Most interviewers have a standard set of questions for the candidates. And as simple as they sound, what you answer can make or break your chances of landing the job. These questions are more commonly asked if you happen to be a fresher or a middle level executive.
1. Tell us about yourself.
This is not your cue to ramble on about every event in your life or give your entire life history. And do not go into a shell either with just a two liner to sum up yourself.
The basic idea of asking this question is to know a brief about your educational qualifications, work experience, additional qualifications and your hobbies. Simply put your resume in a nutshell. It also shows how well you can present yourself.
Another thing is that it gives the interviewer an idea of your lifestyle, values and ethics in life.
You Say: Your response should be a brief summary about your educational qualification, your hobbies, and family background. You shouldn't take more than three minutes to sum up yourself and your life.
When to Expect: This is usually the first question asked by the interviewer. And the phrase first impression is the last impression holds true here. If you manage to give a satisfying answer, then expect to get a smooth start to your interview.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This can be a tricky question to answer. Your response should not reek of self righteousness, thus giving a long list of pros and cons. Nor should it be a cover up with only the strengths being highlighted and the weaknesses swept under the carpet.
Through your response the interviewer wants to find how good a problem solver are you. In other words, if you do find a problem, how do you resolve it. And also to find whether your strengths are in tandem with the job profile. The interviewer is trying to gauge you from the perspective of the company's brand ambassador.
You Say: When it comes to your strength figure out what all are in requirement with the job profile and mention only those and not every random adjective that comes into your mind.
However, when it comes to your weakness, don't reveal all. Even if you do, supplement it with a solution so that your weakness is not under direct scanner. For example, if you say you are impatient, then back it up by saying that you are working to control it through meditation etc.
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When to Expect: Expect this one coming in at the third or the fourth level. That is once the interviewer has settled with the idea of how you speak, only then would he or she proceed to evaluate your job skills.
3. Where do you see yourself three years from now?
Yes, it is definitely great to imagine yourself as the CEO of the company, but is it a realistic expectation? Should that be your response?
Definitely not if you are being interviewed by the CEO himself. The idea of asking that question is to gauge your individual aspirations. Is it stagnant or progressive? Will it be an impediment in your growth within the company and how it will affect the company's productivity?
You Say: Firstly, be clear about your goals. See if it is in line with the profile you are being interviewed for.
For example, if you are being interviewed for a correspondent's post in a lifestyle magazine and you say that you would like to see yourself doing crime reporting, then that shows the utter lack of clarity in your thought and goal.
When to Expect: This one is usually asked somewhere at the end of the interview.
4. Why should we hire you?
Through this question the interviewer partly forms a view about you. That is, whether you are serious about this job or do you have any other offer in hand.
Many people go for interviews just for the heck of it. They may have other offers in hand. Usually, your need for the job, whatever be the answer can be gauged by your body language and the tone of conviction you speak.
You Say: Even if it happens to be one among many interviews you are giving, make your answer as believable as possible. Sound confident. More than the words, your body language should give the interviewer the idea that you are interested in the job.
When to Expect: This question and the one below follows right after you give an estimate of your career aspiration and expectation.
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5. Why do you want to work for us?
This is the other half of the previous question which gives a complete view about your interest in the company and the job.
Your response here gives the interviewer a generic idea about how much you understand the company's business , what are your aspirations, are they on track with the company's long term plans etc.
You Say: Be honest and diplomatic about your response. An honest answer does not mean being downright blunt like saying you want the job for the money. Make your answer based on what is expected of you in the job and how you contribute and improve your role in the organisation.
6. Do you prefer working in a team or own your own?
This depends upon the job profile and whether it requires you to work individually or in a group. Your response to this will give the person an idea of whether you fit the bill.
So clarify beforehand what the job would entail and what is the work environment.
You Say: If you are a team player, say so. Back it up with a previous work experience if you have worked in a team. If not, say that your previous job did not require you to work with a team. However, you are willing to give it a shot. Prove your interest by highlighting any event wherein you had to use your people skills.
When to Expect: Expect this question in the middle of the interview. That is once the job profile has been made clear to you, the interviewer would want to know if you fit his or her team. This answer would give a fair idea of how good a team player you are.
7. Give us an example of when you have worked to an unreasonable deadline or been faced with a huge challenge.
Through your response the interviewer seeks to find what you find challenging personally.
You Say: Do not lament or cry about the ungodly hours you worked to complete the project. Instead highlight how you were able to finish a challenging project within the given deadline. If it was done individually, showcase your ability or the creativity used to meet the deadline.
If it was done in a team, highlight your role as an active team player or a leader in achieving the challenge.
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When to Expect: Expect a proof based question like this right after you are asked about your comfort levels working under constant pressure and deadlines.
8. How comfortable are you working under pressure?
Your response here shows the mental preparation for the job and to what lengths can you go to achieve your goals.
This response is again gauged through your verbal response and the body language you project.
You Say: This can be a tricky question to answer. Because what seems a challenging deadline or pressure to you may not seem the same for the interviewer.
Your best bet would be to ask the employer to give you a chance in the organisation to prove your worth.
When to Expect: This can be asked either before or after the job profile has been clarified to you. In case it is asked before, expect your job to be one with deadlines.
If asked after, then it would be fair to believe that the interviewer thinks you are capable of handling challenges but is looking for a green signal from your response to carry forward.
9. Why are you shifting from your previous line of work?
This is a sensitive question. It can also be used to poke holes if you have any gap or break in your education or job. So be very careful how you respond.
This question is to alleviate the interviewer's doubts of how consistent you are. If you keep shifting your plans and goals, then there is no guarantee that you will stick around for long term.
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You Say: Be genuine and honest in your answers. Say if you were to crossover from a textile industry to sales, frame your response saying that you felt the textile industry lacking in opportunity and instead found your calling in sales.
When to Expect: This can be asked right in the beginning of the interview, if you happen to shift your line of profession.
For example if you studied engineering, but come for an interview for the post of copywriter, then expect this question for sure.
10. Rate your work on a scale of 1 - 10.
Your work consists of both routine and special projects. And when you respond it needs to take both of these into consideration.
Usually, the interviewer asks this question at the fag end of the interview. By this time he or she has formed an opinion about you and is looking for a response that would tilt their decision to in or out.
You Say: Since the interviewer has already formed an opinion, your response is merely the trigger to finalise. Keep in mind not to berate or appreciate yourself highly. A proper response would be to rate yourself anywhere between 6-9.
And be prepared to supplement your response with a reason. Do not pull off a number randomly from the air.
When to Expect: Expect this at the fag end of the interview. Remember if your interview went a bit roughly, do not give a high figure. This would only cause the interviewer to doubt your assessment skills.
Before you rate yourself, run through your interview mentally and then quote a genuine figure.
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Remember, the key to giving good answers to interview questions is not readymade answers, but to learn to interpret the question correctly. This increases your chances of giving a compelling answer.
10 Cardinal Rules for an Interview:
1. Research the job and the skills you will need. Make sure that the research that you have done about the company and the job profile is adequate to allow you to answer the standard questions.
2. Practice in front of mirror. If possible videotape yourself and self evaluate your performance.
3. Dress appropriately.
4. Reach the interview venue 15 minutes before time.
5. Do not forget to carry a folder containing photocopies of important documents and certificates along with your passport size photographs.
6. Give short, clear answers to the questions.
7. Smile when you are speaking - this will give your voice an upbeat tone.
8. Minimise hand and body movements.
9. Make eye contact with the interviewer.
10. Maintain all through out the interview a confident body language.
(With inputs from Nisha Joshi, Group Manager, HR, Naukri.com)
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