1. Interview – Few Important Questions with
Answers
Arun Kumar Davay – arundavay@gmail.com

2. Be Calm!
Be Cool!
Be
Composed!
Be
Confident!
Be

3. Where do you see yourself 5 years
from now?
• The aim of this question is to test your
foresightedness and also gauge if you plan for
the future. Stick to professional goals and
aspirations while answering. The interviewer
does not want to hear about a dream vacation
you plan to take, or the industry you would
like to be in. Talk about company related
objectives. This is an opportunity for you to
show that you want to succeed in the company
and are keen on creating a career path there.
• Sample answer: As your company has a strong
performance-based culture, in five years I see
myself playing a key role of Brand Manager,

4. What if you don't make it in this
interview?
• This is often used as a stress question to
check your spontaneity. The idea is to see
if you have a back up plan and how you
handle rejection. You need to be assertive
and confident while answering this
question. You can say you will be
disappointed, adding that you will
continue to move ahead in your career
with the same enthusiasm and vigor.
• Sample answer: I will be disappointed if
that happens, but will work on specific
feedback and try again when the
opportunity presents itself.

5. 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/Study-related items
unless instructed otherwise. Talk about
things you have done well at your college
and how you wanted to perform in the
first job.

6. Why do you want to make a career
in ... (Sales, IT, HR, etc)?
• The interviewer wants to learn what you know
about the chosen career. Knowledge about the
domain and the job shows the interviewer you
are interested and demonstrates initiative on
your part.
• Sample answer: I have always been a people's
person and counseling is a skill that comes
naturally to me. Armed with a Master's degree
in HR, I believe a job as an HR executive will
give me an opportunity to put my natural skill
sets and education to practice

7. Why Should We Employ You?
For this question, your answer should
list out strengths that you feel are
relevant to the job. Given below are some
answers which could help you with your
answers. However, structure them to suit
your requirements.

8. Why Should We Employ You?
(contd)
I have good co-ordination skills
Good analytical skills
I can persuade people to see my point of view, and get
the work done
My greatest asset is my ability to motivate people
Even during emergencies, I do not loose my cool
I have good entrepreneurial skills
I have consistently met my deadlines and targets
Can say “no” to people when required to do so!
I am very co-operative with my sub-ordinates, and
would like to see them grow
I am a good team player
I am very flexible, and have the ability to work hard
under difficult work conditions
I have the experience and knowledge relevant to this
job (Here, give appropriate details and examples)

9. Do You Have Offers From Other
Companies ?
This is of course a difficult question to answer.
Obviously, you must have applied to other
companies if you are looking for a job or would
have some offers from other companies already.
Therefore, do not lie that you have not.
However, you are on thin ice here! The
interviewer could be checking your honesty. On
the other hand, he/she may also be trying to
find out how focused you are - are you applying
randomly, or is there a well-planned strategy?
Whatever your answer, it should match your
career goals.

10. What Salary Are You Expecting?
Try not to get into salary details early in the
interview. If pressed, you could say that it all
depends on the job, and would like to talk
about it after a job offer. Say this in a
convincing tone. In case you are asked this
question in your latter interviews, give a direct
answer. Do not sound apologetic while quoting
the figure you have in mind.

11. How much do you expect?
If you have done your homework, you
would know how much other people in
similar jobs are paid. Quote the range
upfront.

12. How much do you think you are
worth?
Work out how much you should be
paid, given the market value of the
job and your skills. If you can bring
some extra skills to the table, do not
hesitate to ask for more than the
market value.

13. What kind of a culture are you
comfortable with?
It is better to be frank about your
preferences. Your interviewer will
get a clear idea about your
expectations.

14. Which is more important to you-
salary, perks or growth
opportunities?
This one will reveal the real you. So
be sure what you are going to say.
Above all, be true to yourself. If you
think this is a negotiation move,
then say clearly that you will never
sell yourself short.

15. What do you know about our
company?
Do not give your opinions about the
company. Stick to reported facts that you
have gathered from newspapers and so
on. Talk about the product portfolio,
size, income, and market perceptions of
the company. Also it is better to refer
details about each company before going
for the interview their websites

16. Why should we choose you over
someone else?
Talk clearly about problems that you
have solved in your College/Project
Team and highlight the quality
required.

17. Your qualifications are excellent, but
you may be overqualified for the
position?
Point out that more experience can never
be a drawback. If you are multi-skilled,
then highlight the fact that a company
on the fast-track needs multi-skilled
people. It needs people within different
departments to work together. Also
emphasize that the company's future
growth will be an exponential function

18. Tell me about yourself.
My background to date has been
centered on preparing myself to
become the very best ………. I can
become. Let me tell you specifically
how I’ve prepared myself………..!

19. Why should I hire you?
Because I sincerely believe that I’m the best
person for the job. I realize that there are many
other college students who have the ability to
do this job. I also have that ability. But I also
bring an additional quality that makes me the
very best person for the job - my attitude for
excellence. Not just giving lip service
excellence, but putting every part of myself
into achieving it. In …… and …… I have
consistently reached for becoming the very best
I can become by doing the following ………..!

20. What is your long-range objective?
Where do you want to be 10 or 15
years from now?
Although it’s certainly difficult to predict
things far into the future, I know what
direction I want to develop toward. Within
five years, I would like to become the very best
……. your company has. In fact, my personal
career mission statement is to become a world-
class ………. in the ……… industry. I will
work toward becoming the expert that others
rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I will be
fully prepared to take on any greater

21. How has your education prepared
you for your career?
As you will note on my resume, I’ve taken not only the required
core classes in the ………field but I’ve also gone above and
beyond. I’ve taken every class the college has to offer in the field
and also completed an independent study project specifically in
this area. But it’s not just taking the classes to gain academic
knowledge -- I’ve taken each class, both inside and outside of my
major, with this profession in mind.
So when we’re studying ……….. in …………, I’ve viewed it
from the perspective of ………. In addition, I’ve always tried to
keep a practical view of how the information would apply to my
job. Not just theory, but how it would actually apply. My
capstone course project in my final semester involved developing a
real-world model of ………., which is very similar to what might
be used within your company. Let me tell you more about it
…….!

22. Are you a team player?
Very much so! In fact, I’ve had opportunities
in both athletics and academics to develop my
skills as a team player. I was involved in
……… at the intramural level, including
leading my team in assists during the past year
-- I always try to help others achieve their
best. In academics, I’ve worked on several team
projects, serving as both a member and team
leader. I’ve seen the value of working together
as a team to achieve a greater goal than any
one of us could have achieved individually. As

23. Have you ever had a conflict with
a boss or professor? How was it
resolved?
Never major ones, but certainly there have been
situations where there was a disagreement that need to
be resolved. I’ve found that when conflict occurs, it’s
because of a failure to see both sides of the situation.
Therefore, I ask the other person to give me their
perspective and at the same time ask that they allow
me to fully explain my perspective. At that point, I
would work with the person to find out if a
compromise could be reached. If not, I would submit to
their decision because they are my superior. In the end,
you have to be willing to submit yourself to the
directives of your superior, whether you’re in full
agreement or not. An example of this was

24. What is your greatest weakness?
I would say my greatest weakness has been my lack of
proper planning in the past. I would over commit
myself with too many variant tasks, then not be able
to fully accomplish each as I would like. However,
since I’ve come to recognize that weakness, I’ve taken
steps to correct it. For example, I now carry a
planning calendar in my pocket so that I can plan all
of my appointments and “to do“ items. Here, let me
show you how I have this week planned out
…………….!
(Lack of Time Management Skills, Financial Planning
also can be cited as answers)

25. If I were to ask your professors to
describe you, what would they
say?
I believe they would say I’m a very energetic person,
that I put my mind to the task at hand and see to it
that it’s accomplished. They would say that if they
ever had something that need to be done, I was the
person who they could always depend on to see that it
was accomplished. They would say that I always took
a keen interest in the subjects I was studying and
always sought ways to apply the knowledge in real
world settings. Am I just guessing that they would say
these things? No, in fact, I’m quite certain they would
say those things because I have with me several letters
of recommendation from my professors and those are
their very words. Let me show you………!

26. What qualities do you feel a
successful manager should have?
The key quality should be leadership -- the
ability to be the visionary for the people who
are working under them, the person who can set
the course and direction for subordinates. A
manager should also be a positive role model for
others to follow. The highest calling of a true
leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of
their abilities. I’d like to tell you about a
person who I consider to be a true
leader…….....!

27. If you had to live your life over
again, what would you change?
That’s a good question. I realize that it can be very
easy to continually look back and wish that things had
been different in the past. But I also realize that
things had been different in the past. But I also
realize that things in the past cannot be changed, that
only things in the future can be changed. That’s why I
continually strive to improve myself each and every
day and that’s why I’m working hard to continually
increase my knowledge in the ………. field. That’s
also the reason why I want to become the very best
………… your company has ever had. To make
positive change, and all of that is still in the future.
So in answer to your question, there isn’t anything in

28. Are You A Good Leader?
Your interviewer is looking to ascertain
whether you can manage or lead well in your
job and how you deal with the people who work
under you. Perhaps you could answer this
question along the lines of “I feel that my team
leading qualities are exceptional. I am always
firm but fair with the people who work for me
and find that I get a good deal of respect by
operating in this manner”.

29. How Do You Feel About Carrying
Out Mundane or Repetitive Work?
Nearly every job carries an element of routine
to it so this could well be a frequently asked
“difficult” question. The answer could be
something like “I understand all jobs have some
element of repetitiveness but I take all aspects
of my job seriously regardless of whether they
are mundane or not and I always give 100% to
my job”.

30. Are You Good At Getting The Best
Out Of Your Team?
An interviewer asking this question is looking
for an answer that shows how you manage and
run your team that work for you in order to
achieve the best performance out of them. Your
answer should include areas that show your
leadership qualities and how they benefit the
people that work for you such as
communication skills and praise.

31. 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.

32. 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.
• 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.
Anil, a co-worker at Smith Company, always
said I was the hardest worker he had ever
known.
It is as powerful as Anil having said it at the
interview herself.

36. 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?

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. 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

53. 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 generic and say something like:
A job where I love the work, like the people, can
contribute and
can't wait to get to work.

54. Why do you think you would do
well at this job?
Give several reasons and include
skills, experience and interest.

55. 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.

56. 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 other better answer.

57. 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

58. 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.

59. 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.

60. 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.

61. Does 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.

62. 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, Recognition

63. Are you willing to work overtime?
Nights? Weekends?
This is up to you. Be totally honest.

64. 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

65. 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.

66. 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.

67. 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.

68. 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.

69. 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.

70. Do you think you are overqualified
for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state
that you are very well qualified for the
position.

71. 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.

72. 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.

73. 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.

74. Answers