[Link] something 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. Since this is often the
opening question in an interview, be extra careful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer
to a minute or two at most. Cover five topics including personal introduction, early years, education,
work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to
be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.

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[Link] is your greatest / best strength? Or, what is your strength?

For this question numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples may be a) Your
ability to prioritize, b) Your problem-solving skills, c) Your ability to work under pressure, d) Your ability
to focus on projects, e) your professional expertise, f) your leadership skills, g) your positive attitude
towards works etc., in addition to your strong academic background.

[Link] something about your weakness. Or what are your weakness?

The interviewer who asks this question is looking to see how honest you are with yourself, and how well
you deal with your own shortcomings.

Bit of a tricky question this, after all no one wants to show their weaknesses but we all have them.
Don't pretend you don't have weaknesses, and don't avoid answering the question. This is your chance
to show that you are honest and take responsibility for your actions.

A good way to answer this question is to mention your weakness, then tell what you have done to
overcome that weakness. If you have been disorganized in the past, you could say, "I used to be very
disorganized, always forgetting assignments and birthdays. But I managed to work out a computerized
system of to-do lists and reminders that keeps me on top of everything. "You could also say, I dont have
straight way transport or bus service from my residence to the office. So, during the rainy days I had
difficulties in finding a rickshaw to reach the bus stop and I would get late, occasionally. Now on the
raining days, I get up earlier in the morning and rush out to my office to reach on time.

The most comprehensive way of dealing with this question is to try and turn it into a positive from a
negative.

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.

[Link] 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. You should be able to discuss products or services,
revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But
don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time
to do some research, but don't try to overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to
learn more. You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number of
companies. Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."

Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble,
and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.

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6. 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.

[Link] 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.

[Link] 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 well qualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a
growing, energetic company can never have too much talent.

[Link] important trends do you see in our industry?

Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate how well you understand your industry. You might
consider technological challenges or opportunities, economic conditions, or even regulatory demands as
you collect your thoughts about the direction in which your business is heading.

[Link] do you handle stress and pressure?

A typical interview question, asked to get a sense of how you handle on-the-job stress, is "How do you
handle pressure?" Examples of good responses include:

Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with
stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress
to stay motivated and productive.

I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't become
stressful.

I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment.

From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym/ walking a mile every evening. It's a
great stress reducer.

Prioritizing my responsibilities so I have a clear idea of what needs to be done when has helped me
effectively manage pressure on the job.

If the people I am managing are contributing to my stress level, I discuss options for better handling
difficult situations with them.


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[Link] 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. If 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.

[Link] 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.

[Link] 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, "thats 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. 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
Executive Search firm (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. 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.

[Link] 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.

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[Link] 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.

[Link] 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 generic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the
people, can contribute and cant wait to get to work.

[Link] 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.

[Link] has disappointed you about a job?

Dont 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.

[Link] 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.

[Link] 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, Recognition

[Link] 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.

[Link] 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
25. thus throwing coordination off.

[Link] 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.

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[Link] do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive?

Mention planning, execution, and cost-control. The most difficult task is to motivate and manage
employees to get something planned and completed on time and within the budget.

[Link] are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job? (if there is one)

Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Refer back to the planning
phase of your job search. Where you considered this topic as you set your reference statements. If you
were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your
decision, the result of your action. Do not mention personality conflicts. The interviewer may spend
some time probing you on this issue, particularly if it is clear that you were terminated. The "We agreed
to disagree" approach may be useful. Remember that your references are likely to be checked, so don't
make-up a story for an interview.

[Link] your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The least?

Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked. Don't cite personality
problems. If you make your last job sound terrible, an interviewer may wonder why you remained there
until now.

[Link] do you think of your boss?

Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about him in similar terms
at some point in the future.

[Link] 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..."

[Link] 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.

[Link] do you expect your career to be in 10 years?

(Be careful here. You do not want to give the impression that you're simply using this company as a
stepping-stone to another career. Think of a related managerial position within the company that would
interest you.)
There is a story about a young accountant who was asked this question by a CPA (Certified Public
Accountant) firm during an interview. The young accountant replied that he saw himself as the
comptroller of a large corporation. In other words, "I'm just using your firm to teach me and then after
you spend your resources training me, I will leave to go work for someone else." Needless to say, he
was not offered a position with the CPA firm. They know that 75% of the people they hire will leave
within 10 years, but they do not want to hire someone who comes in with that plan.

[Link] 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.