INTERVIEW TIPS

BY:- MAYANK PANDEY

This document contains few questions which is generally asked in a Interview, it will also suggest
a reasonable answer.
1. Tell me about yourself. Use
“Picture Frame Approach”
2. Did you bring your resume?
3. What do you know about our
organization?
4. What experience do you have? Pre-interview research will help you here. Try to cite experience relevant to the company’s
5. According to your definition of Be prepared to define success, and then respond (consistent record of responsibility)
success, how successful have
you been so far?
6. In your current or last
position, what were your most
significant accomplishments?
In your career so far?
7. Had you thought of leaving
Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey
Answer in about two minutes. Avoid details, don’t ramble. Touch on these four areas:
• How many years, doing what function
• Education – credentials
• Major responsibility and accomplishments
• Personal summary of work style (plus career goals if applicable)
Prepare in advance using this formula:
For Fresher
1. “My name is…”
2. “I’m pursuing MBA from [Institute Name]”
3. “Currently, I did my summer training project [title] at [company]”
4. “I love the challenge of my work, especially the major strengths it allows me to
offer, including [A, B, and C]”
For The Experienced Person
5. “My name is…”
6. “I’ve worked for X years as a [title]”
7. “Currently, I’m a [title] at [company]”
8. “Before that, I was a [title] at [company]”
9. “I love the challenge of my work, especially the major strengths it allows me to
offer, including [A, B, and C]”
10. Second, help the interviewer by focusing the question with a question of your
own: “What about me would be most relevant to you and what this company
needs?”
Yes… Be prepared with two or three extra copies. Do not offer them unless you’re asked
for one.
Research the target company before the interview. Basic research is the only way to
prepare for this question. Do your homework, and you’ll score big on this question. Talk
about products, services, history and people, especially any friends that work there. “But I
would love to know more, particularly from your point of view. Do we have time to
cover that now?
concerns. Also, try answering this question with a question: “Are you looking for overall
experience or experience in some specific area of special interest to you?” Let the
interviewer’s response guide your answer.
Give one or two accomplishment statements
Refer to positive aspects of the job, advancement opportunities, and what you learned.
 your present position before?
If yes, what do you think held
you there?

8. Would you describe a few Give only one, and tell how you have corrected or plan to correct your work.
situations in which your work
was criticized?

9. If I spoke with your previous Be consistent with what you think the boss would say. Position the weakness in a positive
boss, what would he or she say way (refer to #12)
are your greatest strengths and
weaknesses?

10. How would you describe your Keep your answer short and relevant to the job and the organization’s culture.
personality?

11. What are your strong points? Present three. Relate them to that particular company and job opening.
(Like I am self motivated person, I love to work in a Team etc.)

12. What are your weak points? Don’t say you have one, but give one that is really a “positive in disguise.” I am
sometimes impatient and do to much work when we are working against tight
deadlines.”

13. How did you do in Emphasize your best and favorite subjects. If grades were average, talk about leadership or
school/college? jobs you took to finance your education. Talk about extra-curricular activities (clubs,
sports, volunteer work)

14. In your current or last Respond that you “like everything about my current position and have acquired and
position, what features did you developed a great many skills, but I’m now ready for a new set of challenges and greater
like most? responsibilities.”

15. What do you look for in a job? Despite the question, the employer isn’t really interested in what you are looking for. He’s
interested in what he is looking for. Address his interests, rather than yours. Use words like
“contribute,” “enhance,” “improve,” and “team environment.” Fit your answer to their
needs Relate your preferences.

16. How long would it take you to “Not long, because of my experience, transferable skills and ability to learn.”
make a meaningful
contribution to our firm?

17. How long would you stay with “As long as I feel that I’m contributing, and that my contribution is recognized. I’m
us? looking to make a long term commitment.”

18. Why do you want to become a “To grow and develop professionally, to help others develop, to build a team and to share
supervisor? what I have learned.”

19. What do you see as the most “Getting things planned and done through others and dealing with different personalities.”
difficult task in being a Show how you have done this in the past.
supervisor?

20. You’ve been with your current Let’s assume the interviewer has a point here. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with
employer quite a while. Why the negative terms of the question. Answer: “What I like about my present position is that
haven’t you advanced with it’s both stable and challenging. But it’s true that I’ve grown about as much as I can in my
him? current position. (This response also turns the issue of salary on its head, transforming it
from What more can I get? to What more can I offer?)

21. Why are you leaving your Never answer with negative reasons, even if they are true. However, some companies have

Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey

 present position?
22. Describe what would be an
ideal working environment?
23. How would you evaluate your
present firm?
24. What kinds of people do you
find difficult to work with?
25. How would your co-workers
describe you?
26. What do you think of your
boss?
27. Why do you want to work in a Explain how this size or type of company works well for you, using examples from the
company of this size? Or this
type?
28. If you had your choice of jobs
and companies, where would
you go?
29. Why do you want to work for
us?
30. What was the last book you
read? Movie you saw?
Sporting event you attended?
31. What are you doing, or what
have you done to reach your
career objectives?
32. What was wrong with your last Again, choose your words carefully. Don’t be negative. Say that no company is perfect; it
company?
33. What kind of hours are you
used to working?
34. What would you do for us?
35. What has your experience been Give examples from accomplishments.
Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey
financial problems which may preclude you from staying with them. Frame your answer
positively by answering why you want to move to the target company instead of why you
left or want to leave your most recent job. For example, instead of answering, “I don’t get
enough challenges at [company],” respond, “I am eager to take on more challenges, and I
believe I will find them at [hiring company].”I’m not unhappy (at my present employer).
However, this opportunity seems to be particularly interesting and I am interested in
pursuing it further. Never personalize or be negative. Keep it short, give a “group” answer
(e.g. our office is closing; the whole organization is being reduced in size). Stick to one
response; don’t change answers during the interview.
Team work is the key.
Be positive. Refer to the valuable experience you have gained. Don’t mention negatives.
Use this question as a chance to show that you are a team player: “The only people I have
trouble with are those who aren’t team players, who just don’t perform, who
complain constantly, and who fail to respond to any efforts to motivate them.” The
interviewer is expecting a response focused on personality and personal dislikes. Surprise
her by delivering an answer that reflects company values.
Refer to your strengths and skills.
If you like him or her, say so and tell why. If you don’t like him or her, find something
positive to say.
past if possible.
Refer to job preferences. Say that this job and this company are very close to what best
suits you.
You feel you can help achieve the company’s objectives, especially in the short run. You
like what you’ve learned about the company, its policies, goals and management: “I’ve
researched the company and people tell me it’s a good place to work.”
Think this through. Your answer should be compatible with accepted norms.
Talk about formal courses and training programs.
had both strengths and weaknesses.
“As many hours as it takes to get the job done.”
Relate past success in accomplishing the objectives which are similar to those of the
prospective employer.
 in supervising people?
36. Are you a good supervisor?
37. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, If you haven’t, say so, but add that you could do it, if necessary.
what were the reasons and how
did you handle it?
38. How have you helped your
company?
39. What is the most money you
ever accounted for? Largest
budget responsibility?
40. What’s the most difficult
situation you ever faced on the
job?
41. Describe some situations in
which you have worked under
pressure or met deadlines?
42. How do you handle rejection?
43. In your present position, what
problems have you identified
that had previously been
overlooked?
44. Give an example of your
creativity.
45. Give examples of your
leadership abilities.
46. What are your career goals?
47. What position do you expect to Just say you wish to exceed objectives so well that you will be on a promotable track.
have in two years?
48. What are your objectives?
Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey
Draw from your successes. Yes, my people like and respect me personally and
professionally. They often comment on how much they learn and develop under my
supervision.
Refer to accomplishments.
Refer to accomplishments. If you haven’t had budget responsibility, say so, but refer to an
accomplishment that demonstrates the same skill.
Remember, you’re talking to a prospective employer, not your best friend. Don’t dredge up
a catastrophe that resulted in a personal or corporate failure. Be ready for this question by
thinking of a story that has a happy ending – happy for you and your company. Never
digress into personal or family difficulties, and don’t talk about problems you’ve had with
supervisors or peers. You might discuss a difficult situation with a subordinate, provided
that the issues were resolved inventively and to everyone’s satisfaction.
Refer to accomplishments. Everyone had a few of these pressure situations in a career.
Behavior-related questions aim at assessing a candidate’s character, attitude, and
personality traits by asking for an account of how the candidate handled certain
challenging situations. Plan for such questions by making a list of the desirable traits
relevant to the needs of the industry or prospective employer and by preparing some job-
related stories about your experience that demonstrate a range of those traits and habits of
conduct. Before answering the questions, listen carefully and ask any clarifying questions
you think necessary. Tell your story and conclude by explaining what you intended your
story to illustrate. Finally, ask for feedback: “Does this tell you what you need to know?”
Rejection is part of business. People don’t always buy what you sell. The tick here is to
separate rejection of your product from rejection of yourself: “I see rejection as an
opportunity. I learn from it. When a customer takes a pass, I ask him what we could do to
the product, price or service to make it possible for him to say yes. Don’t get me wrong:
You’ve got to makes sales. But rejection is valuable, too. It’s a good teacher.”
Refer to accomplishments
Refer to accomplishments.
Draw examples from accomplishments.
Talk first about doing the job for which you are applying. Your career goals should mesh
with the hiring company goals.
Refer back to question #46 on goals.
(How does the person handle stress? What
is their confidence level?)

49. Why should we hire you?
This may sound suspicious, negative, or just plain harsh. Actually, it’s a call for help. The
employer wants you to help him/her hire you. Keep your response brief. Recap any job
requirements the interviewer may have mentioned earlier in the interview, then, point by
point, match your skills, abilities and qualifications to those items. Relate a past experience
which represents success in achieving objectives which may be similar to those of the
prospective employer.

50. You may be over-qualified or “A strong company needs a strong person.” An employer will get faster return on
too experienced for the position investment because you have more experience than required.
we have to offer.

51. Why haven’t you found a new “Finding the right job takes time. I’m not looking for just any job.”
position before now?

52. If you could start again, what No need to be self-revealing. “Hindsight is 20/20; everyone would make some changes,
would you do differently? but I’ve learned and grown from all my decisions.”

53. How much do you expect if we Be careful. If you don’t know the market value, return the question by saying that you
offer this position to you? would expect a fair salary based on the job responsibilities, your experience and skills and
the market value of the job. Express your interest in the job because it fits your career goals
– Receptive to a reasonable and competitive offer. ANSWER: I’m open to a competitive
offer. I’d prefer to discuss the opportunity and allow my recruiter to handle any salary
questions.

• Why have you selected to join us?

I always longed to work with a company. I am familiar and whose products I have used and trusted.
(Narrate briefly how you can prove your statement. Do good research on the company before facing the interview)
• Where do you want to be in 5 years?
I would like to be frank. Judge me from the work and I am sure you will put me right where I want to be.
Note : Do not over ambitious and speak in a way that you are not satisfied with your current job which you have applied for.
• Describe your ideal career?
Talk of what you enjoy most your skills and natural talents. Do not specify your goal and any job title.
• Tell me something about yourself
does not just repeat what you have given in your resume. Be ready with the answer, a talent or something you did out of the
ordinary. You can sound it as unique or give it a touch of your personality.
• How did you apply for the job?
Be specific and give a straight answer of how you came to know about the vacancy. If it was advertised specify how you
came across it.
• Why do you want to work here?
Have a research done about the company / organization

Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey

 Give just one or two reasons why you are interested. You can add these points (1) company's reputation(2) desire to join the
specific field of interest.
• Don't you think that you are over qualified for this job?
(This question is put to you to puzzle a candidate. Be calm and answer the question with a positive and confident approach)
Answer in the negative
My experience and qualification will just help me to do the job better. Moreover I am at establishing a long term relationship
which my qualification will favor me to handle more responsibilities and help me to rise to your expectations.
• What competition do you see if you take up this job?
When you answer, clearly show that you have researched carefully and acquired more in-depth knowledge about the
company.
Enumerate some positive and negative traits of the company and their competitions.
Feel confident to show that competition is not an unexpected one.
• What would you do if our competitor offer you a job?
Show your confidence in the company's worth, stress the point 'I would say No' by pointing out some qualities you found out
in your research about the company.
• Why are you leaving your current job?
You should give two or three reasons for leaving.
Lack of challenge, focus on the limitations etc. Point out your ambition to prove your worth confidently.
• What salary do you expect?
(This is a tricky question to be answered carefully. Interviewers often accept people with realistic financial goals.)
If you mention a salary that is low it shows that you are not up to the mark. If you mention too high you have ruined a chance
to get a job. So the best is to ask for the salary they offer and then show your capacity, how your experience and qualification
rate with what is offered.
• What interests you most about the job?
(Show how you believe that you are most suited to the post. If you can find out an earlier experience it would be fine.)
If you have experience, you can quote some similarities from the past and how you achieved success.
• What is your dream job?
Make the question a chance to display your aptitude that fits the job you have applied for. Display how your skills can be put
into suite the challenges and modern trends.
• Why should we take you?
This is often the concluding Question( Some tips to the answer)
• Don'ts : Do not repeat your resume
Do not enumerate your experience
• Do's: Prove Your interest
Be positive in your answer
Be prepared with confidence in what you are going to say
Make sure the answer comes from the bottom of your heart.
• If you have unlimited time and financial resources how would you spend them
Even though it is tempting to discuss thing you would do for fun, answer these questions with strict coherence with the job
you have applied for.
Egg: If you are into teaching, touch on your interest in adult literary programmers and other teaching oriented aspects.
• How is your experience relevant to this job?
Sketch out some similar work which you have done in your previous job. It should be something justifiable by you, even
though others may think differently.
You can even ask some question where you can prove that your experience stands in good strand.
• How could you enrich your current job?
Design your answer to show that you are still interested in the job and you point out a few instances where improvements can
be made. Convince the person that you can be relied on and you will not get bored with what you do with time.
• How many days where you absent from work?
Give a solid attendance record. But at the same time show you were not responsible . Convince that you are willing to take up
responsibility.
Egg: I was absent 7 days. 4 days due to conjunctivitis and one day due to the death of a close relative and 2 days had to
accompany my parents for their check up.
• Tell me about a time you had to deal with an irritate customer, how did you handle the solution?
The question is aimed at you to hear from yourself how you handle people when others loose their temper. Here the best
answer you can give to describe a situation and show how you handled it with maturity and diplomacy.

Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey

• How do you manage stress in your daily work?
You can describe a situation of how you had managed stress in your previous work if you had one or narrate how you can
find time in your busy schedule to relax a bit.
• Describe a professional skill you have developed in you?
It will be better if you be specific with your answer. Narrate some thing you worked for to fulfill your work more
efficiently. Describe how you attended a seminar and brought about the changed in your work.
• How do you manage your work to meet dead lines
Answer the question effectively . Describe in detail how your plan out, set priorities, determine schedules, how you follow
out to see the progress and meet the dead line.
• What books you read?
Do not ever say you have read a book which you have not. Here your suggestion can lead the interviewer to know your taste
and interest. It can also hint on how you take your profession.
• What are the most rewarding aspect of you most recent job?
The best way to answer it is to focus in what you do efficiently, keep in mind the position you are applying for.
• What aspects of this job do you feel most confident?
Narrate what you are good and match it with the present job requirements. You may ask questions to clear if that particular
skill will add benefit to the company
• What can motivate you?
The Interview expects an answer to know you better .Keep in tune with your job and work you have applied for. Do not beat
around the bush.
• Whom do you choose as your reference and why?
Name the references and how you know them. You can also show that you are a person who care for relationships and how
you stand in good stead with them.
• Can we call all your references?
If you have given your present boss as your reference you can tell that you prefer to call your current boss only after you
receive a confirmed offer as he may not like you changing the job.
• Do you have any questions?
Be prepared to answer this question in advance. List out a few questions you wish to know more about. After you have faced
the interview your logic will guide you to ask the question you really want to know more about.
• How do you handle criticism
Here the interview is on the look out for your accountability and professional character.
Simply explain a situation that caused a problem and narrate how you faced it and overcame it.
• Tell me about a situation that upset you at work
Her the interview is trying to find out how you deal with pressure. Be diplomatic and objective with your answer. Prepare the
answer so that the answer comes as a smooth reassurance
• Have you ever been fired?
If the answer is negative, the answer is simple. But if you have been fired, you need to be prepared to the answer the follow
up questions that my come up.
If the termination was for reason beyond your control narrate it. If not do not try justifying yourself. If you had a fault, admit
it and convince the interview that you have corrected it.
• Do you change your job frequently?
Be honest and if you had changed the jobs frequently there could be ample reasons to do so. Put them up as contracts that
expired at the stipulated time.
Be convincing when you say that you long to have a steady and long lasting relationship with the present job you are
applying for.
• What is the toughest job you had?
Avoid making any negative statements especially about your previous employer. Change the question with a positive outlook
and answer it with a satisfied remark of your outcome.
• How do you handle tension?
Answer with ease that in any job and any situation that tension is a part of it. Relax before putting the f act you are very
used to such type of works.
• What is your current salary?
Do not bluff. Be specific on the answer. Do not hesitate to say the benefits you enjoyed in the previous job. It may be verified
so never mention the benefits you have not got.
• Will you be willing to accept transfer?
Tell you preference but do not specify that you will be not willing to work else where.
Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey
• What is your weakness?
Turn the question to a positive one. Simply say that you are a perfectionist and your commitment to output of high quality
perfect work. Say this is your weakness.

Interview Tips | By :- Mayank Pandey