Interview questions are
one of the few things in life that does not require direct and corresponding
answers. Unlike in mathematics where 1 + 1 is always 2, the answers required
for interview questions are slightly different from the questions being asked.
Consequently, it takes one with very high Intelligent Quotient (IQ) to
successfully pass any job interview in the country.
It is no news that so
many persons have lost several job opportunities because they failed to give
the needed answers to the questions asked by their interviewers. For you not to
be a victim of such negative experience, I decided to come up with this
article. I am cocksure it will be of help to you in getting that job.
These questions are:
1. TELL ME ABOUT
YOURSELF?
Usually, it is the first
and foremost question you get from every interviewer. It might look very easy, but it is very technical. Do not be in a hurry to answer it. In answering this
question, you must confine your answer to work-related stuff. Your answer
should not be based only on personal details except you are asked by the
interviewer.
2. TELL ME ABOUT
YOUR DREAM JOB?
Your answer should be
focused on workplace rather than the job that interests you. You can say,
"My dream job is to have a workplace that is welcoming and amicable,
spiced with ample growth opportunities and an appreciation of hard work."
This is because it is the environment that makes a job great, not the job
itself.
3. WHY DID YOU LEAVE
YOUR LAST JOB?
When answering this
question, never you paint your previous place of work or boss black. Be
positive and confine your words to better opportunities. You can simply say,
"I am in pursuit of greener pastures."
4. WHAT IS YOUR WEAK
POINT?
You are not expected to
start listing out your inadequacies. Rather, you should state weaknesses that are
strengths on the other way round. For example, "I take time in getting ready to
the office. As a result, I set my alarm to two hours in advance." Use your head!
5. WHAT ARE YOUR
STRENGTHS?
It is time to sell
yourself. Just list out all your strengths, and they should be of great
importance to the current job.
6. WHAT DO YOU KNOW
ABOUT THE TYPE OF WORK WE DO?
Don't go for interview in
any organisation if you don't have a prior knowledge of the type of work the
organisation does. It is your duty to browse every nook and cranny of the
company’s websites as that is the most authentic source of information to
answer questions like this. Also, source information from people working at the
company.
7. WHY SHOULD WE
HIRE YOU?
This question does not
need you to compare yourself with other participants. Speak in a balanced tone
that shows that you need the job as much as the company needs you.
8. DO YOU CONSIDER
YOURSELF SUCCESSFUL?
Yes of course! Tell your
interviewer or the panel why by discussing all your major achievements till
that point in time.
9. WHY HAVE YOU BEEN
UNEMPLOYED FOR SUCH A LONG TIME?
Never you say you were
unemployed because no company hired you. You can cover up with some productive
activities you've engaged in within that period of time.
10.
WHAT DO CO-WORKERS SAY ABOUT YOU?
Tell your interviewer the
compliment you used to receive from your colleagues. Please, avoid
exaggeration.
11. HOW LONG WOULD
YOU EXPECT TO WORK FOR US IF HIRED?
Avoid stating any time
frame. You can say "for as long as both parties feel satisfactory."
12. DO YOU THINK YOU
ARE OVERQUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION?
Endeavour to assure your
interviewer that you are the right person for the placement by not expressing
any sort of doubt about your credentials. Be bold and confident.
13. DESCRIBE YOUR
MANAGEMENT STYLE
You might have headed a
team; share with the interviewer the way you used to guide your team members or
other subordinates.
14. ARE YOU A TEAM
PLAYER?
Answer in the affirmative,
and exemplify with various scenarios how you succeeded in meeting the project
deadlines as a team.
15. WHAT IS YOUR
PHILOSOPHY TOWARDS WORK?
In a few words, speak out
the basic values you adopt at workplace and the energies you can bring into the
teams. Avoid just stating your answers in only adjectives.
16. WHAT POSITION DO
YOU PREFER ON A TEAM WORKING ON A PROJECT
In answering this
question, you have to be imperative and create a sense of feeling that is flexible, not minding whether you have to follow or lead.
17. WHAT IRRITATES YOU
ABOUT FELLOW COLLEAGUES?
Don't state
what irritates you about fellow colleagues. Just tell the interviewer that you
can get along with your colleagues regardless of their attitudes.
18. WHAT DO YOU
THINK YOU WOULD DO WELL AT THIS JOB?
State your skills and
experience at your previous workplace (if any) along with handling the
crisis situation to make them feel you are the right person.
19. WHAT IS MORE
IMPORTANT TO YOU: THE MONEY OR THE JOB?
Lol! Very tricky! Of
course both are important, and do tell your interviewer same. You don't need to
be too generous about this or otherwise by stating that one is more than the
other.
2O. WHAT DOES YOUR
PREVIOUS SUPERVISOR SAY YOUR STRONGEST POINT IS?
Specific situational
things that happened at your workplace needs to be mentioned. Don’t just spew
out adjectives. If you have letters of recommendation or praise, show it to the
panel for their reference.
21. TELL ME ABOUT
YOUR ABILITY TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE
Answer such tricky
question carefully. Just explain the situations in which you thrived under
pressure. Your answer should tally with the claim, "pressure within limits
brings the best out of you."
22. WHAT MOTIVATES
YOU TO DO YOUR BEST ON THE JOB?
Don't ever say the salary
is your motivation. However, positive answers like the work environment,
discipline and integrity could increase your chances of having the job.
23. WHEN WILL YOU
FEEL SUCCESSFUL IN THIS JOB?
Simply say, "I will only
feel successful in this job when I meet the targets and go beyond that
level."
24. ARE YOU WILLING
TO PUT THE INTERESTS OF THE ORGANISATION AHEAD OF YOUR OWN?
Of course yes! This is
a way of finding out how you can coorporate with the company to meet the
organizational goals.
25. WHAT QUALITIES
DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A BOSS?
Just say some good things
like competence, fairness and diligence.
26. HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF
FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?
Say something relevant to
the objective line in the resume and speak as if you are a person with vision.
27. WHAT HAVE YOU
LEARNT FROM YOUR PREVIOUS MISTAKES?
Disclosing blunders at
the previous workplace will be another mistake and sheer display of stupidity.
Reveal some of the considerable mistakes and speak much about the lessons
learnt.
28. IF YOU ARE HIRING A
PERSON FOR THIS JOB, WHAT WILL YOU LOOK FOR?
Mix out the job
description along with your skills, but be relevant and give out justifiable
answers.
29. WHAT ARE YOUR
EXPECTATIONS FROM THIS JOB/COMPANY?
Speak as if you are
inducted into the company. Speak out that you like a bit of freedom rather than
being restricted to carry out small things. Clarity in the tasks assigned may
also be tagged under the expectations.
30 DO YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTION FOR ME?
It's now your turn. Use it judiciously by asking relevant
questions. Making a list of your questions should be part of your homework. As the
answers come, be clear in understanding the responses, which establishes that
you are very clear in your thought and action.
31. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU
CAN SUCCEED IN THIS JOB?
Answer this question by
stating the similarities between the job requirements and the skills you
possess.
32. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF
THE LAST COMPANY YOU WORKED FOR?
Project it as a very
great platform for your growth and as a reason for the present ‘you’. Avoid any
sort of negative things. Never go much into the details of the work as it is
confidential.
33. HOW DO YOU
HANDLE CRITICISM?
Project criticism as the
best way to improve while answering this question. Narrate any situations in
which you rose to the next level when you were subject to criticism.
34. WHAT ARE YOUR
ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Describe how you enjoy
your free time, and list out your hobbies. Try to relate your hobbies to
activities that help you in gaining skills.
35. HOW MUCH WOULD YOU
LIKE US TO PAY YOU?
Don't make the mistake of
stating any amount. Tell your interviewer you want to be paid an amount that
equals your qualification.
REFERENCE: employme.ng