Questions of this nature are not just tricky; they are a potential minefield and need to be treated as such.
Q 1. Tell me about yourself?
Ans: You need to talk about your previous achievements and conclude with your current experience. Focus more on your professional experience and education. Keep any personal information brief.
No, read the job description and focus on a couple of points such as problem-solving, customer service, leadership, and organizational skills, and relate them to the job you are being interviewed for. Education details are on your CV, so no need to repeat. Skip personal information unless it's relevant to the job.
Q 2. What are your achievements?
You need to discuss your accomplishments. If you are a fresher, talk about your academic achievements, any events, or projects you successfully completed.
Not all accomplishments, pick one or two important and relevant ones to discuss and relate them to the job.
Q 3. What challenges did you face in your entire career, and how did you cope with them?
As the question is clear, speak about challenges you faced while performing your duties and how you overcame them. Keep your response simple and clear instead of making it complex.
Select one significant challenge and answer using the STAR method: describe the Situation, your Task, the Action you took, and the Result.
Q 4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
The interviewer likely wants to know how you plan to develop your skill set and progress within the organization and its culture. They are interested in your motivation to grow and contribute to the company's objectives over time.
Q 5. What is your life goal?
Interviewers want to identify your long-term goals to assess if they align with the company's objectives and if you are committed to a career rather than just seeking short-term gains.
Q 6. What were your last roles and responsibilities?
Discuss your previous company's roles and responsibilities briefly as this information is already detailed in your CV. Provide a quick overview of the major points and move on.
Q 7. Whom do you report to?
You should mention your immediate reporting person to define your role within the team. Keep your response brief and focus on outlining the reporting hierarchy without delving into personal relationships or managerial styles.
Q 8. Why should we hire you?
Highlight your qualities that differentiate you from others and how they align with the job requirements. Emphasize the skills you can bring to the organization to help achieve its goals.
Q 9. In which function do you think you excel?
Explain the function in which you excel and how it aligns with the job you are being interviewed for. Briefly mention any other relevant skills that could benefit the organization.
Q 10. Why did you leave your last job?
Provide a valid reason for leaving your previous job, such as seeking career growth opportunities. Avoid discussing personal reasons and focus on positive aspects related to professional development.
Q 11. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Answer this question carefully by highlighting your strengths and mentioning a weakness that is unrelated to the job. Discuss efforts you are making to improve in that area to show your commitment to self-improvement.
Q 12. List five good qualities about yourself.
Create a list of qualities that contribute to building relationships and working effectively. Focus on qualities that make you valuable to the organization and align with the job requirements.
Q 13. What are your salary expectations?
Avoid providing an exact figure and mention that your salary expectations are negotiable. Be prepared to discuss a salary range if the interviewer insists on a specific figure.
Q 14. Why is there a gap in your career or education?
If you have a gap in your career, explain the genuine reason briefly and professionally. Keep your explanation concise and focused on the reasons for the gap in your job history.
Q 15. What questions do you have for me?
Ask insightful questions about the organization to determine if it is a good fit for you. Show that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the company's operations and future plans.
Before heading to the interview, conduct thorough research on the company to demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the organization. Prepare intelligent questions based on your findings to show your enthusiasm and suitability for the role.