Hence you don't want to start & sound unprepared with - "My name is XYZR and I come from

PQRST - I am married and I play tennis and I love to read and Blah blah .." and have the interview progress around your married life or hobbies, etc ....it aint memorable !

Instead, you gotta be crisp, confident, have a professional tone and raise those Interviewer ears. In fact you should be happy about this question coz' it's like an opportunity of a free-style performance and you can put the ball back in the interviewers court by ending with a earnest question :-)

Here's a 4-step reply flow pattern that You might find useful to structure your replies before you go for interview: 1. General professional Background 2. Most Recent experience in the specialty of interest (clinical / research / presentation , etc.) 3. Strengths, aptitudes and/or what you feel passionate about 4. What you are looking for and hope to achieve.

And here's a sample answer for a Dermatology Residency Interview:

"As you can tell from my resume, I have been deeply involved with Medicine since the past 10 years. Though I have always been interested in skin diseases, my interest in Dermatology strongly developed during the second year of medical school, thanks to my splendid professors, and ever since, most of my experiences have centered around this amazing field. My most recent experience has been working with Dr. ______ on his research about Melanoma, which was recently published on _______, where I played a critical part in making clinical observations and diagnoses, evaluating data and literature review. My chief strengths are my flair for diagnosing skin conditions, ability to develop great rapport with patients and an aptitude for clinical research. I am specifically looking for a residency program that has a good research track besides strong clinical training, this is I applied to your residency program and I would love to hear your take on the research opportunities here. "

Caution: While replying, try not to sound like a parrot giving out memorized monotones. Maintain a body language to show your are actively thinking :-)

So....if asked this question - take that virtual microphone in your hands and render a great performance ;-) ... Cool ?

Sample answer:- (As I've already said that the complete answer to this question will result from the interaction you would have with the panel. This sample answer is just a starter. They may intervene in the middle. Youll anyway end your answer by asking them if they want you to cover anything else.)

My name is <> (this is also there in your resume, but its normally included ). Im from <place city and state should suffice>, have completed my schooling from <place>, from <institute> (prefer using the name of the university only, if you think your college/institute is not among the very well known colleges/institutes). Im currently working (if applicable) with <company> for <years> as a <profile>. Im handling/managing/doing <mention whatever you do>. Im quite friendly with my friends/colleagues and like to work in a team. Im looking for <the position you're looking for> and I believe my skills and abilities are rightly suitable for that. I like to play <the sports you like>... Anything specific you wanted me to cover and I didnt do so far?
: -)

Frequently Asked Questions in an HR Interview

Made by Tanveer Zahaque

[/b] I am a trainee of Special Training Program sponsored by Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, in collaboration with Infosys Technologies. I have made the following answers to the 50 FAQs given by our academic coordinator Sir. Murali Krishna; the answers given below may go in accordance to the questions. But it is recommended to extract the theme and generate your own answers. 1. Tell me about yourself? A. My name is Mohammed Tanveer Zahaque and you can call me 'Zahaque'. I had my schooling from St. Joseph's Grammar High School with 79.5% and Intermediate from Sri Srinivasa Junior College with 79.3%. I have earned a B.E. from Osmania University with Distinction in Computer Science Engineering. I took part in National level Technical Symposium as Coordinator during my Engineering days. I participated in 3 days personality development and communication skills sessions as Master of Ceremonies. I have also taken classes in PHP for 7 MCA graduates at G-Linx IT Solutions. One of the accomplishments which I am really proud of is, having been a student; I was English Grammar Tutor at Special Training Program sponsored by A.P. Govt in collaboration with Infosys Technologies. I personally believe and try out my level best to adapt the major strengths a professional should possess like integrity, honesty, sympathy, selfesteem and determination. It would, of course, be not out of place to mention about my hobbies. When I am at loose ends, I make minivideo documentaries which include video-editing and voice over video as well. And I like to hang-out with my friends. My focus is to be part of an organization that is powered by intellect and driven by values (use the caption or tag line of the company which you are appearing for) that would utilize my knowledge and provide opportunities for improvements leading to continuous growth. 2. What are the 3 strong points and 3 set backs of Special Training Program?

A. 3 Strong Points: It makes complete development of an individual. The course curriculum has 9 modules provided by Infosys Technologies. Soft skills sessions which mould the candidate to fit in corporate culture. 3 Set Backs: Too strict about timing (morning 8 am to 8 pm) No frequent holidays (only 3 holidays in the entire course curriculum). Advertisements made about the program are not sufficient, since I think it should reach every corner of our country. 3. Why do you want to come to Software field? A. I personally believe that software field can provide continuous growth in terms of salary as well as designations. Moreover, it lays us with career development opportunities. However, every industry shapes an individual to be social. But I feel software field takes 10 steps further to make an individual an international professional dab-handed in every aspect. 4. Why did you get low percentage? A. After completion of my intermediate, engineering subjects felt to me like Greek and Latin in the beginning days, as there were 8 theoretical and 5 practical subjects. But later on, I picked up the pace along others who were experiencing the same problem. And I consistently gained percentage in all semesters. Moreover, I did not have a single backlog in my whole engineering. 5. Why is Wipro/IBM/TCS/Infosys your dream company?

A. I dreamt of getting job in a company where I can improve my skills, my knowledge book and my personality. I believe Infosys which is powered by intellects and driven by values will make my dream come true. 6. What are your 5 strengths and 5 genuine weaknesses? A. Strengths: Reasoning Ability/ Analytical Ability. Communication Skills. Core Discipline Knowledge. Situation Sensitivity. Ethics and Integrity. Weaknesses: Often become workaholic At first instance, often mistaken as over-smart or over-actor. But once people get along, feel that 'I am easy going'. Sometimes become hasty or uneasy when things go off the track. People Sensitivity. Sometimes become too straight forward. 7. What is your project, what is scope of it? What are the latest trends of it? A. My project is 'IT-Operations Help Desk' done using ASP.NET with C#.NET, and SQL-SERVER 2000 as back-end database. This project enables the employees working specifically in a software company to make requests and complains to Network Admin, without personally meeting him. This reduces the manual burden

and things get done easily. IT Operations Help Desk is implemented in many gulf companies with branches spreading over America, Middle-east and India. 8. What are the 5 good habits you have inculcated for the past 1 year? A. I have grown good habits having learnt from my friends and colleagues in STP. Studying General Books besides Technical Books. Taking Food on time Working in systematic manner. Mingling up with everyone irrespective of any gender. Playing Soccer on weekends. 9. How do you describe your personality? A. I gauged my personality using personality assessment tests like (SWOT Analysis Test, Dalai Lama's Test). Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: where my personality got classification as 'RATIONAL' with the qualities like EXTROVERT (E), INTUITIVE (N), THINKING (T) and PERCIEVING (P), which commonly say that 'I am Inventor'. And moreover, ENTP category can effectively work in Software Industry. 10. What were the toughest situations you faced, how you could tackle them? A. I was working on a project along with my friend who usually takes projects on personal basis. He dealt with the designing part and I took the technical part. We worked day-in and day-out for 15 days, but we couldn't make it up. And the client pressure was really embarrassing. That was the situation I feel was the toughest one. Later on, I consulted tech-savvies and took some online help guides to tackle the problem and finally the work got done.

11. There is a feeling that those who are good at dumb-chards and role-play do well in IT industry? What do you say? A. I feel, dumb-chards and role-play involve actions without words, which makes the performer to use his absolute body language without having said anything. This will help us express our ideas freely without any specific verbal language. It helps a software professional because he would deal with clients from various cultures, traditions and methodologies. These clients may understand English or may not. In that such case, dumb-chards and role-play play important role. In fact, I've won 2nd prize in a Skit performed before International Audience. 12. Who is your favorite personality and why? What are his 3 setbacks? A. My favorite personality is my English master 'Sir. Imran Al-Khulaqi'. I try to follow and pursue his footsteps since he follows the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). I admire him, I consider him to be my role-model. He eloquently speaks American English and uses superb body language, which caught my fancy at the first sight. I have been with him at many occasions with a mini-diary and a pen to purse down a very situational usage he would give. 3 Setbacks: He doesn't take enough sleep. He is too soft and polite toward his students, which makes them misuse his leniency. Too workaholic, since he works from morning 7 am to 10 pm. 13. Why should we hire you? A. The traits which a professional should possess in order to move in an MNC environment are:

Reasoning/Analytical Ability. Communication Skills (both verbal and non-verbal) Core Discipline Knowledge. Situation Sensitivity. Ethics and Integrity. Sympathy and Empathy toward peers and subordinates. Team Playing Ability. I believe that I do possess these qualities and traits. And these qualities have played major role in the successful growth of companies. Moreover, after getting into a company, I feel that I can improve these qualities in much better way. 14. What is your favorite book and why? A. I didn't have the habit of reading general books, but after getting into Special Training Program, I have read 4 books; 'You Can Win' by Shiv Khera, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie, 'The Present' by Spencer Johnson, and 'The Women' by Dr. KVSG Murali Krishna. Among these, my favorite one is 'You Can Win' by Shiv Khera which I have read 2 times. I like this book because of its simple usage of language. Moreover, the messages given in the book have long known to me, since I have been taught religiously the same. 15. What are the 10 qualities that a Global Engineer should have? A. Self-esteem. Self-learning capability. Integrity.

Empathy. Perseverance. People Sensitivity. Moral Values. Genuineness. Dynamism. Tenacity. 16. What are the 5 reasons, why you want to join our company only? A. Good career growth Chances of further studies Good opportunities of learning cutting-edge technologies. As I know that company also helps dynamically in social welfare causes like Blood Banks, development of rural schools, etc. so I would get chance to work with your organization in this noble cause. Obviously, good pay-package and perks. 17. What are your short-term and long-term goals in life after 5/10/30 years? A. My Short Term Goals are: To get a good job. To make a pact of software professionals in a form of an organization in order to educate and train students especially in Govt schools about the recruitment processes of companies and how they should prepare for it from elementary school level itself. To work as a part-time training staff member of Special Training Program.

My Long Term Goals are: To become an absolute professional. To establish national and international contacts. To establish educational institutions. To launch educational satellite TV channel. 18. How can you say that you are good team player? A. I do believe myself as good team player. Let me backup with examples. In Special Training Program, we would be given case-studies to be done and to be presented. A group of 8-10 members would do that. I would be the team lead on many occasions, driving the team to accomplish the task in stipulated time. Besides technical team playing, I was also involved in general team playing. About 3 years ago, I was with my friends shooting the breeze. Suddenly, we saw the thick fumes coming out of a house, we rushed to the spot and found that furniture got fire and got down to the ground. My friend briskly called the fireengine but it took some time to come since the house was in narrow lanes. Till then, we summoned locals to help us extinguishing the fire. Finally, we saved the burning house. And we are really proud of that gracious act. 19. What is your contribution to the world or society so far? A. Well, I don't think that I can contribute to this mighty world since I am just a naive. I am proud of some of the contributions made by me. There is an organization called as 'Ancient Message Center' at Moula Ali, Secunderabad, which works hard to fight the social evils of the society like consumption of alcohol, gambling, spreading of AIDS, etc. with a bit of spirituality. They asked me to make a video film of their activities conducted so far in English as well as in Urdu. And I made a 16 minutes video with my voice over video explaining all their social activities.

Besides it, I was offered to take English Grammar classes at Special Training Program by our Program Manager. And I am really proud of it that I have got 10 really dedicated students cum friends out of 100. 20. What is significance of your name? A. My name is 'Tanveer Zahaque' which means 'Glamorously Smiling Person'. My name also stands unique in its pronunciation, as well as its meaning. I'd like to be called along with my father's name 'Khalid'. So finally, I love calling myself 'ZahackSon Khalid'. 21. How life and IT would be after 20 years? A. I imagine life after 20 years as life without worries. I mean to say people can save time more than they save now. With the emergence of IT industries, world is dynamically changing its face. I think there would be typical softwares which will make man travel greater distances. For example, a person is working in his office and at the same time important relatives visit his house. Instead of going home, he can make use of a software which will transmit his entire virtual body and actions to his house, with which he will be present at both places. There would be such software which will detect the possible chemistry going on in a human mind. I wish life will be pleasant and beautiful rather terrifying. 22. What are your biggest accomplishments so far? A. The biggest accomplishment so far is completion of my engineering without any single backlog. Would-be accomplishment: Getting a good job. 23. Why you didn't get any job so far? A. Well, I kept trying for many companies, but the main ordeal was failure to clear written test. Special Training Program turned out to me an Aladdin's cave, where I learnt aptitude, soft-skills and technical skills. And I am pretty much sure that I will get selected.

24. Tell me something you did or you failed to do and now you are ashamed of? A. Well, I don't remember any such incident of my life. Anyways, humans are bound to make mistakes. The thing which I really regret for is, in my engineering I did not participate in sports activities. Many of my friends were the members of Deccan Sports Club in Judo, Body Building, Cricket, Volley Ball, etc. and they kept insisting me to join them, but I never paid heed to their words since I was worried about my studies. That is the only thing I regret for. 25. Would you lie for a company? A. Well, I have a set of ethical values which I cannot go against. But, I have been taught since childhood that if a lie can unite two separated bodies or if a lie can save a dying life then it is permissible. So in the company, if the lie is for fixing a matter between a boss and his sub-ordinate, or to hide the confidential matters of company then I may lie. 26. Looking back, if you are not an Engineer, what you want to be? A. If I were not an Engineer, I would be a Matchmaker. This may sound absurd and ridiculous, but I like doing this job. Since this job involves making connection between two families, it is the greatest job in my view. In fact, I played key-role in my cousin's matchmaking recently. 27. What are Soft-Skills, why are they so important in IT field? A. Literally speaking, non-Hard skills are called Soft-Skills. Soft-Skills transform a boy into a man. I mean to say an amateur being to a mature personality. It teaches us behave professionally. In an IT firm, where professionalism does matter, Soft-Skills play vital role. 28. Tell any 5 ways of earning fast money?

A. In my view fast earning is a unique opportunity. But it is seldom found and done. Real Estate Business. Constructing a Shopping mall. A half-investment business, like xxx invests money and we do the business with his share back. Share market/ Stock Exchange. Money Transfer. 29. Give 3 examples each to show you have good analytical skills, creative and managerial ability? A. During 3rd year engineering holidays, my friend and I started a minibusiness of selling CDs. We would get blank CDs at cheaper rates from market and then fill them up with educational videos (meant for elementary school kids) and other technical stuff as well. And then sell them at public gatherings like political gatherings or religious gatherings. We would manage the whole thing in this way: Get 50 or 100 CDs at once at 6 IRs per CD and 0.80 paisa per cover and 1 IRs for writing the CD. Total 8 IRs and 2 IRs as profit, but without having additional investment, we would spare 2 IRs on each CD to get more and more CDs the next time. In this way, we generated 5000-7000 IRs in 2 months. To be too frank, I purchased the specs I wear from the same. 30. How do you define Success? What is Success for you? A. Well, there are many ways to define Success. And my definition is: Success is satisfaction which you get after contributing something which is even equivalent to an atom from your side to society, owing to that you have sound sleep.

31. If you get 10 Crore IRs right now, what would you do with that? A. If I were to get 10 Crore IRs right now at this very moment. I would efficiently spend it in the succeeding way. 5 Crore IRs for Future Use. 1 Crore IRs for Personal Use. 1 Crore IRs as a Donation to Educational Institutions. 2 Crore IRs as Investment in Real Estate Business. 1 Crore IRs as Investment in Stock. 32. On a scale of 0-10 rate me as an Interviewer and yourself and suggest improvements for both of us to get 10/10? A. You being an Interviewer, I rate you as 8.5/10 and as an Interviewee; I rate myself as 5/10. 33. What is the difference between Leader and Manager? And how about you? A. The differences which I feel are: Leaders can be spiritual, political or at corporate level. Managers are purely at corporate level. Leaders move with their followers. Managers manage the teams. Leaders initiate, implement and

demonstrate an idea. Managers too initiate an idea, but the implementation depends on sub-ordinates. Leaders are elected by People. Managers are appointed over employees. Leaders influence hearts and minds. Managers are purely workoriented. 34. Who is a Smart Worker? Do you prefer him or her? A. Hard worker works hard to achieve a stage. Smart worker works smartly to achieve the same stage. Let me give a mythical example, according to a Hindu mythology Kumaraswamy brother of Ganesha and Ganesha himself had competition to have the tour of Universe. The one who completes first is the winner, Kumaraswamy had his tour done on a peacock, but Ganesha considered his parents to be Universe and made a circumambulation of them and won the competition. God speaks about smart work in Quran: King Solomon had djinns and men working under his command. One day, he made an order to get the throne from far away distance. Djinn went flying to get it, but a wise person invoked God to help him get it. And within no time, he got it done. Apparently, I like and try to be Smart-Worker. 35. What principles do you follow regarding time management? A. I follow the elementary principles, which have been taught to us since childhood. 'Early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy and wise'. Our professor Sir. Murali Krishna says: 'All Great Leaders are Early Risers.'

36. Who is living the life, you envy the most? A. Well, I cherish and covet the lifestyles of certain personalities. Like, recently I have seen the bungalow of Brazilian Soccer player Ronaldino, with his personal property on an Island. 37. How do you describe your Ideal Job? A. Ideal Job in my view is the one, which lays opportunities to improve my skills, with good learning environment, good peer and sub-ordinate coordination and obviously good pay package. 38. What is your favorite animal and why? What animal do you like to compare our organization with and why? A. I compare your organization with EAGLE, since it is popularly known for its sharp eye-sight. Eagle can see forward and to the side at the same time. Eagle can see the fish in the water from several hundred feet above. Eagle flies at the altitude of 1000 feet, it can spot prey over an area of almost 3 square miles from a fixed position. I firmly believe the same features (not in its literal but in its idiomatical sense) express your organization. 39. If you were the Recruiter, how would your selection criteria be? A. If I were in the drive, then I would remove high frequency words given in the verbal section, moreover I prefer giving simple comprehensive passages. And I would prefer giving simple Group Discussion topics, so that candidate could reveal out his entire stuff. In technical, if candidate cannot answer a question then I would pose much easy question to judge where exactly I can fit him in organization's hierarchy. 40. What are your references? A. Dr. KVSG Murali Krishna

Professor JNTU Hyderabad. Academic Coordinator IEG, JKC, STP. Ph: 9849136135 41. What are your free time activities or hobbies? A. My free time activities are get together parties, public speaking, watching inspirational English movies to improve communication skills, browsing the net to get latest cell phone softwares and obviously netting http://www.youtube.com. I like and desire to make mini-video films like I have made some and those are present on http://www.youtube.com. I like to make it with my voice over it (Video Narration). 42. Tell me about your favorite movie? A. My favorite movie is 'Pursuit of Happyness' starring Will Smith, this movie is based on the true life story of Chris Gardner, the world's top stock exchange broker. In a nutshell, this movie shows his struggle to reach happiness. His wife deserts him due to his unemployment. He has no house to live in. He has got only 21$ in his account with which he and his son have to survive. To stay up the nights, he goes to johns of railway stations and charitable trusts for homeless, everyday. He undergoes 6 months training without salary and when he finally gets job, he cannot contain himself. I feel myself in his shoes, since we have undergone 6 months of training at Special Training Program without having paid, but we are fortunate enough to get free hostel, food and basic amenities. 43. Who is your favorite/mentor/coach? A. My favorite trainer is my English master 'Imran Al-Khulaqi', where I could learn Basic and Advanced English Grammar. Turn-on: Charming smile.

Good body language. Formal usage of language. Good Sense of Humor. Turn-off: Trusts students easily. Too polite and soft in speech. Workaholic. 44. Who is your best friend and why? A. Well, it is unfair to mention about a particular friend, since I have got many friends. You do not believe me, if I mention that I have got at least 5-6 friends in every area of Hyderabad (from Old City to New City), and I am popularly known among them as 'Zahaque Bhai'. My best friend is my neighbor as well as my alter ego, who works in US Recruitment Company. His name is 'Rashid'. It may look absurd, if I say that he is 7 years older than me, still we have healthy relations. I have learnt many things from him since he is much more experienced than me and much wiser. I learnt from him, how to talk maturely and deal with elderly gentle-men. And I am usually taken off my age, because I move with friends who are 7-8 years older than me. 45. Tell about your family and 3 negatives about your Dad? A. My family consists of 6 members including me. I have got 2 baby brothers and a baby sister. My baby brother is doing engineering from Mufakkham Jah Engineering College in Electronics and another baby brother is doing engineering from Shadan Engineering College in Electronics. And my baby sister is doing graduation in Electronics from St. Ann's Degree College. My father is Civil Contractor and my mother is home-maker. 3 Negatives about my Dad:

He is too much concerned about my health. He does not give me bike often. Easily makes friendship with everyone he meets.

46. What are your social responsibilities? A. I feel my social responsibilities are to establish an organization for the upliftment of government school students. Share whatever I posses in terms of knowledge with my colleagues, friends and the way-farer. 47. After 50 years, what will you tell your grand-children about values in life? What will be your advice to them? A. Apart from worldly knowledge that I would impart my grand kids with, I shall teach them some of the basic principles of life like; Worship none but the One God (who doesn't have parents nor daughter or son). Never lie, unless to save someone's life. Never disobey parents. Never hurt anyone. Never hurt the religious sentiments of anyone. Maintain honesty, integrity and empathy till the last breath. Never walk on earth convex-chested, because God does not like egoistic walk. 48. If you have an option to join any of the 10 centers which would you join? A. I would like to join the center at Mysore; I think I can work more efficiently being away from home, this has been my experience for the past 6 months at Special Training Program. Moreover, I get chance to learn new culture, new tradition and new language.

49. If we do not select you, how will you feel? A. Well, as a human being, I may feel remorse for the low performance. But I will try to mend my handicaps and limitations to make it better, so that next time I shall perform well. 50. Do you have anything to ask? A. Well, after my selection what training I will be put in? We were given study material designed by Infosys Technologies; will we be given same at training? Whom should I inform to after getting selected?