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50 Interview Questions and their answers for Freshers ( Q1
to 10)
1. Tell me about yourself
The most often asked question in interviews. You need to
have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful
that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related
items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you
have done and jobs you have held that relate to the
position you are interviewing for. Start with the item
farthest back and work up to the present.
2. Why did you leave your last job?
Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer
to a major problem with management and never speak ill of
supervisors, co-workers or the organization. I f you do,
you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk
about leaving for a positive reason such as an
opportunity, a chance to do something special or other
forward-looking reasons.
3. What experience do you have in
this field?
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are
applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get
as close as you can.
4. Do you consider yourself
successful?
You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A
good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have
met some and are on track to achieve the others.
5. What do co-workers say about
you?
Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a
specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark,
a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the
hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as
Jill having said it at the interview herself.
6. What do you know about this
organization?
This question is one reason to do some research on the
organization before the interview. Find out where they
have been and where they are going. What are the current
issues and who are the major players?
7. What have you done to improve
your knowledge in the last year?
Try to include improvement activities that relate to the
job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as
positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to
mention.
8. Are you applying for other jobs?
Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area.
Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this
organization. Anything else is a distraction.
9. Why do you want to work for
this organization?
This may take some thought and certainly, should be based
on the research you have done on the organization.
Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be
used. Relate it to your long-term career goals.
10. Do you know anyone who works
for us?
Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the
organization. This can affect your answer even though they
asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a
friend only if they are well thought of.
11. What kind of salary do you need?
A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will
probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it.
Instead, say something like, that,s a tough question. Can
you tell me the range for this position? In most cases,
the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not,
say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then
give a wide range.
12. Are you a team player?
You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have
examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for
the good of the team rather than for yourself is good
evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag; just say it
in a matter-of-fact tone? This is a key point.
13. How long would you expect to
work for us if hired?
Specifics here are not good. Something like this should
work: I,d like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both
feel I,m doing a good job.
14. Have you ever had to fire
anyone? How did you feel about that?
This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way
seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you
will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes
to the organization versus the individual who has created
a harmful situation, you will protect the organization.
Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in
force.
15. What is your philosophy towards work?
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery
dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the
job gets done? Yes. That,s the type of answer were that
works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to
the organization.
16. If you had enough money to
retire right now, would you?
Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this
is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do
not mean it.
17. Have you ever been asked to
leave a position?
If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and
avoid saying negative things about the people or
organization involved.
18. Explain how you would be an
asset to this organization?
You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a
chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the
position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to
this relationship.
19. Why should we hire you?
Point out how your assets meet what the organization
needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a
comparison.
20. Tell me about a suggestion
you have made?
Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that
was accepted and was then considered successful. One
related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.
21. What irritates you about
co-workers?
This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come
up with anything that irritates you. A short statement
that you seem to get along with folks is great.
22. What is your greatest
strength?
Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good
examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving
skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability
to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your
leadership skills, Your positive attitude
23. Tell me about your dream job.
Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say
the job you are contending for is it, you strain
credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the
suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position
if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something
like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can
contribute and can,t wait to get to work.
24. Why do you think you would do
well at this job?
Give several reasons and include skills, experience and
interest.
25. What are you looking for in a
job?
Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say
the job you are contending for is it, you strain
credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the
suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position
if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something
like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can
contribute and can,t wait to get to work.
26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the
organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to
object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.
27. What is more important to
you: the money or the work?
Money is always important, but the work is the most
important. There is no better answer.
28. What would your previous
supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy,
Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise,
Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem
solver
29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?
Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will
speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about
a problem with a former boss, you may well below the
interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor
memory about any trouble with a supervisor.
30. What has disappointed you
about a job?
Don,t get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can
include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a
reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have
given you more responsibility.
31. Tell me about your ability to
work under pressure?
You may say that you thrive under certain types of
pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of
position applied for.
32. Do your skills match this job
or another job more closely?
Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that
you may want another job more than this one.
33. What motivates you to do your
best on the job?
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good
examples are: Challenge, Achievement and Recognition.
34. Are you willing to work
overtime? Nights? Weekends?
This is up to you. Be totally honest.
35. How would you know you were
successful on this job?
Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for
yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your
boss tells you that you are successful.
36. Would you be willing to
relocate if required?
You should be clear on this with your family prior to the
interview if you think there is a chance it may come up.
Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is
no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your
career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future
grief.
37. Are you willing to put the
interests of the organization ahead of your own?
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not
worry about the deep ethical and philosophical
implications. Just say yes.
38. Describe your management
style.
Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like
progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several
meanings or descriptions depending on which management
expert you listen to. The situational style is safe,
because it says you will manage according to the
situation, instead of one size fits all.
39. What have you learned from
mistakes on the job?
Here you have to come up with something or you strain
credibility. Make it small, well-intentioned mistake with
a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too
far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing
coordination off.
40. Do you have any blind spots?
Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no
longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of
concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad
points. Do not hand it to them.
41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would
you look for?
Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you
have.
42. Do you think you are
overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very
well qualified for the position.
43. How do you propose to
compensate for your lack of experience?
First, if you have experience that the interviewer does
not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true)
that you are a hard working quick learner.
44. What qualities do you look
for in a boss?
Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable,
a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder
of high standards. All bosses think they have these
traits.
45. Tell me about a time when you
helped resolve a dispute between others?
Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem
solving technique and not the dispute you settled.
46. What position do you prefer
on a team working on a project?
Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles,
point that out.
47. Describe your work ethic.
Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like,
determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy
your work are good.
48. What has been your biggest
professional disappointment?
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your
control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.
49. Tell me about the most fun
you have had on the job.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the
organization.
50. Do you have any questions for
me?
Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared
where you will be an asset to the organization are good.
How soon will I be able to be productive? And what type of
projects will I be able to assist on? are examples. |