates who are more rounded and keeps diverse interests in
life. Identify one of your interests other than academics and prepare answer based on that (Don’t
include eating, watching TV, sleeping etc]
I like playing Chess and Cricket.
I love singing and I also play instruments like Guitar.
Outdoor sports are my interest. Specifically cricket
I am a numismatist (coin/ currency collector). I have been doing it since school days
Achievements:
[Then give the interviewer an overview about your strengths and how you utilized them for your
career State your positive qualities. Just state them politely. Be prepared with instances to support
your positives, but do not quote any instances unless asked to do so. You could mention some
special achievements which you want the interviewer to take note of. You could also state some
principles/rules you strongly believe in..]
I have achieved many different goals in life. I set a deadline, as well as a schedule to achieve this.
Some of my achievements have given me greater satisfaction. One of my top achievements that
gave me the greatest personal satisfaction include: Best student of the year 2016 for being topper
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in my studies. My achievements have helped me to get ahead in life.

Goals:
[Last, but definitely not the least. Always have a positive and a learning attitude. Sounds common,
but it makes a lot of difference. The interviewer should not think of you as arrogant, over-confident
or cloistered. I have seen people losing jobs over these traits in the HR round. You should show (and
actually have) the will to learn. Then close the answer by briefly explaining about what type of
organization you are looking for. For ex., an organization that should provide you ample chances of
learning, an organization where growth is unlimited, etc.]
My dream job is working with creative people and creating something that will last forever, or for a
very long time, at least. My short-term goal is to find a company that is a good fit for me. Once I
begin to be a contributor, I would like to continue to grow and take on more responsibility in my
job. I want to become a project manager of a valuable project. I always enjoy reading, writing and
doing math. Growing up as a child and until now, (my adulthood) it has been a dream for me to
become an Engineer. I decided to become a Software Engineer because I have always been
fascinated by Programming.
Thank you It’s been great talking to you(At the end of the interview)
ANSWER:
Good morning sir.
I was basically born and bought up in Nellore and my entire education was carried out in the same
place. To speak further about it, I completed my intermediate from -------college and with my
family guidance; I planned to take up B.Tech. Fortunately, with good EAMCET score, I entered XXX
College and choose Electronics & Communication as major. Given a thought, I moved ahead in my
education and now pursuing final year. As per the goals set, everything is fine. This position
demands lot of Knowledge, skills and abilities which I am worth of. I was appreciated by my
Professors in recognition of my programming abilities. I always appreciate myself for being on track
with my career plans. I am also an active member of A-CUBE from past 1 year. To be fair enough, I
take pride in my work at both professional and personal life. My father works for --------, and mom
for--------- they share their experiences and these experiences have fetched me a lot. My greatest
inspiration is my dad. He always keeps himself rooted and stays humble. He has always thought me
to not worry about my weakness and take most advantage of my strengths. This has developed a
lot of confidence in me during difficult times. I also believe in hard work and humility.
Thank you. It's been nice talking to you.- (At the end of the interview)
Or
Good morning sir.
I am ---------------. I am pursuing Electronics and Communication Engineering from Audisankara
College of Engineering & Technology (speak your full college name in case of pool campus). Ours is
a close knit and educated family and all members of my family understand the essence of good
education for one’s career growth. I have a positive attitude towards life. And I never neglect any
opportunity for my improvement. I have good analytical skills (or aptitude). I scored 100% marks in
Mathematics in class XII. I prefer to do smart work instead of hard work. I believe in achieving
maximum output with minimum input. Having done internships at ------------, I have had exposure
to the corporate world and find it fascinating. I learned quite a lot from my internship. I am
inquisitive. I am a learner; I like to learn new things. I was recently awarded the Best Performer
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award in my team. Outside of work, I enjoy watching and playing cricket, and play for a local club
as a wicketkeeper and opening batsman. In addition to that I am an active participant in Tech Fest.
I can provide more details if you'd like.
Thank you. I had a nice time. I'm glad to have met you-(At the end of the interview)
Or
Good morning/Afternoon Sir/Ma’am, or Happy morning/Afternoon Sir/Ma’am,
First of all let me thank you for giving this wonderful opportunity to introduce myself. I’m
————-(Your Name). I basically belong to a respectable middle class family in —— (City/Village
Name). At present I am pursuing my final year B.Tech ECE/ME/CSE/EEE/CIVIL at ———- (College
Name) in ——–(College Place). I am a quick learner and a sincere person. I am self motivated and
flexible to adapt to new conditions. Apart from studies, I am very good and enthusiastic in the field
of sports (—–). I am a Tennis player, and I have been associated with this game for the last five
years. I have played many tennis tournaments and also won a few of them. My hobbies are
hearing music, Reading News paper, playing games and singing songs. Coming to My family: I have
mother, Father and 2 siblings.
Thank you. I truly appreciate the time spent here.- (At the end of the interview)
Or
Good morning ma’am/sir.
It's my pleasure to introduce myself.Well, I'm XXXXXXXXX born and raised in Nellore. I have done
my schooling in ------------- English Medium High School then I did my intermediate from --------------
and now I’m pursuing my final year B.Tech from ASCET with an aggregate of -----------My attitude
plays the best part of my personality. I'm open to personal and professional growth and welcome
the opportunities to improve. I take both success and failure in a balanced manner. My best skill
would be my verbal ability and articulation skill. I have worked as editor for our college magazine
and have been involved with various literary forums during my school and college days. For the
past five years I have been an avid shuttle player. I've competed in a dozen or so competitions and
I've won a few.
Thank you. It’s been pleasant talking to you. - (At the end of the interview)
Or
Good morning Ma’am/sir
My name is XXX and I am from ---------. I am currently studying B.Tech at ASCET. I was raised in
---------- and when I was 18, I moved to ---------- to take my Engineering Degree. By virtue of my
father’s Job we have seen different places. I think I have been fortunate enough to be able to live
in different parts of India and thus be able to broaden my horizon. I have a strong interest in
---------------. I think my greatest strength is my positive attitude. I would like to be part of your
company to further develop myself in ------- field and to use my capabilities to serve the company.
Thank you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity. -(At the end of the interview)
Or
I am ------------ and hail from ----------------. I did my B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from
---------------------College of engineering, which is under ------------- University. I had completed my
intermediate from -------------- and secured 98% in CBSE Boards. Sir, my greatest strength is my
ability to learn things quickly. For example, I had to represent my college in an inter college science
exhibition, and was introduced to the team at the very last minute. I was able to understand our
exhibits and artifacts and present them with great success. I love outdoor sports, specifically
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athletics and was a member of college athletic team. I don't watch television too much. I try to
catch the news every day. In my free time, I usually go to the gym, walk my dog and spend time
with my friends and family rather than watch television.
Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure to meet you. -(At the end of the interview)
Or
I’m 22 years old, pursuing my final year B.Tech and am now looking for new opportunities. I
wanted to give as much effort as possible to my studies. I came from a high school in a very small
town, where I received high scores in my academics, but this didn't prepare me well for college. So
I studied hard. I have, however, found time to explore the city and make new friends, and I do
socialize formally on the weekends. While studying, I already gained work experience through
several internships in the area of Electronics. I’m a passionate long distance runner and currently
exercising for the next half marathon. I am a tough, motivated and energetic person. I have strong
work ethic. I don't want to just meet deadlines. I want to get the work done as well as I can and as
efficiently as possible. I truly stand behind my projects and feel responsible for the duties in my
working area. I always try to find a way to simplify processes and get the greatest outcome from
each effort. My communication and interpersonal skills have made me the leader of different
group projects at college.
Thank you. I enjoyed talking to you.- (At the end of the interview)
Note: Everyone has a different story. I came up with my intro. So, no one can speak
it with as much confidence as I can. Prepare your own intro and make sure you can
relate to it.
3. Why should I hire you? / describe your work ethic.
This is an important question that you will need to answer carefully.
It is your chance to stand out and draw attention to your skills, especially those that haven't
already been addressed. Saying "because I need a job" or "I'm really good" just won't cut it. Don't
speculate about other candidates and their possible strengths or flaws. Make sure you focus on
you. Explain why you make a good employee, why you are a good fit for the job and the company
and what you can offer. Keep it succinct and highlight your achievements.
Create your answer by thinking in terms of your ability, your experience, and your energy. The
interviewer’s job is to hire the best person for the position. Every hire is a risk for the company.
Your interviewer will also be taking a personal career risk in recommending a particular candidate
to hire. If the candidate performs well, Mr. Interviewer looks brilliant and gets a pat on the back
(and maybe a bigger annual bonus). This is an opportunity to reiterate your most impressive
strengths and/or describe your most memorable selling points, tailored to align with the top
requirements in the job description. Your 3-4 bullet points could include a combination of the
following:
Industry experience
Experience in performing certain tasks or duties
Technical skills
Soft skills
Key accomplishments
Awards/accolades
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Education/training
ANSWER:
Sir, as you know I am a fresher, my extensive experience through internships, project presentations
and educational background qualify me. I am hard working and fast paced. I don't like to stay idle; I
always like to do something productive. I am also good at my theoretical knowledge. I’m
ambitious, highly driven and I relish a challenge. I am searching for a platform where I can prove
myself utilizing my knowledge, skills that are useful for the development of the organization that I
am associated with.
Or
Well, being a fresher, I see every situation as a chance to gain valuable experience. I take pride on
the fact that once I start something I dedicate myself to it 100%. I have had some internships and
industry exposure. It‘s easy for me to adapt to the new environment. I am a person with a
positive,’ can-do’ attitude & with a strong sense of responsibility. I usually have a planned schedule
for every move I make. My passion for prioritizing and multitasking drives me to deliver high-
quality work every day. I feel my unique blend of skills, experience and academic achievement
makes me the perfect match for your requirements.
Or
Well, I have all the skills that you’re looking for and I’m confident that I would make a valuable
addition to your team. I have a sharp learning curve, which will help company ramp me up quickly
as a productive resource. An example of my learning curve is my final year project, where I have
worked on a short time frame on an entirely new technology. I am a strong team player a good
leader. I have been leading teams for technical and cultural activities in my college. I have the
attitude to start contributing from day one and I am truly excited about the prospect of getting
started.
Or
I have a great reputation for my dependability, reliability, and punctuality. I am a ball of energy, and
I do not let challenges slow me down. I have several traits that would prove my ability to serve as a
beneficial addition to your staff and company. A good friend would probably describe me as
ambitious, loyal and honest. I can just as easily work alone as I can with others. I can offer great
customer service and possess a pleasant attitude to work. I have a solid understanding of the
programming languages and requirements of this position.
Or
I have a strong educational background and core skills that the job requires. My profile is good
enough for this position. I have tried my best to fulfill all the requirements to get the job. If
selected I would hope to meet my goals and take advantage of opportunities to learn. I hope to
build my career with a company such as this one.
Or
I think that determination, willingness to work hard and a desire to excel in everything I do are key
attributes that makes me fit for this job. You need someone who can produce results, and my
background and experience are proof of my ability.
Or
I am a fresher but I have requisite qualification what you are looking for. Apart from that I am a quick
learner and easily adoptable to new environment/technology.
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4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What is your strength?
It’s an onion question. An onion question is a question with multiple layers…just like, well…an
onion! And like an onion…it can make you cry, but only if you tackle it unprepared…So put on your
safety glasses…it’s time to start peeling away layers! When the interviewer asks you about your
strength, he is trying to gauge your confidence in your skills and abilities. You should be able to
reveal through your words what your true strength is. This question should be carefully phrased.
Interviewers are always eager to trap you with your answers. Frame your answer in such a fashion
that they cannot counter question you. The interviewers are always looking for loopholes in your
answers. Individuals who have experience working in the industry are aware of these tricks. They
know how to tackle tricky questions. You must make sure you are confident and challenging. This is
your time to shine. Just remember the interviewer is looking for work related strengths. Mention a
number of them such as being a good motivator, problem solver, performing well under pressure,
loyal, positive attitude, eager to learn, taking the initiative, attention to detail. Whichever you go
for, be prepared to give examples that illustrate this particular skill.
What is your weakness?
This is an aggressively phrased – and potentially very leading – question. The interviewer is trying
to force you to expose a major weakness. Be realistic and mention a small work related flaw. Many
people will suggest answering this using a positive trait disguised as a flaw such as "I'm a
perfectionist" or "I expect others to be as committed as I am." I would advocate a certain degree of
honesty and list a true weakness. Emphasize what you've done to overcome it and improve. This
question is all about how you perceive and evaluate yourself. An earnest man would easily fall prey
to questions like these. You need to tackle questions like these tactically. When they ask about your
weakness, your reply should be something like, ‘I feel annoyed till the work at hand is complete
even if excess work affects my health adversely’. Such an answer reveals your love for the work you
do and your true dedication and devotion as an employee. Your choice of an answer to such
questions reveals your true attitude towards work.
You may also say things like ‘My weakness is my strict adherence to deadlines even when the
project is not urgent’ or ‘I can’t tolerate indiscipline’. These are replies that highlight you in positive
light. Such weaknesses only glorify you.
List of Strengths:
Integrity: This is a virtue that includes confidentiality, observing policies and procedures, being
able to maintain value and ethics when under pressure or when faced with opposition.
Self-discipline: It includes avoiding distractions, self-motivation, setting goals, not procrastinating
and controlling personal behavior.
Communication: This includes both written and verbal communication skills. Examples of verbal
include presentations, conflict management and active listening among many while written
includes correspondence and reports.
Problem solving: Being able to analyze problems, to find cause and possible solutions, ability to
identify and define problems, coming up with and implementing best solutions.
Teamwork: Communicating effectively with team members, listening and encouraging them,
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respect, contributing to team objectives and working effectively in a team.

Initiative: This is simply taking steps to make your job and the company better. e.g. Identifying
needs and coming up with solutions, providing ideas for improvement, etc.
Persistence/ Resilience: Includes staying enthusiastic after a setback, overcoming obstacles to
achieve, taking criticism positively, dealing with disappointment effectively and handling rejection.
Planning and organizational skills: Includes multitasking, meeting the set deadlines, managing
time, keeping up with calendars or schedules, setting and achieving objectives and goals.
Diligent/ Strong work ethic: Includes working hard, maintaining good quality work, doing more
than that which is required, taking on extra hours, finishing projects before or on time and
working without supervision.
A few good examples also include:
Your ability to prioritize, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your
professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude
ANSWER:
(DO NOT SOUND BOASTFUL OR ARROGANT- USE SPEECH SOFTENERS FOR SUCH QUESTIONS LIKE:
‘I have always been told that…I like to think that…My teachers appreciate…)
Strengths: My strengths are my attitude and my flexibility. I have always been appreciated by my
teachers that I am sincere and known for my ability to get the job done; done right; and done on
time. I do whatever it takes to fulfill my commitment to deliver. /I have good communication skills
and leadership qualities. I got my confidence from my experiences where I was to manage the
1000 members with different mind sets in my Tech Fest as an organizer. / I can handle myself in
difficult situations & could motivate others. /I am punctual and very enthusiastic to learn new
things./I have always been told that I possess a good quality of being positive./I can make my
surroundings happy with my sense of humor. I am quick learner and I am ready to work with team
with positive attitude.
Or
My strengths are interpersonal skills, and I can usually win people over to my point of view. Also, I
have good judgment about people and an intuitive sense of their talents and their ability to
contribute to a given problem. These skills seem to me directly related to the job.
Weaknesses: I usually have a wonderful memory for details, but sometimes when I am in the
middle of several tasks, I have to stop and organize myself and prioritize what has to be done. I
make lists so that I don’t miss any anything. This really helps me remember important details as
well as the not-so-important details. Example: I tend to try to take up too many things, leaving little
time for myself.”“I am a perfectionist and sometimes, concentrate too much on one single task to
get it to perfection, using up time from other tasks. I tend to say Yes, when someone asks for help.
I am working on learning to say No at times.
Or
Well, I think it all started when I was about five years old. My bigger sister decided it would be
funny to hold me down at a pool full of frogs in our village. She asked me to catch frogs…in her
attempt to find herself a real Prince. It was truly traumatizing. To this day I can’t even look at a frog
without breaking out into sweats and feeling light-headed.
Or
I don’t like to say it as weakness but I would say it as scope for improvement. I have a hard time
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letting a work go or sharing a task with others because I’m always convinced that I can do it all on
my own and that asking for help will be taken as a sign of weakness. This usually overwhelms me
and results in being frustrated and angry. It hasn’t been easy learning to let go, but I’ve been
working on trusting others and sharing the responsibilities for projects and as a result, have been
able to really accomplish some incredible things.
Or
There are times when I’m too blunt and honest and might seem aloof. I tend to say the first thing
that comes to my mind without thinking about what I’m saying first. When I’m dealing with other
people this can come across as cold and even a little mean which isn’t my intention at all. Once I
realized I was doing this it was a matter of slowing down and thinking before I say something to
someone…especially when I’m giving people feedback. I’m actively working on making sure that
my criticisms is constructive and that I’m leaving people with solutions and options rather than just
shutting them down.
Or
I hate confrontation and in the past found myself at times compromising what I wanted or needed
in order to keep the peace. This was a real problem, especially in team situations or when I was
supposed to be leading a group because there are times when you need to tell people things they
might not necessarily want to hear. Since then I’ve realized this is a weakness of mine and I’ve
worked very hard to overcome it. Now instead of avoiding those situations, I take it as an
opportunity to practice being more assertive without coming across as difficult. I take the time to
listen to each side of the situation and make sure that if I have any comments or criticisms that
they are constructive and that the solutions I offer are actual solutions and not just “peace
patches.”
Or
I suppose everybody has more than one weakness. If I had to think of my weakness I would say it’s that I
have a tendency to focus too much on detail. I can go to great lengths to get something just right – and this
can of course mean that it takes me somewhat longer to complete than someone who rushes the task.
However, I very much believe that if something is worth doing then it is worth doing to the very best of your
ability. Also, it’s well known that cutting corners can just lead to more work in the long-term; it’s counter-
productive.
Or
Everybody’s character is different of course but I don’t believe I have any major weaknesses. I suppose I can,
on occasion, be excessively demanding – both of myself and members of my team while doing a project in
my third year B.Tech. I am very critical of my own work. I am nevertheless a patient individual sometimes.
Everyone makes mistakes – the important thing is never to make the same mistake twice.
5. Why do you want to work at our company?
The employer wants to know whether you are genuinely interested in the job. Are you a good fit
for the company? Express your interest in the company profile (based on your pre-research or pre-
placement talk if any) Ex: company: annual reports, the corporate newsletter, contacts you know
at the company or its suppliers, advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press.).
Put across – how you are impressed by the company’s success, its products and its portfolio. Make
sure that you are sincerely interested in the job and will be motivated to perform if hired. That
means you must do your homework so that you can identify specific reasons for wanting to work
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for the firm. Demonstrate your enthusiasm to work for the company.
These reasons could include one or several of the following:
Company general reputation
Reputation of key leaders
Admiration of products/services
Admiration of other company initiatives (marketing campaign, community involvement, training
programs)
Company awards
Company management philosophy
Company values
Company positioning in market
Company growth/success
You can probably think of other reasons that would also work.
Please note: “It’s close to my house” & "Because you have an opening, and I need
a job" are not good reasons and should always be avoided.
ANSWER:
Yours is a really respected firm that has a clear sense of direction. I am looking for a platform
where I can give my best and work with dedication to give a kick start to my carrier. And if that
platform comes from a well renowned company like (company name) then it can’t be anything
better than that. And I love challenges that an organization puts, that helps an individual to grow
up professionally. But I worship the company that honors the individuals; who accept and cope up
with the challenges. And (company name) is right on top among such organizations. It will help me
to explore my skills and prove my ability and also gain experience. I think it will be a good platform
to prove myself.
Or
‘I’d relish the opportunity to work for such a prestigious organization…, which has won best
employer award multiple times. But more importantly, I would like to start off my career at a place,
which values ethical practices and encourages overall development of a person. I have always
admired XYZ (company), for the cutting edge products and developments it brings about in the
modern world. The impact of our work is directly reflected among the society in general, which is a
great feeling. I would like to be a part of this modern day game changer bandwagon.
Or
Well, the -------------- reputation is certainly a factor. I see this company as one that values its
employees. I would be proud to work for a company with such a long history of leadership in the
industry. Also, a good friend of the family has been working here for the last two years and he told
me that the culture supports learning and development on the job – and really rewards hard work.
The technology in the industry is changing so rapidly that I see lots of room for job enhancement
regardless of promotions. I'm particularly interested in multimedia applications as a training tool.
Or
Well, I have great respect for your company’s software products and I would welcome the
opportunity to work with the best in the business. At the same time, I have friends in the industry
who have told me about your company’s respect for employees and how you create a great
environment for rewarding innovation. I think my proactive style would fit in really well, especially
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in this particular role.

Or
Sir, Based on the research I've done, this company is an industry leader. When I visited your Web
site, I found some impressive information about future projects you have planned. I was also
impressed with the founders' backgrounds and the current financial statements. This is the
company I've been looking for, a place where my background, experience and skills can be put to
use and make things happen.
Or
Sir, I being a fresher want a platform to expose my talents and enhance my skills by acquiring
knowledge in a reputed firm like yours and I want to be one of the responsible persons for the
strengthening of the company. I know this is a company where I could work collaboratively with
bright people to achieve my goals
Or
I checked the job description and found that the requirements are matching with what I studied at
college so I felt I will be a good fit for the job and will be able to start working on the projects with
confidence once the initial orientation is given about the company culture and standards.
I found out that the company has projects in my domain areas (electrical, electronics, mechanical
etc.) So I felt with little a training in the best practices of software my domain knowledge will help
me to successfully work.
6. How do you feel about working nights and weekends?
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 from future grief. Moreover, make your
answer oriented toward opportunity rather than personal security.
ANSWER:
Sir, I usually have the habit of finishing my assigned work in due date. In case you need any extra
effort, I’ll surely do this for the welfare of the firm. I‘ll not bother whether it is night time or
weekends.
Or
Sir, no problem in working nights and weekends because in my opinion if we want to be successful
then we should be honest to our work because it is vital for everyone, who wants a bright future,
to remember the old adage “Successful leaders see the opportunity in every difficulty rather than
the difficulty in every opportunity’’.
Or
Have no problem in doing work at night and weekends. Most probably, I spend more time with my
family during weekends. But If Company needs my presence then surely my presence will be there
at anytime.
Or
I believe in completing my tasks within given time limit. I know every company has some time limit
for the completion of a project. Yes, I am willing to work overtime when a project needs to be
completed in a timely manner and a deadline is approaching. If there exists a necessity of working
extra hours i.e. working at night and weekend; I will surely do it.
Or
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Sir for me both career and family are equally important. I will ensure that I complete all my work in
time. If the company requires my service, I'll definitely be there. I am always ready to work at late
nights and weekends.
Or
Am very responsible person, and I have definite plan and I go according to that in a systematic way,
so in case I am behind schedule I will surely work overnight and make sure I complete it in time.
7. Can you work under pressure?
There are several ways of addressing this one. You may be the sort of person that works well under
pressure; you may even thrive under pressure. Whatever the case, make sure you don't say you
panic. You want to give specific examples of stressful situations and how well you dealt with them.
You may also want to list a few tools you use to help you, such as to-do lists, etc. It is alright to say
that you will ask for assistance when the job is more than what you can handle. It is equally
acceptable to say that you work best under pressure if this is indeed the case and relevant to the
particular role. Just saying yes is not just sufficient. Convey the interviewer that what method will
you use to meet a given deadline. Tell them that you will not consider that as the pressure. Also
inform how you are experienced in solving that kind of stress. You need to choose an example
cautiously to demonstrate your adeptness during work pressure. It should put on view your
competence to get fruitful results under such environment with patience and tranquil. Give details
how you pull off top outcomes out of stressful situations.
ANSWERS:
It’s important for me to work in a cooperative environment where people value a team experience
but also where there is an expectation of initiative and independence. I also really value working
with people who are experts at what they do and where I can keep learning. I function best when
the environment is a bit competitive. I like to be challenged to do my best so I work well under
pressure and to deadlines.
Or
I don't know if it's odd, but I really enjoy working under pressure. I use the feelings of pressure as
a tool to motivate me to work harder and more efficiently. In my III Year, I remember we had a
project to complete in 4 days where it usually took 10 days. There was a lot of panic by some team
members, but I ensured everyone that if we concentrate on the task and work smart, we can
complete the project. It was hard, but still we really enjoyed that experience.
Or
Sir, I believe that if we love what we do, we never feel the pressure. When I get stressed, I step
back, take a deep breath, thoughtfully consider the situation and then begin to formulate a plan of
action. And we must always be ready to face the upcoming challenges. So I think I can do well. Or I
always try to face challenges in my life. So pressure doesn’t matter. Working under pressure is the
opportunity to know about my ability and gaining confidence. Simply I can say, when I'm under
pressure, I focus on my priorities.
Or
During the time of pressure, I try to prioritize and plan as much as I can. I don’t let pressure affect
me, because I use the pressure to help me work more efficiently. The best example that I could say
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is me and my classmates were preparing for a technical symposium at IIT where we have to
present a topic to a group of experts. There was enough time for us to prepare the required
presentation and do rehearsals. Every day we thought we will start working on the presentation
and used to stall it to next day. Suddenly, we realized that we don’t have enough time left for
doing a good presentation and we are under tremendous pressure. We decided that we will not
sleep until we finish preparing the presentation. We successfully finished preparing the
presentation and we spent extra hours to prepare and did reasonably well in the competition.
Or
To tell you the truth, I think I work the same if there's pressure or if there's no pressure. I try and
take out negative emotional factors and work hard regardless of down time or busy time. I always
prioritize and organize my work, and from there, work efficiently. If the situation involved pressure
due to a lack of time, then the only difference in my work would be the extra time I would need to
put in to meet the deadline on time. Since I believe my normal work is great work, then I suppose
I work well under pressure.
Or
Yes sir. Because I believe that there is no gain without pain. Pressure is generally an opportunity to
step one more feet higher than present. It teaches us how to work in different situations and how
to work in a smart way.
Or
I think working under pressure is good to some extent because it creates seriousness in the person
and makes him to concentrate more on his work and helps him to finish the task on time or even
before the given time. But I believe anything extreme is bad.
8. What are your goals?
This is one of the common questions posed in interviews. The interviewers are always curious to
know your career goal and your dream career. They try to analyze whether you are an ideal choice
for the career. Different questions they pose try to understand your liking for the industry you have
chosen. The interviewers wish to know whether you have well set dreams and ambitions for
yourself. Your dreams and goals explain a lot regarding your knowledge and confidence in your
field. Individuals who are not sure what they want to do with their lives are unable to have a clear
goal or ambition. Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen.
Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do.
When you respond to this question, you want to convince the interviewer that you are excited to
be in the industry.
Emphasize your satisfaction overall with your profession.
Focus on how you would like to improve your skill set.
Concentrate on experiences that caused you to grow professionally.
Mention why you might choose to follow the same path.
Try to be as positive as possible even if there are things that you would change in your professional
career.
ANSWERS:
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My goal is to work for a good firm where my talent is recognized & where I can make the best use
of my skills and knowledge. In long term I want to earn new responsibilities, good position and
respect in the society.
Or
My short term goal is to get placed in reputed organization like yours and enhance my skills. My
long term goal is to be successful in life by putting 100% effort and make my parents feel proud of
me.
Or
To be honest, the rhythm of success depends on my 100% effort & I will not let any situation
permanently steal my smile. Right now my goal is to crack this interview and want to be part of
your organization. In long term I would dedicate myself to chase a big goal where I get an
opportunity to prove my personal excellence.
9. Are you willing to relocate or travel?
This is something you need to have very clear in your mind prior to the meeting. There is no point
in saying yes just to get the job if the real answer is actually no. Just be honest as this can save you
problems arising in the future. Use this question as an opportunity to explore the specifics of the
travel required for the role. If you do have travel limitations, state them clearly. If your travel
limitations keep you from getting the role, so be it. If you have flexibility, state that you are flexible,
yet ask questions to learn more about the scope and context of the travel. Sometimes travel can
start on Sunday, knocking out the end of your weekend with your family. Always best to explore
this information up front, although you will have the opportunity again if/when the offer is made
to ask for more specifics.
ANSWERS:
I don’t see any problem in relocating to a new place. Instead it will provide me exposure to a new
environment, culture and languages and let me interact with different people. This will also give
me new experience and prove to be beneficial for my personality development as well.
Or
Relocation means learning new things interacting with new people, new culture that teaches us
many more. As I like learning so relocation is not any issue.
Or
Yes, most definitely. I believe being at different locations helps me learn about new culture and
people.
or
Yes, I don’t see a problem in relocation. As a young adult the opportunity to relocate is very much
exciting. It’s always a better learning experience than being around with same environment and
people.
Or
I am generally flexible about travel. My current role as a student requires me to travel 90 km a.
day. I understand your company required a great deal of travel from doing my prior research, so
this wouldn’t be a problem at all sir/ma’am.
Or
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Sir I am adaptable to any kind of environment as I have studied in different places, can mingle with
anyone and I am eager to learn new things so that I can improve my skills and apply what I have
learnt.
Or
As far as location is concerned I’m presently a bachelor and ready to work anywhere as long as I’m
comfortable with the culture, surroundings and the work environment and growth opportunities
the company provides.
10. What motivates you to do good job?
This is a common interview inquiry that can easily catch you off guard. For most of us, the main
motivation to work is money which is why it is probably the first thing that comes to mind when
we are asked this question. Speak something other than money i.e. additional aspects that
stimulate you to work every day- including your personality, ambitions, skills, enthusiasm,
expectations, and how you generally think, just to name just a few. If you don't have a plan, you
might simply look like a deer in the headlights. Speak about the projects that have given you the
greatest satisfaction, and why? Be true to yourself and give your ample thought regarding the job
that you want to enjoy. Tell employers you are motivated by intangible qualities, like challenging
yourself.
ANSWER:
Where there is encouragement, I believe encouragement is the better element of discipline. /
Building success with a great team. / Where there is job satisfaction/ Meeting or exceeding project
goals/ Handling challenging projects where I can apply my skills/ Developing innovative ideas that
come to fruition. We hosted a big event called ‘Youth Carnival’ which had multiple programs and
our team was assigned to take care of receiving the guests, serving them food, beverages, giving
them the right information of where and what events they can attend. My team mates were not
paying attention to the tasks assigned to them and I was having hard time keeping them together.
I took up the issue and gathered them together and explained the problem. I told them that by
knowing and networking with the guests they may benefit from them in future in some form. So
they realized the value of doing their job. Most of them have realized the mistake and together we
were able to finish the task given to us.
Or
I am motivated by constant progress. I find it exciting to implement new ideas and see them
through to fruition. I yield utmost satisfaction in implementing “out-of-the-box” ideas that
ultimately prove their value. I like to be challenged on the job and desire the opportunity to utilize
my skills and talents. Quality leadership and culture in the workplace will probably allow us to work
at the best.
11. What makes you angry?
Regardless of how volatile your character is, you need to convey an impression of a calm, level-
headed individual – and one who remains as such even when the going gets tough. Everybody
loses their rag sometimes – including the interviewer sitting opposite you – but it would be a fatal
mistake for you to disclose too much about yourself with your answer. Give an answer that’s suited
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to both your personality and the management style of the firm. Here, the homework you’ve done
about the company and its style can help in your choice of words.
ANSWER:
I recognize that losing my temper is very unlikely to achieve anything – in fact getting angry is
generally very counterproductive. While the behavior of others can of course sometimes cause me
to feel frustrated or even annoyed, I always focus on remaining calm and finding solutions to the
problem at hand. I try to channel any negative feelings into my work because that’s normally the
best way of resolving the issue. Stress and pressure are a fact of life and losing your cool won’t fix
anything.
Or
I’m an even-tempered and positive person by nature, and I believe this helps me a great deal in keeping my
department running smoothly, harmoniously and with a genuine esprit de corps. I believe in communicating
clearly what’s expected, getting people’s commitment to those goals, and then following up continuously to
check progress.
Or
If anyone or anything is going off track, I want to know about it early. If, after that kind of open
communication and follow up, someone isn’t getting the job done, I’ll want to know why. If there’s no good
reason, then I’ll get impatient and angry…and take appropriate steps from there.
Or
I tend to work well with people who are confident and straightforward. It's more difficult for me to
be around timid people, because I move quickly and am decisive. I admire and work best with
people who are of good character and have integrity. I also think confidence and enthusiasm is
positive in any business environment.
Or
Those who don't have compassion for others, haughtiness - stuck up attitude, injustice and
arrogance make me angry. So does the selfishness, carelessness of those who hurt or damage
others to gain some advantage for themselves. Whenever someone disturbs me a lot and
underestimates my capability. I have an optimistic attitude towards my life. Mostly, I try my best to
control my anger with a smile and handle the situation.
12. Give me an example of your creativity.
This might sound like a pretty blue sky question, but it's becoming a lot more common, as
employers go looking for more productive employees. This type of question is asked to see how
well you think on your feet and if you can be creative. These kinds of questions are also used to see
if a candidate has a good sense of humor, a very desirable trait when you have to work with
someone five days a week. You should use this opportunity to showcase your personality and
make yourself stand out from the other candidates. As a creative person, you'll find that an
interview is, ironically, a very positive environment, if you use your creativity and focus on your
own skills. Tell the interviewers the smashing success you orchestrated with your creativity. Explain
the work, and the processes. Explain your idea and its benefits in terms of the productivity criteria.
Also tell them how your teacher or supervisor's reaction to your work. That's proof of
achievement.
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ANSWER:
Being a member of A-CUBE I initiated a group e-mail to address the social concerns. In the
beginning I included my own ideas on how we could do this (Action). As it turned out, many of
them had great ideas that were supported by our professors.
Or
As a matter of fact, yes I am. While working for a project, we had a situation where we were all
preparing reports individually for the project review. These reports had many common elements,
and some only needed a few original paragraphs. I developed a generalized email and standardized
my reports on a macro. Our teachers liked it, and it was adopted for the whole branch.
Or
We all need challenges in our life to keep motivated. I believe that most successful people have not
achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They have
developed the opportunity that was at hand. I can’t remember any particular example right now
but my creativity lies in every work I do. I always set a timetable that's realistic.I don't allow
myself to get involved in a routine to the point that I get burned out. I've always been the type of
person who asks for new assignments so that I stay motivated and interested.
13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired? (FB TO COVER)
Say that you are interested in a career with the organization, but admit that you would have to continue to
feel challenged to remain with any organization. Think in terms of, "As long as we both feel achievement-
oriented."
ANSWER:
Sir, as a young graduate It has been always my dream to be a part of this organization, so if I am
selected. It will be my pleasure and I assure that I give my level best. And if you recognize my work
and potential, I will be there with you always as long as you want me to stay in this company.
Or
Dear sir, Everybody, looks for their bright future, healthy work environment, good salary, job
satisfaction, and I am pretty sure that your company gives such thing. So I don’t need to change
this company.
14. Are you not overqualified for this position?
Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization, and say that
you assume that if you perform well in his job, new opportunities will open up for you. Mention
that a strong company needs a strong staff. Observe that experienced executives are always at a
premium. Suggest that since you are so well qualified, the employer will get a fast return on his
investment. Say that a growing, energetic company can never have too much talent.
ANSWER:
Thank you for your perception about me but I think I am qualified for this post but not
overqualified because I am just a beginner and have lots more to learn. I think qualification is not
only a matter of theoretical knowledge or results; it also depends on practical knowledge and
learning. When I will get practical knowledge then I would consider myself just a well-qualified not
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overqualified. Because learning never ends.

Or
Sir, if am overqualified for this position then I don’t think there is any harm to the organization or
to my colleague as extra knowledge can be utilized somewhere at some point of time.
15. Describe your ideal company, location and job.
They are interested in finding a match for the position and the company. To avoid giving a canned,
predictable response, you need to know what you really want in a workplace—and understand
that isn’t the same as what others may want. Think about what an ideal company really does look
like for you. You need to have a clear idea of the type of environment that enables you to do your
best work
ANSWER:
Sir, An ideal company is one where I can utilize my skills and abilities and can gain more
knowledge. An ideal job is one which gives self satisfaction to me. Location does not matter. I can
work at any place as I can adapt to any new environment.
Or
My ideal company is that where I can get new things to learn and where the people around me are
hardworking, honest and for whom the work is the first priority.
Or
My ideal job is one where my knowledge and skills are put to good use. A job where I will learn and
grow as a person and an employee and where I am given challenges that test my potential.
Or
I believe an ideal job is something where you a chieve a challenging goal or set of goals with enthusiasm
and interest and yield a lot of job satisfaction. I am enthusiastic about a position that allows me to
learn and grow and to make a positive and meaningful contribution.
Or
My ideal company is one that values individual employees and encourages them to speak up and
share ideas, but that also has a commitment to sustainability.
Or
My ideal company would present exciting challenges that allow me to use my interests and
experiences to propel the business forward. I should also play an important role in promoting the
success.
Or
I love to work in a company where there is enough room to use my skills without fear and
simultaneously acquire new skills.
16. Tell me about something you did – or failed to do – that you now feel a little
ashamed of.
Some interviewers ask this question on the chance you admit to something, but if not, at least
they’ll see how you think on your feet.
Some unprepared candidates, flustered by this question, unburden themselves of guilt from their
personal life or career, perhaps expressing regrets regarding a parent, spouse, child, etc. All such
answers can be disastrous.
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As with faults and weaknesses, never confess regret. But don’t seem as if you’re stonewalling
either.
Best strategy: Say you harbor no regrets, then add a principle or habit you practice regularly for
healthy human relations. Pause for reflection, as if the question never occurred to you. Say that,
all-in-all; you're happy with the way your career has progressed so far. Given the normal ups and
downs of life, you feel that you've done quite well and have no complaints.
Present a positive and confident picture of yourself, but don't overstate your case. The most
convincing confidence is usually quiet confidence.
ANSWER:
My observation about college life is that most of the students won’t pay attention to what matters
most during college and how college education helps them to build their career and life. They
waste tremendous amount of time on gossips, wandering around and studying just before a few
days to exams etc. I failed to understand the value of time during my early days of college life.
Fortunately I was able to meet a few of my teachers, corporate professionals from Indian and a
foreign companies who gave lectures in college and realized the value of time and how to allocate
time for what is important to life.
Or
While in the third year of my engineering I was asked to speak in an event where our Directors,
professors and other eminent personalities are sitting and I was so scared to speak in front of such
great audience. I felt so embarrassed and upset with myself that I decided to get rid of my stage
fear from then on by practicing speech in an empty room first and later with my friends as
audience.
Or
Recently I went to a marriage. When one of my relative introduced me to another relative, I could
not recall the other person but it seems he knows me well. At that moment I felt really
embarrassed and taught to myself that remembering some close relatives names is very important
for handling social situations like this.
Or
I could think of a recent moment I felt a little embarrassed. Recently I went to watch a movie. My
seat number was I-10 but I sat in Row J as the rows were organized a bit confusingly. After 10
minutes, a couple came and told that it was their reserved seat. I was bit confused and want to
check my seat number. At the same time, Usher came and showed my seat. But in the mean while
the people at the back of the row and others were restless as we are moving hither and thither. I
think this is really embarrassing.
Or
You know, I really can’t think of anything. (Pause again, and then add): I would add that as a
general management principle, I’ve found that the best way to avoid regrets is to avoid causing
them in the first place. I practice one habit that helps me a great deal in this regard. At the end of
each day, I mentally review the day’s events and conversations to take a second look at the people
and things that I’m involved with.
17. What are your career options right now?
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This question is often asked to explore whether the candidate has long-term goals which cannot be met by
the employer. It is also used as a reality check to see if the candidate has realistic goals. Finally, it is also
used as a measure of the ambition of the candidate. How much ambition is wanted/needed is dependent
upon the role. Do not forget to match your career objective in the resume that you have submitted.
Prepare for this question by thinking of how you can position yourself as a desired commodity. Then focus
on your career direction and trajectory based upon being successful in the role during that period of time,
yet showing flexibility for taking on a variety of roles over the course of your career to broaden your
knowledge and exposure. You want to be ambitious, yet not overly ambitious.
ANSWER:
India is moving rapidly with the world, where every sector creates a new field of opportunities for
Indian professionals. I love working with people and I consider myself a fairly competitive person.
My career options right now is the selection in your company through my efficient and positive
interview. If selected, I will do my best in the interest of the organization and if rejected then, I will
try my luck again correcting myself & reappear for the interview.
Or
I am looking for a bright future in the field of Information technology in an organization of repute
with the objective to learn and grow as a professional by leveraging my knowledge in real time
projects and moving ahead with Industry trends. And to fully utilize of my technical and
educational background to match the organization's growth and strength.
Or
I'm a fresher and I'm looking for a good platform to start my career. My current career option is to
gain a job in a reputed company like yours where I can enhance my knowledge and skills. Even
though I am a fresher you would see a great progress in my work approach towards the
organizational growth.
Or
There are vast career opportunities in IT sector for freshers. The career in this field includes
companies from consulting, software development, BPOs, software management and online
services. These are greatest growing industries favoring new graduates and students. Job
opportunities in this sector are very lucrative and one can attain high success in this vast field. The
basic aim of mine as an engineering student is to design and manufacture the hardware of life that
aims to cater the entire needs of the industry.
18. Explain how would be an asset to this organization?
Employees are the Asset of the company because company growth depends on the employee’s
hard working, smartness and dedication. Talk about the unique qualities or experiences you
possess. Make it clear why you are a perfect fit for the position. Try to stay positive in every aspect
of your answer.
ANSWER:
My ability to multitask & and the art to resolve problems makes me an asset for this firm. I am an
enthusiastic programmer, with the aid of which I can use computers to process complex problems,
and constant numerical sums to come up with an answer which I can put into context. One of my
strengths is working with all kinds of people. I simply adjust my style to meet their needs. Whether
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it’s planning or doing, I offer my strengths in a way that is very nonthreatening to the people I am
working with. I would never want people to feel that I am judging because I like to help, not judge.
Or
My self-motivation serves as a reward. Unlike most people in similar positions, I thrive on going above
and beyond. I'm confident that I possess all the skills & the best qualities like honesty, hardwork,
confidence, responsibility & punctuality that would make me a perfect fit for the organization. The
present position with your organization requires the same types of skills and focused attention.
This job is an excellent starting point for me because it’ll give me a chance to use the skills I’ve
already developed in college and put them to use.
Or
I consider my time management skills to be my strongest asset. I was always taught that ‘time is
money’ and to value time as such. I actually like working in a fast-paced environment where there
is a need to prioritize and juggle projects. In every job I hold I assume more responsibility with
success. My strength lies in my interpersonal relations. I learned early in the game that people are
the cornerstone of success, and I am always sure to give credit where credit is due.
Or
Two things I pride myself on are my ability to meet deadlines and my punctuality. When I read the
job posting, I felt confident that I would be qualified and could bring added value to this job. From
what I have read in your job posting, it appears that you want someone who has superior
communications & technical skills. Next, I am very organized with strong coordination skills.
Or
I have read your literature and visited your Web site, and knew that there are open opportunities with
someone with my background and education. When I compared your requirements with my qualifications, I
found that they were a very good match. I’m a person who is passionate about what I do & learnt to stay
flexible to opportunities and adaptable to new situations. One of the strongest points is my ability to work
with a diversity of people.
Or
My key strengths are my strong analytical skills and my ability to use those skills to see all sides of a
problem. Problem solving is my strength and greatest asset. I’m known for my ability to think outside the
box.
Or
My innate thirst for knowledge, hard-working nature and high attainment in academic subjects
make me a suitable candidate for this profession. This is more than a career path; it is a chance for
me to use my empathetic qualities and productive skills.
19. What are your outside interests?
Youngsters often fail to realize the significance of questions like this and blurt out replies that are
totally irrelevant. When someone asks you regarding your hobbies and interests, you need to
speak of the hobbies that could be relevant to your knowledge.
ANSWER:
Sir / Mam. To be frank my outside interest is everything what an ordinary man will love to do but
one thing that matters for me is I give my 100 % to every such activity. I read books in my spare
time. I am also interested in Gardening.
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Or
Outside of studies I spend a considerable amount of time looking after my garden. The daily
responsibility and genuine hard work both physically and mentally has shaped my personality over
the past four and a half years. I am confident that this ingrained practice will be of huge benefit.
Or
Every day I take time to read journals and newspapers. I guess you could call me a ‘newshound’. I make
sure that I am up-to-date with current affairs. Globalization makes it necessary to reach beyond local issues.
I spend considerable amount of time to know what is happening globally.
Or
Outside of academic study, I enjoy tennis, table tennis, badminton each in their own way stimulating my
brain. I enjoy computer programming and animation. I also enjoy playing chess; the thought of thinking
many moves ahead of when they're actually played is perfect stimulation for my thoughts.
Or
Physical Education has been a key part of my life both academically and socially. Playing chess is one of my
favorite past time activity. Throughout my time at school I have always been supported by great teachers,
especially in P.E. (Physical Education)
Or
I love solving puzzles especially I like Sudoku, watching movies, surfing internet & chat with my
friends about something which is interesting at that particular point of time.
Or
I usually love listening to music especially classical music; I also answer the questions posed by
various people online in Yahoo Answers portal in the category of computers & internet.
Or
My outside interests include watching movies and listening to songs. Especially I watch movies
which are very innovative like Transformer, Narnia. Recently I have started reading books. One of
the books which inspired me a lot is 'The Magic of Thinking Big' penned David Joseph Schwartz.
20. Would you lie for the company?
Try to avoid choosing between two values i.e. loyalty & integrity, giving a positive statement which
covers all bases instead. If aggressively pressed to choose between two competing values, always
choose personal integrity. It is the most prized of all values. Answering questions regarding
personality should be done with confidence. Show the interviewer that you are loyal and
determined to work for them.
ANSWER:
Sir/ Madam. I would never do anything that will damage the company’s reputation... according to
me lying is only the tool which help us to escape the current situation, but one day later we have
to face it, with some added consequences. I believe that strengthening the unity of the office as a
whole has a positive effect on both the people employed there and on the overall success of the
company.
Or
I will consider lying only in a situation where there is a possibility of loss or damage to a project or
team spirit or when company’s core values are at stake. Otherwise I will look at alternatives but
would never like to lie. But being a reputed company, you will never lead me to such a situation;
it’s my belief and faith. I must abide myself to my values first.
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Or
I do not favor lying as it creates more problems than it solves. And mostly there are many ways of
telling a truth. But if it is absolutely the demand of the situation, then I may lie for the interest of
the organization but only after confirming that it does not affect the interest of others.
21. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Everybody has had a mentor, hero, or supervisor in life.
Describe someone who has had an important influence on your life.
Who the person is
How long you have known him/her
What qualities this person has
Be prepared to give examples of how their words, actions or teachings have helped inspire your
achievements. As always, prepare an answer which highlights qualities that would be highly
valuable in the position you are seeking. Remember to keep the stories short. This can be a great
opportunity to showcase some personal qualities and how they will help you excel at the position
you are applying for.
ANSWER:
I am very much inspired by my mother. In spite of being a hard worker she is optimistic and
supports everyone in our family. Niceties of life have been taught by her. She is very respectful. She
has always taught me not to hurt anyone in life and to love everyone. This philosophy has given me
a lot of confidence. Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. According to me it can be
built-up only through experience of trial and suffering and finally success can be achieved.
Challenges inspired me most because challenges make our life interesting they prepare us to fight.
Or
The person I’m going to talk about today is my teacher from high school. Her name was
----------------- She had been working there for quite a few years. She was very kind. She always
treated all the students equally. Also, she had a really good sense of humor. The reason she had
such an important influence on me is because I was quite a shy person at school and not very
confident, but she helped me to change this. Each year, there was a school play that would be held
in front of all the parents, and that year, when I was 14, Teacher was organizing and directing the
play. I really didn't want to be in it because I was so shy, but she insisted that I take one of the
roles, and it was one of the main roles which meant that I would have to do a lot of speaking! I was
so nervous. Anyway, I went ahead and did it, and on the night I did really well and really enjoyed it.
And that really boosted my confidence and this has helped me to this day. So my English teacher is
the person who has influenced my life and I will never forget her.
Or
My maternal grandfather is the person who most influenced my life and has enormous impact in
my character-who gave my life meaning and purpose. That's the highest compliment I can pay
someone! He was a bank manager. He is very humble, while holding strongly to his principles. He
taught me about life: making wise decisions, firmly standing on your principles, being emotionally
strong, and staying contented with what you have, keeping relationships and simply being happy.
That pushed me to expand and explore my beliefs, thoughts, and limitations.
Or
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The person who has had the most influence on me is my mother. She also helps me with all the
problems that I have. . . . She’s taught me how to make friends. She’s taught me how to be polite
and understand others. She’s taught me how to take care of myself. . . . She’s showed me the
difference between good and bad things. She’s helped me with my homework. She also helps me
get better when I am sick. She comforts me when I am scared or sad. . . . That’s why she’s the
person that had the most influence on my life. I say that because when I did some mistake, she still
invites me with open arms. She cares for me and is going to do the best she can. She has let me
know I can succeed in anything I put my mind to, and gave me hope for a better future.
Or
Without question, my mother is the person who influenced my life the most by demonstrating
kindness, compassion, empathy, integrity, peace, contentment, calmness even in the face of
extreme challenges, passion for life, joy, humor, curiosity, open heart, open mind, unconditional
love.
22. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?
Be ready to describe a most important decision you have taken in your life with a good example,
What the decision was
What other choices were available to you
Why you made the decision
What the results of the decision were and explain why it was important
Ex: Describe a language you would like to learn.
ANSWER:
I've made lots of decisions in my life and frankly I have taken those decisions sometimes all alone
and sometimes discussing with my parents and others. I made this decision when I was 17 years of
old, just after finishing my Intermediate. My father did not force me to do anything; instead he told
me to do what I thought was best for me. My relatives thought that I was a fool and too immature
to make a big decision for myself. The particular decision that seems very important to me was the
time when I decided to major in the stream of Engineering. My mother wanted me to get admitted
in Law. This dividend opinion and advice made me more confused. At last I decided to get myself
admitted in this college that offers Engineering course. I'm happy that I made this decision. I'm yet
to finish my B.Tech but throughout the last 3 years I have enjoyed studying Engineering subjects
and I am doing quite well academically. Making the decision was not easy and I had to go through
a hard time as I remember. I had to fight a lot with my inner self and then convince my mother.
There were always risks of picking the option I prefer my parents would have complained if I hadn’t
achieved a promising result. I still remember the dubious feelings I had that time. Sometimes it
seemed to me that I should abandon my passion and yield to my parents' decision and then again I
strongly felt for my own choice and passion. Since I made my own choice at that time, a strong
urge and force worked on me that I have to do really good and I am happy that I took my decision
and doing very good so far.
23. How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own
definition?
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In a way, this is a work ethic question, since it is asking about how you define success. But it is
more than that. The interviewer is looking beyond the definition for success and actually looking
for how you plan to achieve that success. Ideally, you should summarize career goals that you have
set and the progressive path towards the realization of those goals, achievements and
expectations and making a positive impact overall.
ANSWER:
Success is a journey not a destination. Honestly speaking, I believe that success can’t be measured
because it is a dimensionless quantity. Personal motivation is the key to success. I would define
success at work by what I learned from key job assignments & experiences. I believe in making
choices, tying them to circumstances and taking corrective actions when necessary. I always want
to try new things and ask for feedback that leads to improved results.
Or
I evaluate success in different ways. At work, it is meeting the goals set by my superiors and my
fellow workers. I evaluate success based on outcomes. It's not always the path you take to achieve
success that matters. Rather, it's quantifiable results.
Or
According to me, success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal. I would consider myself
both successful and blessed.
24. If you won Rs 10 million lottery, would you still work?
Admittedly, this HR interview question is a little silly. Even so, it’s another opportunity to
emphasize your motivation and work ethic. Acknowledge that you’d be thrilled to win the lottery
but would still look for meaningful work because meeting challenges and achieving goals make you
happy. And say it with a straight face.
ANSWER:
Yes I will continue working because I don’t work only for money I work to gain wisdom and I don’t
like to sit idle. Money comes and goes; knowledge comes and stays. Those who have wealth
should use it for mercy but not to display pride. Where there is pride, there will also be disgrace.
Because the Proud conduct themselves disgracefully through ignorance of discipline.
Or
Yes, I would work because you never know when your money could ever run. Wisdom is intangible
and eternal, whereas money is tangible and finite. Winning a lottery would allow you to work on something
you are passionate about. I would use the money to create and sustain meaningful relationships with
my family and friends. I like being a productive helpful person. Money doesn't make you feel happy
forever, unless you use it for a great societal concern. Money doesn't make you happy it gives you
access to be happy by applying it to certain aspects that can double it.
Or
Yes. I will keep on working even if I win the lottery. You may be wealthy; however, you will need
something to keep you busy. Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but I believe it is
only wisdom that could save your life. I draw up a plan for future financial needs and invest
accordingly to do something for the needy. I will fix myself a better life style in a comfortable
house! I will also invest some money in a business to create jobs to help the educated unemployed
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youth.
Or
Well, we all need money and I think I would still hold my basic belief that achievement and
purposeful work are essential to a happy, productive life. But there are other things we should
care; the satisfaction that we get from the job. These things cannot be measured by money...
Yes, I mean that working just for the money could be considered selfish. Most people do it, and I
don't judge people for having that as their primary objective. Nevertheless, those who work to
help others are more inspirational: nurses, for example, who really don't earn much, who often
don't get much appreciation for their hard work.
Or
I will be so exited and will for sure take a vacation from work because I cannot focus at that time
for a while until my excitement comes down. I will continue working because "The more you learn,
the more you earn".
Or
Yes, I will work because if luck can bring me a lottery, then fate can make me lose it as well. Good
times are always followed by bad ones. There are always ups and downs.
25. Tell me something about our company.
Pre–placement talk will provide you great information to this question. Companies prefer
candidates who want to work for them, so they look for candidates who have done their research.
Do your homework prior to the interview. Doing the background work will help you stand out. Talk
about the company’s brand, mission, products or services and how you’d like to contribute. Find
out who the main players are -- have they been in the news recently? You're not expected to know
every date and individual but you need to have a solid understanding of the company as a whole.
Don’t say: Well, I hear that you’re hiring!
ANSWER:
Sir, before attending this interview I have gathered lots of information about this organization. It’s
overwhelming to learn about the inspiring company’s mission statement. It’s proud to analyze that
the roadmap starts with the company’s mission. Having a great infrastructure & highest ethical
standards as a competitive advantage is praise worthy. Being universally accessible and a reputed
growing company it acts as a great IT platform for the aspirants like me. Knew that it holds so many
branches across the world with above --------employees. Learnt much more about its best payroll
system & free medical facility.
Or
It provides extraordinary opportunities for growth. I think this is the place where I just like to work
as I always like to take initiation and try to utilize the opportunities provided to me. Apart from
that, it also gives me a chance to collaborate across technologies and continents. In addition to
that, I would like to improve on my education qualifications with the help from ---------TCS/INFOSYS
ongoing education programs. That is why; I would like to apply for ----------- TCS/INFOSYS.
26. How much salary do you expect?
The interviewer is trying to see if your expectations are within what the company is willing to
spend. Giving a response that is too high could automatically disqualify you from getting the job.
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However, giving a response that is too low could mean you are losing out on a lot of dough. Tackle
this question intelligently so that you and the employer will be happy. Salary negotiation should be
done professionally, and most often in written form. If the offer came in a casual form during an
interview, you may want to take some time to think about it before accepting or declining. Do your
homework and make sure you have an idea of what this job is offering. You can try asking them
about the salary range. If you want to avoid the question altogether, you could say that at the
moment, you are looking to advance in your career and money isn't your main motivator. If you do
have a specific figure in mind and you are confident you can get it, then it may be worth going for
it.
ANSWER:
According to me a job is more than just a salary. The quality of life, the stability of my job and the
difference I make in your industry are all important factors. When the time comes to talk money, I
am sure that we will come up with a mutually beneficial amount. Could you tell me the range
budgeted for the position?
Or
I’m fresher I want to improve my skills and knowledge in the corporate world. It is important to me
that I be fairly compensated for the work I do. And I am expecting salary to fulfill my economical
needs.
Or
I would like to have my salary to be commensurate with my skills and experience relative to the
marketplace. I trust you’ll be fair with me.
Or
I’m more interested in finding a position that’s a good fit for my skills and interests. I’m confident
that you’re offering a salary that’s competitive in the current market.
Or
Ultimately, I’m looking for a position with this company that allows for advancement and
challenges me. However, I am open to negotiation.
Or
I am interested in finding a job that is a good fit for me. I'm sure whatever salary you're paying is
consistent with the rest of the market.
Or
I would expect a salary which reflects the experience and qualifications that I bring to the role.
27. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
A hiring manager uses this question to get a sense of your goal orientation, and more important, to
figure out how the company and job fit into your future plans. Your answer to this question could
make or break your interview success. Emphasize growth through learning and make some
connection out of it. Tell them that you want to build/continue your career there, grow as their
company grows, and you want to contribute to that growth. Address specific contributions you can
make, and their benefits to that employer. If your responses are on target, the employer should
recognize that you are thinking long-term! Demonstrating loyalty never goes out of style!
ANSWER:
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As a fresher, my first five years will be a huge learning curve. I want to absorb much of the industry
knowledge and also sharpen my technical abilities. In next five years I see myself playing various
roles in the team from a developer to leading a team.
Or
I am driven by a sense of accomplishment & responsibilities over time. The training program here,
gives me the chance to get hands-on experience and begin that journey. In five years, I expect to
have benefited greatly. I want to be in a position where I can train and provide my expertise.
Or
Well, my priority is to grow within a great organization such as this one. I am excited to spend the
next few years learning and mastering the role of [role you are interviewing for]. From there, I’d
like to take on more responsibility and eventually move into the next role. 5 years from now, I am
sure I’d be able to leverage the experience I’ve built.
Or
In five years, I see myself as a valued employee of the company. I want my expertise to directly
impact the company in a positive way. I believe I can achieve this goal through hard work &
opportunities favor to the one who works.
Or
I know your company will value my core skills. I want to demonstrate the traits and skills that the
company will admire. This will likely lead me to a better position. I want to see myself advancing in
my career goal, learn new things and take on new responsibilities.
Or
First and foremost, I want to contribute as much as I can to the firm in the position I'm applying for.
Once mastered the required skills, I see myself in a managing role & would like to work to my full
potential in the job. I'm a good leader and enjoy managing people and projects.
Or
I’ll strive to refine my skills and be an expert. After proving myself in all the roles, I would like to
continue contributing in a challenging environment. My expectation for the next five years is that
my contributions will be recognized and appropriately rewarded.
28. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.

A strange question – and, in most cases, totally irrelevant to your ability to do the job for which
you are applying! The interviewer has two aims here:
To throw you off balance and see how you react under pressure
To see how you handle the social challenge of having to appraise somebody’s performance –
somebody who is ostensibly your superior. While it’s perfectly acceptable to visually express a little
surprise at the question (you’re only human, after all) you definitely don’t want to lose your
composure. It is essential to remain calm under fire. And it’s not a difficult question really – the key
is to strike a balance between being excessively critical and being excessively sycophantic while still
communicating a meaningful observation.
Answer:
Well, I would say you’re doing a good job of assessing my specific ability to undertake this role as
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well as identifying what sort of a person I am – what my character is, how I interact on a social
level, what I’d be like to work with – and, with questions like this, you’re doing a very good job of
seeing how I react when I’m put on the spot!
Or
Sir, as a fresher I don’t think I am in a position to rate you, as it is a part of interview I have your
question, I will rate you 9 out of 10, 8 for your friendly nature and your way of comforting me and
1 for your honesty of asking such a question to a person who is less qualified and less experienced
than you and I have deducted 1 because no one is perfect. Thank you.
Or
You have been very analytical putting me in front of the most intelligent questions so far and you
have brought out the best in me and I’m sure that approach results in excellent hires for your firm.
29. Do you wish to pursue higher education?
If you are seriously considering higher education, it’s wise to say so.
If you are unsure (may be – May not be), your answers should be still positive.
Some companies support and provide various incentives for part time, full time studies. If you
already know of any such programs, it will be good to align your answer according to that.
Answer:
Yes, but not immediately. I plan to take up part time studies, with either an MBA or an VLSI
engineering masters, depending on which will be more beneficial for my line of work. Higher
qualifications give a better place, a better standard in today's competitive world. I have seen that
there is a dearth of persons with greater technical know-how in this field, and whosoever has it
will be benefited highly. So I wish to complete my MS and strengthen my knowledge and grasp the
opportunity.
Or
I honestly believe that in today's competitive world, education is the most important thing in life
and I learn something new every day. However, I personally wish to pursue higher education for
career progression and to quench my passion for knowledge & to reach the goal that I wanted.
Or
Yes, I am interested in higher studies, but not immediately. I want to get started working and then
look for higher education based on my experience and career progression. Furthering my
education would aid in advancing my career.
Or
Yes, I am interested in higher studies, this will abreast me on the current technical trends. I heard
that this company supports and provides various incentives for part time studies. I would like to
boost my career prospects and earning potential.
Or
Yes, I am interested in higher studies. A higher education qualification can lead to increased
earning potential, a wider range of opportunities, and a more rewarding career.
30. What are your expectations from your first job?
This question serves as your opportunity to emphasize your qualifications, your skills and must
reflect your accomplishments & how you will add value to the position. Sprinkle a few keywords
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that reverberates your personality & work ethic.

Answer:
It's an exciting time, almost like the real start of adulthood & the ride of a lifetime. I want to go into
my first job with an open mind and a hunger for knowledge! My first challenge is to build a good
professional reputation. I’ll have to gain my employer's trust (more like a potential new hire)
before the important and interesting tasks are left on my table. Once I do finish my series of
training programmes the first part of my professional life starts using all the knowledge gathered.
And thereby square-up the obligations of all the people who have made me realize that the
success is just a few cubicles away and have financed my journey to get this far.
Or
I have had lot of studies during all these years, but mostly theoretical leanings. My first & foremost
expectation from my first job would be to learn how all these are applied in a practical and
industrial way. I also want to be a part of the corporate culture and learn how this is run.
Or
I consider my first job as an extension of my studies only. More like a practical class. I want to learn
new trends in technology, learn how the corporate world works, be part of a big energetic team
and contribute to the projects, develop my soft skills and to prepare myself for tougher challenges
in future.
31. Why from ECE to Software domain?
Why do you prefer a software job being an ECE student?
Electronics is a multidisciplinary subject that allows communication with many different disciplines
effectively. The 4 years in the engineering has not only taught me the basics of Electronics &
Communication Engineering but also C,JAVA & C++ and fundamentals of information technology. It
has sharpened me towards a technological bent of mind and more over I would love to explore the
IT fields and the challenging work environment. As an engineer, I want to keep myself up-to-date
with latest trends in technology. I understand the development process and complete functionality
of an electronic device. I am very eager to know about the software development part for a
particular hardware platform without which hardware has worth nothing. It is necessary for me to
learn about software development process which is not possible without joining an IT industry; it
will help me to correlate these two different areas which are mutually dependent to each other.
This is the reason why I would like to build my career in software programming area.
32. Are you applying for other jobs?
Overall, the best way is to say that you have had interest for other companies or organizations in
the sector without mentioning names. It is also a way of showing that you are in demand. Be
honest but don't go into too much detail; you don't want to spend a great deal of time on this. If
asked about names of who you have spoken to, it is absolutely legitimate to say you prefer not to
disclose that information at this stage. But emphasize that this is the job that has really caught
your eye – and go on to explain why and why it is such a good fit with you.
Answer:
Finding the right position is obviously very important to me so I am being rather thorough in my
job search. I have been quite selective but I have identified a number of different jobs and
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organizations which fit my criteria. I do have a couple of interviews coming up soon for IT
positions. But I can tell you that this role will really allow me to focus all my energy and I believe
that this position remains my preferred choice for my skill set.
Or
The job market is fierce, competition has never been greater and it's important that you can grab
every opportunity for competitive advantage and stay one step ahead. Of course, I am looking for
the best firm to apply my abilities, and so far this place looks excellent. I am very happy that I
attend this interview. I feel this place suits my expertise & particularly appropriate to me.
33. What will you do if I decide not to hire you?
No, this doesn’t necessarily mean the interviewer is going to turn you down. It’s yet another stress
question. The interviewer will also be interested in seeing how you handle rejection and what your
other job search plans are. Use it as an opportunity to remind the interviewer about specific skills
you possess and to make a positive statement confirming your interest in the role – but making it
clear that you’re by no means desperate and that you know you will be in demand elsewhere.
Don’t react defensively or aggressively. Keep your cool and answer the question in a very matter-
of-fact manner.
Answer:
I would naturally be disappointed. I’m very keen to get this job. It meets all my requirements and I
firmly believe that I also meet all your requirements. Yours is an organization I can certainly see
myself working well for. However, I do of course have a number of other applications in progress
for similar roles and, if my application for this job is not successful, I would clearly continue to
pursue other opportunities. But this particular role does remain my preferred choice and I hope I
have demonstrated that I would be an ideal candidate for the job.
Or
I have tried my best to fulfill all the requirements to get this job. With the kind of academic and the
requisite technical & soft skills that I have, I never thought that such a question would ever arise.
Or
This is my first Interview. Though I get little disappointed, I do not carry this emotion for long time.
I will take this as an experience to rectify my mistakes and to attend other interviews with
confidence.
Or
All my academic performances, my good character and my unmatched skills and strengths made
me confident about my good placement in a MNC Company like yours. I will accept this with
sportiveness. I will rectify my mistakes and look forward with new enthusiasm and energy.
34. If there was a monkey hanging from a chandelier, how would you get it down?
There is no ‘right’ answer to this sort of question. It is purely a test of your ability to analyze a
problem and identify possible solutions. Once you realize this you will hopefully be a lot less
rattled by the question than I was at what was virtually my first ever interview! Don’t let yourself
be rattled by the question – and don’t lose your sense of humour either. However, telling the
interviewer you’d probably get your rifle out is unlikely to go down well!
Answer:
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Interesting question! I suppose there are a number of possible solutions to this problem. It’s a case
of identifying these possible solutions and selecting the one which has the best chance of success.
The most obvious idea which springs to my mind is to try to entice it down by offering it, for
example, a banana. Alternatively, I could try to scare it down. Shouting at it would probably make it
even less likely to come down, but flicking the light switch on and off might work. Spraying water
at it might also convince him to budge but there’s perhaps too much risk of collateral damage.
Failing that, I think I’d find the monkey’s owner or keeper and I’d delegate the task to him!
35. See this pen? Can you sell it to me?
If you don’t work in sales then this question is going to be a little trickier to handle. Don’t let yourself be panicked
though; the interviewer knows full well that you are not used to selling and they won’t be expecting you to have a
whole arsenal of sales techniques at your disposal. And don’t take yourself too seriously; good people are always light-
hearted and friendly.
Concentrate on:
Talking the interviewer into expressing a need – or needs
Describing the object, including both its features and, more importantly, its benefits
Discussing pricing (which you will invent off the top of your head)
Asking them directly for the sale
Answer:
I’m sure you’ll agree with me that a pen is vital to your day-to-day work and it’s therefore
important to make sure you’ve got just the right one? This pen is solidly constructed so as to be
durable for everyday use – even if it rolls off your desk onto the floor. It has a plentiful ink reserve
so there’s less chance of the pen running dry at a critical moment. It fits comfortably into the hand
and even has a clip so you can safely attach it to your jacket pocket when you’re on the move. I can
offer you this pen at the very reasonable price of Rs20/- . However, if you were to take three – I’m
sure your colleagues would also be interested – then I could offer you a 20% discount. How many
would you like?
36. Describe a teacher you once had who you enjoyed being taught by.
who this person was
when they were your teacher
which subject they taught you
and describe what it was about their character that you liked.
Answer:
I’d like to describe my English teacher from school … Miss yyyy … this was a few years ago now and
she was my teacher at a time when I was getting a little bored with being at school … unlike some
of the other teachers Miss yyyy never lost her temper ( meaning: to suddenly become angry) …
she was very calm and easy-going ( meaning: relaxed and not easily worried about anything)… she
was also very broad-minded ( meaning: prepared to accept other views or behavior) … we were
able to ask her questions about lots of subjects that some other teachers would refuse to discuss
which made us respect her even more … she had a great sense of humor ( meaning: to understand
and being funny)too … she’d laugh at our jokes as well as making us laugh … and she would also
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bend over backwards ( meaning: to try very hard to help someone) to help us with our work … she
always put us first ( meaning: to think of others before yourself) and often stayed around at the
end of class to talk with anyone who needed help … apparently she was highly respected within
her field but you would never know as she was the type that hid her light under a bushel …
(meaning: to hide one’s talents and skills) she was very modest and self-effacing ( meaning: to not
try to hide one’s skills or abilities)… so yes … Miss yyyy was a teacher I have fond memories of …
37. Describe what you want to do in the future.
What is it?
When you want to do it?
How you want to achieve it?
Like: I will fully spend my time with my family members and would do the farming.
I will purchase a house at my hometown and would start living there.
Answer:
Everybody has a plan for future. Though future is uncertain and many times unpredictable, I
believe that to some extent our future depends on our actions on past and present. In the future I
will establish a school in my hometown.
After I finish my graduation, I want to work for a large multinational company. I have planned to
work till I become 46 and then I will take an early retirement. The money I save per month should
allow me to start a school. I want to start a big school that imparts quality education. I will have an
opportunity to employ some educated unemployed youth as its employees. When everything
would go on with its own path, I will enjoy my vacation and would visit different renowned and
beautiful cities of the world. I will visit Asia, Europe, Russia and many more places.
Hopefully I will enjoy the retirement and the trips. I believe proper planning and initiation is the
half of the total task and fulfilling dream.
38. Describe one of your personal achievements that you are proud of.
It’s common for interviewers to ask job candidates to describe their proudest or most significant
accomplishments, and for most people, this can be a challenging question to answer. Your
description of the achievement helps the interviewer evaluate whether your skills and character
traits are a good fit for the position in question. The accomplishment that you choose to describe
also gives the interviewer a sense of your background, values and interests. This can help the
interviewer decide whether your personal attitudes would fit well with the company culture and
objectives. No matter how far you have advanced in your career or what your accomplishments
are, answering this question well can be a great way to show an interviewer why are uniquely
qualified for the job.
You can include: Sports or hobbies, scholastic awards, volunteering, your corporate social
responsibility, new experience you tried or a fear you over came, how you reacted to an
emergency situation etc.,
ANSWER:
My greatest achievement so far in my academic career would probably be winning the best
student of the Year award. This is the achievement that I am very proud of.
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Or
I feel my greatest accomplishment is my ability to diversify my skills and work well with others. By
surviving, honoring, appreciating, and constantly learning to grow in the good and bad times. To
see the positive in everything and to always nurture those relationships that means the most.
Or
The local authority of our hometown once planned to build a Hastha Kala Ramam - shopping mall
in a lake. Some of us suddenly noticed that they have started digging the land and we later learned
that they will build a shopping mall there. Understanding its relative importance & Lakes as one
among the most important natural resources, we instantly planned to protest. Slowly we came to
learn that we had little power against the powerful authority that has planned to destroy the lake
and make it a profitable market place. We were initially 5-6 persons involved in the protest and we
let the community people know about the mischievous plan the authority has taken. Later 20
more people joined our group. We went to the local authority, journalists; police station met local
politicians and social workers, and presented our view and abhorrent plan the authority has taken.
Because of our protests, everything was halted. Later we found that more community people
joined us and big news has been published in the local newspapers regarding this issue. It is the
only largest freshwater body and the fantastic viewpoint for the local people. A large number of
birds have shelter on the trees of the lake and destroying this lake would have been a serious
threat to our environment as there were more than 300 different trees there. It was not easy to
fight with the powerful authority and we had to struggle a lot for more than 6 months. We finally
went to court and got the decree against destroying the lake. However some successes are
exemplary and inspiring. This is the success that we achieved that I greatly feel proud of. This
whole event occurred 2 years back when I was a fresh college student. I still consider my
involvement to save the fresh water lake as a corporate social responsibility because nature is a big
success in my life.
39. Do you have any questions for me?
This question tends to appear every time. Have some questions prepared.
This will show you have done some research and are eager to know and learn as much as possible.
You probably don't want to ask more than three or four questions. Try and use questions that
focus on you becoming an asset to the company. A generic question might be "how soon can I start
if I were to get the job." Another idea is to ask what you would be working on and how quickly
they expect you to be able to be productive. Remember to ask about next steps and when you can
expect to hear back.
Bear in mind that the interview starts from the minute you walk into the building until you leave
and are out of sight. Don't think that just because you have left the meeting room, you are "off the
hook."
You need to maintain an image of confidence, enthusiasm, competence, reliability and
professionalism throughout.
Answer:
Yes, I do. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. Could you tell me about the company
culture? According to you what are the qualities that new employee should possess? And would
you like to give me any advice?
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Questions for the interviewer

At the end of the interview, most interviewers will ask you if you have any questions for them. You
should have one or two questions prepared that will provide you with meaningful additional
information about the position or the organization. This is your chance to learn what you want to
know in order to decide if you would accept the position if offered.
Sample questions:
• I’m interested in learning more about __________ (some facet of the organization’s operation)
could you tell me a little about it?
•I’m clear on the role. Will there also be an opportunity for me to ____________? (name a skill
that you would like to get the chance to develop)
• How would you describe the work environment?
• What training do you offer to new employees?
What experiences and skills do you believe makes an ideal candidate for this position?
Are there opportunities for additional training and education?
Note:
Try to be concise in your introduction.
Try to fit relevant information in a few words.
Practice a lot. Learn your intro like a chapter of social studies (my weakest subject, hence required rote
learning). I worked up and rehearsed my intro quite a few times, especially before the interview. Because
once you enter the interview room, you tend to forget things. Consciousness creeps in.
Do not try to crack jokes in an interview room.
The above point does not mean you cannot smile. Instead, make sure you do smile once or twice. This
tells the interviewer that you are confident and can handle stress.
Never reject your candidature!! If an interviewer asks, "Why should I not select you?”
Incorrect: "I am not a team player" "I have serious anger issues" "I might make wrong decisions which
could lead to serious loss to the company"
Correct: (seem perplexed) ummm.. (Look aside for a moment. still the look of "baffled by the situation"
on your face).. then say doubtfully, in a childlike manner, "sir, I don't see a reason why you should not
select me. If there were any such reason, I would not have applied for your company." If the interviewer
still persists, "no, give me a reason why I should reject you".. Then say politely, "sir, may be my
performance in previous levels was not up to the mark. Or maybe some of the answers I gave you in the
interview were not good enough." (You have just told him what he already knows. You are in the
interview, because you performed well in previous rounds. And he is already judging you for your
answers in the interview)
Work on your communication skills. Correct usage of grammar with good fluency (words/min. make sure
your words are clear when you speak) can also make a huge impact on the interviewer.
Some of the points I stated might seem futile, but in an interview room, each action counts. Keep the
above points in mind for both technical and HR rounds.
40. WORDS TO DESCRIBE UNIQUENESS / EXCEPTIONALITY IN YOU
• Believing in myself and my self-worth.
• The ability to see my place in the world realistically and optimistically.
• A confidence in my abilities to make changes and meet life's challenges head-on.
• A capacity for understanding my character weaknesses and working toward self-improvement of
specific weaknesses.
• The ability to recognize my individual uniqueness and take pride in things that make "me"
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unique.
• A belief in my self-worth. A healthy admiration of my abilities.
• A belief in what I can do. A positive outlook and confidence to try something new.
• The ability to assess and apply my skills in a positive and optimistic manner.
• Understanding that I am of value to myself and others, regardless of the situation.
• Knowing who I am, what I can do, and how to project this knowledge.
• A love of self, regardless of any specific performance.
• Linking myself, respecting myself and being willing to risk and fail at things.
• Accepting who I am and having the courage and strength to design my life the way I want it to be.
• Success is an attitude.
• Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve.
• Dream great dreams and work to make them come true.
• You are unique and special. You are a Winner!
• Never affirm self-limitations.
• To accomplish great things, you must believe, dream, plan and then act.
• I am my final authority for everything I do.
• I accept full responsibility for all my actions.
• I am always pleasing, pleasant and persuasive.
• I begin the day with positive hopes and constructive Planes.
• I can identify and make the best use of all opportunities.
• I am always active, alert energetic and smart.
• I make the best choice I am at the time.
• I am always a winner. I am proactive.
• I am positive constructive and dynamic.
• I am always accepted, admired and appreciated by all.
• I am the master of my fate, captain of my soul and master of my destiny.
• I am in charge of my thoughts. I only allow positive thoughts to dominate my mind.
• I am unique, special and extraordinary.
• I have deep faith in my actions and activities.
• I am timely, I do first things first. I renew myself daily.
• I will keep myself constructively occupied.
• I accept every problem and goal as a challenge to display my talents.
• I am patient, kind, and gentle with myself and others.
• I am always bold, brave, healthy, wealthy and wise.
• I fulfill all commitments, both to myself and others.
• I follow all undertakings through to a logical conclusion.
• I follow all undertakings through emotional satisfaction.
• I take the initiative in personal contacts and relationships.
• I always think positively, speak positively and work positively.
• I am always prepared to accept my mistakes and shortcomings.
• I walk erect and look everyone in the eye with a friendly gaze.
• I have a bright future and a shining career.
• I am warm and friendly towards all. I am a friend of all.
• I recognize everyone as innately "good".
• I feel warm and loving.
• I am authentic, true to, values and convictions.
• I am born to win, achieve, grow, develop and succeed.
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PERSONAL EVALUATION /SELF ESTEEM

• Personal and work evaluation review
• I feel successful in my present work/career.
• I feel satisfied with my present work/career path.
• I consider myself to be a risk taker.
• I feel that continuing, my education is important.
• I consciously look for the good in others.
• I can do most of everything I put my mind to.
• I am comfortable in new social situations.
• I appreciate compliments from others.
• I feel comfortable speaking in front of others.
• I enjoy telling others of my successes.
• I am an optimistic person.
• I am goal-oriented.
• I am comfortable in making most decisions.
• I am in good physical condition.
• I am respected by others.
• I project a positive self-image.
• I am an active listener.
• I like being responsible for projects.
• I find obstacles challenging.
• I ask for help without feeling guilty.
• I can laugh at my mistakes.
• I am responsible for my thoughts and actions.
• I am leading a balanced life.
• I am an enthusiastic person.
• I genuinely like myself.
• I feel it is important to dress for success.
• I am a Vision, Mission, Goal oriented person.
• I solicited feedback from my friends.
• I practiced positive thinking and visualized success.
• I identified my values and then made them priorities.
• I improved my ability to meet new challenges and risk changes.
• I move with people who are positive thinkers.
• I learned to be honest in expressing my strengths, talents and skills.
• I think about my accomplishments on a daily basis, before I sleep.
• I always admire my success in my job.
• I discovered that my seniors and friends believed in me.
• I took action on ideas I believed in.
• I made a definite effort to improve my personal appearance.
• I am developing my presentation skills.
• I am always Bold, Active, Alert and Smart.
• I am a lifetime student.
• I practice meditation and exercised daily.
• I begin the day positively and end the day positively.
• Believe in yourself and make it happen!
BELIEF
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• You can always better your previous best.

• You don't know what you can do until you try.
• There is no failure except in not trying.
• Defeat may test you; it need not stop you.
• If at first you don't succeed, try another approach.
• For every obstacle, there is a solution.
• Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
• Begin the day with positive thoughts and optimistic outlook.
• End the day with positive thoughts and optimistic outlook.
Getting to know you! Polite topics when meeting for the first time
Talking about your background
Originally I’m from….
I was (born and) brought up in…
I come from a (sporty/musical) family.
My proudest moment was…-ing
I’ve always dreamt of –ing/ wanted to +verb
Describing your language ability
I’m fluent in English.
I speak English reasonably well.
I can get by in Tamil.
I speak Urdu but it is a bit rusty.
I know a few words of Japanese.
I wish I could speak Hindi.
like, such as, and that sort of thing
I like music such as karnatic, choral music, and classical music.
I really love modern music like house, rap, reggae, and hip hop.
After one or two examples, we can use an expression meaning ‘et cetera’.
I’m fond of opera, and that sort of thing.
I like jazz, rock, and that sort of thing.
Showing a lot of interest
Wow!
Really?
(That’s) interesting!
(That’s) fantastic
Meaning of the emotions & characteristic traits:
I am relaxed; I don't worry about things- easygoing
I don't get angry very often- patient
I don't forget things and I don't miss appointments- organized
I always keep my word. People can trust me-reliable
I study hard and like to read many books-serious
I am quiet and don't like talking to strangers-shy
I like to make new things- creative
I like to talk a lot- talkative
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I like everyone to do what I say - bossy

I love being with people- sociable
I like sports and doing physical activity- active
I'm sociable; I like meeting new people and going out- Outgoing
41. VOCABULARY TO SHOW OPINION PREFERENCES/ TRANSITION WORDS IN GDS ,

DEBATES & JAM
 In my opinion......
I strongly opine that........
I strongly agree with the idea that.......
In my opinion....
I think.....
My opinion is that..... etc.
 VOCABULARY FOR THE 2ND PARAGRAPH PART:
It is true that, First, first of all, Firstly, Initially, to begin with, to start with, though it is
true that, some people believe that, many people think that, etc.
 VOCABULARY FOR SUBSEQUENT PARAGRAPH PARTS:
Second(ly), Third(ly), Then, Next, After that, Again, Also, Besides, In addition,
Furthermore, Moreover, Other people think that, Other people believe that , etc.
 VOCABULARY TO SHOW COMPARISON:
in the same way, Likewise, Similarly, like the previous etc.
 VOCABULARY TO SHOW CONTRAST:
on the other hand, on the contrary, Oppositely, Alternatively, unlike, while, Whilst, In
contrast to this, Then again etc.
 VOCABULARY TO SHOW AN EXAMPLE:
As an example, for instance, for example, like: as, such as, particularly, in particular,
namely, to show an example, as an evidence etc.
 VOCABULARY TO SHOW CONSEQUENCE OR RESULT:
As a result, Consequently, As an effect, Thus, So, therefore, Hence etc.
 To sum up, in short, In a word, to put it simply, that is to say, etc.
 VOCABULARY TO MAKE A POINT STRONG:
Although, thought, nonetheless, nevertheless, still, yet, after all, even if, therefore, thus
etc.
 Other transitional words / connective words:
Then, else, otherwise, besides, as soon as, as much as.
 VOCABULARY FOR THE CONCLUSION PART:
In conclusion, in summary, to conclude, to sum up etc.
TRANSITION WORDS
1. with the booming of economy
2. with the remarkable improvement of people's living standard
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3. advanced science and technology

4. add much spice/ flavor to our daily life.
5. It is commonly believed that
6. I give my vote to the former / latter opinion
7. Something has aroused wide public concern./ Something has drawn great public attention.
8. It is undeniable that ...
9. a heated discussion /debate
10. a controversial issue
11. As far as I am concerned, / personally
12. be supported by sound reasons
13. argument on both sides
14. play an increasingly important role in ...
15. be indispensable to
16. As the proverb goes:
17. Exert positive / negative effects on...
18. lead to / give rise to /contribute to / result in
19. The advantages far out weight the disadvantages.
20. a complicated social phenomenon
21. sense of responsibility/ achivenment
22. sense of competition and cooperation
23. widen one's horizon / broaden one's vision
24. acquire knowledge and skills
25. financial burden / psychological burden
26. take many factors into consideration
27. from another perspective
28. make joint efforts.
29. be beneficial to / be conducive to ...
30. make contributions to the society
31. lay a solid foundation for ...
32. comprehensive quality
33. be committed / devoted to ...
34. Admittedly
35. unshakable duty
36. satisfy / meet the needs of ...
37. a reliable source of information
38. valuable natural resources
39. the Internet (note to have 'the', and 'i' should be captilized)
40. convenient and efficient
41. in all aspects of human life
42. environmentally friendly materials
43. a symbol of society progress
44. Sth has greatly facilitated people's lives.
45. hold different attitudes towards this issue
46. to some extent
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47. integrate theory with practice

48. an irresistible trend of ...
49. the increasingly keen social competition
50. immediate interest / short-term interest
51. long-term interest
52. has its own merits and demerits / pros and cons
53. do harm to / be harmful to / be detrimental to
54. exchange ideas / emotions / information
55. keep pace with /keep abreast with the latest development of ...
56. the healthy development of ...
57. attach great importance to ...
58. social status
59. focus one's time and energy on ...
60. expand one's scope of knowledge
61. both physically and mentally
62. be directly / indirectly related to ...
63. give rise to / lead to / spell various problems
64. the words to replace 'think' : believe, claim, maintain, argue, insist, hold the opinion /
belief / view that
65. relieve stress / burden
66. give (top) priority to sth
67. compared with .../ in comparison with
68. degradable / decomposable material
69. replace / substitute / take the place of
70. offer job opportunities
71. mirror the social progress / advance
72. enhance / promote mutual understanding
73. make full use of / take advantage of
74. suffer from heavier work pressure
75. guarantee the stability and prosperity of our society
76. realize one's dream
77. adapt oneself to the social development
78. put more emphasis on ...
79. the main / leading reasons are list as follows:
80. we still have a long way to go
Example:
Should parents be responsible if their children behave badly?
Introduction
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Many crimes and social problems are caused by children. Despite the damage
Present these teenage criminals cause; parents are not held responsible in most
situation countries.
What this
essay will
do
(Thesis This essay will discuss whether parents should be forced to pay for their
sentence) children’s crimes.
Paragraph 2: Against
Topic There are many reasons why parents should not be responsible for crimes
Sentence committed by teenage children.
First of all, teenagers today are independent. They often move out of the parent’s
house at 18 years of age or younger. They are expected to
Reason 1: learn to take care of themselves and make their own decisions, and not stay like
Independence small children attached to their parents.
Reason 2:
Parents Secondly, parents are working. They cannot watch their adolescent
working children all the time.
Reason 3: A third point is that even children from good families can sometimes commit
Parents have crimes. Parents should not be responsible if they have worked hard
done their job to raise their children properly.
Paragraph 3: For
Topic However, because of the many problems young troublemakers cause, I feel we should
Sentence make parents responsible.
Reason
1: Lack
of Firstly, most juvenile crimes are committed by adolescents whose parents do not care
Parental or make any effort to control their children. If
Control parents had to pay fines, they might make more effort.
Reason
2:
Children Another point is that even though the children may seem mature, they are not really
not able to make good decisions. Parents should be responsible
mature for raising and teaching their children until they are fully grown.
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Reason
3:
Children Furthermore, if children know that their parents will have to pay, they will think
will think carefully before doing getting into trouble
Conclusion
In summary, there are good reasons both for and against making parents pay for acts
Summar committed by their children.
y
Future/
Personal However, I feel strongly that if we want to reduce the number of such crimes, we need
Opinion to make parents take more responsibility.
Bottom Line:
Keep in mind, too, that you are interviewing a company as well. There has to be a good fit on
both sides.
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How To Ace Interviews

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How To Ace Interviews

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Middinti Usha Nandini HR (Exclusively designed & compiled for the students of Audisankara Group of Institutions)

How to ace the Interview Questions

-think before you speak

in my studies. My achievements have helped me to get ahead in life.

respect, contributing to team objectives and working effectively in a team.

in this particular role.

overqualified. Because learning never ends.

28. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.

that reverberates your personality & work ethic.

Questions for the interviewer

PERSONAL EVALUATION /SELF ESTEEM

• You can always better your previous best.

I like everyone to do what I say - bossy

41. VOCABULARY TO SHOW OPINION PREFERENCES/ TRANSITION WORDS IN GDS ,

3. advanced science and technology

47. integrate theory with practice

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