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Preparing
to tackle the question answer drill
So
you know your subject and are technically qualified for the job
– all you have to do now is get through the interview. To face
the interview with confidence, you must know what the interviewer
is looking for. The basic points most interviewers look for are
intelligence, motivation, personality, knowledge and experience.
- The
interviewer will seek to examine your analytical skills, self-confidence,
poise, stability, persistence, maturity, quantitative skills,
job interests and relevant experience, social perceptiveness,
goals and objectives, energy, ability to communicate, organisational
skills, and ambition.
- You
will also be evaluated on how you answer, how well you
organise your thoughts, how relevant your answers are, the intellectual
skills you have developed and the natural abilities you may
possess to handle the job.
- While
your knowledge of the subject may be unmatched, remember that
the interviewer is examining your temperament, your ability
to work with other people, and the factors that motivate you.
So you may find yourself faced with questions that seem quite
unconnected to the job!
If
this is your first job/ first interview, here are some of the
main areas most interviewers will cover:
- What
were the subjects you enjoyed most/ did well in?
- What
made them easy or difficult?
- Extra-curricular
activities?
- Early
interests and ambitions?
- Leadership
positions held?
Now
for the veterans, here’s a list of the most frequently asked
questions:
Previous
work experience
- What
is the reason for leaving your previous job?
- Can
you mention some of your achievements in your previous job(s)?
- What
skills did you bring to your previous job(s), and how have you
improved them.
- What
has been the progress you have made in your previous job? Were
you satisfied with it?
- If
you are leaving your present job because of `limited opportunity
for advancement’, did you talk with your boss about possibilities
for growth within the firm?
- What
were the drawbacks of your previous job(s)?
- Suppose
you are given a chance to relive your previous job, how differently
will you tackle it?
- Tell
us about your reporting relationship? Who were your subordinates
and how many of them reported to your boss?
Goals
and ambitions
- Where
do you see yourself five years from now?
- What
are your long-term career goals?
- How
have you prepared yourself to meet these goals?
- Do
you have any role models? If yes, what did you learn from them?
- In
terms of salary, what are your expectations from this job?
On
the job you are seeking
- Why
do you want to work in our organisation?
- What
do you see in this assignment that was not available to you
in your previous assignment?
- What
is your opinion about late hours?
- How
would you evaluate this organisation as a place to grow in?
- What
do you feel about relocation/ travel?
Self-assessment
- Do
you have any hobbies, other interests?
- What
are your strengths and weaknesses? List two in each category?
- What
are the types of problems you had while working with colleagues
and how did you overcome it ?
- How
did you manage the working style of your boss in your previous
job(s)?
- Can
you tell us about successful activities initiated by you at
your job?
- What
frustrates you the most? How do you deal with these things?
- Give
me situations where you are comfortable working under stress
?
- How
do you plan to balance your professional and work life?
- How
confident are you about reaching the career goals, which you
have set for yourself?
- Do
you prefer working with others or alone
- List
out some factors that help you perform better at the job?
- How
do you prioritise your work activities?
- Did
you receive feedback from your superiors? If yes, would you
like to share it with us ?
Some
general questions
- Tell
me about yourself?
- Tell
me about your family
- Do
you want to ask me any questions?
Most
of these questions can be anticipated and so preparing the right
answers is a task by itself. On the final day ensure that your
answers are spontaneous and do not sound prepared.
So
why don’t you conduct a mock interview and rate yourself. First,
set aside an hour of your time. Read out each question and answer
them one by one. Rate your performance. Set stringent standards
for yourself.
At
the end of the drill, identify and improve upon your weak areas.
Good
Luck!!!
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