Pasted below are some of the tough interview questions that you may be asked in a job interview. There aren’t any right or wrong answers, but carefully consider the job you are applying for, your abilities, and the company culture before you respond.
Question 1: Tell me something about yourself?
ANSWER: Start with your present and tell why you are best fitment for the position. The key to successful interview is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking out for.
You should say: “I have a number of note worthy credits I’d like to tell you about, but I want to make the best use of this time & address your needs. Therefore, could you please throw some light on this position.
Once answered, the follow up question can be “Is there anything else you see as Critical Success factor” in this position? Once you are clear on what employer is looking out for, tell him why the role/responsibilities are in sync with what you have been handling successfully in your previous organizations. It would be good to back your statement with specific examples, along with your achievement so that you present yourself as a best in, all of which are geared to present yourself as a best fitment for the role.
Question 2: What are your greatest strengths?
ANSWER: Before any interview, one should do his/her SWOT analysis & should be prepared of greatest strengths. Best would be to have appropriate examples highlighting each strength.
Continuing from question 1, once you are clear on interviewers need, you can then select these achievements from your list that matches up nearly to role requirement.
Few of the traits that all employers would like to see in their employees are:
1. A proven track record as an achiever;
2. Honesty & Integrity;
3. Good fit with corporate culture, someone to feel comfortable with…a team player who jells well with interviewing panel;
4. Positive Attitude, good sense of humor;
5. Good communication skills;
6. Willingness to walk an extra mile to achieve excellence
Question 3: What are your weaknesses?
ANSWER: Disguise strength as a weakness.
Instead of telling a weakness, describe what you ‘LIKE MOST’ and ‘LIKE LEAST’ ensuring that what you like most matches up with the CSF for the position and what you like least is not material enough.
Question 4: Push or pull factors for exploring outside your organization?
ANSWER: Please make sure that you have done your homework well before applying your candidature. Prepare a brief on reason for leaving. Best answers can be: more money, good opportunity (scope perspective), responsibility or growth.
Question 5: Why should I hire you?
ANSWER: This is the question in the interviewers mind before the actual interview. Since you are aware by now what the perspective employer is looking out for. Therefore your reasons for hiring should be tied directly to his immediate needs.
You need to quote examples wherein employer’s needs should be matched to your qualifications which would give you an edge over others.
