Purpose: - Asked as an introductory (comfort) question, to get the interview started and make you comfortable, settle down to know about your communication speaking style! get an initial "feel# of your suitability $ou have to reply back in a minimum of % to & sentences or a ma'imum of ( to )* sentences! which you think to be a word portrait of you but relevant to the +ob e'pectations that the interviewer may have in mind, -he answer should be crisp . economi/ing on words yet not so short as to inform nothing much, 0over your academics, family, special abilities qualifications, aspirations! hobbies (and if confident . your strengths about which you are in a position to answer more), -hose with e'perience should definitely speak the salient part of their e'perience, Q). Wh"t "%e $ou% !%e"test st%e!ths' $ou should know your strengths to speak realistically, A probable model answer:1 believe that 1 can get along well with people could integrate gel with the work team thus add contribute to the group effectiveness, 1 am both a smart hard worker and can work under pressure, 2eing a regular yoga enthusiast, 1 have e'cellent physical mental fitness can destress regain energy quickly! so necessary in today3s demanding work situations, Q). Wh"t "%e $ou% m"(o% )e"*esses' Purpose: - -his is an eliminator question! designed to quickly cut short the unwanted, -herefore, the admission of a weakness or fault that is not visible very obviously! may earn you an 4A3 for honesty but an 453 (5ailure) for the interview, -herefore very often students disguise strengths as a purported weakness, but even this the interviewers are quick to interpret, 2etter is to talk off a weakness that does not impact the +ob very substantially and to add stress . that you are making sincere efforts to improve overcome the weakness Q). Whe%e +o $ou &i+ $ou%sel& &i,e $e"%s (o% te $e"%s) +o) the lie' 6ample Answers:(5or 5ive $ears)7h8 1 will certainly be amongst the high performers and with great passion for work achievement and 1 think 1 would like to go as far as possible within the companies 9: policies . may be a couple of positions up from the entry level into one of greater responsibility where 1 could handle responsibility more independently, (5or -en $ears) 2y this time, 1 hope to have crossed the middle management level and may be on the threshold of becoming a senior management (or e'ecutive) professional- ;ay be a ;arketing ;anager or a <onal ;anager=== Q). Wh"t +o $ou )"t to +o i $ou% li&e' O% Wh"t -"%ee% !o"ls $ou h",e i mi+ (o% $ou h",e set &o% $ou%sel&)O% Wh"t "%e $ou% !o"ls' (A%e $ou " !o"l o%iete+ .e%so') / simil"% 0uestios Purpose: -o check if you have a goal focused approach, A 6ample Answer: $es! 1 have certain vision of what 1 want to achieve in the long run 1 have also set short term goals to achieve them, 1 have set goals all by myself but 1 am open to discussing it with my parents, teachers or mentors#, (===then you can go on to narrate a few career goals=,,) Q). 1o) +o $ou .l" to "-hie,e these !o"ls' A 6ample Answer: -he keenness to learn and high motivation (passion) to achieve perform! 1 believe! are driving forces for me, 6o through learning, acquiring e'perience skills, through committed hard work and ups killing upgrading informal education 1 think 1 will achieve these goals, 1 am already on the verge of completing my basic qualification (2, -ech > ;2A > 2, Pharm) aspire to get into a good company to begin a career soon then 1 will gradually work my way up ! with keenness passion as 1 +ust spoke! 1 believe, in a timeframe of )& to ?* years! 1 should attain whatever 1 am aspiring for, Q). A$ "-hie,emets2 th"t $ou (usti&i"#l$ )oul+ li*e to 0uote' A 6ample Answer: 1 have consistently done well academically scoring above @*A (or first class marks) all through, and thus 1 have been better than an average student, 5urther 1 have read B papers in symposia organi/ed by ;anagement 1nstitutes of repute! and 1 got a 11nd pri/e in the one that 1 presented at 1,1,;, (2) 1 am also a member of my college 0ricket C1 represented in the inter college meet where our team reached up to the semifinal stage, -hese are some of the significant achievements, Q). Wh"t "--om.lishmets h",e !i,e $ou the most s"tis&"-tio i $ou% li&e' A 6ample Answer: 1 derive satisfaction from good performance and achievements, -he one notable achievement that was very satisfying was the (you can now describe as above at D, @ ( later at D,)? or some other achievement of your life- from the good pro+ect you have done etc, we leave it to the imagination of the student > incumbent to prepare their own suitable answers) All these achievements have been satisfying, Q). Loo*i! #"-* (o% i& $ou )e%e to li,e $ou% li&e "ll o,e% "!"i) )h"t )oul+ $ou +o +i&&e%etl$ i $ou% li&e' A 6ample Answer: 1t has been a good life so far, rich in learning e'perience! and being on the threshold of a career! 1 believe the best has yet to come, 1 believe every e'perience so far has taught me something made me wiser! 1 don3t think of anything much 1 could want to change, yes! in future 1 wish aspire to occupy a position of responsibility challenge in life! and given the opportunity again would like to economi/e on some wasted moments and missing opportunities through lack of awareness and improve my score by &A more and also play more cricket learn to dance en+oy the music of A, :, :ehman =, Q). 1o) +o $ou +e&ie su--ess' 1o) +o $ou thi* $ou -" #e su--ess&ul' A 6ample Answer: -he best definition of success 1 have come across is that "success is the progressive reali/ation of a worthy goal#, a goal that one aspires for or has set for oneself#, 6ome people may aspire for a lot of money, others for a lot of fame or a lot of power and authority! 2ut 1 aspire to grow to be a management professional and manage at the helm of a reputable company in my domain and 1 believe 1 should accomplish this in about )( to ?* years time, As a first step 1 have already acquired the basic qualification and now 1 am on the verge of starting a career and through intense motivation, hard work, commitment, creativity and building healthy relationship based on mutual trust and respect with all those whom 1 work with, 1 believe! progressively 1 will achieve the goal 1 have in mind -hat will be the moment of my success, Q). Des-%i#e " situ"tio i )hi-h $ou )e%e su--ess&ul' A 6ample Answer: 7ur college celebrates a national level festival which in this region is amongst the most popular one3s in which about %*** students from over &* colleges participate in various fun and technical events, models e'hibition, paper presentation! and cultural and dance and drama shows, 1 was amongst the team of chief coordinators consisting of )* members, ultimately we organi/ed it as a grand success and won praise and accolades for the smooth conduct and flawless events management, from teachers, visitors participating students alike, Q). A%e $ou " te"m .l"$e%' A 6ample Answer: $es, 1 am very much a team player! as 1 believe that "pulling together# produces the best results! and therefore, 1 value the effectiveness of the group 1 work for 1 can work well in groups, 1n a group of si' classmates, we are currently working on a very interesting pro+ect, 5urther as a member of college band, 1 have given performances in many colleges in various events, 1 think good team work is very essential for success of the organi/ation the team, ($ou can study more about team work in a separate chapter devoted e'clusively to it), Q). Wh"t moti,"tes $ou' A 6ample Answer: 1 am driven by a passion to perform and achieve in all things 1, do so basically 1 am a self driven person "the fear of nonperformance# weighs a lot with me, 5urther good ambience, a good compensation and encouragement from the seniors also reinforces my motive to achieve more more, Q). Wh$ shoul+ )e hi%e $ou' Purpose:Ehether the interviewer asks you this question e'plicitly or not! this is what he must answer in his mind favorably before he decides to hire your services, 2asically, the interviewer is checking up whether you as an applicant clearly understand the position3s requirements vis-F-vis your own suitability, -his is what you have to state, following each important reason with a short e'planation why you meet the requirement so well, -he answer will substantially involve competencies highlighting your strengths to match the +ob requirements- Gnderstanding corporate e'pectations, Ee are providing two answers . one each from the point of view of entry level (read fresher) and the other for some what more e'perienced applicants: An entry level (fresh college graduate) A 6ample Answer: "As 1 see the +ob! managers will have to plan, e'ecute, deliver, 1 think the company would want managers with sound domain knowledge! who are good in e'ecution . planning, co-ordination etc, and can get the output from people, 1 believe, 1 posses these requirements, 1 have done optional papers of 5inance and ;arketing. which goes to show my interest, 5urther, 1 have taken training in a manufacturing set up at ;a' Hew $ork Iife one of the best equipped for precision product manufacturing and lastly 1 can manage the workers confidently as 1 have done plenty of event management successfully and am good in interpersonal dealings,, 2esides that, 1 am highly motivated and posses3 traits that fit in with the +ob, And so 1 believe 1 have a strong case for being considered, 6ome what e'perienced 0andidate- for selling precision machined components to 7J;6 (7riginal Jquipment ;anufacturer3s . in this case 0ar manufacturer3s),, A 6ample Answer:As 1 understand the +ob! it involves a strong 0:; (0ustomer :elationship ;anagement) capability to retain e'isting buyers and add more 7J; buyers to e'pand 6ales of components that our 0ompany produces, 1 am already working on a similar assignment, where the company supplies gears and transmission gear bo'es to the Auto ma+ors and 1 believe, 1 have the right contacts, methods and e'posure to such a +ob and can assume this responsibility at the higher level, given my track record of past achievements, 1n my innovative promotional ideas, 1 first doubled and then tripled the total sales at my current 0ompany of course aided by an upswing in 0ar demand and 1 am confident 1 can do the same for you# Q). Wh$ )oul+ $ou )"t to )o%* )ith us' Purpose: -his question tests whether you have done your homework, about the company how do you value view the employment opportunity being offered, 1f you have not, there is little you can speak- if you have - you will win big reward, -hanks to the in depth preparation that you have done, this question will provide you the opportunity you badly needed to speak, 2est sources for researching about the company are as already previously stated . its website, annual reports, corporate news letters, brochures and pamphlets sent to your placement deptt, advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press, contacts (such as your college seniors) working at the company etc, $ou have to basically show the "Kalue# offered by the company3s +ob is understood by you and how you find it to be a very good opportunity, and would be happy to accept it 6ample Answer (a): (An applicant for a +ob at H11- -or . 0lub ;ahindra , $ou can provide answers some what on the lines given below) "1 think 1 am very keen to work for H11- (or 0lub ;ahindra), 1t is not only about the money alone . which is no doubt good . but more about the overall value proposition that is offered by your renowned company, $ou spend a very high amount on training and provide one of the best training to the fresh recruits, . which adds a lot of valueL -hen you have very impressive client list so there will be so much to learn! in the guidance of world class superiors and world class peers . and above all in a demanding but very constructive ambiences the opportunity to get e'posure to truly world class practices managerial policies, 6o there is much more to absorb and progress - and as the company is successful growing fast the opportunities for growth are good, better than most other places, -hat3s why this is a "dream company# not +ust another opportunity, 1 will truly feel a wish has come true if 1 am offered the opportunity, 6ample Answer (b): 1 definitely know the 0ompany reasonably well, 1t is a market leader in its space, having renowned clients, -he thing that impresses me most is the culture and 9: Philosophy, -he compensation is good but more importantly there are constant challenges and those who meet these get quickly rewarded, and thus one gets to e'plore ones full potential, -here is good team feeling and a rich ambience and world-class superiors to work with on world-class pro+ects, (or to work on high class pro+ects of high class clients=,,) 1 will be pretty well happy if 1 am granted an opportunity for it will be a "dream opportunity# as far as 1 am concerned, Q). Do $ou h",e " %ole mo+el ()ho h"s is.i%e+ $ou i $ou% li&e)' A 6ample Answer: ;y father, 1 think, is the person 1 appreciate most- not because he is my father but because 1 have watched him grow as a self made man from very humble beginnings! with sincere hard work, patience perseverance, 9e has faced odds difficulties without loosing confidence or his affable cheerful dispositions, shouldered his responsibilities at work the family so 1 admire him would want to develop the same way my life too, through hard work, devotion, with courage to face challenges with full hearted enthusiasm, Q). Do $ou thi* it is -o%%e-t / ethi-"l &o% the -om."$ to "s* t%"iees to &ill " se%,i-e #o+ o& 3 $e"%s' Do $ou h",e "$ issues i& $ou "%e "s*e+ to si! " se%,i-e #o+ o& 3 $e"%s' A 6ample Answer: A fresher coming out of the college does not have work e'perience and generally lacks application or process capability and an initial training is required to make the person productive and deployable the company incurs costs on it, As the 0ompany incurs cost on training, the person benefits out of it so a reasonable time should be allowed to the company to recover its costs and 1 do not see anything wrong in the ?-year service bond, As far as 1 am concerned! 1 have simply no issues and 1 am perfectly ready to sign the bond, 1nfact 1 am delighted by the company3s work culture and 9: Policies and 1 am looking for a long term commitment to learn and contribute and grow . so ? yrs bond is +ust not an issue with me, Q). 4" $ou )o%* u+e% .%essu%e' A$ e5"m.le $ou -" 0uote i su..o%t o& $ou% -l"im' A 6ample Answer: $es, 1 am confident 1 can handle pressing situations and deliver the results, As a cricket player also 1 have faced pressing situations and thought and e'celled, 1 believe in accepting all challenges that can reasonably be met! and 1 remain calm and focused and proceed methodically to quickly solve and overcome the problem, 9owever, the e'tra concern does create e'tra eagerness to respond quickly does create some amount of stress, but 1 think some stress is good, (Duote some believable e'ample from your life or of those whom you know closely saying that in your own life . you have not faced a really pressing situation . but you have observed closely a case which taught you the way one should handle pressures narrate) Q). Wh$ +i+ $ou -hoose to "tte+ this -olle!e' A 6ample Answer: -his is a premier and highly rated college of this region! and academic standard is high! and discipline and ambience is very good and infrastructure, labs, workshop, libraries are all well equipped and best part is that faculty is knowledgeable and very helpful, And the placement opportunities are very bright as several very good companies come here for campus recruitment and our seniors are working in all the top class well known companies many are abroad, Q). 1o) h"s $ou% e+u-"tio .%e."%e+ $ou &o% $ou% -"%ee% ' A 6ample Answer: -he education 1 have undergone has given me the conceptual clarity technical (domain) knowledge about my professional field groomed my personality and attitudes, Miven these inputs with some application e'perience and process ability that 1 can gain by initial training in a good organi/ation, 1 am confident of pursuing a good career, Q).A%e $ou s"tis&ie+ )ith $ou% "-"+emi- .e%&o%m"-es till o)' A 6ample Answer: 7ur college schedule is quite demanding, 2esides curriculum studies, we have to attend many co-curricular activities like seminars and PNP classes 6essions and also participation in e'tra curricular activities is also mandatory, 6o 1 have done reasonably well, though 1 think with a little better time management and e'tra focus 1 could improve by another BA to %A, . which now 1 am trying to do, (6ometimes if you3re academic scores has gone down over the years or fluctuated there may be questions aimed at this and you have to include a viable e'planation for the same which is believable) Q). Wh"t 0u"lities +o $ou &eel " su--ess&ul m""!e% shoul+ h",e' A 6ample Answer: -he +ob of a manager is to bring out the best results through his people making optimum use of resources available and so he should have, good leadership skills, be people friendly and capable of motivating his team, result oriented and a sound decision maker, 5urther he should +udge his subordinates based on the performances they deliver and not on other e'traneous considerations, Also he should be a balanced good person, Q). Do $ou h",e "$ .l"s &o% &u%the% e+u-"tio' A 6ample Answer: $es: 1 believe learning is a continuous process and 1 would want to add to my qualifications, 2ut right now 1 am looking for a +ob and acquiring application and process abilities, 6ome time in future when 1 am on the threshold of a managerial responsibility 1 may definitely want to go for further education through 7n-line > distance learning mode (lot of Gniversities are providing such courses nowadays), 2ut right now it3s the +ob that 1 want, (-oo-often- Ee have seen the ;2A lure is taken to mean the applicant will use the +ob as a stopgap arrangement or +ust a stepping stone) and otherwise certain offers are withdrawn due to this lack of priority on the part of the student, Q). Do $ou h",e "$ lo-"tio .%e&e%e-e' A%e $ou )illi! to %elo-"te' A 6ample Answer: Ho! 1 do not have any strong location preference and can work any where in 1ndia or abroad, 9owever, if 1 have a choice available then 1 will opt for (Hoida or Murgaon in preference to 2angalore (or Kice-Kersa) as it is nearer home and 1 could meet parents and relatives more frequently! but it3s not a precondition, 1 am ready willing to relocate as per my companies requirement! it is only a preference 1 have indicated,
Q). ("). Wh"t +o $ou *o) "#out us' Purpose:1n this, the interviewer checks if you have done your homework have cared to know about the company or by some nonchalant attitude on your part in this regard wishes to asses what esteem the candidate feels about the +ob and the company! and the approach has to be reaffirm that you have cared to know about the +ob and the company and that you admire and appreciate the company and the +ob, Menerally if you have studied the company Eebsite and > or gone through a company brochure and briefing etc, you would know well what to speak, 6ample Answer a), 1 am keenly interested in the company the +ob, 1t3s one of the best known companies in the field ====,(-elecom>Aviation>5;0M>:etail==as the case may be) with an annual turnover of =====-he company has ==(so many) branches ( overseas centers offices) and offers===(product service details-mention a couple of its best known offerings>product), -he companies vision==,(employment ethics)=,makes it a highly respected company, $ou can thus add a couple of salient features about the company>0hief J'ecutive) special recognitions>products offerings etc==== (#). A$thi! $ou )oul+ )"t to *o) "#out us' Purpose:1t is more of a courtesy question to give the applicant an opportunity to clear his doubts-though after very long questioning most of the interviewers will hardly have the capacity to respond to some true sensible query by the student, especially if it requires a long elaboration! so some sincere answers>queries could be clarified, 6ample Answer ): 6ir,> ;a3am! this being a very important opportunity! 1 already have a lot of information gathered, 6ome small doubts that 1 had were settled when you delivered the pre-placement talk which was very informative and therefore, 1 have no more queries to make 7r 6ample Answer ?:-hank you 6ir > ;a3am! 1 am already impressed by the 0ompany as it is so successful and doing so very well, 9owever, 1 am +ust curious to know how you see your operations growing over the ne't decade . as fast as now or likely to slow down, (under the effect of ====, Eorldwide economic constraints, a stronger rupee! G,6, 0ongress imposing restrictions=etc,) ;anagement> J'ecutive capabilities: Ehat are the qualities of a good manager Ehat is ;anagement 9ow do you think you will make a good ;anagerL Ehat is leadership-what e'actly does a good leader doL :efer Duestion 2ank of ;anagement 1nterview question, 0onflicts . are they essential L 9ow do you resolve themL 7: 9ave you ever had a conflict with the boss or professor, 9ow did you resolve itL 0an you handle pressure stresses L Ehy do these ariseL 9ow do you think you should handle L Ehat are the qualities of a team what in turn you see as important to become a good tem playerL No attitudes have an effect on work performance-Hame a few such attitudes Ehat is Positive ;ental AttitudeL Ehat is Proactive nessL 9ow is it different from reactiveL 1n business negotiations is it good so be aggressiveL