As Reprinted from FOCUS Magazine -- January 5, 1983 The 25 most difficult questions you'll be asked on a job interview Being

prepared is half the battle. If you are one of those executive types unhappy at your present post and embarking on a New Year's resolution to find a new one, here's a helping hand. The job interview is considered to be the most critical aspect of every expedition that brings you face-to- face with the future boss. One must prepare for it with the same tenacity and quickness as one does for a fencing tournament or a chess match. This article has been excerpted from "PARTING COMPANY: How to Survive the Loss of a Job and Find Another Successfully" by William J. Morin and James C. Cabrera. Copyright by Drake Beam Morin, inc. Publised by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Morin is chairman and Cabrera is president of New York-based Drake Beam Morin, nation's major outplacement firm, which has opened offices in Philadelphia. 1. Tell me about yourself. Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: 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. 2. What do you know about our organization? 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 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. 3. Why do you want to work for us? The deadliest answer you can give is "Because I like people." What else would you like-animals? Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs. You might say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should mention a reverence for numbers. If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it really doesn't interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview, because you probably shouldn't be considering a job with that organization.

Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid approaching places where you wouldn't be able -or wouldn't want- to function. Since most of us are poor liars, it's difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don't really want. 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. 6. Why should we hire you? Create your answer by thinking in terms of your ability, your experience, and your energy. (See question 4.) 7. What do you look for in a job? Keep your answer oriented to opportunities at this organization. Talk about your desire to perform and be recognized for your contributions. Make your answer oriented toward opportunity rather than personal security. 8. Please give me your defintion of [the position for which you are being interviewed]. Keep your answer brief and taskoriented. Think in in terms of responsibilities and accountability. Make sure that you really do understand what the position involves before you attempt an answer. If you are not certain. ask the interviewer; he or she may answer the question for you. 9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm? Be realistic. Say that, while you would expect to meet pressing demands and pull your own weight from the first day, it might take six months to a year before you could expect to know the organization and its needs well enough to make a major contribution. 10. How long would you stay with us? Say that you are interested in a career with the organization, but admit that you would have to continue to feel challenged to remain with any organization. Think in terms of, "As long as we both feel achievement-oriented." 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. 15. Have you ever had to fire people? What were the reasons, and how did you handle the situation? Admit that the situation was not easy, but say that it worked out well, both for the company and, you think, for the individual. Show that, like anyone else, you don't enjoy unpleasant tasks but that you can resolve them efficiently and in the case of firing someone- humanely. 16. What 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 employess to get something planned and completed on time and within the budget. 17. What 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. 18. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job? 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-theboard 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 hat your references are likely to be checked, so don't concoct a story for an interview. 19. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits to find a new job? Mention that you are concerned, naturally, but not panicked. You are willing to accept some risk to find the right job for yourself. Don't suggest that security might interest you more than getting the job done successfully. 20. In 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. 21. What 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. 22. Why aren't you earning more at your age? Say that this is one reason that you are conducting this job search. Don't be defensive. 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.

Click here to read Belorussian translation.

Marketing Hi... My name is Jui. I am very extroverted and love to do many creative tasks. That's why I have chosen marketing as my major in BBA. Marketing is my passion. I want to be a very successful marketer. Guest Jui Chakraborti Sales and Marketing Thanks for giving me this wonderful opportunity to express myself. I am young dynamic professional -- an Engineering graduate with MBA in Sales and Marketing with 4 years of experience. In my academic credentials I have done my schooling from Amravati which is located in Maharashtra. My father is retired Govt.employee and Mother is Homemaker. My brother is an agriculture officer.I always believe whatever the man`s mind can conceive and believe can be achieved in life. Whatever I do,I do with sincerity.I believe in my work, I am a self driven person. I like dealing with people rather than dealing with machines. I am very positive towards life.

Thanks for Interviewing Me Thank you for calling me to interview for this position. My name is Danna Adams. I'm 17. I was born and brought up I Inverness. My family contains 6 people. My mum who is a full time DSA for schools, My step-dad is studying an electrical course and is also self employed as a car mechanic. I have a brother and two sisters, my brother is 6 years old, my sister is 4 years old and my other sister is 16 years old who currently works in a restaurant, while still at school. I love to read several genres of books including history, fantasy, gothic and horror because when I read books its like the story is like a film inside my head the way the imagination makes it come alive, is amazing. I also like being on computers being able to create presentations for anything. You can also go on to access games, emails, company websites, research/find out about so many subjects like the world wars, Victorian days, stone age, Martin Luther king, outbreaks of various diseases and so much more.

1. Start with a smile on your face & give details about Name, Place after greeting. 2. If necessary only add your family details. 3. Tell about your educational details. 4. Share about why you want to do JOB so. 5. About your Project in Brief. 6. The person who inspired you a lot. 7. Then about your intrests/hobbies. 8. Also how you will spend your time when you are free. 9. Tell about skills. 10. Then conclude by saying THANKS to the Person who is listining to you. FOR EXAMPLE:1 Well, good morning sir/madam,

Hi Friends, my name is shivaji rao patil from Hyderabad. I parsuing my B-Tech in stream of computer science and engineering from nict college, xxx with aggregate 65%. I have completed HSC from GURU BASAVA junior college with aggregate of 6% and SSC from Pratibha we. N. High school with aggregate 73%. We are five in my family. My father is a private employee and my mother is a homemaker. I have two sibblings. About my achievements, I never made any achievements at state level. But in my schooling I got certificate in singing level competition. In college I got NSS certificate which I participated as volunteer in my 1st year of engineering. My strengths are hardworker, self motivating and dedicated towards my work. And also I'm a good learner as well as teacher. My hobbies are making crafts, painting, surfing net. My short term goal to get placed in well reputed company. My long term goal to palced in any mnc company and give my best to your. Organisation. As a fresher, I don't have any working experience, but I will prove once the opportunity comes. FOR EXAMPLE:2 Good morning mam/sir. It's my pleasure to introduce my self..well, I'm Rehana born and raised in Anantapur. I have done my schooling in Little flower Montessori English Medium High School with 77% ,then i did my plus 12 from S.S.B.N junior college with 77.7% and now i'm pursuing my final year B.tech from Anantha Lakshmi Institute of Technology and Sciences Anantapur with an aggregate of 78.33% My strengths are my attitude that i like to take challenges that I CAN do it,my way of thinking that i take both success and failure in a balanced manner.. I dont like to say weakness but i like to say scope for improvement that is i wont leave any ask in completely,i believe in my self and my hard work and i want perfection in every thing. My short term goal is i want a such a platform where i can grow my career along with the organisation growth like yours and My Long term goal is i want to be one of the reason for the success of the organisation and i want to seeyour organisation as a bench mark to other organisations. My ethic is "i never neglect an opportunity for my improvement". thats all about me sir....thank you for giving me such a wonderful oppurtunity. FOR EXAMPLE:3 My name is XXX and I am from Chennai. I am currently studying Finance and Economics at Hong Kong University. I

was raised in Bengalu and when I was 18 I moved to Hong Kong to take my university study. Last year I went to London to join the school's exchange program. During my exchange I went backpacking with other backpackers from all over the world to other countries across Europe. It was a fun experience. I think I have been fortunate enough to be able to live in different parts of the world and thus be able to broaden my horizon. I have a strong interest in banking and financial services industry. The reason is I'd like to leverage my detail-oriented mind and apply the skills and knowledge that I have attained throughout my degree courses. I see myself as a peopleoriented and over-achiever person. I demonstrated this through working in various group projects with different types of people in which I had been able to perform well. I would like to be part of your company to further develop myself in banking field and to use my capabilities to serve both your company and your clients. (Note: all locations here are fiction, the rest is based on my factual experience even though some parts have been distorted a little bit. The purpose is just to let you know a structure of self-introduction that I think is good and appropriate.) FOR EXAMPLE:4 Good morning sir/madam, It's my pleasure to introduce myself. I'm sunil from delhi. Currently, I'm pursing my final year electronics and communication engineering from meri college of engg n tech with an aggregate of 79%. I completed my +2 from government co edu senior secondary school also I have done my schooling from same school My father is a government employee and my mother is house wife My strengths are my attitude that I like to take challenges that I CAN do it, self motivated person, self disciplined I am a good team player as well as has a good ability to lead the team. I can adopt to any kind of environment. I am a good listener and quick learner. My weakness is I can not tolrete any leniency in work My short term goal is I want a such a platform where I can grow my career along with the organisation growth like yours and. My Long term goal is I want to be one of the reason for the success of the organisation and I want to see your organisation as a bench mark to other organisations Thats all about me sir. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful oppurtunity. FOR EXAMPLE:5 Good morning sir/madam; Firstly I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity and it's my pleasure to introduce myself. I am arun from erode tamil nadu. I completed my BCOM with CA from arulanadar college it affiliated to Madurai kamaraj university with 64.5% and i have completed my +2 from government higher secondary school with 63.58%.I have done my schooling from same school. Telling me about my family my mother working in school my father was passed away And coming to my hobbies are

net surfing, playing chess. I am fresher and have no work experience in any company. My strength is i can adopt easily in any type of environment. My short term goal is to get placed in a reputed company like yours which will give me an opportunity to enhance my skills and Knowledge. My long term goal would be reaching the higher position in your company.

That's all about me sir .Thank you for giving such a wonderful opportunity. FOR EXAMPLE:6 Good morning mam/sir. It's my pleasure to introduce my self. Well, I'm VINITHA born and raised in Anantapur. I have done my schooling in Little flower Montessori English Medium High School with, then I did my plus 12 from NARAYANA JR COLLEGE and now I'm pursuing my final year B-Tech from CBIT. My strengths are my attitude that I like to take challenges that I CAN do it, my way of thinking that I take both success and failure in a balanced manner. I don't like to say weakness but I like to say scope for improvement that is I won't leave any ask in completely, I believe in my self and my hard work and I want perfection in every thing. My short term goal is I want a such a platform where I can grow my career along with the organisation growth like yours and. My Long term goal is I want to be one of the reason for the success of the organisation and I want to seeyour organisation as a bench mark to other organisations. My ethic is "i never neglect an opportunity for my improvement". Thats all about me sir. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful oppurtunity. FOR EXAMPLE:7 Good morning sir/madam; Firstly I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity and it's my pleasure to introduce myself. I am satyagiri from A.P. I have completed my M.C.A from swami ramananda college of engineering with an aggregate of 74%.I completed my UG from Ekashila college it affiliated to kakatiya university with 60% and i have completed my +2 from s.v college with 65%.I have done my schooling from Z.P,H.S high school.

Telling me about my family bock ground my father is former and my mother is helping to my father.we are four siblings my elder brother is teacher and my younger brothers are studying.And coming to my hobbies are net surfing,playing cricket. I am fresher and have no work experience in any company. My strength is i can adopt easily in any type of environment. My short term goal is to get placed in a reputed company like yours which will give me an opportunity to enhance my skills and Knowledge. MY long term goal is i want to be one of the reason for success of the organization and i want to be one of responsible person in organization growth. that's all about me sir .Thank you for giving such a wonderful opportunity. FOR EXAMPLE:8 Good evening sir/madam I am glad to be here for this interview.thanks for given this chance to show myself. My name is XXX from YYY.I have a B.Tech degree with a major in Information Technology field.Graduated in XXX college in 2011 and secured 74% mark in degree. I am seeking an opportunity to work as a software engineer.As i have the necessary skills you specified for the educational qualification and having solution based thinking in every tasks,I will work in time and fulfill the tasks allotted to me. I was not achieve big,but i was the one of the good in the environment i met.I got prizes for my academic excellence. My good thing is positive thinking.My negative point is i would like to do everything with myself,its from my childhood habit and i get some more experience by being like this. My goal:i always wants to finish my every day work correctly.It will lead me to a good position. My roll model is YYYY because of his effective use of time and the way communicate with others. Telling about my family background,My mum is working as a school teacher and my sister is studying BE.As my mum and relatives are educated,i bought up by them well discipline and correct in my work. I am expecting to be a colleague in someday. FOR EXAMPLE:9 Good morning sir/madam, I am Mukesh Kumar,Basically I am from Bihar.I belongs to Vaishali District.I am belongs to a family where discipline does matter.My father is in police department and my mother is housewife. I have 2 brother and 2 sister. About My qualification, I have completed Bachelor of engg. from cec bilaspur in the year 2011. I have done +2 from

Kendriya Vidyalaya Jawaharnagar located at Bihar and I have done schooling from sitamarhi high school which is near at my hometown. A part from that I have also completed MCP Certtification in ASP.NET with version 2.0. I am a good listener as well as good learner.I can hard work to achieve my targets in time. I am self confident,positive attitude and patience. My hobbies including to help my mother in her some time work and listining music. My short term goal is to join your organization and enhance my skills. My long term goal is to see your organization at peak level where I am one of the person responsible for it. About My achievements I have choosen vice president of my college in my final year and I have scored 83% in MCP certification. My weakness is fear,But I will overcome from this. FOR EXAMPLE:10 (This is not a big introduction.Try to say it and you will see it finishes in less than 2mins.But I occasionally added some comments with in () to give you some tips.I hope it helps) Hello Sir/mam; It's my pleasure to introduce myself to you.My name is Yashaswini Mohanty.I was born and raised in Cuttack city of Odisha.I completed my education from there as well(Not mentioning the details of education,because it's already on my cv). I have a beautiful family of five members.My father is a retired Govt Employee.My mother is a homemaker.I have two elder sisters and both of them work in different MNCs. My hobbies are drawing,painting,reading books(say this only if you read some nice motivational books.They might ask you to name some of the books you read. Then if you will say something like Harry Potter and Twilight,it will show how childish you are.) My achievements are,I was selected as the class representative in my college.(Shows your managerial skills).I self taught myself photoshop and participated in many online digital art competitions.I was selected in State Talent Scholarship Examinations conducted by World Health & Education services of Odisha.I have participated in many blood donation camps by Red Cross Organizations. My greatest strength are I'm a fast learner,smart and hard worker.(Mention Hardwork after Smart work.They always need organized smart worker than hard but dumb workers.I was told this by a HR and member of interview panel board.)My greatest weakness are my love for food,but I'm trying to overcome that.(You can add something really unimportant thing that won't affect your work.Or you can say my weakness I don't have any real time experience in the software field as I'm a fresher.As said by Jothi Boss,but different interviewers can take different meaning out of it.) My short term goal is to be placed in a MNC and my long term goal is to be the member of the team that is

responsible for the success of the organization I'm placed in. That is all about myself and thank you for giving me an opportunity to introduce myself to you. Ps:-I tried to keep this informative as well as short and free of errors,but if did some mistakes,then let me know :) Posted by suresh murugan at 17:05