Its the Big day in your life. Chance which can shape your career graph . Opportunity which can make you independent financially. An opportunity which tests your character , self-confidence. Any guesses?! Yes, I am talking about the day of your job interview. How are you going to be prepared to face such a situation? Are you going to get nervous and screw up the chance of your life?(no one would want to!!) or Are you going to prepare well and go with confidence and crack the interview?
The following are some of the most common (and sometimes uncomfortable ) questions one would ask in interviews:
1. Tell me about yourself?
Just talk for 2 minutes. Be logical. Start anywhere, e.g. high school, college or first position. The interviewer is looking for communication skills, linear thinking. Also try to score a point or two (describe a major personal attribute.
2. Why are you leaving your current position?
This is a very critical question. Don't "bad mouth" your previous employer. Don't sound too opportunistic. Some description could be major problems, buy-out, or shut-down. It is also good to state that 'after a long personal consideration your chance to make a contribution is very low due to company changes.
3. What do you consider your most significant accomplishments?
This can get you the job. Prepare extensively. Score points. Tell a 2 minute story, with details and discuss your personal involvement. Make the accomplishment worth achieving. Discuss hard work, long hours, pressure, important company issues at stake.
4. Why do you believe that you are qualified for this position?
Pick two or three main factors about the job and about you that are most relevant. Discuss for two minutes, with specific details. Select a technical skill, a specific management skill (organizing, staffing, planning), and a personal success attribute to mention.
5. Have you ever accomplished something you didn't think you could?
Interviewer is trying to determine your goal orientation, work ethic, personal commitment, and integrity. Provide a good example where you overcame number difficulties to succeed. Prove you're not a quitter, and that you'll get going when the going gets tough.
6. What do you like/dislike most about your current position?
Interviewer is trying to determine compatibility with open position. If you have interest in the position be careful. Stating you dislike overtime or getting into the details, or that you like management can cost you the position. There is nothing wrong with liking challenges, pressure situations, opportunities to grow, or dislike for bureaucracy or frustrating situations.
7. How do you handle pressure? Do you like or dislike these situations?
High achievers tend to perform well in high pressure situations. Conversely, questions also could imply that position is pressure packed and out of control. There is nothing wrong with this as long as you know what you're getting into. If you do perform well under stress, provide a good example with details, giving an overview of the stress situation. Let the interviewer "feel" the stress by your description of it.
8. The sign of a good employee is the ability to take the initiative. Can you describe situations like this about yourself?
A pro-active, results oriented person doesn't have to be told what to do. This is one of the major success attributes. To convince the interviewer you possess this trait you must give a series of short examples describing your self motivation. Try to discuss at least one in detail. The extra effort, strong work ethic and creative side of you must be demonstrated.
9. What's the worst or most embarrassing aspect of your business career? How would you have done things differently now with 20/20 hindsight?
This is a general question to learn how introspective you are, also to see if you can learn from your mistakes. If you can, it indicates an open, more flexible personality. Don't be afraid to talk about your failures, particularly if you've learned from them. This is a critical aspect of high potential individuals.
10. How have you grown or changed over the past few years?
This requires thought. Maturation, increased technical skills, or increase self-confidence are important aspects of human development. To discuss this effectively is indicative of a well-balanced, intelligent individual. Overcoming personal obstacles, or recognizing manageable weaknesses can brand you as an approachable and desirable employee.
11. What do you consider your most significant strengths?
Be prepared. Know your four or five key strengths. Be able to discuss each with a specific example. Select those attributes that are most compatible with the job opening. Most people say "management" or "good interpersonal skills" in answer to this. Don't use this unless you can describe the specific characteristics of management (planning, organizing, results, staffing, etc.) or how your relationship skills have proven critical to your success.
12. What do you consider your most significant weaknesses?
Don't reveal deep character flaws. Rather discuss tolerable faults, that you are working towards improving. Show by specific example how this has changed over time. Better still, show how a weakness can be turned into a strength. For example, how a concentration on details results in higher quality work even though it requires overtime.
Note : The information in this post is not purely out of my Experience. I have taken these Q&A from various sites which i felt are very helpful for facing interviews. My sincere Thanks to those people for providing this information.
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