I left my previous job without having another job lined up two months ago, and it seems that was my biggest mistake. I left for many reasons: I was demotivated, exhausted from the long commute and rotational shift timings, and the company was selling a product against my vegan ethics. The only good thing about that company was the high salary and good benefits, but working there was extremely frustrating. I thought I should just leave to take a break for a month or two, rest, and meanwhile find a new job. However, I have attended interviews at several companies and haven't received a callback from any of them. I believe this is due to my personality and age. I am a 37-year-old female and have not advanced to the managerial level, having only done mid-level jobs so far. I prefer not to work in a call center or KPO again, but I am now open to it if I can secure a job. Whether I work in a rotational shift or a day shift, I am not willing to compromise on salary. I need a minimum of 25k per month for a day shift and a minimum of 30k for a rotational shift if I don't get a day shift job. Here's where I face a problem: some companies are not willing to pay more than 10-15k even in 2017 for a day shift if you lack experience in that industry. I don't understand why the job market expects you to work in the same industry just because you started there. I am so scared. If I don't get a job within a month, I will be in financial trouble. I was under the impression that I could immediately withdraw my PF and not face a problem, but I learned it takes a minimum of 90 days to withdraw PF, and it will be taxable, so I am confused about whether to withdraw or not.
I feel I am not performing well in interviews. At some places, the interviewer hardly asked 3-4 questions, then asked if I had questions for them and said they would get back to me. I am looking to switch industries. I worked in mid-level positions earlier in an educational company and then an outsourcing company. I no longer wish to work in a rotational shift and want to change industries. I am willing to work in the HR field, business development, or any relevant role in a reputed company. I have completed an MBA in HR through correspondence.
Interview Questions I Struggle With
Here are a few questions I am not able to answer properly:
- What is the reason for leaving your last job? I answer that I left due to personal reasons and family obligations, but the interviewer seems to doubt if I was terminated, which is not the case. How can I smartly answer this with good wording?
- Why do you have a gap in education? (I graduated, then did post-graduation after five years, and recently completed an MBA).
- Why did you do an MBA in HR? (Honestly, I did it for the degree and to add value to my education and resume, but that's not what I can say).
- Why HR as a specialization? (I don't remember exactly why I chose this specialization. I thought HR would be good since I had previous experience in counseling and office work. I didn't want to do marketing due to the pressure, and finance seemed too calculation-intensive for my schedule).
- Why did you choose to do an MBA in your 30s after many years of graduation?
- You have done an MBA in distance learning. How do you think that will help in this job?
- Why did you do an MBA in distance learning and not full-time? I find this question frustrating as they should know how a working professional manages.
- What did you learn from your previous jobs? I struggle to answer this. What can one learn from BPO or mid-level or admin jobs? I learned soft skills in email and interacting with international customers, but it seems that's not what interviewers want. I need better wording for this.
- Why do you have a gap between each job? (I was married and separated, and in India, it's sometimes difficult for a woman to work while handling family responsibilities). I can tell this truth, but I don't know how to present it well to the interviewer.
- One interviewer noted my low academic scores. What was the reason for that? How do you think your education will be helpful in your job? (I scored 50% in graduation, 40% in PG, and a B grade in MBA).
- You have worked in the BPO industry, but ours is XYZ industry, and you lack relevant experience. How do you think you're fit for this job?
- We prefer candidates with relevant experience in this industry or field, but you don't have that. How do you think you're suitable for this role?
- How good will you be in cold calling?
- How would you convert customers? (This question is asked when I apply for a business development position).
Please help me with the above interview questions so that I can be well-prepared and answer nicely.
I feel I am not performing well in interviews. At some places, the interviewer hardly asked 3-4 questions, then asked if I had questions for them and said they would get back to me. I am looking to switch industries. I worked in mid-level positions earlier in an educational company and then an outsourcing company. I no longer wish to work in a rotational shift and want to change industries. I am willing to work in the HR field, business development, or any relevant role in a reputed company. I have completed an MBA in HR through correspondence.
Interview Questions I Struggle With
Here are a few questions I am not able to answer properly:
- What is the reason for leaving your last job? I answer that I left due to personal reasons and family obligations, but the interviewer seems to doubt if I was terminated, which is not the case. How can I smartly answer this with good wording?
- Why do you have a gap in education? (I graduated, then did post-graduation after five years, and recently completed an MBA).
- Why did you do an MBA in HR? (Honestly, I did it for the degree and to add value to my education and resume, but that's not what I can say).
- Why HR as a specialization? (I don't remember exactly why I chose this specialization. I thought HR would be good since I had previous experience in counseling and office work. I didn't want to do marketing due to the pressure, and finance seemed too calculation-intensive for my schedule).
- Why did you choose to do an MBA in your 30s after many years of graduation?
- You have done an MBA in distance learning. How do you think that will help in this job?
- Why did you do an MBA in distance learning and not full-time? I find this question frustrating as they should know how a working professional manages.
- What did you learn from your previous jobs? I struggle to answer this. What can one learn from BPO or mid-level or admin jobs? I learned soft skills in email and interacting with international customers, but it seems that's not what interviewers want. I need better wording for this.
- Why do you have a gap between each job? (I was married and separated, and in India, it's sometimes difficult for a woman to work while handling family responsibilities). I can tell this truth, but I don't know how to present it well to the interviewer.
- One interviewer noted my low academic scores. What was the reason for that? How do you think your education will be helpful in your job? (I scored 50% in graduation, 40% in PG, and a B grade in MBA).
- You have worked in the BPO industry, but ours is XYZ industry, and you lack relevant experience. How do you think you're fit for this job?
- We prefer candidates with relevant experience in this industry or field, but you don't have that. How do you think you're suitable for this role?
- How good will you be in cold calling?
- How would you convert customers? (This question is asked when I apply for a business development position).
Please help me with the above interview questions so that I can be well-prepared and answer nicely.