Interviews are always stressful and the possibility of not knowing the answer to a question asked by the interviewer just makes matters worse. To prevent such an unfortunate situation, it is a must to familiarize yourself with some of the most commonly asked interview questions. Come up with strategies, make up your mind and focus on how best to get the better of the interview. You will have to be extremely smart at answering unconventional questions, especially the ones that are not job related because even these determine if you deserve the job or not. Answers that make it seem like you possess a big fat ego and unrealistic approach to life can backfire so, steer clear of them. Keep it simple and honest. As a candidate, before any interview, always prepare yourself mentally and take your time to understand the interviewer’s questions. This can help you dish out intelligent and to-the-point answers. Remember, never memorize responses for answers to job related questions – it is alright to seem prepared but don’t ever make yourself look like a kid reciting a poem to a disinterested audience. Avoid mumbling or fidgeting while talking as it indicates nervousness and a lack of confidence too. To know and prepare for difficult questions, read on!
Answering Tough Interview Questions
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Do your homework! Know everything that there is to know about the company. Showcase your strengths well, but don’t entirely neglect your weaknesses.
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Introduce yourself well! Every individual, no matter how successful, comes with his or her own share of strengths and weaknesses.
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Remember, first impressions leave long lasting marks. Self-confidence and positive body language are a must.
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Make it a point to go in your smartest attire for the interview.
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‘Talk’, don’t brag! Talk about your accomplishments in the companies you previously worked for.
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Every answer that escapes your lips should be well formulated and to the point. Beating around the bush is not allowed.
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Quiz the interviewer on the kinds of tasks you will be asked to do, the work culture of the organization and the responsibilities that are a part of the job.
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Be honest with your answers. At no point of time, during the interview, should you be guilty of dishonest answers to questions asked.
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Talk about yourself! Do not go overboard when choosing to answer this question. Talk about your education and work experience. This is all the interviewer is interested in, nothing less and nothing more!
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What do you know about the organization and why do you want to work with us! Here, you can talk about the services, revenues, management style, reputation, goals and history of the company. Maintain a positive tone while answering this question. Do not make the mistake of dishing out unflattering answers like “I saw the advertisement and decided to try my luck.”
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Why did you leave the previous organization? Were you fired or laid off? No matter what the answer to this question is, try being as honest as possible. However, if you left your previous organization because of issues with the management then stay diplomatic with the reasons and don’t criticize your previous employer.
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Talk about your strengths and weaknesses! Pay more attention towards your strengths, this will make you seem a lot more employable. In case of weaknesses, be precise and extremely honest. You need to explain to the interviewer that you are not perfect but are ever-willing to learn and will also continue to work on your shortcomings.
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Why should we select you over other candidates who have applied for this position! A tricky one this. Give the interviewer an introduction to your key career accomplishments. Maintain composure as this question can take a toll on your ego. Explain how valuable you can be to the organization while also talking about your interests and your abilities to get work done in time.
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What is your knowledge about the position you have applied for! Do not dive into details here. Answer the question after taking into account your credibility, accountability and responsibilities. If you are uncertain about anything, ask the interviewer about it instead of bluffing.
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What do you look for when you hire people! People who are capable of moving up the organization’s ladder and are dedicated to their tasks are what employers want and hence, this should be your answer.
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Do you have any questions! Here, the interviewer gives you a chance to throw questions to judge your interest in the job. An interview is a two-way process, so interaction is a must. Make sure you answer relevant and sensible questions and don’t fall into the trap of asking questions just to make an impression – this could backfire!
Find yourself a good employer and be a good employee as well. All it requires to get through any interview is positive body language, a prepared approach to the questions asked and a professional and healthy interaction with the interviewer.
