The interview is when employers will get to know your personality, interests, goals, and

objectives. You will no longer be a list of skills and experiences on a piece of paper; this is your
opportunity to give specific examples and anecdotes and explain how these experiences make
you the perfect candidate for the position. It is the perfect time to demonstrate your interest in the
position and your knowledge about the company and the industry. This is the time for the
employer to find out who you are, so be yourself.

What Employers Are Looking For:

Interviews can be very stressful, but the best way to overcome this is to be prepared and know
what employers are looking for:

Job candidates with a definite idea of their goals, objectives, strengths, and skills.
Candidates who are knowledgeable about the position they are interviewing for, the
company and its products, and the industry overall.
Candidates who can match their own skills and experiences with the needs of the
company.
Candidates who are confident in themselves and their ability to contribute to the
company.
Candidates who can discuss past experiences and give specific examples that demonstrate
their skills and accomplishments.

Prepare Beforehand:
Another way to decrease the stress of an interview is to prepare beforehand. Review your resume
and make sure you know your skills, experiences, goals, interests, accomplishments, and
objectives inside and out. You'll be asked a lot of open-ended questions, and you will need to be
able to give specific examples and articulate yourself clearly and concisely.
Familiarize yourself with the most common Questions Asked by an Employer. Develop answers
to these questions, but do not memorize your answers. Make sure all of your responses are
positive and highlight your skills and accomplishments. When asked about difficult or negative
experiences, describe those experiences as learning experiences.
During the interview, the employer will not be the only person asking questions; you are
expected to ask questions throughout the interview, as well as at the end when the inevitable
question is asked: "So, do you have any questions for me?" Always ask questions. If the
employer has answered all of your questions already, come up with something else to ask about.
Your questions can demonstrate your interest in the position and your knowledge about the
company and industry. Keep your entire questions
job related.

TIPS FOR INTERVIEW:

Here are a few suggestions on how to approach the interview process:

Research the company. It is good to become familiar with the organization, the position
and the person who may be your boss. Try to match your skills and experience to the
position you are seeking.

Look good. First impressions are lasting, so make it count. Projecting a confident and
professional image is essential. Dress professionally, but don't overdo it with jewelry or
excessive perfume or cologne.

Know the location of the interview. Consider driving/ arriving at the location in
advance. Rushing around trying to find the facility can add to your nervousness.

Know your resume. Be prepared to discuss and defend every aspect of your education
and career experience.

Focus more on the interview, less on the job. There's time to evaluate the job and
whether you want it after the interviewer has learned about you. For now, your goal is to
get invited back for a second interview or an offer. Then you can decide if the job is just
what you want.

Talk about your previous contributions. Prospective employers are interested in

knowing how you made a difference in your previous job. In a way, you need to convince
the interviewer that you're the answer to the company's needs.

Look for ways to sell yourself. Seize opportunities to tell the prospective employer how
good you are. Be careful not to boast, but speak confidently about your skills.

Don't overdo it. Choose your words carefully and don't talk too much. Most people only
retain 20 percent of what they hear. Select your words, speak clearly and get to the point.

Avoid fear by visualizing the interview. It's just an interview, not the gallows, so
imagine the experience in advance. Try to visualize various things like your clothing,
items to bring, physical presentation, eye contact, body language, etc.

Listen carefully. Pause briefly after each question before you respond to be sure the
interviewer has finished speaking. Answer questions directly and concisely. If you don't
understand, ask for clarification.

Bring your questions. You also are interviewing the company, too. Start with questions
about the organization and move to career growth, working conditions, etc. Save benefits
and compensation for last.

Write down important data. Get the names and titles of the people with whom you
interview. Be sure the spelling is correct, as you may need the information later.

Don't run away. After the interview, don't just hop up and head down the hall. Try to
leave a good final impression by letting the interviewer know you really want the job and
that you're ready to move to the next step in the employment process. If that doesn't feel
right, simply ask about the next step in the process.

Obtain resources. Grab an annual report, product information or other data that will give
you a better picture of the company and the kind of work you might be doing.

Don't become invisible. Following the interview there is a way in which you can be
contacted, even if you are out of town.

TYPICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

Here is a list of the repeated questions that relate to almost any type of job. Please note that an
interviewer may also ask questions that relate to the specific position that you are applying for.
1. Tell something 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. Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extra careful
that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover
five topics including personal introduction, 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 is your greatest / best strength? Or, what is your strength?

For this question numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples
may be a) Your ability to prioritize, b) Your problem-solving skills, c) Your ability to
work under pressure, d) Your ability to focus on projects, e) your professional expertise,
f) your leadership skills, g) your positive attitude towards works etc., in addition to your
strong academic background.
3. Tell something about your weakness. Or what are your weakness?
The interviewer who asks this question is looking to see how honest you are with
yourself, and how well you deal with your own shortcomings.

Bit of a tricky question this, after all no one wants to show their weaknesses but we all
have them. Don't pretend you don't have weaknesses, and don't avoid answering the
question. This is your chance to show that you are honest and take responsibility for your
actions.
A good way to answer this question is to mention your weakness, then tell what you have
done to overcome that weakness. If you have been disorganized in the past, you could
say, "I used to be very disorganized, always forgetting assignments and birthdays. But I
managed to work out a computerized system of to-do lists and reminders that keeps me
on top of everything. "You could also say, I dont have straight way transport or bus
service from my residence to the office. So, during the rainy days I had difficulties in
finding a rickshaw to reach the bus stop and I would get late, occasionally. Now on the
raining days, I get up earlier in the morning and rush out to my office to reach on time.
The most comprehensive way of dealing with this question is to try and turn it into a
positive from a negative.
4. 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.
5. 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. 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 try to
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.

6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 well qualified, the
employer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a growing, energetic company
can never have too much talent.
9. 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.
10. How do you handle stress and pressure?
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:
o

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/ walking a mile
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.

11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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, "thats 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. 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 Executive Search firm (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. 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.
14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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 cant
wait to get to work.
17. 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 better
answer.
18. What has disappointed you about a job?
Dont 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.
19. 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.
20. 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
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.

24. 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 employees to get something planned and completed on time and within the
budget.
25. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job? (if there is one)
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-the-board 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 that your references are likely to be checked, so don't
make-up a story for an interview.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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..."
29. 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.
30. Where do you expect your career to be in 10 years?

(Be careful here. You do not want to give the impression that you're simply using this
company as a stepping-stone to another career. Think of a related managerial position
within the company that would interest you.)
There is a story about a young accountant who was asked this question by a CPA
(Certified Public Accountant) firm during an interview. The young accountant replied
that he saw himself as the comptroller of a large corporation. In other words, "I'm just
using your firm to teach me and then after you spend your resources training me, I will
leave to go work for someone else." Needless to say, he was not offered a position with
the CPA firm. They know that 75% of the people they hire will leave within 10 years,
but they do not want to hire someone who comes in with that plan.
31. 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.