2. Be Calm!
Be Cool!
Be Composed!
Be Confident!
Be Consistent!
Be
Competent!!
3. Where do you see yourself 5 years from
now?
• The aim of this question is to test your
foresightedness and also gauge if you plan for the
future. Stick to professional goals and aspirations
while answering. The interviewer does not want to
hear about a dream vacation you plan to take, or the
industry you would like to be in. Talk about company
related objectives. This is an opportunity for you to
show that you want to succeed in the company and
are keen on creating a career path there.
• Sample answer: As your company has a strong
performance-based culture, in five years I see myself
playing a key role of Brand Manager, working on
your marketing initiatives.
4. What if you don't make it in this
interview?
• This is often used as a stress question to
check your spontaneity. The idea is to see
if you have a back up plan and how you
handle rejection. You need to be assertive
and confident while answering this
question. You can say you will be
disappointed, adding that you will
continue to move ahead in your career
with the same enthusiasm and vigor.
• Sample answer: I will be disappointed if
that happens, but will work on specific
feedback and try again when the
opportunity presents itself.
5. 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/Study-related items unless
instructed otherwise. Talk about things you
have done well at your college and how
you wanted to perform in the first job.
6. Why Should We Employ You?
For this question, your answer should list
out strengths that you feel are relevant to
the job. Given below are some answers
which could help you with your answers.
However, structure them to suit your
requirements.
7. Why Should We Employ You?
(contd)
I have good co-ordination skills
Good analytical skills
I can persuade people to see my point of view, and get
the work done
My greatest asset is my ability to motivate people
Even during emergencies, I do not loose my cool
I have good entrepreneurial skills
I have consistently met my deadlines and targets
Can say “no” to people when required to do so!
I am very co-operative with my sub-ordinates, and would
like to see them grow
I am a good team player
I am very flexible, and have the ability to work hard
under difficult work conditions
I have the experience and knowledge relevant to this job
(Here, give appropriate details and examples)
8. Do You Have Offers From Other Companies
?
This is of course a difficult question to answer.
Obviously, you must have applied to other
companies if you are looking for a job or would have
some offers from other companies already.
Therefore, do not lie that you have not. However,
you are on thin ice here! The interviewer could be
checking your honesty. On the other hand, he/she
may also be trying to find out how focused you are -
are you applying randomly, or is there a well-planned
strategy?
Whatever your answer, it should match your career
goals.
9. Which is more important to you- salary,
perks or growth opportunities?
This one will reveal the real you. So be
sure what you are going to say. Above
all, be true to yourself. If you think
this is a negotiation move, then say
clearly that you will never sell yourself
short.
10. What do you know about our
company?
Do not give your opinions about the
company. Stick to reported facts that you
have gathered from newspapers and so on.
Talk about the product portfolio, size,
income, and market perceptions of the
company. Also it is better to refer details
about each company before going for the
interview their websites
11. Your qualifications are excellent, but you
may be overqualified for the position?
Point out that more experience can never
be a drawback. If you are multi-skilled,
then highlight the fact that a company on
the fast-track needs multi-skilled people. It
needs people within different departments
to work together. Also emphasize that the
company's future growth will be an
exponential function of your experience.
12. Are you a team player?
Very much so! In fact, I’ve had opportunities in
both athletics and academics to develop my skills
as a team player. I was involved in ……… at the
state/college level, including leading my team
during the past year -- I always try to help others
achieve their best. In academics, I’ve worked on
several team projects, serving as both a member
and team leader. I’ve seen the value of working
together as a team to achieve a greater goal than
any one of us could have achieved individually.
As an example …….…!
13. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss
or professor? How was it resolved?
Never major ones, but certainly there have been
situations where there was a disagreement that need to
be resolved. I’ve found that when conflict occurs, it’s
because of a failure to see both sides of the situation.
Therefore, I ask the other person to give me their
perspective and at the same time ask that they allow me
to fully explain my perspective. At that point, I would
work with the person to find out if a compromise could
be reached. If not, I would submit to their decision
because they are my superior. In the end, you have to be
willing to submit yourself to the directives of your
superior, whether you’re in full agreement or not. An
example of this was when……………..!
14. What is your greatest weakness?
I would say my greatest weakness has been my lack of
proper planning in the past. I would over commit myself
with too many variant tasks, then not be able to fully
accomplish each as I would like. However, since I’ve
come to recognize that weakness, I’ve taken steps to
correct it. For example, I now carry a planning calendar in
my pocket so that I can plan all of my appointments and
“to do“ items. Here, let me show you how I have this
week planned out …………….!
(Lack of Time Management Skills, Financial Planning also
can be cited as answers)
15. What qualities do you feel a successful
manager should have?
The key quality should be leadership -- the
ability to be the visionary for the people who are
working under them, the person who can set the
course and direction for subordinates. A manager
should also be a positive role model for others to
follow. The highest calling of a true leader is
inspiring others to reach the highest of their
abilities. I’d like to tell you about a person who I
consider to be a true leader…….....!
16. Are You A Good Leader?
Your interviewer is looking to ascertain whether
you can manage or lead well in your job and how
you deal with the people who work under you.
Perhaps you could answer this question along
the lines of “I feel that my team leading qualities
are exceptional. I am always firm but fair with
the people who work for me and find that I get a
good deal of respect by operating in this
manner”.
17. 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
18. What motivates you to do your best on
the job?
This is a personal trait that only you can
say, but good examples are:
Challenge, Achievement, Recognition
19. How do you propose to compensate for
your lack of experience?
First, if you have experience that the
interviewer does not know about, bring
that up.
Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard
working quick learner.
20. Do you have any questions for me?
Always have some questions prepared.
Questions prepared where you will
be an asset to the organization are good.
How soon will I be able to be productive?
and What type of projects will I be able to
assist on? are examples.
