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When it comes to the interview process, research and preparation for the interview can often times
determine your chances of making it to the next step. One of the best ways to get ready for a job
interview is to practice your responses to any and all interview questions even the downright weird.
To help you get started, Glassdoor sifted through tens of thousands of interview reviews to find out
some of the most common interview questions candidates get asked during recent interviews. So, if
you have a job interview lined up, practice in front of a mirror or ask a friend or family member to
listen to your answers to the following questions so youll be ready to put your best foot forward.
Most Common Interview Questions
1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Why are you interested in working for [insert company name here]?
4. Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
5. Why do you want to leave your current company?
6. Why was there a gap in your employment between [insert date] and [insert date]?
7. What can you offer us that someone else can not?
8. What are three things your former manager would like you to improve on?
9. Are you willing to relocate?
10. Are you willing to travel?
11. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
12. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
13. What is your dream job?
14. How did you hear about this position?
15. What would you look to accomplish in the first 30 days/60 days/90 days on the job?
16. Discuss your resume.
17. Discuss your educational background.
18. Describe yourself.
19. Tell me how you handled a difficult situation.
20. Why should we hire you?
21. Why are you looking for a new job?
22. Would you work holidays/weekends?
23. How would you deal with an angry or irate customer?
24. What are your salary requirements? (Hint: if youre not sure whats a fair salary range and
compensation package, research the job title and/or company on Glassdoor.)
25. Give a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.
26. Who are our competitors?
27. What was your biggest failure?
28. What motivates you?
29. Whats your availability?
30. Whos your mentor?
31. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss.
32. How do you handle pressure?
33. What is the name of our CEO?
34. What are your career goals?
35. What gets you up in the morning?
36. What would your direct reports say about you?
37. What were your bosses strengths/weaknesses?
39. Are you a leader or a follower?
40. What was the last book youve read for fun?
41. What are your co-worker pet peeves?
42. What are your hobbies?

43. What is your favourite website?

44. What makes you uncomfortable?
45. What are some of your leadership experiences?
46. How would you fire someone?
47. What do you like the most and least about working in this industry?
48. Would you work 40+ hours a week?
49. What questions havent I asked you?
50. What questions do you have for me?
In addition to questions commonly asked during a job interview, many unexpected and downright
bizarre questions may also be asked. Check out some of the strangest ones to show up on.

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Its an eternal truth that cracking interviews remains one of the toughest challenges to combat for all
aspirants or job seekers. Across the globe, any discussion or session on clearing interviews has been a
buzzword!!! At times I feel that Interviews are more like real life movies for which there is an outline
within which one needs to act. Also, it would not be wrong to say that its like a game. You know that
you can do the job you just need some help in persuading interviewers to give you the chance to prove
it.
As I mentioned previously that interviews are like games, and its all about succeeding in it. Dont get
surprised!!! Indeed, interview is a game. Remember that. And like any other game, interviewing has
rules. Its true that some of the rules are unspoken and an interviewer will never tell you face to face
that you have broken a rule, but if you break the rules, you will not get offered the job. Follow the
rules, and you will get the job. Its that simple. Because the person who gets the job is not always the
best person for the job more often than not, they simply know the most about how to get appointed.
Lets be very practical. Many experts have suggested through articles, interviews, forums etc., that
one needs to very original in ones approach at the time of interview. Many people followed this
principle as a sincere and prospective candidate, but the end result was not very conducive. And Trust
me, with practice even you can master this art of interview questions and answers and find career
success.
Many of us have heard these famous lines at the time of feedback from the interviewer/s Better luck
next time, you were good but our job demands something else, you are not the right fit for this job,
thanks you so much for being hereand it goes onSurprising right!!! Dont be. Always remember
always speak what the interviewer wants to hear from you. Or expects you to speak Therefore, at
times you need to act by projecting what you are not. And thats why you prepare yourself hard
attend personality development classes joining language classes and what not. This clearly states that
the world follows a particular dimension within which we need to enact Otherwise, no matter how
original or good you are, if you fail to live up to the preformed standards, you are always going to fall
short to the finishing line. And this is very much applicable when we talk about facing interviews.
Interview means a medium through which and interviewee answers or responds to some sacrosanct
OH! God knows what will happen in the interview tomorrow? What all questions will I be asked? Will
I be able to answer all the questions? What if I look nervous and then panic when questions are shot
to me?
Well, all these thoughts must have haunted or have been haunting you. Sit back, relax and take a deep
breadth. Dont worry if you are nervous!!! Surprised to hear that! Be nervous before you face any
interview. Dont ever forget that nervousness precedes every big event. And all achievers in life feel
that pinch before the ultimate outcome as they are concerned. So be nervous, but dont ever panic. If
you are nervous then it states that you are concerned with the way or manner its going to welcome
you. However, too much of nervousness leads to panic and thats something one should try to avoid.
Breathing easy, having a glass of water, and going through your resume are some simple ways in which
you handle your nervousness easily. These not only allows you to calm down but also help you in
handling those initial questions about yourself in a relaxed manner, enabling you to get over your
nervousness. So, the golden principle is to prepareprepare and prepareRemember there is no

substitute to preparation when it comes to interview. By Job Interview Preparation I mean Doing your
homework properly and on time. Anyone can improve his performance at interview. No matter how
much you hate interviews, no matter how long it has been since you had an interview, no matter how
nervous you might feel, I can guarantee that doing your homework will boost your confidence and
improve your chances of securing a job. Being invited for a Job Interview is a significant step. Many
employers see hundreds of resumes or application forms and shortlist only a handful of candidates to
invite to interview. You should pat yourself on the back for getting this far. So dont mess it up now.
There are some people who are naturally extrovert and able to excel during the interview. But for
most people its doesnt come naturally. And thats why success at interviews usually comes down to
good preparation and practice. In fact, Id say that 90 percent of what determines success at interview
comes down to good preparation and rehearsal.
Understanding the secrets of How to Get Interview Success. It goes without saying that interviewers
want to hire good candidates. But what exactly are they looking for? The answer lies in three Cs,
elements of any Job Interview Success. Competence Candidates who are equipped with knowledge,
skills, leadership, to name a few that can bring difference to their organization. Commitment
Candidates who are going to stay for a while proving their mettle and sheer commitment towards the
organizational development. Chemistry Candidates who can build a good rapport during the
conversation by answering or handling their questions tactfully. Things to be followed by any
candidate to get the best of the jobs at any level:
Studying job adverts for crucial information Use a highlighter to pick phrases in the job advert. Then
brainstorm at least possible questions that an interviewer could ask you about each of those key
phrases.
Researching your prospective employer: Be prepared to invest efforts in researching each
prospective employer. Avoid simply memorizing facts about the organization try to form your own
opinion. (Read from companys website, articles, overview of the industry, talking to people in the
industry, contacting the employees of the organization you are applying for.)
Dressing appropriately for interviews Bear in mind that interviewers (often subconsciously) believe
that your appearance is the outward manifestation of your personality. So what does your appearance
say about your personality? (Im sure every job seeker knows that definition of power dressing)
Carry a smart bag or a file (which is not torn) Its imperative to carry some good bag or file in which
you are going to carry your credentials.
Building rapport with interviewers: Interpersonal chemistry is incredibly important during interview.
Dont underestimate the power of smile. With a good pleasing smile you can always put your
employers in a good mood.
Reach the venue on time Make sure that you reach the venue in time. You shouldnt reach an hour
before your interview though. Rather, ensure that you should reach at least 30 minutes before the
interview. Dont get late, or else you know the repercussions?
Pre-plan some small talks Once you reach the venue, you might start feeling the pressure. So the
best thing is to make yourself feel comfortable by looking at the reception area or observing the
building features. It helps at time to initiate a talk. For instance: Lets say once you enter in to the
interview room you can always say, What a nice set up/office you have. Or, You really have a
wonderful office. It makes you feel comfortable once you have greeted the interviewer.
Maintain a proper eye contact and smile broadly at the time of greeting the interviewer/s. (dont
forget that. Its very important to build the chemistry). Shake hands firmly If the interview extends
his hand to you as a nice gesture then ensure that you shake hands with him firmly. Also, ensure that
you take your hands back after 3 seconds.
Use your body language (posture and gestures) and tone of your voice throughout the interviews
they say, Action speaks louder than words. During interview your posture (your body position) and
gesture (your body movement) should complement your words that you speak. So nod your head to
show the interviewer that you are paying attention, flash your eyes by raising your eyebrows
occasionally, and move your hands to substantiate your points

 Add humour speak with some humour if you can. But this is very situational. This will alleviate the
pressure from you if you are nervous.
Avoid sounding monotonous Maintain a good pace while speaking at the time of interview. Develop
a good intonation so that you dont sound monotonous and flat all the time.
Think about the speed with which you speak: Speaking too quickly could make you appear nervous
speaking too slowly will drain the energy from your interviewer. Try to vary your speed occasionally.
Remember Quickening your pace may be appropriate to convey enthusiasm. Slowing down may be
useful when you want to appear more thoughtful, considered, and mature.
Minimize any distracting body language Avoid any distracting body movement as it emanates some
negative signals to the interviews. Like: Fidgeting with your hands or playing with your pen, ring, cuff
links, curl of hair etc., tensing your shoulders, biting or chewing your lips. Crossing or uncrossing your
legs frequently.
Practice in front of a mirror or record your mock interview Flick to a random question written in a
book or in your notebook and read it aloud as if an interviewer has asked it to you. Then respond out
loud. Watch yourself in the mirror and try to observe. You can also ask someone to record your style
answering using a camcorder or you phone. Practice Affirmations and get over your fear, refer to the
awesome Career Book, Your Career Build It Your Way
Never answer question about which you are not sure If you are honest in saying that you do not
know the answer, people will appreciate it more than if you guess something absurd. Its not
mandatory to answer all the questions in an interview.
Wish all members before and after the interview It has been noticed that many candidates do not
feel it necessary to wish the members and many others skip it due to nervousness. It does not give a
good first impression of the candidate if he does not wish the board members. And please do check
the time by your watch at the time of greeting your interviewer/s.
Drawing the attention of the interviews Another thing to keep in mind is that while a question is
being asked to you focus all your attention to the person asking the question. But while you are
answering the question, address everyone on the interview panel. This will highlight your
attentiveness and allow you to have everybodys attention. If only one person is taking your interview,
then it quite obvious that you need to look at him/her while answering.
Smoking is injurious If you are a smoker than make sure that you use a mouth freshener before you
go in for your interview you could be in trouble if the interviewer is allergic to the smell. Even if he/she
is not, why take a chance. If possible, try not to smoke before an interview. It is important to smell the
rat and not smell like a rat. And the list goes on There are a lot of things that one needs to keep in
mind at the time of interview or while preparing for an interview. Remember you can always rule the
world if you want to. The choice is all yoursFollowing some principles (mentioned above) one can
gear up for any interview and make the road to success easier in no time.

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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Tell me about yourself?

Why should I hire you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What is the difference between confidence and over-confidence?
What is the difference between hard work and smart work?
Why do you want to work at our company?
How do you feel about working nights and weekends?
Can you work under pressure?
What are your goals?
Are you willing to relocate or travel?
What motivates you to do good job?
What makes you angry?
Give me an example of your creativity.
How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

15. Are not you overqualified for this position?

16. Describe your ideal company, location and job.
17. What are your career options right now?
18. Explain how would be an asset to this organization?
19. What are your outside interests?
20. Would you lie for the company?
21. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
22. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?
23. Have you considered starting your own business?
24. How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
25. If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work?
26. Tell me something about our company.
27. How much salary do you expect?
28. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
29. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.
30. Do you have any questions for me?
The other topics which are common in PI include the following:
Current affairs Politics, Economics, Business, Social events, demographics, Sports, Literature,
Entertainment, Awards & Recognition
Educational background
Social background
Work experience
Hobbies
Your performance or points presented in Group Discussion/Written Ability Test
Your CV or SOP
I want to open a restaurant that serves Awadhi cuisine in Lucknow, in future. I had mentioned it in
the SOP and the interviewer asked me if I was a vegetarian. I admitted. So he asked me, Pandey ji,
agar aapka customer aapse kebab ki quality pe sawaal karega and insist karega that you taste it, will
you do it? He killed my interview with the question.
Your geographical background can lead to a plethora of questions. Hence, acquire some basic
information on your state such as historical relevance, political or social scenario, about famous
personality belonging to the centre etc. You might also be questioned regarding the development of
your state or city.
Jyotsna Chadha, a student of IIM Rohtak, who belongs to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh was asked How can
cleanliness be brought about in Kanpur? She also shares, In an interview I was asked about the
population of UP. I could not give a logical estimate. The figure that you quote are not important,
thought process is more important. For e.g., in this case, it could be said that population of India is 1
billion and 20% of that resides in UP.
I was asked if I was working for a company and later came to know that a particular product it
manufactures is harmful for some people. Would I still work for it? And what would I do in such a
situation. This is one moment where I was perplexed as to give a socially acceptable answer or give an
honestly. I took the path of honesty and I am glad I did that.
Pleasant Surprises
Although interview rounds are meant to be serious affairs and we generally picture grumpy faced
professors as interviewers, at times they also ask questions to break the ice and lighten the mood of
the stressed candidates. For e.g. they ask you questions on your hobbies or other areas in which you
are comfortable in. Some questions can be interesting as well which allow you to answer confidently.
Talking about his Group Interview at SPJIMR Mumbai, Shray Khurana, a first year student shares, Us
interviewers asked us, if we had a bucket list and today is our last day in the world, what the 1 thing
wed want to do is? This induced a lot of interesting answers from all the aspirants, some said theyd

play a musical instrument they never played, some said theyd visit Ladakh, some said theyd go
partying etc. It made every one quite relaxed and from that point on the interview saw a lot of
passionate discussion from everyone.
Himangana Banerjee, another SPJIMR student shares, We had to wait a long time before the
interview. The interviewers asked if we were hungry, which we frankly agreed. The next thing you
know is that we were having sandwiches during the interview.
Your approach is what matters during the PI rounds. While you may be over confident and give
incorrect answer to an already known question, you can also tackle a difficult question with a smart
answer or a direct I dont know. While the ball is at your court, ensure that you give the best shot.