Personal interview questions :-

Que-What are your +ve and -ve qualities?

My +ve qualities
I believe and worship these 3 works
Home work
Team work
Hard work

My -ve qualities

I don't know

If i know, i would have corrected them already.

Why should we hire you?

Because I sincerely believe that I'm the best person for the job. I realize that there
are many other college students who have the ability to do this job. I also have that
ability. But I also bring an additional quality that makes me the very best person
for the job--my attitude for excellence. Not just giving lip service to excellence, but
putting every part of myself into achieving it. In _____ and _____ I have
consistently reached for becoming the very best I can become by doing the
following . . .

I have a strong belief that my skill set will help this organization in an efficient and
effective manner. My positive learning attitude for excellence and my adaptability
will help us in achieving organizational and my personal goal as well.

Suppose you are short listed for what reason you will leave the company in future?

We should always say no to this type of question.

I will say that "No. i wont leave this job for personal [Link] i will find out the
ways of how to excel in this company by sharpening my skills"

Is this answer somewhat correct . kindly reply.

My answer would be like this ,

Sir i don't believe in shifting company to company for personal or financial sake,
because in every company we will be put to learn their own product which will not
help us in growth of knowledge and experience. As we all know experience makes a
man perfect, we can improve ourself and put forth new ideas in the same company
through our thorough knowledge of the same company product.
Why do you want to join our company?
IT IS A TOUGH QUESTION, WE CAN SAY THAT "I CAN UTILIZE BEST OF MY
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE FOR GROWTH OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE
ORGANIZATION.

Where do you want to be, in 3-5 years time

Although it's certainly difficult to predict things far into the future, I know what
direction I want to develop toward. Within five years, I would like to become the
very best _____ your company has. In fact, my personal career mission statement
is to become a world-class _____ in the _____ industry. I will work toward
becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I will be fully
prepared to take on any greater responsibilities that might be presented in the long
term.

Well, am here to put my best efforts and learn things, i aim at job satisfaction and
growth, so am very certain that if i concentrate on my goals i would surely go a
long way

If you have to start working at this project tomorrow, what would you do tonight
If i have to start working on this project tomorrow ,tonight i'll think about the ideas
to give the project a best start and have a good night sleep after that because to start
fresh i have to be give it a fresh start.
Question :
1. Why should I hire you? 2. Why were you fired from your last job? 3. What is the
reason for changing jobs frequently? 4. Can you meet the company attendant
requirements? [Link] referred you to this company? 6. What are your greatest
strengths? 7. What is your greatest weakness? 8. What is an example of a time you
failed? 9. What salary would you take? 10. Do you have any questions for?

Can you come up with a 60 day goal plan

Can you come up with an year plan

Have you ever slipped any schedule
Once if I schedule to complete any task I can't leave in middle. If situation like that
happenes, by clearing the problem, I shall complete schedule.

If there is a fixed deadline given by manager, walk through the steps you would take.
If there is a deadline given by manager.I will first try to make the planning by
breaking the whole job in small [Link] breaking those goals in to daily
[Link] breaking the daily target in to hourly [Link] I will proceed
to do the job

What is the greatest mistake you have done in your life and how did you solve it?
How was ur progress measured? How were u rated
Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to review their work history in
detail. Be prepared to tell the interviewer the names of the companies you worked for, your
job title, your starting and ending dates of employment, how much you earned and what your
job entailed.

You'd be surprised how many job applicants fumble when asked about prior employment.
Don't be one of them! Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your resume,
so, you can speak about your prior work history in detail and accurately.

If you don't have a resume, make sure what you tell the interviewer matches what you filled
out on your job application. The best way to prepare is to download a sample job application
ahead of time. Complete the sample application and bring it with you when you are applying
for employment. This way you will be able to copy the information rather than having to
remember dates and other employment information.

strengths and weakness

My strength is i'm very hard working person, loyal and

confident. My weekness is that some times i'm very impulse
i dont plan things, i just do things as it flows. But i'm

trying my best to improve my weekness.

my strenth is never say die attitute ..... and my weekness

is that sometimes i am a bit mataculas toward quality of my

work which sometimes puts me less on quantity.

my strength is my confidence and determination towards my

work . and my weakness is that i am a bit impatience , when
i don't get results i become restless but i am trying my

level best to make myself a more calmer person.

my biggest strength that i can adjust myself in any sort of

cirumstences and my confidence is my asset. my weakness is

that i cannot say no to any person.

Q1 Where do you see yourself in five years?

Q2 What are your short and long term goals?

Q3 why do you want to leave your current job?

Q4 Why should we not hire you?
Q5 What day do you go back to school, Henry?&q...
Q6 Know Your Strengths, Minimize Weaknesses

Q.1 Where do you see yourself in five years?

Ans. I started out in my profession as a junior clerk while I completed my college

studies during the evenings. Once I had my degree, I applied for a transfer to a
more advanced position, citing my on-the-job training. This has been my
pattern for my career with my past 2 employers. I learn quickly on the job and
am willing to take classes and workshops to augment my experience.
Q.2 What are your short and long term goals?

Ans. The best advice is to be certain to relate your answers to the organization that
interviews you. Do not make a point of having goals that cannot be realized
there ("I want to work in Paris." Organization is strictly domestic.) If you do your
research into the organization, and into what you truly want to do in the future,
you will be able to come up with reasonable responses. No one is going to
come back to you in five years and chastise you for not meeting these goals!
You will not be held to them...it is only an interview and they are interested in
how you see yourself (and they want to see you in the job.)

Q.3 why do you want to leave your current job?

Ans. I guess the answer to this question can be situational:

[Link] you are relocating to a new place:My family is shifting to this place and I've
been away from my family for a long time and I want to be associated with them
since they need me at this time.

[Link] a new Job with in the same city and has the same domain to work and you
hold good experience with your current employer:

A lil lengthy,please spruce it by u'r [Link] idea would be....

Say that you got the opprotunity to work on this domain as a member of the
pilot bathc with u'r current employer and you have been a potential resource
and have explored a lot on this/gained good experience and exposure and have
built u'r subject matter expertise and you wanna learn some thing new/confront
 new challanges and implement/utilize the knowledge u've built so far in some
thing knew adding value to it where you can see your visability of your
[Link] new job has come as a great opportunity in your way and you
would not just contribute to this role/co. but also learn a lot from the excellent
team you would be associated with.

[Link] a better opportunity where you have a platform to perform well/add value
and learn more and grow with the co.

In the interview don't degrade your current employer for giving a reason for
quitting your [Link] to project that you have been with winners and this
would elevate your [Link] good about your co... this shows u'r
professionalism/healthy relation ship with u'r co./potential and respected
resource.

Friends I'm new to this site and this is my 1st association with an HR
[Link] let me know your opinion on the above points shared with you.I'm
sure this forum would make me use my grey cells and improve my analytical
skills
Q.4 Why should we not hire you?
Ans. if you find any candidate batter than me.
Q.5 What day do you go back to school, Henry?&q...
Ans. Henry replied, "Nine days ago,means the present day minus 9 days.
the day before yesterday ,means 2 more day should be minused.
so all together 11 days to be subtracted from the present day.
That day happen to be "three weeks before the second day of term"

so add 3 weeks that is 21 [Link] we get 10 days from the present day they
spoke.

They spoke on [Link] 10 day form Sunday will fall on Tuesday.

Q.6 Know Your Strengths, Minimize Weaknesses

Ans. My confidence ,hard working ability.I am very much addeptive
DOs and DON’Ts - Personal Interview
Before Interview:
1) Know everything about the company, where you are going for an interview.
Interviewer is likely to ask questions like ‘why do you want to work with this company’.
So research about the company before the interview. Your research will help you to
answer such questions.

2) Carry your certificates and other important papers neatly in a nice briefcase or
portfolio. This way you look organized and highlight your professionalism too.

3) One of the points to consider is your dressing. Dress appropriately. Formals is the
best choice for interview. However avoid bright colors. Mind your hairstyle too. Ensure
that your haircut does not give you a causal look.

4) Wear minimum and subtle jewellery. It should not be too flashy. If you use perfume,
make sure the fragrance is mild and not too strong.

5) Be punctual. Go for an interview 15-20 minutes early than given time. If you can not
reach early, definitely don’t be late.

6) Its better to turn off your mobile phone and pager. If not, at least keep them on silent
mode.

During Interview:
1) As soon as see the interviewer shake hands and say something like “please to meet
you”. Stick to professional and formal language. Don’t use slang and casual language.
Be polite too.

2) Wait to be told to sit. Or ask and then sit if given permission. It shows good manners.

3) Sit properly. If you are confused about where to keep your hand, keep them folded on
your lap. But surely do not cross your arms over chest, it indicates closed mind.

4) Do not show your nervousness to interviewer by fidgeting or any such acts.

5) Maintain eye-contact with interviewer but don’t stare too.

6) Don’t bring salary’s topic until interviewer comes to it. However be ready for
negotiations on salary, perks and other benefits.

After Interview:
1) Be prepared for the two-three interview sessions at the same company. If they call you
back, it means they are interested to hire you but narrowing down the competition.

2) If you don’t hear anything from them in the time frame they have given. It’s fine to
call them once or send a enquiry email. But still they don’t, do not bother them again.
They would definitely get back if they are interested.
Be calm:
Question might be any, convince them calmly and confidently. Do not get panic. It is
important to maintain your cool. This will help you to think better and be alert, so that
you can answer quickly and thoughtfully. Also your capacity to handle pressure is judged
at the interview. Hence, on all sides it is better to be calm at the interview.

The Interview:

Interview is an opportunity for both the employer and the applicant to gather information.
The employer wants to know if you, the applicant, have the skills, knowledge, self-
confidence, and motivation necessary for the job. At this point you can be confident that
the employer saw something of interest in your resume. He or she also wants to
determine whether or not you will fit in with the organization’s current employees and
philosophy. Similarly, you will want to evaluate the position and the organization, and
determine if they will fit into your career plans. The interview is a two-way exchange of
information. It is an opportunity for both parties to market themselves. The employer is
selling the organization to you, and you are marketing your skills, knowledge, and
personality to the employer.

Interview Preparation:

Research is a critical part of preparing for an interview. If you haven’t done your
homework, it is going to be obvious. Spend time researching and thinking about yourself,
the occupation, the organization, and questions you might ask at the end of the interview.

Step 1: Know Yourself-

The first step in preparing for an interview is to do a thorough self-assessment so that you
will know what you have to offer an employer. It is very important to develop a complete
inventory of skills, experience, and personal attributes that you can use to market yourself
to employers at any time during the interview process. In developing this inventory, it is
easiest to start with experience. Once you have a detailed list of activities that you have
done (past jobs, extra-curricular involvements, volunteer work, school projects, etc.), it is
fairly easy to identify your skills.

Simply go through the list, and for each item ask yourself “What could I have learned by
doing this?” “What skills did I develop?” “What issues/circumstances have I learned to
deal with?” Keep in mind that skills fall into two categories - technical and generic.
Technical skills are the skills required to do a specific job. For a laboratory assistant,
technical skills might include knowledge of sterilization procedures, slide preparation,
and scientific report writing. For an outreach worker, technical skills might include
counselling skills, case management skills, or program design and evaluation skills
Generic skills are those which are transferable to many work settings. Following is a list
of the ten most marketable skills. You will notice that they are all generic.

* Analytical/Problem Solving
* Flexibility/Versatility
* Interpersonal
* Oral/Written Communication
* Organization/Planning
* Time Management
* Motivation
* Leadership
* Self-Starter/Initiative
* Team Player

Often when people think of skills, they tend to think of those they have developed in the
workplace. However, skills are developed in a variety of settings. If you have ever
researched and written a paper for a course, you probably have written communication
skills. Team sports or group projects are a good way to develop the skills required of a
team player and leader. Don’t overlook any abilities you may have

When doing the research on yourself, identifying your experience and skills is
important, but it is not all that you need to know. Consider the answers to other
questions such as:

* How have I demonstrated the skills required in this position?

* What are my strong points and weak points?
* What are my short term and long term goals?
* What can I offer this particular employer?
* What kind of environment do I like? (i.e. How do I like to be supervised? Do I like a
fast pace?)
* What do I like doing?
* Apart from my skills and experience, what can I bring to this job?

Step 2: Know the Occupation-

The second step in preparing for an interview is to research the occupation. This is
necessary because in order to present a convincing argument that you have the experience
and skills required for that occupation, you must first know what those requirements and
duties are. With this information uncovered, you can then match the skills you have
(using the complete skills/experience inventory you have just prepared) with the skills
you know people in that occupational field need. The resulting “shortlist” will be the one
that you need to emphasize during the interview.

It is also in your best interest to identify the approximate starting salary for that position,
or those similar. There are several ways to find out about an occupation:
* Acquire a copy of the job description from the employer (Human
* Resources/Personnel) or check with Student Employment Services. If you are
responding to an advertisement, this may also supply some details.

Step 3: Know the Organization-

The more you know about an organization, the better prepared you will be to discuss how
you can meet its needs. Some of the characteristics that you should know about an
organization are:

* Where is it located?
* How big is it?
* What are its products and who does it serve?
* How is the organization structured?
* What is its history?
* Have there been any recent changes, new developments?

There are a number of ways in which you can access this information. Most medium- to
large-sized organizations publish information about themselves. You can access this a
number of ways:

* On campus at the Student Employment Services (company literature and business

directories) or at the Drake Centre Library
* The Winnipeg Centennial Library has a business microfiche with information on over
5000 Canadian companies and business directories
* Many companies have internet home pages which you can locate by searching by
industry and company name
* Finally, you can visit or phone the organization and request some information on their
products, services or areas of research

If the organization is fairly small, or fairly new, there may not be much information
published. In this case, it will be necessary to do an information interview. Contact
someone within the organization, introduce yourself, explain that you are considering
moving into the field, and ask if it would be possible to meet with him/her to inquire
about the company/organization and about what exactly the position would involve.

Step 4: Prepare Questions-

Having completed your background research, you are now ready to prepare questions to
ask the interviewer(s). Try to think of questions for which the answer was not readily
available in company literature. Intelligent well thought-out questions will demonstrate
your genuine interest in the position. Be careful how many questions you ask, however,
as too many can imply you feel the interview was not successfully run. Pick your
questions with care - this is your chance to gather information, so ask about what you
really want to know. Avoid sounding critical by mentioning negative information you
may have discovered. This is one of the most effective ways to compare different
employers, so for issues of particular importance to you (for example, whether they
support staff upgrading), you should ask the same questions of each employer. Some
sample questions are:

* What are the most significant factors affecting your business today? How have changes
in technology most affected your business today?
* How has your business/industry been affected by the recession?
* How has your company grown or changed in the last couple of years?
* What future direction do you see the company taking?
* Where is the greatest demand for your services or product?
* Where is most of the pressure from increased business felt in this company?
* Which department feels it the most?
* How do you differ from your competitors?
* How much responsibility will I be given in this position?
* What do you like about working with this organization?
* Can you tell me more about the training program?
* Have any new product lines been introduced recently?
* How much travel is normally expected?
* What criteria will be used to evaluate my performance?
* Will I work independently or as part of a team?
* How did you advance to your position?
* What are the career paths available in this organization?
* When can I expect to hear from you regarding this position?

It is very important to ask the last question because employers want to hire individuals
who are interested in the position - and asking this question definitely helps to
demonstrate interest on your part. Exercise judgement when asking questions to an
employer. When being interviewed by a large company that has a high profile, one would
not ask the question

“What is the history of your company and how was your company started?” You can find
the answer to this question in the company’s annual report or articles in
magazines/newspapers. However, small- and medium-sized companies do not always
produce publicly available annual reports and it may be difficult to access information on
the company and its role in the industry. This question is appropriate if you have
exercised all other ways to find out the answer.

First impressions can make or break an interview. Your clothes, hairstyle, gestures, and
anything else an interviewer sees before you open your mouth make your first
impression. Some estimates are that the first 30 seconds determine success or failure.

Recruiters do not expect you to have a large career wardrobe. Buy a suit that looks good,
fits well, is made well, and that will not bore you if you wear it every day for a week
during recruiting season. However, there is more to “suiting up” for an interview than just
wearing a suit.

Your Hair: A hairstyle that looks great with “college casual” may not work with a suit.
Trim those ragged edges! Tame those tresses! Get that hair out of your eyes and off your
collar! Women: if you need a big barrette for a pulled-back style, chose a simple one.
Men: melt down those spikes!

Your Shoes: Shine them!

Men: if you are buying a new pair, wing tips with laces are more professional than slip-
ons or loafers.

Women: If you are not accustomed to walking in heels, scuff the soles with an emery
board so that you do not slip. Then, wear your sneakers to class and change right before
the interview

Your Fragrance: Wearing any type of fragrance to an interview is not recommended.

However, if you insist on being aromatic, do not wallow in it! Too many people are both
allergic to or turned off by one scent or another, and your interviewer is sure to be one of
those people.

Your Accessories: Nothing that jangles, clangs, dazzles, shimmers, or attracts more
attention than you do.

Your Glasses: Eye contact is important during an interview, so make sure your glasses
are clean.

Your Pen: Buy a fresh new pen for the interview. A nice pen will make a better
impression than your chewed up BIC.

Should a man wear an earring?

Perhaps. But if you do, understand that most recruiters will think that an earring does not
fit the company’s image. You will have to be a very dynamic candidate to get past the
“earring thing”. It is probably best to interview without it.

Should a woman wear her engagement ring?

Sure. Questions about a candidate’s marital status are almost certainly illegal. If the
subject comes up, you can get the interview back on course by asking if marital status is
one of the qualifications for the job. However if you do not want your wedding ring to be
an issue at all, leave it at home.

3. Questions you should be prepared for

Tell us about yourself.

What do you know about our company?
Why do you want to join our company?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
How have you improved the nature of your job in the past years of your working? Why
should we hire you?
What contributions to profits have you made in your present or former company?
Why are you looking for a change?

Answers to some difficult questions :

Tell me about yourself ?

Start from your education and give a brief coverage of previous experiences. Emphasise
more on your recent experience explaining your job profile.

What do you think of your boss?

Put across a positive image, but don’t exaggerate.

Why should we hire you? Or why are you interested in this job?
Sum up your work experiences with your abilities and emphasise your strongest qualities
and achievements. Let your interviewer know that you will prove to be an asset to the
company.

How much money do you want?

Indicate your present salary and emphasise that the opportunity is the most important
consideration.

Do you prefer to work in a group?

Be honest and give examples how you’ve worked by yourself and also with others. Prove
your flexibility.

4. Questions to Ask

At the end of the interview, most interviewers generally ask if you have any questions.
Therefore, you should be prepared beforehand with 2-3 technical and 2-3 non-technical
questions and commit them to your memory before the interview.

Do not ask queries related to your salary, vacation, bonuses, or other benefits. This
information should be discussed at the time of getting your joining letter. Here we are
giving few sample questions that you can ask at the time of your interview.

Sample Questions

Could you tell me the growth plans and goals for the company?
What skills are important to be successful in this position?
What’s the criteria your company uses for performance appraisal?
With whom will I be interacting most frequently and what are their responsibilities and
the nature of our interaction?
What is the time frame for making a decision at this position?
What made the previous persons in this position successful/unsuccessful?

5. Do your homework

Before going for an interview, find out as much information on the company as possible.
The best sources are the public library, the Internet (you can check out the company’s
site), and can even call the company and get the required information. The information
gives you a one-up in the interview besides proving your content company or position.

Clearing the interview isn’t necessarily a solitary attempt. Seek assistance from
individuals who are in the profession and whose counsel you value most. Be confident
in your approach and attitude; let the panel feel it through your demeanour, body
language and dressing.

Getting prepared for your interview is the best way to dig deep and know yourself. You
will be surprised that it would breed a new familiarity become more familiar with your
own qualifications that will be make you present yourself better. All the best and get
ready to give a treat.

The Top 10 Tips for a Successful Job Interview

Category: Careers (AB8)

Originally Submitted on 9/12/96.

Job interviews in many organizations are getting sophisticated these days. Psychological
tests, role plays, and challenges to one's "quick intelligence" and street smarts are often
part of the package. While it's impossible to anticipate everything you may encounter,
here are ten tips that will help you negotiate the interview process successfully.

1. Prepare and over-prepare.

It is assumed that you don't go in with egg on your tie, spinach in your teeth, or without a
thorough knowledge of the organization and position for which you are interviewing.
Beyond that, there's an important principle that will enable you to be much more
confident. It's called, "over-preparing." It goes like this: Plan your strategy--your answers
to all the possible questions you may be asked or the challenges that may be thrown at
you--and then practice, practice, practice. Role play and repeat your best responses until
they are entirely natural, until they simply roll off your tongue with the apparent
spontaneity that comes only with successive repetition.
2. Be particularly clear on what you know and what you want to achieve.

If your interview is resume-based (you've had to supply a resume either before or

concurrently), have the facts of your stated objective, relevant experience, education, etc.
thoroughly memorized and mentally supported. As to your job objective, be clear on
what you want, as well as what you don't want. There's little room in the job market for
the applicant who's willing to take anything; he or she will usually get nothing!

3. Make sure your responses match your claims.

If, for example, you've taken extra coursework to qualify for a particular position, license,
or certification, tie it into your narrative, e.g., "When I took my coursework for my CPA,
I learned that ..." Build on your resume, but don't refer directly to it (assuming the
interviewer has it in his or her possession); make sure the connections are there, but do it
subtly.

4. Be clear about your strengths.

You're almost certain to be hit with questions pertaining to your strengths and
weaknesses. Know your strengths and emphasize those that relate specifically to the
position for which you're being considered. If, for example, you're applying for a sales
position, you might describe one of your strengths (if it's true) as follows: "I've made a
study of personality types and I've learned to quickly type people in terms of the kinds of
approaches that might best attract them." Be prepared, in this case, to back up your claim
if the interviewer suddenly asks: "What type would you say I am?"

5. Describe your weaknesses as strengths.

This is tricky, so let's think about why the question is asked. The interviewer probably
wants to learn several things about you with this question, such as: whether or not you are
arrogant ("I really don't think I have any weaknesses"), whether you know yourself
("Well, I've never really thought about that"), and finally, what you are doing to eliminate
your weaknesses. Here are two ways to answer this question so that you leave a positive
impression in the mind of the interviewer: (a) Show that, in overcoming a weakness,
you've learned. If, for example, there's a period in your chronology that just doesn't fit
(say that you took a job selling cars between jobs as an accountant ... it happens!), you
might tell the interviewer: "One weakness, which it took me some time to overcome,
wasthat I really wasn't sure that I wanted to be an accountant. For example, in 1988-90, I
worked as a car salesman. I did so because I couldn't decide if I wanted to make
accounting my career. That experience taught me that I really didn't want to sell products,
and that I was much more challenged by the opportunity to solve client problems. (b)
Pick a weakness that is really a strength. If, for example, you're interviewing for a job in
an organization you know is hard-charging and unforgiving of average performance, you
might say, "One of my weaknesses is that I tend to be impatient with people who aren't
willing to pull their full weight and give 110%." In this case, your "weakness" may help
you get the job.
6. If you've been fired, be forthright about it.

So many people have been laid off through no fault of their own in the past ten years that
it's no longer a stigma to have been fired--unless it was for justifiable cause (e.g.,- you
socked your boss). Answer directly, but without a "charge" in your voice. Expressing
your bitterness over being let go tells the interviewer (rightly or wrongly) that you can't
accept the realities of modern free enterprise -- that downsizing is acceptable and often
necessary.

7. Be clear where you want to go.

A standard question which has all manner of variations is: "Where do you want to be five
years from today?" Only today, the answers are different. Unless you plan to inherit
Dad's company, your answer is apt to be a lot more general than it might have been a
decade ago. Why? Because the economy and nearly every industry are changing so fast
that specificity with respect to the distant future is extremely difficult. So, instead of
responding to the question with, "I plan to be in a position of senior leadership in this
company," you might want to say: "I plan to become qualified in every phase of this
industry." The exact response depends upon the specifics of your job hunting campaign,
but the principle is: be specific while allowing yourself the flexibility which suggests that
you understand the complexities of the business you're applying for.

8. Have clear personal standards.

This is a sleeper because, on the face of it, the question doesn't seem to have much to do
with the immediate interview. Today, however, many organizations are looking for
people who DO have standards regarding their personal and professional lives, who can
articulate them clearly and concisely, and who live by them. In this case, the briefer, the
better. "I delegate my weaknesses." "I don't take on projects unless I can give them 100%
dedication." "I respond in specifics and avoid meaningless generalities." "I am committed
to life-long learning and growth."

9. Interview the interviewer.

The applicant who will take anything offered is unlikely to win any but the most
temporary of positions. A competent interviewer (there are some) will respect your
efforts to assess the organization and the position in terms of whether or not it meets
YOUR requirements. And you owe it to yourself to have defined before hand, what you
ideally want and what you are willing to settle for, under certain conditions. For example,
you might really want a salary of $75,000 to begin with, but you'd be willing to take less
if the opportunities for growth are clearly in the picture.

10. Don't allow yourself to be badgered by the salary issue.

Even today,it's still not uncommon to hear the old refrain: "Our policy is not to pay a new
employee more than X% higher than he/she is currently making." Sorry, that doesn't fly.
The real issue, and the only one at stake here, is whether or not your prospective
employer is willing to pay WHAT YOU ARE WORTH. And, your worth is a function of
the job itself and your capability and willingness to perform it. In most organizations,
there are clear parameters for a given job, a range of salary that is adjustable depending
upon the market and the applicant's experience. In most cases, unless you are very good,
you will have to work within those limits. But, within the limits, what you are worth is a
matter of mutual agreement based on your own knowledge of your worth and your ability
to convince those interviewing you. So, to sum it up: Know the range of compensation
for the job you're seeking, make your own realistic determination of what you're worth,
and then be prepared to stand your ground.
It is always difficult for a job seeker, to face the interviewer, especially for
freshers who are just out of college, seeking a job. It is wise to prepare some
hr interview questions before attending the interview. Some of the difficult hr
questions to face are as follows.

Tell me about yourself?

Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position.
Remember that the key to all successful interviewing is to match your
qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must
sell what the buyer is buying. This is the single most important strategy in
job hunting.

So, before you answer this or any question it's imperative that you try to
uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem or goal.

To do so, make you take these two steps: Do all the homework you can
before the hr interview to uncover this person's wants and needs (not the
generalized needs of the industry or company)

As early as you can in the interview, ask for a more complete description of
what the position entails. You might say: "I have a number of
accomplishments I'd like to tell you about, but I want to make the best use
of our time together and talk directly to your needs. To help me do, that,
could you tell me more about the most important priorities of this position?
All I know is what I (heard from the recruiter, read in the classified ad, etc.)"

Then, ALWAYS follow-up with a second and possibly, third question, to draw
out his needs even more. Surprisingly, it's usually this second or third
question that unearths what the interviewer is most looking for.

You might ask simply, "And in addition to that?..." or, "Is there anything else
you see as essential to success in this position?:

This process will not feel easy or natural at first, because it is easier simply
to answer questions, but only if you uncover the employer's wants and needs
will your answers make the most sense. Practice asking these key questions
before giving your answers, the process will feel more natural and you will be
light years ahead of the other job candidates you're competing with.

After uncovering what the employer is looking for, describe why the needs of
this job bear striking parallels to tasks you've succeeded at before. Be sure
to illustrate with specific examples of your responsibilities and especially your
achievements, all of which are geared to present yourself as a perfect match
for the needs he has just described.

What are your greatest strengths?

You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's
greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question
1, you know how to do this.

Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your
greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which
illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most recent and
most impressive achievements.

You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding
examples from your achievements so well committed to memory that you
can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30AM. Then, once you
uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those
achievements from your list that best match up.

As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to
see in their employees are:

proven track record as an achiever...especially if your achievements match

up with the employer's greatest wants and needs.

Intelligence...management "savvy".

Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.

Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team

player who meshes well with interviewer's team.

Likability...positive attitude...sense of humor.

Good communication skills.

Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.

Definiteness of purpose...clear goals.

Enthusiasm...high level of motivation.

Confident...healthy...a leader.

What are your greatest weaknesses?

Disguise a strength as a weakness.

Example: "I sometimes push my people too hard. I like to work with a sense
of urgency and everyone is not always on the same wavelength."

Drawback: This strategy is better than admitting a flaw, but it's so widely
used, it is transparent to any experienced interviewer.

BEST ANSWER: (and another reason it's so important to get a thorough

description of your interviewer's needs before you answer questions): Assure
the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of
your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you
strongest qualifications.

Example: "Nobody's perfect, but based on what you've told me about this
position, I believe I' d make an outstanding match. I know that when I hire
people, I look for two things most of all. Do they have the qualifications to do
the job well, and the motivation to do it well? Everything in my background
shows I have both the qualifications and a strong desire to achieve
excellence in whatever I take on. So I can say in all honesty that I see
nothing that would cause you even a small concern about my ability or my
strong desire to perform this job with excellence."

Alternate strategy (if you don't yet know enough about the position to talk
about such a perfect fit):

Instead of confessing a weakness, describe what you like most and like least,
making sure that what you like most matches up with the most important
qualification for success in the position, and what you like least is not
essential.

Example: Let's say you're applying for a teaching position. "If given a choice,
I like to spend as much time as possible in front of my prospects selling, as
opposed to shuffling paperwork back at the office. Of course, I long ago
learned the importance of filing paperwork properly, and I do it
conscientiously. But what I really love to do is sell (if your interviewer were a
sales manager, this should be music to his ears.)

Tell me about something you did - or failed to do - that you now feel a little
ashamed of?
As with faults and weaknesses, never confess a regret. But don't seem as if
you're stonewalling either.

Best strategy: Say you harbor no regrets, then add a principle or habit you
practice regularly for healthy human relations.

Example: Pause for reflection, as if the question never occurred to you. Then
say to hr, "You know, I really can't think of anything." (Pause again, then
add): "I would add that as a general management principle, I've found that
the best way to avoid regrets is to avoid causing them in the first place. I
practice one habit that helps me a great deal in this regard. At the end of
each day, I mentally review the day's events and conversations to take a
second look at the people and developments I'm involved with and do a
double check of what they're likely to be feeling. Sometimes I'll see things
that do need more follow-up, whether a pat on the back, or maybe a five
minute chat in someone's office to make sure we're clear on
things...whatever."

"I also like to make each person feel like a member of an elite team, like the
Boston Celtics or LA Lakers in their prime. I've found that if you let each
team member know you expect excellence in their performance...if you work
hard to set an example yourself...and if you let people know you appreciate
and respect their feelings, you wind up with a highly motivated group, a
team that's having fun at work because they're striving for excellence rather
than brooding over slights or regrets."

HR Interview Questions

Interview is very important because it decides your future and gives you an employment in
the desired field. HR interview questions are particularly important because HR expects you to
ask him some questions about the company, your job responsibilities, day to day functions,
etc.

He might also judge your level of confidence when you are asking him questions.
You can ask questions to HR but do limit the number of questions you would be asking him
because it should not become the other way round. Don’t provoke the HR it can have negative
implications on your profile if you are selected also it will have implication on your
confidentiality report. Ask genuine questions to the interviewer don’t try to fake your
personality. Ask questions which are relevant to the company, job position, responsibilities,
dress code, etc.

There are instances where candidates got rejected because of being over aggressive don’t let
that happen to you. Be polite and wait for the reply from the HR and then shot your next
question. If there is any clarification ask him to elaborate on that particular topic don’t
hesitate. Framing of questions is very important firstly he needs to understand what you are
saying and secondly he will be judging you. Remember you are in the interview till the last
moments don’t ever forget that.

Soft skills are very essential and are mostly required by many companies so develop them.
Generally HR interview questions are asked after the general completion of the interview.
Greet him and thank him for giving the opportunity to speak and clarify your doubts. Don’t
abruptly get started with the questionnaire. Have a pencil or pen and a paper to make some
important notes. Never try to make a fool out of the HR or underestimate his caliber. He is
talented and has been interviewing candidates for quiet a while.

Some of the important questions to be asked to the HR are as follows: -

1) How is the work environment in your company?
2) How often can salary raise be expected?
3) What would be the work timings?
4) Can you please tell me some of my job responsibilities?
5) How should a sub ordinate address the management?
If you would like to know whether you are through the interview or not you can frame your
questions in this manner: -

What do you think are the chances of me getting this job?

Generally HR people will never respond to these questions and their favorite reply is we need
to interview other candidates you can counter this by asking
Think I am the only person or candidate for this job position then would you give me the job?
If the interviewer hesitates in replying to this question then there are a lesser number of
chances for you to pass through the interview. Generally it is good to wait till the final result is
out may be you are through.
6) Can you tell me about the company`s policies, work ethics, and vision?
7) What exactly does the company expect from me?
This question will clarify you about your job responsibilities. It gives you an exact picture. It
also gives you the area you need to concentrate on.
8) What are the various benefits I obtain from this company?
9) Will I be provided with pick up and drop (travel benefits)?
10) How many branches are present for our company and what are the chances of me being
posted near by?
11) Will the company provide scholarships or encourage higher studies?
Generally it is good to know the HR interviewer name and title because you can address him
by those. It is good to have this information prior because it can help you.
12) How many employees will be assigned to my team?
OR
With how many employees I need to work with?
13) What are the chances of promotion and what is the criterion for higher level position?
14) Is there any bond, advance or bond I need to sign?
15) Still are there any more rounds of interview?
16) Can I know about the company policy of equal opportunity and pay?
17) How often would I go on tours?
18) Will the company relocate me?
19) Where branch would I report to and specifically to whom should I report?
20) Which technology would I be working on?
21) Can you give me a brief job description?
There will be many questions on cafeteria, lunch, discounts, offers, gym, facilities, etc. Make a
note that all these questions are not mean to be specifically for a fresher or experience it all
depends upon the situation, experience, achievements, job position etc. Try no to ask all these
questions just pick a few and ask the interviewer.