Interview skills

Important interview questions with sample answers

1) How would you describe yourself?

This is a chance for you to shine — but not to tell your life history. Give a very brief introduction including education and how it will be useful in the position for which you’re applying.

Sample Response

My education background is  ______. I have also done a foundation program in Retail from Angeos. With the growing opportunity in Retail and marketing sector I decided to go for this course.

2) Describe your ideal job?

How would you describe your ideal job?

Your description of your ideal job should sound like the job you’re interviewing for.

Sample Response

My ideal job is where I can make best use of my education, skills and can work as a good team member.

3) What influenced you to choose this career?

• Why do you want to join call centre?
• Why did you choose this career?
• How do you plan to achieve your goals?

Be sure your responses demonstrate sound decision-making processes.

Sample response:

I like talking to new people and call centre can offer me a chance for growth and better career prospects as it is a booming industry.

or
I enjoy facing and overcoming the challenges of making a sale. I feel very confident approaching people I don’t know and convincing them that they need my product. In any profession self-determinism surely helps and I am determined to grow in this career.

4) What specific goals have you established for your career?

• What goals do you have in your career?
• What motivates you?
• What changes would you make at your college?
• What were your favorite classes? Why?
• Who were your favorite professors? Why?

These questions require:

Thoughtful responses

Responses that are not self-serving

Responses that are specific to the job, if possible

Sample response:

I am motivated towards growth and career growth.

or
My goals include obtaining a better working knowledge of retail and allied areas, which would allow me contribute organization and add value. Also this is the foundation block to advancing my career prospects.

5) What are your strengths & Weaknesses?

Sample Response

My strengths are in my ability to be flexible. As far as weaknesses, I have a tendency to overwork.

6) Do you prefer to work with others or on your own?

This is a question you should have asked yourself before you applied for the job. The interviewer wants to make sure that you are appropriate for the job for which you are applying. If you’re going to be part of a team, you should enjoy working with others. On the other hand, if you’re going to be doing data entry, it might be a good idea if you enjoy working on your own. Remember, however, that companies don’t want to hire workers who need constant handholding.

Sample Response

I enjoy being part of a team and cooperating with others, but I also enjoy working on my own. When I was in school I worked in a team for many projects and would discuss and meet with team members. There was a lot of communication and cooperation among the group, but I was responsible for completing part of the project on my own.

7) Why are you the best person for the job?

Don’t boast and say that I have the best personality traits and education

Sample Response

You need someone who can produce results, and I do believe that my educational background, skills and ability to deliver will be an asset to the organization.

 Are you creative?  Can you work under pressure?

Answers will vary depending on what you have responded to as ‘yes’

The best way to answer this question is give examples where you have said yes.

9) What are you looking for in a position?

You answer should be dynamic

Sample Response

I’m looking for an opportunity to apply my skills and contribute to the growth of the company.

10) What salary do you want?

Your answer should not just focus on money?
Sample Response

My salary requirements are negotiable. While money is important so is the environment and the opportunity for growth. Or

I am looking for learning and growth so I am Ok as per the company’s norms.

11) How would your friends and co-students describe you?

Your answer should indicate some positives about you

Sample Response

First, they’d say I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I really enjoy working with people. Secondly, they’d say I am very focused. They also say I put a lot of effort in whatever I do.

12) What qualities do you think are important to this position? (For customer service and sales position)

Sample Response

You have to have good communication and customer service skills. Also it is important to sales numbers up through quality service.

13) What are your hobbies?

• What do you do in your leisure time?

Sample response:

Try to highlight on your hobbies and interest in the best possible manner

"I like to surf internet because I get to learn new things”

14) How much do you know about computers?

Sample Response?

Try to tell them about basic computer knowledge

"I am a beginner and know basic operating of computer and little bit of internet.”

Other sample Questions:

PERSONALITY:

• What three adjectives describe you?
• What have you learnt in Angeos?
• Tell me about your family background?
• Are you enjoying the program and training?

CAREER:

• Do you prefer any specific geographic location? Why? Is this a good reason?
• What personal characteristics are necessary for success in your chosen field?
• What kind of boss do you prefer?
• What do you know about opportunities in the field in which you are trained?
• What do you expect to be doing in five, ten or fifteen years?
• Do you prefer to work in a large or small city?
• Would you prefer to work for a large or a small company?
• What are the disadvantages of your chosen field?

EDUCATION:

• In what school activities have you participated? Why? Which ones did you enjoy the most?
• How did you spend your vacations while in high school?
• Have you ever had any difficulty getting along with fellow students and teacher?
• Which of your school years was the most difficult?
• Did you enjoy going to school?
• Do you consider your education valuable? Why

PERSONAL LIFE:

• Do you enjoy sports as a participant? As an observer?
• What do you do to keep in good physical condition?
• Have you ever had any serious illness or injury?

Common Interview Questions:

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.

(Excerpted from the book The Accelerated Job Search by Wayne D. Ford, Ph.D, published by The Management Advantage, Inc.)

* 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

* 29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

* 30. What has disappointed you about a job? Don’t get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

* 31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure. You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

* 32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely? Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

* 33. 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

* 34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends? This is up to you. Be totally honest.

* 35. How would you know you were successful on this job? Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful

* 36. Woul ... Read more »

• Logical Section
• Verbal Section
• Interview
• Analytical Ability
• Reasoning
• HR Interview
• Group Discussion
• Resume & CV (cover)