What are the most common questions asked in job interview with answers
Selection is essentially a process of matching the demands and requirements of a job with the abilities, skills and aptitudes of the candidates. The selection process starts by laying down the eligibility criteria for a post followed by a pen and paper test.
After qualifying in the written examination, one is called for an interview which consists probing with a view to unveil the personality traits that are critical for successful performance in a job. In an interview the qualities that would be looked for are the analytical abilities, organizing abilities, articulation, leadership, inter-personal skill, value system, capacity for hard and sustained work, educational and general knowledge skills. Information about all these qualities is gathered by the interview panel.
As a part of the selection process, the interviewer seeks to elicit information about the personality traits of the candidates. On way of determining these qualities is to look at the following attributes and personality traits that should be present in the candidates-
- Poise and composure
- Amiable personality
- Articulation
- Analytical abilities
- Organizing abilities
- Leadership
- Inter-personal skills
- Capacity for hard and sustained work
In an interview, the interviewer exposes the candidate to certain questions in order to gauge his ideas, views and knowledge and to determine his suitability for recruitment.
Through the technique of interview, the committee or interview board is able to form a hypothesis about the personal qualities of the candidate through initial questions, like-
- Please tell us in brief about your family background.
- Why do you consider yourself suitable for this job?
After the initial questions, the candidate is exposed to more detailed and planned questions through which the hypothesis established is confirmed and suitability of the candidate determined for the job in question.
Most questions interviewers ask fall into one of the following six categories:
Open-ended questions:
For example, “Tell me something about your educational qualifications”. Start replying with where you come from, what you majored in and what subjects you liked best at school. Also briefly mention what made you decide to go into this specialization and the job experiences which have prepared you. Your reply to this question should not exceed two minutes.
Your Specialization-Oriented Questions:
These questions may come in any any manner. Most of the time you are given a difficult situation and asked to resolve it. Try to answer to the best of your ability. Since the interviewer is looking for your resourcefulness and logical thinking, don’t freeze if you can’t give all the details. Through knowledge about the subject of your specialization and your ability to communicate it in a proper manner alone can see you through these questions.
Qualification-Based Questions:
while answering such questions, concentrate on positive things. Don’t exaggerate as the interviewer can see through it easily. Be as specific as you can and cite examples. Try to show how your abilities relate to the qualities the job calls for. When asked to reveal your weakness, choose some of the bad qualities like over enthusiasm, high expectations from people, striving for perfection at the cost of health etc.
Questions About Your Goals:
Since the interviewer wants to know whether you plan to make a serious commitment to the job or whether you are merely experimenting. Don’t reveal your innermost fantasies. While replying on your goal in life, select a position to which you could realistically aspire. Also, your short term goals should be consistent with the scenario for a person for the job.
Personal Questions:
Instead of mentioning an assortment of interests, single out one or two and make them work for you. The Board is out to find out personal qualities and put a question to a candidate, may be related to current controversial matter. You do not hold an extreme but a rather balanced view, not only know both sides of the question but can also arrive at a conclusion.
Common Questions Asked in Job Interview with Answers:
Essentially, there are three concerns that are foremost in the mind of any interviewer – Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Do you fit in with the company’s style? Additionally there is a fourth concern on the part of the interviewer; What does he or she have to gain or lose by hiring you?
So your mission is to somehow convey one of three things every time you open your mouth in an interview. Yes, I can do the job, yes I will work hard and yes I can fit in. The exact questions may vary and so may your answers.
Therefore, the first order of preparation is being able to answer any questions which might arise directly from your resume or bio-data. So study your resume for weak points. Are there any gaps in your work history? You can be sure, they will be noticed and discussed. Be prepare to present those gaps in a positive light.
Another thing you want to be aware of, is whether your work history shows a lot of movement. When an interviewer sees on a resume that a person has held ten jobs in two years, it sets off warning bells. Basically, any interviewer is going to want to know that the person he hires is dependable, stable, loyal, responsible.
Responsibility is a rare trait and not easily displayed in an interviewer. But one way to do it is by no means making a lot ‘of excuses of your mistakes. No one likes an excuse maker.
Next, you can demonstrate your interests by getting as much advance information as possible concerning the company you are applying. Once you have some information, look for trends, what are the company’s current policies, what seems to be its future, where can you fit with what you have to offer.
These are some some of the common questions asked in the job interview with answers that seems to turn up in every interview. Study them, as well as their underlying purposes. Here are some additional common questions asked in job interview with answers:
1. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
This is a good icebreaker that gives the interviewer a general feeling for you. This is a general question in which you can say almost anything about yourself. Unfortunately, most of the interviewers use the opportunity to recount their bio-data which are already there in front of the interviewer. Prepare yourself for such a question so that you can mention those things which are not given in your bio-data.
Probable Answer:
These could be your traits, special qualities, achievements, aspirations, motivations and ambitions. A one or two-sentence answer which is normally given by interviewers conveys the impression that there is little they have to say to know about themselves. You should be able to say a few without being verbose or self opinionated. If you can’t speak well about yourself, you are not going to be very articulate about anything. Keep your answer down to about 2 or 3 minutes and state positive features about yourself that somehow required for the job.
Actually this question is your opening to show the interviewer how much homework you’ve done. You have to explain how the company’s philosophy fits with yours.
2. Tell us about your family background.
This question is asked by the interviewers in order to determine the social, cultural, religious and economic position you come from. It could reflect your basic attitudes.
Probable Answer:
The best approach for such a question is to bring out not only your parentage background but also some of the good principles you have learnt. For example, you may be able to say that you have been brought up in a disciplined atmosphere where punctuality, respect for elders, etc is a way of life.
You may also be able to mention some of the human values like honesty, truthfulness etc. which you have imbibed as a result of your family background. You may also be asked about your brothers and sisters and their accomplishments and achievements.
3. How do you spend your spare time?
This is a loaded question which can give considerable clue to your personality. If your spare time activities are reading, painting, cooking, listening to music and the like, you are likely to be creative, introvert or a loner. Another aspect of asking this question is to judge whether you take on active or passive pursuits.
Probable Answer:
There are certain jobs that need to be maintained public relationships. A person with high degree of interaction in his spare time are likely to be preferred. So The positive answer in this respect if you are active, play games, go on tours or sightseeing or undertake any activity that involves physical effort or active group relations. Interviewers will prefer the active person for jobs which involve travelling or any predominant physical activity.
4. What are strengths and weakness?
This question is asked to ascertain how much you know about yourself.
Probable Answer:
A person who has a good knowledge about himself or herself is likely to be more effective in life. However, many interviewers get bowled over this question because they might not have given thought to it, or they shy away from the fear of bowling their own trumpet. So do a detailed self-analysis of your strengths and weakness and make a sincere and honest attempt to narrate major ones.
5. Why do you want to leave your present job?
Probable Answer:
This question is mainly asked to ascertain your loyalty. Never let down your organization or the people who work for it. You may assign location, the quality of work, salary limitations growth aspirations, or some similar reason for leaving your last job.
6. What are your best achievement?
Probable Answer:
Keep in mind the three achievements you want to answer and the several personality traits you want to possess.
7. Why do you choose your particular field of work?
This is asked to ascertain your temperament, attitude and the personal qualities.
Probable Answer:
It is advisable at this point to bring out your best qualities linking them with the job. For example, you may say that you have chosen a sales job because you are an extrovert, love travelling and you enjoy meeting people, and this job gives you the opportunity to do so. Never give an answer like you were advised to take up this job by so and so, or that you really don’t like it but you don’t have any choice and so on.
8. Why do you want to join this organization?
Organizations are concerned about the cost of recruitment and training. They would like to ensure that the candidate who is recruited is genuinely interested in the job and the organization and is likely to stick to the job and the organization for a reasonable period of time. Sometimes to ascertain your interest in the organization, the interviewers paint a gloomy picture of the job to see your reactions.
Probable Answer:
The best approach to adopt is to exhibit your keenness and conviction about the job in spite of its negative aspects. Be prepared with reasons why you like the organization and the job. Be consistent about your convictions throughout the interview.
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 to 7 years’ time?
This question is aimed at ascertaining your aspirations. It is necessary that you are reasonably ambitious in your aspiration so that your performance is conductive to your growth. At the same time, it should be realistic and should not be out of context with reality.
10. What are your salary expectations?
Though this is a very sensitive question, you must not feel bashful in stating your expectations. It is your right to do so. It is important that you prepare yourself rationally and logically to mention and claim what you expect as compensation for your job.
Probable Answer:
It would be better if you have enquired from friends or employees of the organization regarding the salary structure and what one can reasonably expect. A 15 to 20 percent increase over your previous job is usually considered as rational. Most organizations mention that they are willing to negotiate depending on the candidate. While discussing your salary, you must not confine yourself to the emoluments, but also clarify the other perks that you can expect from the company.
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