Interview Questions
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.
Do you know why this question is asked so often in most job interviews? Because, this question is actually an ice-
breaker. Asking this question starts the conversion. So one better be prepared for an answer. This question gives the
interviewer a chance to know about the interviewee. Once you start talking about yourself, interviewer starts
preparing his/her next question. So there are high chances that the next question that would be fired on you will be
based on the answer of this question. As the answer for this will be based on you, you think and prepare it before the
interview.
While preparing for the answer consider including following points.
1. You! Tell them your name and which place you are from. Do not start with “Myself Jayvardhan Patil”, start
with “I am Jayvardhan Patil”. This is a very common mistake. Not acceptable in interviews especially in call
Centre jobs.
You may talk about your family (cover up in short), you may talk about your how you came to the city, etc.
2. Education- Tell them about your education i.e. graduation/post-graduation.
If you are a fresher then tell them the grades you got. If you have done something different than others then
tell them. It surely adds a value!
3. Experience- Talk about your whole experience. Start from early years and gradually come to recent years.
If you have a long experience then you must not be doing same thing all years. Then exactly what you were
doing? This is what your interviewer wants to listen.
If you are a fresher then talk about your projects.
4. Experience regarding to the post you have applied for- This is of most interest to your interviewer. You
may be having lot of experience but how much experience you have regarding current job post is very very
important. If you do not have it then you can talk about some related experience. Or if you do not have
related experience too then say it clearly. Buy along with it give them confidence that you can do it and you
have genuine interest to do it.
Fresh candidates who do not have any kind of experience, you should show some positive attitude and
exhibit willingness to learn and do new things. Be ready to do new things. Don’t worry that you will make
mistakes. Fresher candidates are expected to do mistakes and your employers are well aware of it so you
don’t have any reason to be afraid. Believe me no one will give you more work than you can handle.
5. Do not describe your salary or pay scale at this point of time.
6. Avoid giving unnecessary details. Value your interviewer’s time.
7. The idle answer should not last more than 1 minute.
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.
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 sensed. 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 is 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 are 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.
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.
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.
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? What type of projects will I be able to
assist on? Are examples.
Behavioral Interview Questions
During a behavioral interview, always listen carefully to the question, ask for clarification if necessary,
and make sure you answer the question completely. Your interview preparation should include
identifying examples of situations from your experiences on your resume where you have
demonstrated the behaviors a given company seeks.
When answering behavioral questions use the STAR Method and convey specific situations, actions,
and outcomes/results.
Situation Use: specific details about a situation or task.
Task: Tell what led to the situation or task?
Action Taken: Discuss what you did and who was involved?
Result: or outcome Communicate the outcome?
Before the interview process, identify two or three of your top selling points and determine how you
will convey these points (with demonstrated STAR stories) during the interview.
Whenever you can, quantify your results. Numbers illustrate your level of authority and responsibility.
For example: "I was a shift supervisor." could be "As Shift Supervisor, I trained and evaluated 4
employees."
Be prepared to provide examples of when results didn't turn out as you planned. What did you do
then? What did you learn? Your resume will serve as a good guide when answering these questions.
Refresh your memory regarding your achievements in the past couple of years. Demonstration of the
desired behaviors may be proven in many ways. Use examples from past internships, classes,
activities, team involvements, community service and work experience.
4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn and be a bit egotistical.
Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list of career
accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with this history of getting results, make
you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify problems, and use your experience and
energy to solve them.
5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it?
List three or four attractive factors of the job, and mention a single, minor, unattractive item.
11. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for this position. What's
Your opinion?
Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization, and say that you
assume that if you perform well in his job, new opportunities will open up for you. Mention that a strong
company needs a strong staff. Observe that experienced executives are always at a premium. Suggest
that since you are so wellqualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a
growing, energetic company can never have too much talent.
12. What is your management style?
You should know enough about the company's style to know that your management style will
complement it. Possible styles include: task oriented (I'll enjoy problem-solving identifying what's wrong,
choosing a solution and implementing it"), results-oriented ("Every management decision I make is
determined by how it will affect the bottom line"), or even paternalistic ("I'm committed to taking care
of my subordinates and pointing them in the right direction").
A participative style is currently quite popular: an open-door method of managing in which you get
things done by motivating people and delegating responsibility.
As you consider this question, think about whether your style will let you work hatppily and effectively
within the organization.
13. Are you a good manager? Can you give me some examples? Do you feel that you have top
managerial potential?
Keep your answer achievementand ask-oriented. Rely on examples from your career to buttress your
argument. Stress your experience and your energy.
14. What do you look for when You hire people?
Think in terms of skills. initiative, and the adaptability to be able to work comfortably and effectively
with others. Mention that you like to hire people who appear capable of moving up in the organization.
23. What do you feel this position should pay?
Salary is a delicate topic. We suggest that you defer tying yourself to a precise figure for as long as you
can do so politely. You might say, "I understand that the range for this job is between $______ and
$______. That seems appropriate for the job as I understand it." You might answer the question with a
question: "Perhaps you can help me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the
organization?"
If you are asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need
to know more about the position's responsibilities before you could give a meaningful answer to that
question. Here, too, either by asking the interviewer or search executive (if one is involved), or in
research done as part of your homework, you can try to find out whether there is a salary grade
attached to the job. If there is, and if you can live with it, say that the range seems right to you.
If the interviewer continues to probe, you might say, "You know that I'm making $______ now. Like
everyone else, I'd like to improve on that figure, but my major interest is with the job itself." Remember
that the act of taking a new job does not, in and of itself, make you worth more money.
If a search firm is involved, your contact there may be able to help with the salary question. He or she
may even be able to run interference for you. If, for instance, he tells you what the position pays, and
you tell him that you are earning that amount now and would Like to do a bit better, he might go back
to the employer and propose that you be offered an additional 10%.
If no price range is attached to the job, and the interviewer continues to press the subject, then you will
have to restpond with a number. You cannot leave the impression that it does not really matter, that
you'll accept whatever is offered. If you've been making $80,000 a year, you can't say that a $35,000
figure would be fine without sounding as if you've given up on yourself. (If you are making a radical
career change, however, this kind of disparity may be more reasonable and understandable.)
Don't sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in
your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don't leave the
impression that money is the only thing that is important to you. Link questions of salary to the work
itself.
But whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until you reach the "final" stage of the
interview process. At that point, you know that the company is genuinely interested in you and that it is
likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.
24. What are your long-range goals?
Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. Don't answer, "I want the job you've advertised."
Relate your goals to the company you are interviewing: 'in a firm like yours, I would like to..."
25. How successful do you you've been so far?
Say that, all-in-all, you're happy with the way your career has progressed so far. Given the normal ups
and downs of life, you feel that you've done quite well and have no complaints.
Present a positive and confident picture of yourself, but don't overstate your case. An answer like,
"Everything's wonderful! I can't think of a time when things were going better! I'm overjoyed!" is likely
to make an interviewer wonder whether you're trying to fool him . . . or yourself. The most convincing
confidence is usually quiet confidence.
COMPUTER JOB QUESTIONS
What does OEM mean?
It means Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM means in the automotive industry, this
refers to a manufacturer of vehicles that provides the original product design and
materials for its assembly and manufacture.
What is the difference between data and information?
data is a collection of words
information is a set of sentences
Can we convert FAT32 into NTFS without losing data?
Yes it can. To do so go to "Accessories" in the Start Menu and select "Command Prompt".
You'll see a DOS-like box open to a command prompt. At the prompt, type the following
command and hit enter:
Convert c: /FS:NTFS
The conversion won't start until you restart Windows. At that point, you'll see a strange
screen on next startup. It will convert the file system and then reboot. Then you're done.
What is the difference between FAT32 and NTFS?
NTFS
1) It allows access local to w2k w2k3 XP win NT4 with SP4 & later may get access for
some file.
2) Maximum size of partition is 2 Terabytes & more.
3) Maximum File size is upto 16TB.
4) File & folder Encryption is possible only in NTFS.
FAT 32
1) Fat 32 Allows access to win 95 98 win millennium win2k XP on local partition.
2) Maximum size of partition is upto 2 TB.
3) Maximum File size is upto 4 GB.
4) File & folder Encryption is not possible.
When I tried to make a correction to some text, all the letters/words to the right
disappeared as I typed in the corrections. What happened?
You probably pressed the "insert" key on your keyboard. The toggle to "insert" is
"replace". The "replace" works in some programs but not all.
you have pressed the insert button before editing. if insert is pressed accidently and
words are disappearing on the right then simply press insert one more time .
What is the difference between Save and Save As?
Use SAVE when you are revising an existing document.
Use SAVE AS when you are creating a new document from scratch or an existing
document. This will keep the original document untouched in its original format and
create a new document with a new name.
use SAVE if you r saving the document for the first time. or if you r making any
changes to the existing document.
use SAVE AS if you are making any changes to the existing document and want to save
with the different name and with the different location.
Q. If your wife & mother both are in danger & you can save only one of them, whom will you save? What’s the
logic behind this type of questions?
A. Hello Vinay, it is a sad truth that not every company has a good interviewing staff recruited. I have taken more
than thousand interviews till date and also attended lot of them. A common thing I have found that sometimes the
interviewer himself doesn’t know what he wants. And then we end up facing weird interview questions.
The interview questions may vary by a large degree. What best you can do is try to scan your interviewer’s mind. Try
to find what he is expecting out of it.
For your question there can’t be a straight forward answer. It will completely defer person to person. So for such
weird questions, if you support your answer by a reason then that should work.
For e.g.
I’ll save my mother because she gave me birth, she has taken my care in sun and rain.
I’ll save my mother because mother is only one, I can find another girl to marry.
I’ll save my wife because she has not lived her life yet and if she dies then may the our kids who will be part of this
world in future will never be born. So it will be like loosing more than one life.
I’ll save my wife because in marriage, I have taken a oath that I’ll protect her (saath-fere).
I’ll save the one whom I can save without loosing my life.
The answer will be completely personal and it is a personal choice so it cannot be wrong! The interviewer himself
doesn’t know what he will do in such situation. (unless his marriage is not working out )
In such questions, reasoning is very important. And then the interviewer will ask questions based on your answer.
Key is
1. Find 2-3 reasons supporting your answer
2. Tell the interviewer only one.
3. When the interviewer asks questions based on your answer, and try to change your mind
4. tell him the remaining reasons.
This could be the best strategy to answer such questions.
If you feel then you may ask the interviewer in return what would he do in such case. Ask in a friendly manner so that
he shouldn’t mind that.
Personally I do not prefer to ask questions based on the near and dear ones. I feel that is unprofessional. I try to
respect personal boundaries. But I do ask tricky questions.
My favorite is following scenario (a very common though)
You are traveling by your car. You come near a bus stop, you see
1. A girl whom you love so much standing alone waiting for the bus
2. A sick old woman who needs to be taken to hospital
3. An good friend who want to go to the interview
Whom will you help.
My best answer is: I’ll give my car to my friend and request him to drop the old lady to hospital before he goes for an
interview. And I’ll wait for the bus with the girl I love.
Conclusion – whatever is asked, give it a deep thought and do not look lost. Do not let interviewer feel that you have
been grounded by his tricky question. Whatever you say, say confidently, and support it with reasons. And I’ll even
recommend that you ask him the same question in return, that shows your courage and if you are talented then your
employer should also be of that caliber. You may take this risk only if you have another job in hand. If your goal is to
get your first job, then avoid asking too many questions.
“Looking for a new job in the fields may
seem a fresh new start, but first try
to measure your own abilities. And how will
you fit your choice of job. And if have
already made your mind to leave your
current job then better you start preparing
for critical interview questions like ‘tell me
about yourself’, etc.”
(Edited by Saurabh Sharma)
