The formula for success in job interviews is not written in stone, especially when it comes to tricky questions. For instance if you are being interviewed for a sales position, a potential employer may ask you, "What would you do if a clients hinted at kickbacks?"
How would you respond? Will you appear shocked or deliver your answer with poise? Here are some suggestions on how to answer 10 such questions. Being prepared will give an edge, and not to mention, boost your confidence.
Tell us about a difficult relationship in your personal life you have had to cope with?
Don't go into too many details about what happened, when and where. Don't condemn the other person or defend yourself. Talk about what you learned from the experience.
Don't go into too many details about what happened, when and where. Don't condemn the other person or defend yourself. Talk about what you learned from the experience.
Your boss-to-be is short-tempered, impatient and abrasive. Can you work with someone of such a temperament?
Working with a short-tempered and very abrasive boss is not easy. Stating that you can effectively work under each and every person in any and every situation will make you seem over-confident and unrealistic. Do you get upset if you're shouted or screamed at? Does it leave you de-motivated or disillusioned for long? If your answer to the latter question is in the negative, let the panel know that unpleasant experiences don't weigh you down for too long.
Working with a short-tempered and very abrasive boss is not easy. Stating that you can effectively work under each and every person in any and every situation will make you seem over-confident and unrealistic. Do you get upset if you're shouted or screamed at? Does it leave you de-motivated or disillusioned for long? If your answer to the latter question is in the negative, let the panel know that unpleasant experiences don't weigh you down for too long.
Do you wonder that despite a good resume why you haven't landed a good job?
Most likely the problem lies with you and not with your resume. It's not always that your resume gets you the dream job. It also depends how well you manage the interview part, especially the 'tough and tricky' questions.
Most likely the problem lies with you and not with your resume. It's not always that your resume gets you the dream job. It also depends how well you manage the interview part, especially the 'tough and tricky' questions.
Don't blame others
There are many tough questions that put pressure on you or create stress. What if you are asked: "Why did you leave your last job?", or "Why have you had so many jobs?" If you say your last boss was an idiot, or all your jobs have been terrible, you'll be seen as someone who blames others and fails to take responsibility for your own actions and decision.
Moreover why would employers want to employ someone who doesn't take responsibility and come up with answers, not problems? Employers don't want to employ people who blame others.
"Always express positive reasons and answers when given an opportunity to express the negative. Never blame anyone or anything else," says Amy Lightfoot who teaches 'Interview skills' as part of Spoken English at British Council India,Delhi
"I was ready for more challenge", or "Each job offered a better opportunity, which I took...," such responses are better.
There are many tough questions that put pressure on you or create stress. What if you are asked: "Why did you leave your last job?", or "Why have you had so many jobs?" If you say your last boss was an idiot, or all your jobs have been terrible, you'll be seen as someone who blames others and fails to take responsibility for your own actions and decision.
Moreover why would employers want to employ someone who doesn't take responsibility and come up with answers, not problems? Employers don't want to employ people who blame others.
"Always express positive reasons and answers when given an opportunity to express the negative. Never blame anyone or anything else," says Amy Lightfoot who teaches 'Interview skills' as part of Spoken English at British Council India,
"I was ready for more challenge", or "Each job offered a better opportunity, which I took...," such responses are better.
Sell yourself
Remember, the job interview is a platform to market yourself. It is a strategic conversation with a purpose. Your goal is to persuade the employer that you have the skills, background and ability to do the job and that you can comfortably fit into the organisation and its culture.
Remember, the job interview is a platform to market yourself. It is a strategic conversation with a purpose. Your goal is to persuade the employer that you have the skills, background and ability to do the job and that you can comfortably fit into the organisation and its culture.
Keep your praise & observations credible & realistic
"The best technique to handle such question is to praise your past employers. However, keep your praise and observations credible, realistic and relevant. Try to mention attributes that your interviewer and prospective new employer will identify and agree with. This will build association and commonality between you and the interviewer, which is normally vital for successful interview outcomes," explains Lightfoot.
However, there can be real tough ones: "Why should we appoint you?" or "What can you do for us that other people cannot?"
Nevertheless, Shiv Khera author of bestseller "You Can Win" explains, "Candidate has a choice here as to how to play this: he can either go for it strongly, re-stating his relevant strengths -- behaviour, experience and skills, or he can quietly confidently suggest: I don't know the other applicants, so it would be wrong for me to dismiss their claims. However, I am sure that I have all the main attributes the role requires, which, combined with determination and positive approach, should ensure that I'd be a very good choice."
"The best technique to handle such question is to praise your past employers. However, keep your praise and observations credible, realistic and relevant. Try to mention attributes that your interviewer and prospective new employer will identify and agree with. This will build association and commonality between you and the interviewer, which is normally vital for successful interview outcomes," explains Lightfoot.
However, there can be real tough ones: "Why should we appoint you?" or "What can you do for us that other people cannot?"
Nevertheless, Shiv Khera author of bestseller "You Can Win" explains, "Candidate has a choice here as to how to play this: he can either go for it strongly, re-stating his relevant strengths -- behaviour, experience and skills, or he can quietly confidently suggest: I don't know the other applicants, so it would be wrong for me to dismiss their claims. However, I am sure that I have all the main attributes the role requires, which, combined with determination and positive approach, should ensure that I'd be a very good choice."
Be positive
He further says that the candidate should be positive in saying, "I don't know the other applicants, but generally I excel at..." and pick up strengths that most fit with what they're seeking.
He further says that the candidate should be positive in saying, "I don't know the other applicants, but generally I excel at..." and pick up strengths that most fit with what they're seeking.
Maintain calmness
Most of the candidates fail due to fear and tension. Rajeev Vaid, CEO, Smart Hiring,Delhi
Most of the candidates fail due to fear and tension. Rajeev Vaid, CEO, Smart Hiring,
Do your homework well
The only way to handle such situation is to be confident, credible and constructive (accentuate the positive) in your answers. And more important is 'preparation for the interview'. Plan and rehearse your 'verbal resume'. You will almost always be asked, "Please tell us about yourself," so be prepared with a good response, tailored to the job at hand. Prepare a written list of likely interview questions and job requirements. Prepare key points you need to make to demonstrate your specific accomplishments in each area.
Why did you leave your last job?
Why have you had so many jobs?
Why do you want this job?
What qualities do you think are required for this job?
Why should we appoint you? 6. What can you do for us that other people cannot?
What can we offer you that your previous company cannot?
What are your greatest achievements within and outside the workplace?
What are your great strengths and weaknesses?
How has your experience prepared you for this position?
If you are asked what questions you have, and you don't have any, the interviewer may get the impression you haven't done your homework, or aren't seriously interested in the position. Prepare your questions in advance and phrase them to demonstrate your insight and ability to handle the position. "Often, the most successful applicants are those who simply out-work their competition," points out Khera.
The only way to handle such situation is to be confident, credible and constructive (accentuate the positive) in your answers. And more important is 'preparation for the interview'. Plan and rehearse your 'verbal resume'. You will almost always be asked, "Please tell us about yourself," so be prepared with a good response, tailored to the job at hand. Prepare a written list of likely interview questions and job requirements. Prepare key points you need to make to demonstrate your specific accomplishments in each area.
Why did you leave your last job?
Why have you had so many jobs?
Why do you want this job?
What qualities do you think are required for this job?
Why should we appoint you? 6. What can you do for us that other people cannot?
What can we offer you that your previous company cannot?
What are your greatest achievements within and outside the workplace?
What are your great strengths and weaknesses?
How has your experience prepared you for this position?
If you are asked what questions you have, and you don't have any, the interviewer may get the impression you haven't done your homework, or aren't seriously interested in the position. Prepare your questions in advance and phrase them to demonstrate your insight and ability to handle the position. "Often, the most successful applicants are those who simply out-work their competition," points out Khera.
Communication is the key skill
Develop your verbal communications skills. Having great management or technical skills and a strong record of accomplishment is not helpful if you can't verbally convey you successes.
Develop your verbal communications skills. Having great management or technical skills and a strong record of accomplishment is not helpful if you can't verbally convey you successes.
Answer questions directly
Then elaborate with examples. Choose examples that highlight past successes and relate it to the projects or issues that interviewer is facing, but avoid excessively lengthy responses. The purpose of tough interview questions is to encourage interviewees to think about themselves and to give the interviewer clear and revealing information as to the interviewee's suitability for the job. One key to success is to use every means at your disposal to develop effective interviewing skills, including selective presentation of your background, thoughtful answers to typical interview questions, well-researched questions about the organisation, and an effective strategy to market yourself. There is no magic to interviewing. It is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice.
Then elaborate with examples. Choose examples that highlight past successes and relate it to the projects or issues that interviewer is facing, but avoid excessively lengthy responses. The purpose of tough interview questions is to encourage interviewees to think about themselves and to give the interviewer clear and revealing information as to the interviewee's suitability for the job. One key to success is to use every means at your disposal to develop effective interviewing skills, including selective presentation of your background, thoughtful answers to typical interview questions, well-researched questions about the organisation, and an effective strategy to market yourself. There is no magic to interviewing. It is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice.
An interview is in fact a magic wand. It can get you a new job, change your present boring career into an exciting one, and get you a job that pays many times your current salary. It is something that can improve your career and make your life into a much better one.Successfully handling an interview has indeed become a necessity rather than a luxury! However, along with the good points associated with an interview, it has its rough edges as well. It is a place where one's abilities are challenged to the greatest extent and his/her entire personality/attitude evaluated. It tests all your skills and can bring out certain facts about you, which you yourself wouldn't have been aware of! However, with proper practice and effort, you can successfully face an interview. This article outlines the important points that you need to remember while preparing for the interview.
Be confident. Confidence is the most important factor you must have while preparing as well as facing an interview. Be positive throughout. Instead of getting tensed and excited about the interview, stay cool and prepare patiently for the interview with the firm belief that you can successfully handle the interview. Firms are on the lookout for candidates who are confident (not over-confident, of course!) and can handle a task assigned to them with confidence. Your knowledge in that field of business, however strong it may be, won't be of any help if you aren't confident.
Be well aware of the type of job. You should be well aware of the nature of the job that you are going to get if you pass the interview. Most of the questions posed will be testing whether you understand the nature of the job and have the ability to handle it. If you are well versed with the requirements of the job, the interview is half done. Never attend an interview without having an idea of the responsibilities required.
Know the firm well. Have good knowledge of the firm you are going to work for. Most firms have websites that contain key information about them. Visit the sites and learn as much as you can. Know key people associated with the firm. It is always advantageous to have deep knowledge of the products offered by the company and the current market trend. Think of a few suggestions that you feel can improve the product. This is a very likely question and you surely won't have time and patience to sit and think over it at the interview table. Please don't criticize the products of the firm or the presentmanagement techniques used by them. No firm wants to hire rebels!
Handling tech interviews. Tech interviews need a somewhat different type of preparation. You must have a very deep understanding of the subjects related to the job you are applying for. Know beforehand the technologies used by the company. Gather such information from books, online and people working in the same or similar firms. Know about the latest developments in the area you are applying for. Show qualities of teamwork since almost all tech jobs involve hundreds of people working on a single project. Team spirit is as important as the technical knowledge you possess.
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