Frequently Asked Interview Questions

1. Tell us about yourself
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This is an open canvas for you giving you an opportunity to direct and lead your interview in the direction you want. Good idea will be to structure your answer in the following three broad
headings.

1. Family Background

2. Educational Background

3. Achievements


In all the above subheads speak only that information which will give strength to your candidature. Avoid verbose description of yourself.


2. Why do you want to join us?

To answer this question, you must have researched the company well. Here you can quote some of your personal beliefs, which are in conjunction with the values of the company or talk about specific products and services which could be your professional interest too.

In the event where your skill set is mapping with the requirement of the company, do not miss the chance to highlight the same. Specify the initiatives taken or work done to attain that skill set.

3. What would you like to be doing five years from now?

This question is asked to assess candidates career plan and ambition for growth and to see if the company will be able to provide that opportunity over period of time. Also to assess if your personal goals are not totally off tangent with what companys objectives are. It is also to check your stability with the organization. It is good idea to be very realistic in your answer.If need be take guidance from your seniors who are already in the corporate environment.

4. Do you prefer working with others or alone?

This question is usually asked to determine whether you are a team player.Before answering, however, be sure you know whether the job requires you to work alone. Then answer appropriately.

5. What are your biggest accomplishments

You may like to begin your reply with: "Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement withI made my contribution as part of that team and learnt a lot in the process". It will be a good idea to close your answer with also specifying what attributes and circumstances made you succeed.

6. What are your favorite subjects

It is a leading question giving direction to the panel members for possible areas where they can probe in further for your knowledge base and in depth understanding. It is advisable to select the topics that you are competent in.

7. Why should we hire you?

Keep your answer short and to the point. You should highlight areas from your background that relates to the need of the organization. Recap the organization's description of the job,meeting it point by point with your skills.

8. What are your hobbies?

This question is generally asked to assess whether you are "desktop" kind of a person or an "interaction orientated person". It also indicates your preference for team - oriented activities or projects with solo contributions. It enables the organization to place you accordingly after selection. Be candid with your answer.

9. What is the worst feedback you have ever got?

To answer this question you must admit and share your areas of improvement.Also sharing an action plan for improving oneself will indicate your ability to take criticism well. Your answer should be reflection of your open-mindedness.

10. What is the most difficult situation you have faced?

Here you should be ready with the real life story. The question looks for information on two fronts: How do you define difficult? and, what was your handling of the situation? You should be able to clearly lay down the road map for solving the problem, your ability to do task management and maintain good interaction with your team members and other peers. It is advisable to close with highlighting the learning out of the incident.

11. If ur given a project in some other field would u work.

Possible Ans: Yes, I would try to succeed in every task assigned to me

12. When you're disappointed, how do you overcome it ?

13. What adjectives your friends will use to describe you ?

14. How many friends?

Best Ans: ( few good friends )

15. What position would you like to have in a group ?

16. What do you like to do

Best Ans: I like to cooperate with others in their time of need

17. what do you not like to do ?

Best Ans: Criticism of others on their back.

18. Why didn't you take up GRE ? (MAINLY FOR B.TECHS)

19. What do you feel how was your technical interview?

20. Why didn't you do job after B.Tech ? (MAINLY for M.Techs.)

21. You're given some task, when will you feel satisfied?

Best Ans: Only after completion.

22. If you get vast amount of money, what will you do of it ?

A possible ans: After fulfilling my needs and those of my family, I do not feel that there is any option other than saving it for future.

23. Are you sceptic/enthusiastic?

Possible ans: I am usually enthusiastic about my success at every stage..

24. You're pessimistic/optimistic?

Possible ans: I do not feel that I am pessimistic, but I am not at the sametime too optimistic. I have not FALSE faith on luck, and I expect success only when I deserve that.

25. Do you want to ask anything from us?

Possible ans: Projects going on in the company..?

26. If u are asked to lead a group, and u'r group does not work, what would u do..?

Possible ans: Actual answer from the experience...motivate that person, not necessarily as his boss.

Interview Behavioral Questions and Answers

1. One word of advice: sell yourself!

Sell yourself. Learn as much as possible about the vacant position, the company, and the interviewers themselves. The more detailed information you have about the company and the position, the better prepared you are likely to be. Visit the company’s website, if it has one and acquire detailed information about it.

Above Question is common for all Behavioural Interview Questions.

2. Employers want someone who wants to work for them. Demonstrate this by:

•PREPARING QUESTIONS. No matter how thorough the employer is in the interview, you must ask questions. This demonstrates interest and thinking ability.
•ASKING, "WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?" Tell the employer you were intrigued prior to the interview and are now even more.
•EMPHASIZING AREAS OF YOUR BACKGROUND. Think of specific examples that demonstrate this.

3. Be prepared with answers to the following:

1.Why do you wish to leave your current employer?
2.What do you know about this position and company? Why are you interested?
3.What are your short-term and long-term goals?
4.How do you feel about your current supervisor?
5.What are your strengths?
6.What are your weaknesses?
7.What are expectations regarding salary?
8.What information is important to you in making a decision about this job change?
9.What questions do you plan to ask the employer either about the job, company, or other things? Who have you learned the most from?
10.What was it? Why was it important?
11.What could be improved in your boss?
12.What do you like about your current boss?
13.How soon can you join?
14.What would you change here?
15.Are you willing to relocate? Change industries? Travel?

Here are the 10 most commonly asked questions in the job and other interview, which will help you prepare yourself better for the forthcoming campus placement and also give you a competitive edge over others.
A well thought out answer to each of these questions, prepared and rehearsed in advance with the logical sequencing of the events will help you sail through.

4. Tell us about yourself

This is an open canvas for you, giving you an opportunity to direct and lead your interview in the direction you want. A. good idea would be to structure your answer in the following three broad heads:
•Family Background
•Educational Background (starting from schooling to professional qualifications)
•Achievements
In all the above subheads speak only that information which will give strength to your candidature. Avoid verbose description of yourself.

5. Why do you want to join us?

To answer this question, you need to research the company well. Here you can quote some of your personal beliefs, which are in conjunction with the values of the company or talk about specific products and services which could be of interest to you too.

In the event where your skill set is mapping with the requirement of the company, do not miss the chance to highlight the same. Specify the initiatives taken or work done to attain that skill set.

6. What would you like to do in five years' time ?

This question is asked to assess candidate’s career plan and ambition for growth and to see if the company will be able to provide that opportunity over period of time. Also to assess if your personal goals are not totally off tangent with what company’s objectives are. It is also to check your stability with the organization. It is good idea to be very realistic in your answer. If need be take guidance from your seniors who are already in the corporate environment.

7. Do you prefer working with others or alone?
This question is usually asked to determine whether you are a team player. Before answering, however, be sure you know whether or not the job requires you to work alone. Then answer accordingly.

8. What are your biggest accomplishments?

You could begin your reply with: "Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my sense of involvement. I would like to make my contribution as part of that team and learn a lot in the process".

It will be a good idea to close your answer with also specifying what attributes and circumstances made you succeed.

9. What are your favorite subjects?

It is a leading question giving direction to the panel members for possible areas where they can probe in further for your knowledge base and in-depth understanding. It is advisable to select the topics that you are competent in.

10. Why should we hire you?

Keep your answer short and precise. You should highlight areas from your background that relates to the need of the organization. Recap the organization’s description of the job, meeting it point by point with your skills.

11. What are your hobbies?

This question is generally asked to assess whether you are "desktop" kind of a person or an "interaction orientated person". It also indicates your preference for team-oriented activities or projects with solo contributions. It enables the organization to place you accordingly after selection. Be candid in answering the questions.

12. What is the worst feedback you have ever got?

To answer this question you must admit and share your areas of improvement. Also sharing an action plan for improving oneself will indicate your ability to take criticism well. Your answer should reflect your open-mindedness.

13. What is the most difficult situation you have faced?

Here you should be ready with your real life story. The question looks for information on two fronts: How do you define difficult? and, how was your handling of the situation? You should be able to clearly lay down the road map for solving the problem, your ability to perform task management and maintain good interaction with your team members and other peers. It is advisable to close by highlighting the lesson learnt out of the incident.

HR Interview Question

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself:

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.

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.

3. What experience do you have in this field?

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

5. What do co-workers say about you?

Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

6. What do you know about this organization?

This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview.Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

8. Are you applying for other jobs?

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

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

This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?

Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

11. What kind of salary do you need?

A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

12. Are you a team player?

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

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

Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?

This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

15. What is your philosophy towards work?

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?

Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

19. Why should we hire you?

Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made

Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

21. What irritates you about co-workers?

This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

22. What is your greatest strength?

Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude .

23. Tell me about your dream job.

Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

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

Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

25. What are you looking for in a job?

See answer # 23

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

Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

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

Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?

There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

Interview Tips For Freshers

Are you a young graduate looking around for a lucrative career opportunity? Naturally you might be preparing to be interviewed by various organizations . Well then, you must expect the unexpected. Gone are the days when a single interviewer asked behavioural interview questions that simply expanded on your resume.

Today, you might find yourself face to face with employees you’d work with, if hired. An interviewer may hand you a sheet of paper and ask you to write down the reasons you should be offered the prospective job or you could find yourself, along with other applicants, being asked to solve a problem collectively.Put Your Best Foot Forward Regardless of the format, expect team interviews to be challenging. The initial exchanges with the interview team are the most difficult and decisive. At this point, you and your interviewers are evaluating each other.

During those few minutes strong impressions can be formed which will last a long time. For this reason, you must realise the importance of external items and mannerisms. How you enter the room, your clothes and accessories, the way you shake hands, your facial _expression, eye contact, your voice -- everything creates an impression. If you make a good first impression, strive to make it better during the meeting. As a candidate, your goal is to find out whether the company’s environment matches your interests and values.

Your prospective employer in his turn is trying to decide if your personality and background fit its culture and ambience. Essential Tactics Team interview are more challenging than traditional one -to-one encounters. But when handled well, you can show several people at once that you have the right potential. You may not be told in advance that you’ll be interviewed by a team, be prepared for this possibility.You must forge ahead with confidence and tackle each query bravely and coolly. Once your interviewers start getting impressed it will be writ large on their faces.And you have won! Remember, your interviewers understand how formidable non-traditional interviews can be and want you to succeed.

The following tips can improve your encounters with interviewing teams 
•Alter your answers

If you’re called back for subsequent interviews after the preliminary one, you will face different interview tips for freshers. So, find ways to make the same information sound different. Don’t describe the same project you managed to all the interviewers. Instead, describe a different project in each of the successive interviews.

1. Activate your interpersonal antennae
As quickly as possible, try to read the various personality types and adjust to them.

2. Expect to feel additional stress
You’ll have very little time to frame your answers unlike during traditional interviews, when the interviewer might take notes before asking another question. But with several people doing the questioning, you can’t have this luxury, because while one person is taking notes, another will fire the the next salvo of question.

3. Recognise that interviewers too are human
Most understand that you’re nervous and will try to make the experience as comfortable as possible. They’re not interested in seeing you squirm. Their job is to determine if your talents will match with the opening.

4. Practice hard
Gather together some friends, siblings or relatives with variegated personalities and have them ask a series of questions without pausing in between. This should replicate an actual team-interview situation. Ask for feedback on which of your answers impressed the mock interviewers and why so

5. Know what characteristics to emphasize
List the 10 traits associated with the position you’re seeking and prepare to demonstrate them during the session. Would creativity, presentation or facilitation skills be important? Ask people who are familiar with the kind of job you’re seeking to create short tests that might allow you to illustrate your skills.

6.Ask intelligent questions, do not state the obvious
If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know the organization’s culture and how you’ll fit in. Ask questions that reflect your knowledge of that culture. But don’t overdo it.

7. Read between the lines
With several people asking questions consecutively, you won’t have much time to prepare a response. However, if you read people well, you’ll be able to respond to the concern underlying the interviewers’ questions. Picking up on and responding to these issues is certain to impress an interview team. For instance, if an interviewer says, "Here at ABC we have a long tradition of teamwork," what he or she wants to know is, "How good are your teamwork skills?"

Watch out!
Sometimes what you may consider to be of little consequence may be important to the interviewer. Consider the following factors:

• Be careful about how much cologne/ perfume you wear.
• If you feel that you do have a problem with bad breath, it makes good sense to take a chew some good quality mouth freshener before the interview. However do not keep chewing the gum/mouth freshener during the interview proceedings. This is supposed to be bad manners.
• Dress appropriately for the type of job for which you are being interviewed.
• Be punctual. It is better to arrive at the venue before time rather than being late.