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HR QUESTIONS:

The final round of Campus interview includes the HR round which tests your personality and career objectives. Starting from
your childhood experience to your long term goals in life, this round could include questions which will help your recruits to
know the person they are hiring for their company. It’ll also highlight the abilities and qualities that you have in your personal
and professional field.

Note: Certain questions are individualistic and would require you to give your personal answers. No two persons self
introduction can be the same when they are focusing on how their childhood or education have contributed in developing
their key strengths or say for that matter their weaknesses. Similarly each one’s individual worth and contribution to the
industry will be unique. In such cases a guideline is being provided on the basis of which you can structure your answers.
Where answers can match, they are being given.

1. What are your greatest strengths?

Don’t just say…”I’m hard working and I’m honest” That’s cliché! For example say
something like…

Tenacity to face any challenge and determination to overcome it are


my greatest strengths. Throughout my childhood, my parents, my teachers, my
mentors and the different kinds of experiences that I have walked through in life have
helped me immensely to think clearly whenever there is a new situation. When I add
my sense of judgment to that along with perseverance and hard work, success has
never been a far fetched dream for me in anything that I’ve undertaken so far. (They
might ask you to illustrate. Be prepared!).

TRAPS: This question seems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don't want to come across as egotistical or arrogant.
Neither is this a time to be humble.

BEST ANSWER: You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs before you
answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this.

Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have a specific
example or two, which illustrates the strengths- an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive
achievements.
You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well
committed to memory.
Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list
that best match up.

As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are:
1. A proven track record as an achiever...especially if your achievements match up with the employer's
greatest wants and needs.
2. Intelligence...management "savvy".
3. Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.
4. Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team player who meshes well with
interviewer's team.
5. Likeability...positive attitude...sense of humor.
6. Good communication skills.
7. Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.
8. Definiteness of purpose...clear goals.
9. Enthusiasm...high level of motivation.
10. Confident...healthy...a leader.
2. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization

You can almost anticipate this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points related to the position being
discussed. Give a little advance thought to this question.

Focus on your key skills related to the post that you have applied for. You should highlight your confidence in your domain
area along with focus on communication and presentation skills particularly. Remember an employee is expected to exhibit
a wide gamut of soft skills including confidence, etiquette, body language while being interviewed. You cannot say “I have
good body language and interpersonal skills.” You have to exhibit that in front of the interviewing team. Whether you say it
or not, they will know!

3. Tell me about yourself:

Personal traits; talk about your background a little throwing light on how your education (particularly, the formative years of
schooling) has honed you as an individual and helped you to proceed towards the career that now you are aiming for. Talk
about any area of specialization related to the job that you excel in.

Talk about your confidence and motivation level to take up challenges. If you have a particular hobby that contributes to
your profession, mention it. Make sure you exude confidence (but not over confidence), and exhibit conviction in whatever
you say. You must not sound as if you are saying something which you yourself do not believe in.

TRAPS: Beware; about 80% of all interviews begin with this "innocent" question. Many candidates, unprepared for the
question, skewer themselves by rambling, recapping their life story, delving into ancient work history or personal matters.

BEST ANSWER: Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position. Remember that the key to all
successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell
what the buyer is buying. This is the single most important strategy in job hunting.

So, before you answer this or any question it's imperative that you try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want,
problem or goal.

4. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Job satisfaction…more than anything else along with the opportunity to grow! Money and work are in a way complimentary
to one another. When you work hard; money will flow. So work is more important than money. Only hard work can help you
to put another feather in your success cap. But one must invest one’s efforts at the right place and avail the right opening.

Give stress on the fact that satisfaction is the most important factor, not just the money or work. We may not be satisfied
even if we have the money. And job satisfaction depends on various issues like skills, creativity, commitment etc. So
ultimately the deciding factor depends on both the employee and the organization.

5. Why should we hire you?

Give strong examples of some of your best strengths that fit in with the post you are applying for, which would make the
interviewee want to hire you. Your answer could be,

Say how you could strive for better interests of the company. Explain how you enjoy working in this field. Enjoying work
comes with passion, learning new things etc. State that you are also good at adjusting to new environments fast. You can
say…”I believe everybody may be good at this. But the point is about how fast one can do it, and I can assure you that I can
do it the best possible way, sooner than the others.”

Also add that you are hard working & you have the necessary qualities such as grit and determination to take up a
challenge/ creativity/ an analytical bent of mind/ good at teamwork/ love to lead from the front etc…. that are required for this
job.

State that since you are an organized and self motivated person you can do your best to improve the company’s productivity
without constant supervision and in addition have the physical and mental fitness/stamina to overcome any stress.

Give examples to substantiate your points.

6. What are your weak points?


This can be a very tricky question. You must talk about such weaknesses which has scope for being changed into your
strengths. In other words, disguise strength as a weakness.

For example, you can talk about weaknesses such as trying to handle too many assignments at one go, your inability to say
“no” to others, tendency to be too emotional, etc. These would show that you share a passion for work although at times it
might leave you stressed but that is definitely a manageable ‘weakness’ and not something as being lazy, ill tempered or
overbearing.

You can say…"I sometimes push my people too hard. I like to work with a sense of urgency and everyone is not always on
the same wavelength." Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications. Assure the interviewer that you can think of
nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence.

Remember; never give out such weaknesses which could diminish your chances of getting that job.

7. Do you consider yourself successful?

State that it is important to set short term goals with long term objectives in mind and see them be achieved one by one,
particularly when you are starting a career. You should always answer “yes” and briefly explain why. A good explanation is
that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on the track to achieve the others.

You could say, “Success comes in stages and one has to work one’s way up.” You have reached the HR round after
qualifying in the other three rounds and have earned the opportunity to prove your worth. Finding the right opportunity is
also very important in one’s path to success along with the resilience to achieve it.

8. Why do you want to work for this organization?

The answer for this question should be very precise and crisp.

You should do some research about the company and its competing abilities with other companies in that area.

e.g., "I want to work for this company because yours is a leading and fastest-expanding company” ....... Highlight the
organization’s laurels and show how it is unique or different from the others.

** You must prepare a job file on the tentative recruiting companies which visit your campus from previous records. This is
very important. Always keep it handy.

9. Are you a team player?

While answering this question, try to keep yourself on both sides. For example, if the interviewer asks if you prefer to work
alone or on a team, he may be trying to get you to say you are one way or the other. But you don't have to play this game.
The reality is that most jobs require us to work both independently and in teams. Your response to this question should
show that you have been successful in both the situations- that you are capable enough to make your own decisions, and
that you are flexible enough to work in a team as well.

You can say…….."It is always an individual who is the impetus for innovation; the details may be worked out by a team, but
true innovation results from the enterprise and unique perception of an individual. Here is where the role of the leader is
important.”

10. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

If you have work experience, say that you have worked for your previous employer for “x” number of years- that
demonstrates your loyalty.

If you are a fresher, you can say that as long as the work is challenging and you have growth and potential, you will be
happy to work here.

11. Do you have any questions for me?

Usually the employer asks this question to test your interest in the company. Hence you should ask questions to show keen
interest to join the company.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Do you provide any training for the new recruits?


2. What is your expectation from the new employees for this job?
3. What is the prospect of growth for the employees in this company?
Remember not to ask too many questions and remember that whatever you ask, the question should be genuine and
inquisitive. At the same time, not asking any question is a sign of inertia.
12. If you had enough money so as to not bother about getting a job in these hard
times, what would you do?

Emphasize the fact that every individual needs to work and prove his worth, to others, to society and to himself. Money is
not the only criteria. One’s worth is not measured by only his money…education, self esteem and credibility along with one’s
initiative to make and leave a mark in society is what every individual should strive for and you are no exception. Moreover
mention that the money has not been earned by ‘you. Proving yourself during difficult times is even more challenging. Be
confident that your education, your parents, your teachers have given you that lesson and you are ready for ‘come what
may’!

13. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

People who are primarily not open to new ideas and seem to discourage others constantly can be a potential threat to other
employees as well as to the company. You would definitely dissociate yourself from such company along with the ones who
are dishonest, cannot keep commitments, and people who do not respect others.

14. What do you know about this organization?

In order to answer this question, you have to do your homework and get all the necessary details about the company prior
to going for the interview. For this, you have to keep your eyes open for information from various sources starting from the
internet, to company brochures, employee feedback or even the person at the reception.

You may talk about the positive work environment of the organization, its achievements, its success story, its mission and
vision.

15. What qualities do you look for in a boss?

Talk about the traits that you admire in others. Use your own judgment in discussing the qualities of your “ideal” boss. Be
practical in your selections so that it doesn’t go overboard.

Some general qualities that you can talk about could be:

Positive attitude
Caring personality
Good listening skills- open to new ideas
Respectful towards others
Empathetic
Problem Solver
Approachable
Honest
Dependable
Supportive

16. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

Your answer could be: “I am basically a self motivated person who can take the responsibility and ownership of the task
given. But, being a human being after all, there are times when we need external motivation to get things moving on the
right track.

As far as I am concerned, job satisfaction and a simple praise from my seniors would be my best motivation.”

17. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

Example- “I believe pressure can be positive when utilized in the right way. A little bit of pressure can actually bring out the
best in us. Personally, I have always enjoyed working under pressure. It works like a tonic which boosts me and gives me
the required impetus to complete my task. But I always see to it that I keep it under control so it does not take a toll on me.”

18. Describe your management style.

Try to avoid labels. Some of the most common labels, like ‘very progressive’, ‘workaholic’ can have several meanings
depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage
according to ‘the situation.’
19. Difference between hard work and smart work?

Answer 1
Hard work is the idea of working for hours what we have been instructed to do to accomplish a task but smart work is where
we use our out of box skills to make the outcome more interesting and challenging. It requires analytical thinking and
creative skills more than just routine work.

Answer 2

Hard Working: - Hard Work comprises skills which are accomplished through rigorous physical capabilities; long hours that
might lead to the fulfillment of a task but may not necessarily give satisfaction or enjoyment!

Smart Working: - Smart Work requires a foresight to visualize the outcome of the work even before the work is actually done
so that one can weigh the consequences and take preventive measures beforehand!

Answer 3

Hard work means when you don’t use your brain & do the work in the traditional way as all have done earlier putting all your
efforts whereas smart work includes creative approach ,some initial study over the work assigned, using new ideas or may
be some shortcuts while achieving your goals.

20. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

Be honest and candid about this question. If you are willing to relocate, say yes. If you have serious problems with
relocation, say that frankly along with a brief reason for your denial. Don’t give a vague, half hearted “yes/no” kind of
answer.

21. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Talk about your greatest strengths- your unique specializations (if you have any), your adaptability and sense of
responsibility, your dedication, loyalty and fellow feeling.

Try to substantiate your points with examples, if you can, for better credibility.

22. Why did you choose this career?

Here, you can be a little creative with your answer. Don’t say anything that sounds cliché, such as, “I always wanted to be a
computer engineer since I was a child”, etc.

Instead, you can say the same thing in a creative way, such as, “Computers, chips, networks etc have always fascinated me
since I was a child. I realized pretty early in life that my passion lay in the field of Computer Science. Hence I did a lot of
research on the scopes and opportunities in this area of study, and realized that computer engineering would best suit my
aptitude, inclination, interest, and zeal.”

23. What irritates you about co-workers?

Here you can talk about general dislikes, but don’t go overboard with your list of irritations. For example, you can say that
you dislike coworkers who are hypocrites, dishonest, uncooperative & pessimistic in nature etc.

In short, talk about such traits which everyone agrees with. Don’t say something controversial.

24. Can you describe for me one or two of your most important accomplishments?

Here, think of some of your most cherished accomplishments of your life so far which have done some value addition to
your personality and profession.

Answering this question requires a bit of homework. Prepare ahead a list of 3 or 4 of your most acclaimed credibility which
you are most proud of, for which you have received most applauses from others- it could be from your personal, academic
or professional field.

25. Can you give me an example of your ability to manage or supervise others?

If you have been the Class Representative in college, or the Chief Editor of your annual college magazines, or the
coordinator of the local Blood Donation Camp, or the President of your college fest; here’s your chance to highlight those
events. Give special attention to how successfully you have been able to manage people to get things done on time.

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