Interview Questions and Answers

                 Job Interview Questions and Best Answers

Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the "standard" interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions.

Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.

  

                     Job Interview Questions About You

1. What is your greatest weakness? -
Best Answers
2. What is your greatest strength? - Best Answers
3. How will your greatest strength help you perform? - Best Answers
4. How would you describe yourself? - Best Answers
5. Describe a typical work week. - Best Answers
6. Describe your work style. - Best Answers
7. Do you take work home with you? - Best Answers
8. How many hours do you normally work? - Best Answers
9. How would you describe the pace at which you work? - Best Answers
10. How do you handle stress and pressure? - Best Answers
11. What motivates you? - Best Answers
12. Are you a self motivator? - Best Answers
13. What are your salary expectations? - Best Answers
14. What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? - Best Answers 
15. Tell me about yourself. - Best Answers
16. What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? - Best Answers
17. What are you passionate about? - Best Answers
18. What are your pet peeves? - Best Answers
19. What do people most often criticize about you? - Best Answers
20. When was the last time you were angry? What happened? - Best Answers
21. If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? - Best Answers
22. If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? Best Answers
23. Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? - Best Answers
24. Give some examples of teamwork. - Best Answers
25. More teamwork interview questions. - Best Answers
26. What type of work environment do you prefer? - Best Answers
27. How do you evaluate success? - Best Answers
28. If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? - Best Answers
29. Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. - Best Answers
30. Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it. - Best Answers
31. More job interview questions about your abilities. - Best Answers
32. More job interview questions about you. - Best Answers 

Answers

1.         When you're asked what your greatest weakness is, try to turn a negative into a positive. For example, a sense of urgency to get projects completed or wanting to triple-check every item in a spreadsheet can be turned into a strength i.e. you are a candidate who will make sure that the project is done on time and your work will be close to perfect.

Note that the term "weakness" isn't used in the sample answers - you always want to focus on the positive when interviewing.

Sample Answers

• When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.
• Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
• I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time.
• I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but I realized that scheduling in advance makes much more sense.
• I would say that I can be too much of a perfectionist in my work. Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task, or take on tasks personally that could easily be delegated to someone else. Although I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others work.
• I've learned to make my perfectionism work to my advantage at work. I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct.
• I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I've learned to work on many projects at the same time, and I think it allows me to be more creative and effective in each one.        

2.         What is your greatest strength?" is one of the easier interview questions you'll be asked. When you are asked questions about your strengths, it's important to discuss attributes that will qualify you for the job. The best way to respond is to describe the skills and experience that directly correlate with the job you are applying for.

Sample Answers

• When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.
• I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer.
• My time management skills are excellent and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride in excelling at my work.
• I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult situations.

3.        As a follow up to being asked about your greatest strengths, you may be asked about how your greatest strength helped your performance on the job. When you respond, relate your strengths to both the job description and your ability to perform at work.
   Sample Answers

• My greatest strength is my ability to work with many different people. I enjoy learning from everyone I meet, and in this position I believe that will enhance my ability to perform on the team.
• My greatest strength is my ability to focus on my work. I'm not easily distracted, and this means that my performance is very high, even in a busy office like this one.
• My greatest strength is my ability to focus on the job at hand. I'm not easily distracted from the big picture.
• My organizational skills are my greatest strength. I'm capable of keeping many projects on track at the same time.

4.      Review sample answers to the interview question "How would you describe yourself?" When you respond, keep in mind the type of position you are interviewing for, the company culture, and the work environment. Your answer should help show the interviewer why you're a match for the job and for the company.

• I'm a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different people.
• I'm a perfectionist. I pay attention to all the details, and like to be sure that everything is just right.
• I'm a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have an open mind about what will work best.
• I'm efficient and highly organized. This enables me to be as productive as possible on the job.
• I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner.

5.        Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position you are applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will be at answering the questions.

It should be obvious that it's not a good idea talk about non-work related activities that you do on company time, but, I've had applicants tell me how they are often late because they have to drive a child to school or like to take a long lunch break to work at the gym.

Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that you're organized ("The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.") and efficient.

6.       When you are asked about how you work during an interview, it's important to impress the interviewer with your competency and accuracy, rather than just your speed.

Here are sample answers to the interview question "How would you describe your work style?"

• I am very focused on my work, and consequently, am able to work quickly.
• I keep a steady pace, and check my work as I go along, to prevent mistakes from snowballing.
• Because I am very organized, I am able to accomplish a lot in a limited amount of time.
• I'm organized and efficient and I'm able to multi-task very well.
• I'm always on top of my projects, but I do welcome input and will consult with team members to ensure we're all on the same track.

7.          Do you take work home with you is a tricky question, be ready. The longer the answer, the bigger the hole you've dug. Don't waffle and don't give an overly detailed answer with lots of ifs, ands, or buts.
Best Answer

When I need to, no problem. I realize the importance of meeting deadlines and getting work done on time.

8.        Be careful before you answer questions about how many hours a week you work. You don't want to be construed as a slacker or as someone who works too many hours. At some companies, the norm is a 40 hour week and everyone goes home on time. At others, everyone might work 50 or 60 hours a week.However, working a lot of hours isn't necessarily a good thing - it could mean you're not productive enough to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time.So, unless you're sure about the company culture and expectations, the safest answer is not to mention a certain number of hours. Rather, mention that you work as much as necessary to get the job done.

9.         When you're asked to describe the pace at which you work, be careful how you respond. This is another question where faster isn't necessarily better. Most employers would rather hire employees who work at a steady pace. Someone who is too slow to get the job done in a reasonable time frame isn't going to be a good hire. Neither is a candidate who works frenetically all day.Options for answering this question include saying that you work at a steady pace, but usually complete work in advance of the deadline. Discuss your ability to manage projects and get them done on, or ahead, of schedule. If you work at a job where you have set criteria (i.e. number of calls made or responsed to) that measures accomplishments, discuss how you have achieved or exceeded those goals.

10.          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 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.
• I find that when I'm under the pressure of a deadline, I can do some of my most creative work.
• I'm not a person who has a difficult time with stress. When I'm under pressure, I focus, and get the job done.
• I find it exhilarating to be in a dynamic environment where the pressure is on.
• I find a past pace to be invigorating, and thrive when the pressure is on.
• I've done some of my best work under tight deadlines, where the atmosphere was very stressful.
• I'm the kind of person who stays calm under pressure, and handles stress fairly easily.

It's a good idea to give examples of how you have handled stress to your interviewer. That way, they get a clear picture how well you can work in stressful situations.

THINK OUT OF THE BOX

Beautiful HR Questions !!!

Here are some of the typical HR questions asked to find out if the candidates have "out of box" thinking capability 

Question 1:

"What will you do if I run away with your sister?"

The candidate who was selected answered " I will not get a better match for my sister than you, sir."

Question 2:

Interviewer (to a student girl candidate) - What if one morning you woke up & found that you were pregnant ?

I will be very excited and take a day off, to celebrate with my husband. (Normally an unmarried girl will be shocked to hear this, but she managed it well. Why should I think it in the wrong way, she said later when asked.)

Question 3:

Interviewer: He ordered a cup of coffee for the candidate. Coffee arrived and was kept before the candidate, then he asked "What is before you?"

Candidate: Instantly replied "Tea" and got selected.

(You know how and why did he say "TEA" when he knows very well that coffee was kept before him?.

Answer: The question was "What is before you U? (-alphabet). Reply was "TEA" T (- alphabet).

Question 4:

Where Lord Rama would have celebrated his "First Diwali"?

People will start thinking of Ayodya, Mithila [Janaki's place], Lanka etc...

But the logic is, Diwali was a celebrated as a mark of Lord Krishna Killing Narakasura. In Dusavataar, Krishnavathaar comes after Raamavathaar.

So, Lord Rama would not have celebrated the Diwali At all!

Question 5:

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, it's raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:

An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

An old friend who once saved your life.

The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?

This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.

* You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; * or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to ! pay him back. *

However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again...

The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. Guess what was his answer?

He simply answered:

"I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams."

Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations. Never forget to "Think Outside of the Box."

Question 6:

The interviewer asked the candidate "This is your last question of the interview. Please tell me the exact position of the center of this table where u have kept your files."

Candidate confidently put one of his finger at some point at the table and said that this was the central point at the table. Interviewer asked "how did you decide that this is the central point of this table?", then he answers quickly that "Sir you are not supposed to ask any more question, as it was the last question as you promised .....

And hence, he was selected as because of his quick-wittedness.

This is what Interviewer expects from the Interviewee. ....
"THINK OUT OF THE BOX"