Having been involved in hiring processes in different organisations, listed below are sample interview questions that are bobby traps for most candidates. Answers are included. But perhaps suggestions for tailoring your responses is a better way to put it, since specific answers are impossible to provide to these technical questions.
Practice answering these sample interview questions out loud to yourself or ask a friend or relative to help you. Don't feel that you have to answer right away, Interviewers know that you are nervous and expect you to think a bit, so do think carefully before you answer. But don't hesitate too long or it'll appear that you're stalling. Interviewers will ask open-ended questions to see where you'll go with them, so try not to ramble while you are thinking of a real answer.
Q. Tell me (us) about yourself
A. This is the dreaded, classic, open-ended interview question and likely to be among the first. Its your chance to introduce your qualifications, good work habits, etc. Keep it mostly work and career related. This is not about rehearsing your CV.
Q. What qualifies you for this job?
A. Tout your skills, experience, education and other qualifications, especially those that match the job description well. Avoid just regurgitating your resume. Explain why.
Q. Why did you choose your career path or Discipline and the relevance of your
discipline to this job you applied for?
A. The interviewer is likely fishing to see if you are interested in your field of work or just doing a job to get paid. Explain why you like it. Besides, your personal interests, including some rock-solid business reasons might show you have vision and business sense.
Q. Why do you want to leave your current job? (Why did you leave your last job?)
A. Be careful with this. Avoid trashing other empolyers and making statements like "I need more money." Instead, make generic statements such as "its a career move."
Q. What are your strengths?
A. Oiunt out your attributes related to the job.
Q. What are your weaknesses?
A. Everybody has weaknesses, but don't spend too much time on this one and keep it work related. Along with a minor weakness or two, try to point out a couple of weaknesses that the interviewer might see as strengths, such as sometimes being a little too meticulous about the quality of your work. (Avoid saying "I work too hard", it's a predictable common answer). For every weakness offers a strength that compensates for it.
Q. Which adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
A. Answer with positive work-orineted adjectives such as conscientious, hard-working, honest and courteous plus a brief description or example of why each fits you well.
Q. What do you know about our company?
A. To answer this one, research the company before your interview. Always do a research on the company that has called you for an interview (if you are aware).
Q. Why do you want to work for us?
A. Same as above. Research the company before your interview. Avoid the predictable such as "Because its a great company" Say why you think it's a great company.
Q. Why should we hire you?
A. Point out your positive attributes related to the job and the good job you have done in the past. Include any compliments you have received from past management.
Q. What past accomplishments gave you satisfaction?
A. Briefly describe one to three work projects that made you proud or earned you pats on the back, promotions, raises, etc. Focus more on achievements than reward.
Q. What makes you want to work hard?
A. Naturally, material rewards such as perks, salary and benefits come into play. But again, focus more on achievement and the satisfaction you derive from it.
Q. What type of work environment do you like best?
A. Tailor your answer to the job. For example, if in doing your job you're required to lock the lab doors and work alone, then indicate that you enjoy being a team player when needed, but also enjoy working independently. If you are required to attend regular project planning and status meetings, then indicate that you're a strong team player and like being part of a team.
Q. Why do you want this job?
A. To help you answer this and related questions, study the job ad in advance. But a job alone may not be enough, so its okay to ask questions about the job while you are answering. Say what attracts you to the job. Avoid the obvious and meaningless such as "I need a job."
Q. How do you handle pressure and stress?
A. This is sort of a double whammy, because you're likely already stressed from the interview and the interviewer can see if you are handling it well or not. Everybody feels stress, but the degree varies. Exercising, relaxing with a good book, socialising with friends or turning stress into productive energy are more along the lines of the correct answers. Also remember that this is different from...
Q. How do you cope with pressure at work?
A. In an attempt to impress, refrain from bizarre answers like "ah I was even born under pressure." "Pressure is my middle name." I was called Mr. Pressure in my last employment." Instead, hammer on your strengths in the areas of being able to handle several tasks effortlessly, handling an irate customer, working under strict deadlines. You may possibly narrate an experience where you actually had to draw on this particular strength or attribute.
Q. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle
A. The interviewer is likely looking for a particular example of your problem-solving skills and the pride you show for solving it.
Q. Where do you see yourself five (ten or fifteen) years from now?
A. Explain your career advancement goals that are in line with the job for which you are being interviewed. Your interviewer is likely more interested in how he, she or the company will benefit from you achieving your goals than what you'll get from it, but it goes hand in hand to a large degree. It's not a good idea to tell your potential new boss that you'll be going after his or her job, but it's okay to mention that you'd like to earn a senior or management position.
Q. How much/what level are you expecting?
A. Be very careful about sounding outrageous. Make your request along industry lines relative to the position/level you desire. Responses like "I will take whatever you offer me" depicts you as colourless and a desperate interviewee.
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