INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
First tell about yourself
What made you apply for this position?
How did you hear about this job opening?
Briefly, would you summarize your work history & education for me?
Well, first of all, I'm pleased to be here meeting you because I've long been an admirer of your company and of the work you personally have done. I believe I have what you're looking for. I am a management graduate from SMS, Varanasi, one of the leading management Institute with Marketing Specialization.
"I offer your company and this position effective negotiation and communication abilities, creative problem solving and project management skills, inner drive and initiative, and strong writing skills. My colleagues here would find me dependable and flexible."
JOB PERFORMANCE
Everyone has strengths & weaknesses as workers. What are your strong points for this job?
What would you say are areas needing improvement?
How did your supervisor on your most recent job evaluate your job performance? What were some of the good points & bad points of that rating?
When you have been told, or discovered for yourself, a problem in your job performance, what have you typically done? Can you give me an example?
Do you prefer working alone or in groups?
What kind of people do you find it most difficult to work with? Why?
Starting with your last job, tell me about any of your achievements that were recognized by your superiors.
Can you give me an example of your ability to manage or supervise others?
What are some things you would like to avoid in a job? Why?
In your previous job what kind of pressures did you encounter?
What would you say is the most important thing you are looking for in a job?
What are some of the things on your job you feel you have done particularly well or in which you have achieved the greatest success? Why do you feel this way?
What were some of the things about your last job that you found most difficult to do?
What are some of the problems you encounter in doing your job? Which one frustrates you the most? What do you usually do about it?
What are some things you particularly liked about your last job?
Do you consider your progress on the job representative of your ability? Why?
How do you feel about the way you & others in the department were managed by your supervisor?
If I were to ask your present (most recent) employer about your ability as a____________________, what would he/she say?
Other Questions
How do you deal with criticism?
Criticism is vital to my continued growth, and I welcome constructive criticism that helps a team operate better together or produce better results. It is important to me to understand where my critic is coming from so that I know how to apply the feedback.
What are your weaknesses?
First of all, don't try to mention strength and present it as a weakness. Trying to say that you're a workaholic or that you're a stickler for detail and how that's a weakness will not work well. It will be seen as an attempt to dodge the question. The weakness you mention should not be critical to the job you'll be doing. If you're interviewing for the job of an insurance actuary, don't tell them you're weak at statistics! Talk about a weakness in content knowledge rather than a basic personal quality or skill. Because lack of content knowledge is much easier to remedy than a personality trait. For instance, say that your weakness is that you're not familiar with a particular software application. That's much better than saying you find it difficult to manage people. You should also mention what you are doing to remedy the weakness. If lack of knowledge of a computer application is your weakness, talk about how you're attending evening classes to learn more about it.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I endeavor to have refined my strategic and client relations skills. I intend to be a leading expert in estate planning. After having proven myself as a senior manager, I hope to help shape the strategic direction of estate planning services. I could do this in any number of official roles. The important thing is that I will continue contributing my abilities in a challenging and rewarding environment.
What do you think of your previous manager?
My previous manager had excellent technical skills and was very agreeable as a colleague. I would have liked more support from her at times, but her hands-off style meant that I had to become resourceful in problem solving and negotiating with colleagues.
How long do you see yourself with us?
I see myself here as long as we both think that I am contributing to the vitality of the company while still being grown through challenges.
What is the riskiest thing you have ever done?
The greatest calculated risk that I have taken was to launch my own internet company. My idea was solid, but I knew the market was volatile. Even though the venture ended, my investment of time and money paid off in terms of the skills, perspectives, and contacts that I made through the process. I feel like I matured-rather than aged-ten years during that time.
What about this job attracts you? What is unattractive?
As I evaluate my skills and goals, this job maximizes on both. I will be able to merge my knowledge of law and markets while strategizing for the sound financial future of clients. Since this is a small company, I imagine that there will be opportunity for increased responsibilities and challenges. I share the values of the company. I am not eager to do much data processing, but the position is very attractive
How would you describe an ideal working environment?
It is important to me that my company has clear objectives and strives for success. Similarly, I like having colleagues whom I admire for their skills and perspectives. When communication is clear between colleagues, our energy becomes synergy. In addition, I find that I flourish when given discretion after having gained the trust of my supervisor
Interview Tips
Use empathetic body language.
Both your words and your behavior will affect whether you establish a connection with the interviewer. When you meet the potential employer or human resources officer, you will want to show that you are confident, trusting, open, attentive, and eager, but restrained. All of this can be communicated in a handshake. Make sure that your hand is about perpendicular to the floor. If you extend your hand with your palm facing down, you indicate that you need to be in control-something that can be off-putting in an interview scenario. If you extend your hand with your palm facing up, you can appear overly docile. Try extending your hand with your palm relatively flat, so that you offer to make full contact with the other person's hand. If you cup your hand, you indicate that you mistrust the other person.Likewise, your posture throughout the interview indicates whether you are open and attentive, or somehow withdrawn from the interviewer. Leaning back shows boredom or sometimes insolence. It is better to sit up straight and lean forward just slightly, facing the interviewer directly. Crossing your arms in front of you may indicate that you are somehow defensive, whether from insecurity or mistrust. Try to keep your arms open, even if your legs are crossed.Eye contact is crucial. Look the person in the eye when you are speaking and listening. To avoid giving the interviewer the impression that you are boring through him with your transfixed gaze, take breaks and look away to the right or left.
Do yourself Exercise:
To make substantial headway in self-reflection, spend some time on the following exercises. When considering your responses, think beyond your professional life and current circumstances. Include instances as far back as your youth.
· Make a list of five accomplishments that you enjoyed.
· Make a list of five things you have done that make you proud.
· Describe three scenarios in which you felt highly motivated to accomplish something.
· Describe three scenarios in which you lacked motivation.
· Think of three scenarios in which you felt appreciated by other people. How did they communicate that appreciation for you?
· Make a list of how your colleagues, staff, and supervisors describe you. Include the positive and negative feedback.
· Make a list of how friends and family describe you.
· Make a list of ten of your best personal qualities.
· Think of two small and large decisions that you have made. Describe how you went about making those decisions.
· Describe two situations that seemed risky to you. What did you do?
· Describe a conflict situation between you and someone else that was resolved to your satisfaction. How was it resolved?
· Describe a conflict situation between you and someone else that was not resolved to your satisfaction. What happened?
· Complete this sentence: When I am responsible for leading or supervising other people, I prefer to. . .
· Complete this sentence: When I want to show appreciation for other people, I usually. . .
· Complete this sentence: I work because. . .
· Complete this sentence: From a job I want. . .
