Type of Questions

Interviewers use five different types of questions - directive, non-directive, hypothetical, behavior descriptive, and stress. Being aware of the different types can help you in the preparation stage as you build your skills inventory. It may also help you focus in on exactly what is being asked and what the employer is looking for in specific questions. Directive Questions The interviewer determines the focus of your answer. The information that the interviewer wants is very clear. If you have completed the research on yourself, this type of question should be easy to answer. Example: "What skills do you have that relate to this position?" "I have very good communication and interpersonal skills that I have refined through several summer and part-time jobs working with the public. In addition, I am fluent in both English and French." Non-Directive Questions You determine the focus of your answer. The interviewer asks a general question and does not ask for specific information. The most common non-directive question is "Tell me about yourself." When answering the question, keep in mind that the employer is interested in knowing how your background and personality qualify you for the job. In your answer, you should cover four areas: your education, related experience, skills and abilities, and personal attributes. As you talk about these areas, relate them to the job you are seeking. Decide what your response will be before starting to speak, this helps to keep responses concise. Example: " Tell me about yourself." "I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, and have recently completed the course in Volunteer Management through the Volunteer Center of Winnipeg. These have given me a strong background in many of the principles of human behavior and the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers. I have experience in working with young adults in a helping capacity, both through my position as a Peer Advisor at the University of Manitoba, and as a camp counselor at a camp for behaviorally troubled adolescents. Both of these positions involved individual counseling, facilitating discussion groups, and

teaching young people about health issues - all of which relate directly to the services which I would be training volunteers to provide within your organization. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy working with young people, and can establish rapport with them easily." Hypothetical or Scenario Questions When asking a hypothetical question, the interviewer describes a situation, which you may encounter in the position and asks how you would react in a similar situation. This is a good way to test problem-solving abilities. When answering this type of question, try applying a simple problem solving model to it gather information, evaluate the information, priories the information, seek advice, weigh the alternatives, make a decision, communicate the decision, monitor the results and modify if necessary. Example: "Suppose you are working your first day in our laboratory, and a fire at a nearby work station breaks out. What would you do?" "Before I start working in any laboratory, I always locate the emergency equipment, such as eye washes, fire blankets and alarms. I would also review the safety protocols. So in this situation, I would be aware of these. As soon as I noticed the fire, I would shut down my experiment and if the fire is significant, I would pull the firm alarm and help to evacuate the lab. In the case of very small flame, I would ask the staff member at the station what I could do to help, Which would vary with the type of substances involved. Behavior Descriptive or Behavioral Questions This type of question is becoming increasingly popular in interview situations. It asks what you did in a particular situation rather than what you would do. Situations chosen usually follow the job description fairly closely. Some employers feel that examples of past performance will help them to predict future performance in similar situations. There is no right or wrong answer to this type of question, but keep in mind that you should relate the answer to the position. If you are interviewing for a research position, talk about a research project you completed. Example: "Give me an example of a work situation in which you were proud of your performance." "While working as a sales representative for XYZ Company for the summer, I called on Prospective clients and persuaded them of the ecological and economic benefits of Recycling. I also followed up on clients to ensure that they were satisfied with the service

They received. This involved both telephone and in-person contacts. I increased sales 34% over the same period in the previous year." When preparing for this type of questioning, it is crucial that you review the skills and qualities that the position would require and identify specific examples from your past which demonstrated those traits. Stress Questions Some questions will surprise you and possibly make you feel uncomfortable during an interview. For Example:" Which do you prefer, fruits or vegetables?" There are many reasons why an interviewer might ask such questions. They may want to see how you react in difficult situations, or they may simply be trying to test your sense of humor. Such questions may directly challenge an opinion that you have just stated or say something negative about you or a reference. Sometimes they ask seemingly irrelevant questions such as, "If you were an animal, what type of animal would you be?" The best way to deal with this type of question is to recognize what is happening. The interviewer is trying to elicit a reaction from you. Stay calm, and do not become defensive. If humour comes naturally to you, you might try using it in your response, but it is important to respond to the question. What you say is not nearly as important as maintaining your composure. Example: "Which do you like better, Lions or Tigers?" "Oh, lions definitely. They appear so majestic and are very sociable. To be honest, I think that seeing The Lion King four times has probably contributed to this!"

 PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE-UP BEFORE YOU ENTER THE INTERVIEW ROOM

For your first few interviews your background is important - your school, the medium and the place you studied in, all serve to give the interviewer an idea about you. Carry a copy of the bio-data that you have already sent, and the interview letter. Keep the extra copy with you, just in case. Show the interview letter to the receptionist/interviewer to establish your credentials, but keep this letter with you. This gives you, for your future reference, a time and date record of your interview, gives the official address of the company for further correspondence and clarifications, and may give you the name and designation of the person you are to report to. Carry everything you need for the interview in a neat folder - do not have loose papers cascading to the floor because you are desperately hunting for the degree certificate, while the interviewers drum their fingers impatiently. And don't carry your papers in a plastic or cloth shopping bag either: invest in a good folder, plastic or even leather. Incidentally, don't feel shy or hesitant about calling up the office and getting details about location, landmarks/bus routes/other information to help you reach the venue of the interview. Again, if it is not a "mass" interview, where lots of people are being interviewed on the same day, and you do have a genuine difficulty about reaching on the scheduled day/time, many employers will re-schedule if you ask them nicely enough. The reverse is also true: a good impression is created if you take the trouble to inform the interviewer that you can/will not attend the interview. If you are in the same town go and "case the joint" - see where the office/interview centre is, and how long it will take you to get there. Always arrive at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled time - that gives you time to catch your breath in case you climbed the stairs too fast, allows you to compose yourself and not be too nervous, and to check out the competition. If the interview is in the offices of the company itself, this also allows you to get a "feel" of the company. See how comfortable you feel, how efficient the interview process is. Says a lot about what the rest of the company is.

 Chronological Outline of Career and Education Divide your life into "segments" defining your university, first job, second job. For each stage, jot down : The reason for opting certain course or profession; Your job responsibilities in your previous/current job; Reason of leaving your earlier/current job. You should be clear in your mind where you want to be in the short and long term and ask yourself the reason why you would be appropriate for the job you are being interviewed for and how it will give shape to your future course. Strengths and Weaknesses You should keep a regular check on your strengths and weaknesses. Write down three (3) technical and three (3) non-technical personal strengths. Most importantly, show examples of your skills. This proves more effective than simply talking about them. So if you're asked about a general skill, provide a specific example to help you fulfil the interviewer's expectations. It isn't enough to say you've got "excellent leadership skills". Instead, try saying: "I think I have excellent leaderships skills which I have acquired through a combination of effective communication, delegation and personal interaction. This has helped my team achieve its goals." As compared to strengths, the area of weaknesses is difficult to handle. Put across your weakness in such a way that it at leaset seems to be a positive virtue to the interviewer. Describe a weakness or area for development that you have worked on and have now overcome. Questions you should be prepared for Tell us about yourself. What do you know about our company? Why do you want to join our company? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Where do you see yourself in the next five years? How have you improved the nature of your job in the past years of your working? Why should we hire you? What contributions to profits have you made in your present or former company? Why are you looking for a change?

Answers to some difficult questions : 1. Tell me about yourself? Start from your education and give a brief coverage of previous experiences. Emphasise more on your recent experience explaining your job profile.

2. What do you think of your boss? Put across a positive image, but don't exaggerate. 3. Why should we hire you? Or why are you interested in this job? Sum up your work experiences with your abilities and emphasise your strongest qualities and achievements. Let your interviewer know that you will prove to be an asset to the company. 4. How much money do you want? Indicate your present salary and emphasise that the opportunity is the most important consideration. 5. Do you prefer to work in a group? Be honest and give examples how you've worked by yourself and also with others. Prove your flexibility. Questions to Ask At the end of the interview, most interviewers generally ask if you have any questions. Therefore, you should be prepared beforehand with 2-3 technical and 2-3 non-technical questions and commit them to your memory before the interview. Do not ask queries related to your salary, vacation, bonuses, or other benefits. This information should be discussed at the time of getting your joining letter. Here we are giving few sample questions that you can ask at the time of your interview. Sample Questions Could you tell me the growth plans and goals for the company? What skills are important to be successful in this position? Why did you join this company? (optional) What's the criteria your company uses for performance appraisal? With whom will I be interacting most frequently and what are their responsibilities and the nature of our interaction? What is the time frame for making a decision at this position? What made the previous persons in this position successful/unsuccessful? Do your homework Before going for an interview, find out as much information on the company (go to JobsAhead Company Q and A) as possible. The best sources are the public library, the Internet (you can check out the company's site), and can even call the company and get the required information. The information gives you a one-up in the interview besides proving your content company or position. Clearing the interview isn't necessarily a solitary attempt. Seek assistance from individuals who are in the profession and whose counsel you value most. Be confident in

your approach and attitude; let the panel feel it through your demeanour, body language and dressing. Getting prepared for your interview is the best way to dig deep and know yourself. You will be surprised that it would breed a new familiarity become more familiar with your own qualifications that will be make you present yourself better. All the best and get ready to give a treat.

When you are facing a panel of interviewers, make your best moves. Whether you are searching for jobs, looking for career avenues or climbing the corporate ladder, you can't escape team interviews these days. The problem is that such interviews don't have a pattern to them. They come in different forms. You could be facing your prospective team members. Or you could be up against the top brassHR vice-president, the section head, the operations chief. Or you could also be sent to a recruitment assessment centre for multi-parametric evaluation (psychological tests for pressurehandling abilities, team-player skills and so on). Try these ten tips for surviving, and scoring, in a team interview. 1. GIVE VARIETY TO YOUR ANSWERS Remember you might be interviewed by different panels. Don't give a stock answer to all of them. They'll be comparing notes. Repackage your skills so that they sound different. If you're showcasing project X as your major achievement in your present job before one team, talk about project B before another interview panel. A technical team will tune in to techie talk; an HR team would rather hear about your interpersonal skills. 2. FINE-TUNE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Pull out the stops on your group management and group presentation skills. Interviewers are people after all. Look for the personality type underscoring each interviewer.Then try and connect with each one of them without getting personal. Usually the best way to make contact is to project values that you feel you can share with your interviewers.

3. DON'T QUAKE IN YOUR BOOTS

Interviewers are not ogres. They are looking for excuses to hire you, not spill your guts. Don't be obsequious. That conveys low self-esteem. If you face your interviewers with fear in your eyes, they won't like what they see. They are NOT sadists.

4. PREPARE FOR STRESS

You'll be up against a time crunch in a team interview. In one-on-ones, the interviewer might be taking notes, allowing you little breathers. No such luck with four people firing questions at you. Use stress control techniques to soothe your nerves. You might even use the extra adrenaline to sharpen your responses.

5. SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANT THINGS

List seven important things that fit the job description of the advertised post. Prepare to present skills that fit such traits. It helps to talk to friends familiar with the job description. You can even ask them to prepare tests that you can take from them.

6. REHEARSE WELL

Put together three family members or friends with diverse personality traits. Recreate the formality of a team interview situation and ask them to fire nonstop questions at you. That will serve as a useful practice session. Ask for serious feedback, especially about weak areas in your answers. Questions about qualifications and work experience are usually generic, so what your mock team asks you is bound to be pretty close to the real stuff.

7. CREATE A MENTAL PICTURE OF YOURSELF Boost your self-confidence by seeing yourself as star performer who's a cut above. See yourself answering with elan the questions you expect. Then replay your answers and ask yourself these questions:

How interesting were your observations? Did most of your responses begin the same way? Did you use 'we' often, suggesting team-player attributes? Are there traces of humour in your responses?

8. ASK GOOD QUESTIONS

Research is integral to a good interview performance. Find out as much about you can about the company concerned. Browse the Net, check company reports, put together news clips. Armed with your background brief, ask relevant questions about the company. If you think you have a bright idea about any ongoing activity, try this: "Did the company consider this option ..."

9. LOOK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS

Your interview team has some core queries about you. It's these they want you to address. Try and look beyond the upfront questions to decipher their exact intent. Then respond to fill in what the team is really looking for. Flesh out your answers to focus on the team's concerns. If they ask you about your perception of the company's ESOP policy, they want you to present your expectation from a stock option plan. Answer in sync with the general tenor of the interview. If your work involves individual research besides team work, don't go overboard about team-player abilities. Balance your answer. Mention how sometimes individual work is more productive though team work is needed to put into action ideas generated by individual research. Go For A Mock Exercise Before The Real Talk At The Job Table

10.

Hone your interview etiquette................ Churn the right mix of deportment, attitude and dressingskills for a great job talk ! Never make the big mistake of treating an interview lightly. It's not an impromptu thing where you depend on your improvisation skills. An interview requires careful thought and planning before you take it. Keeping in mind some basic attitudes and presentation techniques will help you sail through it with panache. So if you thought that going for an interview just meant pulling your best suit out of the wardrobe and updating your resume, please think again. You are forgetting the other essentials: body language, basic etiquette and attitude. Remember that you are actually selling an entire package and the packaging, in this case, is as relevant as the product inside. Ultimately you are presenting yourself as a valuable professional to a new job environment. And you can't do that without minding the basic interview etiquette to get you ahead of the rest of the pack.

An interview is the sum total of many parts. It's not just what you say but how you say it that matters equally. So it's good to brush up on more than just your training skills when you do go in for an interview. 11. ATTIRE

How you dress for an interview is perhaps as relevant as the way you lay out your resume. Says Nina Kochar of Upgrade Management Services, an organisation which coaches' executives in the basic rules of corporate etiquette: "A person who is sloppy in appearance shows a sloppy personality, so you have to be decently dressed." Of course, decently dressed does not necessarily mean being dressed to the gills. In most cases, this would mean you would wear long sleeved shirts and a pair of formal trousers. In fact, Nina Kochar does not recommend suits, especially for younger people. "A lot of young people do not have the money to invest in suits, consequently, they wear ill-fitting or borrowed suits and that looks even worse. A tie, shirt and pant should do the trick for most junior level positions." Most HR experts would also tell you to mind the accessories like ties, belts and shoes. To be sure, badly matched shoes and ties can have a jarring effect on an interviewer. Similarly, please avoid heavy jewellery or personal accessories as they would look incongruous on you. 12. ENTRANCE AND INTRODUCTION

Even though most of us are primed for the basic grilling that we would face during the interview, we seldom pay attention to the way we enter an interview room or how we introduce ourselves. Says Subhashish Mitra, deputy manager, Essar Cellphones: "A lot of people do not think it important to knock properly while entering the interview room. They assume that as an interview is taking place, the panel will be expecting them. To my mind this is a very major faux pas which really jars." In fact, the best way to enter an interview is to knock, ask for permission to enter and then wait for a while before you actually sit down. Few interviewees know this but the interview panel needs a little quiet time to discuss the previous candidate before they get around to the next one. So your silence till you actually get seated would be very valuable. Try and keep a bag with you for all your papers and certificates; make sure this bag is an unobtrusive as possible.

13.

ATTITUDE AND RESPONSE

This is a grey area for most interview candidates. While dressing up and resume writing are skills you can Go for a mock exercise before the real talk at the job table handle with a little practice, cultivating the right attitude as an interviewee requires a lot of patience and reading between the lines. The usual complaint of most interviewers is that few interviewees are able to stri perhaps the best thing you can do for getting your answer right. Most interviewers like to give a lead to the candidate in the way they ask the question, so it's entirely up to you to note facial expressions and the tone of the words. Do you show your certificates immediately to the interview panel? Not till you are asked actually. You might already have sent in your resume, so you shouldn't try and offload all your achievements and skills onto the panel till a turn in the interview leads to such a situation. Try and take cues form the tonal variations, facial expressions and thrust of questions from the interview panel. That in itself will give you a clue as to where this interview is heading.

14.

TEN THINGS THAT AN INTERVIEWER LOOKS IN YOU! 6. General Ability 7. Interpersonal Skills 8. Confidence 9. Aptitude 10. Pleasant Looks

1. Family Background 2. Education 3. Experience 4. Stability 5. Initiative

How one wished that an interview were a simple meeting of minds and hearts. Just one casual meeting where an employee's future gets sealed. Unfortunately, it's not something as pre-ordained as you would like it to be; it's a pre-meditated exercise which fetches you dividends only if your homework is done right.

 PREPARATIONS DRESS Let's say you are going for an interview tomorrow. You have prepared yourself well for the occasion - anticipating the questions and getting ready the answers - but have you given a thought to what you will wear? If you have not peeked into your wardrobe yet, it's time to take a real hard look now. Your application's fate depends not just on how well you answer the interview questions, but also on how well you project yourself physically. The first impression your interviewer makes about you is based on the way you look, and you know what they say about first impressions. According to Joe Hodowanes, J.M. Wanes and Associates career strategy advisor, "The way a person dresses is the single biggest non-verbal communication you make about yourself." The right dressing is a measure of the seriousness that you place on the position, as a person normally spends time on his looks if he considers an event important enough. "Although proper dressing by itself will not get you the job, a poor dress sense may exclude you from further consideration," warns Gerry Ditching, managing partner of Filgifts.com. Besides, given two equally good applicants, the company may choose to hire the person who is dressed more professionally. Here are some tips to give you a headstart. A. MEN Long-sleeved shirt and dark slacks. White is still the safest and the best color for shirts. The colour is also appropriate for our tropical weather. Also acceptable: pale shades such as beige, blue, and other pastels. Tuck in the shirt and do not roll up the sleeves. Never wear a short-sleeved shirt to an interview or any business purpose. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will destroy your executive image. o Ties. Optional. But if you do wear one, choose a conservative pattern. Solids, small polka dots, diagonal stripes, small repeating shapes, subtle plaids and paisleys are all acceptable. o Belts. Belts should match your shoes. Those with smaller buckles with squared lines look more professional. o Socks. Black socks are the best, followed by blue or gray, depending on your attire. Never wear white socks! Check your sock length, too--no skin should show when you sit down or cross your legs. Shoes. Black or burgundy leather shoes with laces on

them, because tassel loafers are very casual. Other suitable colors are brown, cordovan and navy. o Hair. Keep neat, short and preferably parted on the side. And shave off all those facial hair. o Jewellery. Wear no or little jewellery. The watch and wedding ring are the only acceptable pieces of jewellery to go with the male attire. Thin gold or leatherstrapped watches look professional but not digital watches. Also, avoid political or religious insignias, necklaces or bracelets. Definitely no pierced body parts, and cover up your tattoos! o Accessories. As much as possible, use leather briefcases or folders to hold copies of your resume. Use narrow briefcases and avoid plastic folders and plastic ball pens as they are out of place.

B. WOMEN Three-piece business suits, blouse and skirt or slacks, and cardigan twin-sets. Sleeveless shirts should be rejected. Short-sleeved blouses are okay when they are tailor-cut or have features such as a sports collar or double breast design to create a business-like look. Skirts can either be long provided it does not create a Cinderella or barn-dance look or short where it falls no shorter than two inches from the knee. Nothing too revealing, please! o Panty-hose or stockings. A must for professional grooming, but nothing with overly fussy patterns. Bring an extra pair, just in case the ones you are wearing run. o Shoes. Closed shoes or pumps with at least 1-inch heels suggest a more professional look. Dark colors are best. o Hair. Hair longer than shoulder length should be worn up or pulled back. Don't let it fall in front of your face and don't keep trying to fix it during the interview. Avoid large hair ornaments and trendy hairstyles. o Make-up. Be subtle; natural is the key word. Light shades of lip coloring and nail polish are recommended. o Jewellery. Be conservative. Studs of gold, silver or pearls are best. Do away with gaudy fashion jewelers, and those that clank and make noise when one moves. o Accessories. Folders and bags should blend well with the total professional look. Women should match their purse with their shoe colour.

10 Things That Hr Likes

1. Draw up a job description, no matter how simple or low-level the job The more information you put down, the better your chances are of getting the right person for the right job. Cover areas such as the level of skill needed, whether training is necessary, and how much experience or responsibility the job requires. 2. Use specialist or trade publications to target your ads If you are looking to fill a particular position, consider advertising in specialist or trade publications. Find out from people who work in that area what publications they read. If the job is not that specialised, consider advertising in a local newspaper, which will be cheaper. Word-of-mouth can also be useful and cost-effective. 3. Always take up references Before someone joins your company, ensure you get references. It can be a good idea to contact a referee direct on the phone as they are often more responsive than in a letter. Ask questions such as: Would you re-employ this person? 4. Get help from your friends and family Recruiting employees is a costly exercise, both in terms of time and money. Think about whether you need someone full time. Help from your friends and family is also an option, and it wont cost you a penny to advertise. If you need someone specialised for the shortterm, its worth paying that bit extra for contract or temporary staff. 5. Make your employees feel welcome First impressions count and the first three months of employment with a new company are important. Make your new employees feel welcome. Consider setting up an induction into the company with on-the-job training and a buddy system to help a new recruit with any questions. 6. A business is only as good as the people who work for it As a small business, you can be closer to your staff, suppliers and customers than larger ones. Involve your employees in the work culture from day one and keep them up to date with the progress of the company and any developments that may take place in the near future.

7. Use incentives other than money A competitive package need not only be about money flexible working such as job-share and flexi-hours can give you the opportunity to tailor benefits more suited to the individual. Look carefully at what motivates each employees some may be driven by security, others by ambition. Group days out, or brainstorming sessions combined with a fun activity can also work well. 8. Appraise your staff regularly An effective appraisal system should allow for realistic, but challenging objectives. There should also be interim reviews to ensure objectives have not changed and to give an opportunity to identify training and development. Consider who is best placed to carry out the reviews in some cases it may be more appropriate to use a middle manager. 9. Enforce strict absence procedures In order to deal effectively with absenteeism, staff should be very clear about the company policy. A staff handbook is an ideal way to state policies clearly. Areas such as holidays, sickness and absenteeism should be included and clearly outlined. 10. Create a culture of good leavers Hold exit interviews, particularly for key staff, which will help you identify any problems going forward. The aim is to create a culture of good leavers: this is the type of person who will flag up any problems beforehand, tell you about concerns with work, and once theyve left, will not say negative things about the company.

General Questions
1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 8. 9. 11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23. 25. 27. 29. 31. 40. 42. 44. 46. 48. 50. 52. 54. 56. 58. 60. 62. 64. 66. 68. 70. 72. 74. 76. Would you tell me about yourself? What experience do you have? How much experience do you have? Are you looking for a permanent or temporary job? How would you define a self-starter? How do you rate yourself in this respect? Describe your previous job(s). What did you like about your last job? What did you dislike about your last job? What jobs have you enjoyed the most; the least;why? What were the responsibilities of your last job(s)? What jobs have you held? How were they obtained? How much experience do you have? What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held? What interests you least about this job? What interests you most about this job? Tell me about something you've done that you're particularly proud of. Have you done the best work you are capable of doing? How did your boss get the best out of you? How did your previous employer(s) treat you? How do you think a friend/former co-worker would describe you? Can you get recommendation from previous employers? Why do you want to leave your current job? or Why did you leave your last job? What is your educational background? What kind of work interests you? What are you looking for in your next job? In what type of position are you most interested? Do you like routine tasks/regular hours? How about overtime work? Why did you decide to seek a position with this company? Why do you think you might like to work for our company? What do you know about our company? What interests you about our product or service? In what ways can you make a contribution to this organization? In what ways would you like to change this organization? What job in our company do you want to work toward? What job in our company would you choose if you were entirely free to do so? What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company? What qualifications do you have that make you think you will succeed? Why do you think you would like this particular type of work? What are your reasons for leaving your last job? Have you changed careers? Why? Why should I hire you? If you were hiring a person for this position, what qualities would you seek?

78. 80. 82. 84. 86. 92. 94. 96. 98. 100. 102. 104. 106. 108. 110. 112. 114. 116. 118. 120. 122. 124. 126. 128. 130. 132. 134. 136. 138. 140. 142. 144. 146. 148. 150. 152. 154. 156. 158.

What are the two or tree most important things to you in your job? What do you look for in a job? How would you define "challenging" job? When are you available for work? What are your ideas on salary? What kind of salary do you expect; what was or is your present salary? How much money do you hope to earn? What do you hope to be earning two to five years from now? How much are you making? Have you ever been refused a salary increase? What are your own special abilities? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are you doing or planning to do about them/it? What have you learned from your mistakes? How adaptable are you? Can you give me an example? What are the two or three accomplishments that have given you the most satisfaction? What have you done which shows initiative and willingness to work? What work situations irritate you the most; satisfy you the most? Do you work well under pressure? How do you react to the decisions and stress? What situations would trigger these? What makes you lose your temper? What types of people seem to "rub you the wrong way"? What kinds of people do you like to work with? Is it an effort for you to be tolerant of persons with a background and interests different from your own? How do you react to criticism? Can you describe a situation where your work or idea was criticized? What sorts of things do you criticize in other people? Can you take instructions without feeling upset? Will you fight to get ahead? What motivates you the most? Just what does success mean to you? How would you judge it? How much responsibility do you like? Do you like to take on responsibilities? What are your future vocational plans? What career goals have you established for yourself in the next five years? What are your short-term and long-term goals? How do you plan to achieve your goals? What is your chief ambition? Would you be willing to relocate? Do you like to travel? How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies? Do you enjoy sports as a participant? As an observer? Do you have any questions? Do you have a degree?

160. 162. 164. 166. 168. 170. 172. 174. 176. 178. 180. 182. 184. 186. 188. 190. 192. 194. 196. 198. 200. 202. 204. 206. 208. 210. 212. 214. 216. 218. 220. 222. 224. 226. 228.
229.

231. 233.

Do you prefer working with others or alone? Have you ever had difficulties getting along with others? What kind of people do you like to work with? What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with? How have you successfully worked with this difficult type of people? Do you think people in your occupation should be paid more? Are you willing to take calculated risk when necessary? Have you ever been fired? Why were you fired? Why have you changed jobs so frequently? Are you married? Can we check your references? Can you give me an example that didn't work out so well? Define cooperation. Describe a difficult problem you've had to deal with. What are the broad responsibilities of a [e.g.] system analysts? Do you consider yourself for natural leader or a born follower? Do you make your opinions known when you disagree with the views of your supervisor? How do you feel about your progress to date? How do you handle tension? How do you manage to interview while still employed? How does this job compare with others you have applied for? How have you benefited from your disappointments? How long have you been watching for another position? How long would it take you to make a contribution to our company? How long would you stay with the company? How well do you feel your boss rated your job performance? How would you define productive environment? How would you evaluate me as an interviewer? People from your school, college, courses never work out here. What makes you different? Rate yourself a scale of one to ten. See this pen (cup, glass etc.) I'm holding? Sell it to me. Tell me about the fast time you felt anger on the job. What area of your skills/professional development do you want to improve at this time? What are you looking for in your next job? What is the worst thing you have heard about our company? What do you like most/least about your former boss? What is your energy level like? Describe a typical day. What is your general impression of your last company?

More Verities:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Are your work practices similar or different from ours? (If Experienced) Describe our (products/services). Describe our company for me. Describe our corporate environment for me. Describe your work (methods/processes) in comparison to ours?(If Experienced) Do our competitors do things that we should be doing? Do you have any concerns about working here? Do you have any questions about (our/this) company? Do you know how long we have been in business?

10. Do you know what products we make? 11. How could you have prevented your (judgmental) errors? 12. How do you think our company determines success? 13. How does you present employer communicate with others in your department? 14. Tell me how you found out information about (our/this) company? 15. Tell me what you know about (our/this) company? 16. Was there anything your company could have done to be more successful? 17. What about our company do you like best? 18. What about your present employer (do/did) you like best? 19. What advantages do you think our competitors have over us? 20. What advantages do you think we have over our competitors? 21. What are the greatest challenges that this company faces? 22. What concerns do you have about this company? 23. What direction do you think this company is headed in? 24. What do you dislike about our company?

25. What do you know about (our/this) company? 26. What do you know about (our/this) operation? 27. What do you know about our competitors? 28. What do you know about our customers? 29. What do you know about our products? 30. What do you know about our products or services? 31. What do you know about our stock? 32. What do you know about our web site? 33. What do you know about the way our company (works/operates)? 34. What do you know about this position? 35. What do you think are the challenges facing this company? 36. What do you think are the greatest challenges facing this company in the near future? 37. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours? 38. What do you think it takes to be successful in our company? 39. What do you think the atmosphere here is like? 40. What is the financial stability of your last company? 41. What questions do you have about our organization? 42. What would make someone successful in our business? 43. What is the (best/worst) thing you have heard about (our/this) company?
44.

What is the (best/worst) thing you have heard about (our/this) department?

GD Topics

Is India moving away from a secularist state? Education in India - or the lack of it What ails Indian sports? The Age of Information Is Philosophy just an armchair theory? Success is all about human relations Borderless worlds - Dream or reality? Quality is a myth in India. Education and success - Is there a correlation? We don't learn from history, we repeat it Do we need a global policeman Indian villages - our strength or our weakness? Agrarian Economy in India - boon or bane if there were no armies in the world...... Indian customs - are we in a time warp? "How green was my valley........". Is nature paying the price ? Management Education - Is it necessary to succeed in business The role of NGOs in economics and politics NGOs - Do they serve peoples interests or are they pressure groups? Death of Socialism Role of women in development Kids today are not what they used to be Casteless India - A pipe dream Should Trade Unionism be banned in India Repeated elections - Should taxpayers pay for it? Indian bureaucracy - foundation strengths or colonial hangovers? In India, the whole is less than the parts - Do we lack in team spirit?

Generation X - Drivers of our future or are they our lost souls? Do we need a cut in the defence budget? "Dot.com" companies - Is there room for everyone? Artificial Intelligence - Will man be ever replaced by machines? if I were to choose my person of the millennium... All the world is a stage.... when managers become Hamlets... If Patel were our first Prime Minister....... Materialism - Have we sold our souls to the Devil? You've come a long way, baby - The rise and rise of feminist power. Role of ethics in tobacco industry, liquor industry etc. Should gambling be legalised in India? Are we unfit for Democracy? Survival tools for the new millennium Examinations - has it killed education Cultural Invasion through the air waves Should doctors be tried in Consumer Courts Abortion and Euthanasia - Is it morally right for society Are beauty pageants necessary? The relevance of Gandhism today India and the WTO Did India handle the hijack issue properly? Is E-Commerce the best thing for India Managerial skills learnt in the classroom can never match those learnt from experience Democracy is hampering India progress MBA in India is highly overrated. Religion is a private affair and should be of no concern for the state

Decreasing defense expenditure and increasing social expenditure is the need of the hour. Public sector is more a hindrance than help to promote socialism. Economic betterment of the poorer nations is as important as disarmament to ensure lasting world peace. From public sector to privatization as in the U.K., is the right answer for India's instant economic breakthrough. The doctrine of "limited nuclear war" is an ill-convinced, ill- logical, irrational and extremely dangerous concept. Some simple but effective electoral reforms will enable us to retain the present parliamentary system and ensure the preservation of democracy in India. We must have only two national parties to contest parliamentary elections and regional parties should not be allowed to contest for the same. We can increase our food production not only to match our population explosion but also for export provided we adopt modern, mechanized farming methods with large size holdings. Nuclear war cannot be won and should not be fought. Private enterprise and not public sector will contribute to faster and higher economic growth in India. Inflation is inevitable in our developing country. The policy of reservation is a legacy of the British and it has done more harm than good. Do you think MBAs are useful in the manufacturing production department? For a marketing post graduate, without prior work experience working in a big marketing firm is a disadvantage when compared with working in a small firm. Discuss. Consumerism is destroying the social fabric of Indian culture. Free market is a prerequisite for growth. land

Cricket as a national obsession is a detriment to other sports. To develop India has to empower women. Formulate the government's health policy to control the spread of AIDS. Advertising is a waste of resources. Privatization will lead to less corruption. State is the biggest violator of human rights. There can never be a classless society. Beauty pageants are a marketing gimmick. Voting rights to illiterates in India is illogical because it is widely misused. Joint family is a blessing in disguise. Higher education should be made possible only for those who can pay for it. The weaker sex is the weakness of the stronger sex. Women cannot successfully combine both career and home. Women are good managers. Executive should be allowed to form unions. Effect of liberalization on poverty. Indians perform better as individuals rather than in groups. Business and ethics go hand in hand, or do they? Developing countries should spend more on development than on defense. Political parties have outlived their utility. Is Swadeshi relevant for India today? Money is required to earn more money. Foreign trade is necessary for any country to survive . Presidential Vs Parliamentary form of government of India. Technology: The Ism' Of The New Millennium? Religion And Politics Should Not Mix TRIPS Controversy And The Patent Act Amendment Export Stagnation: Causes And Cures Excessive Depiction Of Sex And Violence In Films

Classical Music Heritage And The Growing Pop- Culture Decentralization & The Panchayati Raj Institutions Should India Sign The CTBT State Interventions In Market Kind Or Mixed Economy Science Is A Boon Or Bane Is Swapping Terrorists For Hostages An Encouragement For Plane-Hijackers? India and the political dynasties: The Nehru Family context Nice Guys Finish Last All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy Individual Freedom And Civil Society Conventionalism And Modernity: The Ever going Debate Should There Be A Restriction On Permissiveness Being propagated by The MTV Culture And Foreign Media? Marxism And Its Future All Over The World The Growing Menace Of Casteism And Regionalism Presidential Form Of Government Is Needed In India Bullet For Bullet: Is It The Right Policy? Capitation Fees Should Be Abolished Arranged Marriages Are Better Than The Love-Marriages Brain-Drain Has To Be Stopped Business And Ethics Can't / Don't Go Together Are women As good as Men Or Inferior? Nothing Succeeds Like Success The Malthusian Economic Prophecy Is No Longer Relevant Secessionism In The North-East: Who's To Blame? Should India Break Diplomatic Ties With Pakistan? Age and Youth: Experience And Young Talent `East Is East & West Is Where All The Action Is': Mark Twain Freedom Of _Expression And The State Authority.

Capital Punishment Should Be Abolished Tuitions Should Be Banned India Needs Gujral Doctrine For Better International Relations Doctors' Accountability To Improve Health-Care Universal Disarmament Is A Must Indian Cricket Team Shouldn't Be Allowed To Play Abroad

Hot Topics:

How to deal with international terrorism. Should we pursue our policy of dialogue with Pakistan? Is peace and non-violence outdated concepts?

Current Topics:

A Unipolar World spells disaster for underdeveloped countries like India. Is Globalisation Really Necessary What shall we do about our ever-increasing Population Corruption is the price we pay for Democracy Foreign Television Channels are destroying our culture. What India needs is a Dictatorship. With media publishing and telecasting trivia, censorship is the need of the hour. Kaun Banega Krorepati is less about knowledge but more about money and personality. Beauty contests degrade womanhood The rise of regional blocs threatens independent nations like India Six billion and one bronze! Is dependence on computers a good thing? Should the public sector be privatised? China and India are similar nations with contrasting ways Is India a Soft Nation? Value based politics is the need of the hour Religion should not be mixed with politics How to deal with high oil prices Our cricketers are not to blame for match fixing Why cant we be world players in industry as we are in software? Multinational corporations: Are they devils in disguise? Should there be limits on artistic freedom (the controversy on Fire). Should there be private universities? Does banning fashion shows and New Year parties save our culture?

Social Topics:

Are Big Dams Necessary? Films are corrupting the Indian Youth A Gandhian State selling liquor is an anomaly Bride burning and dowry may look bad, but are an integral part of India. Our Culture is Decaying We are not serious about saving Wildlife/Environment The education system needs serious reforms The impact of MTV on our psyche Showing Violence and Crimes should not be allowed in films and on television. Let us legalise gambling

Management Topics:

Is management an art or a science? The Rush for MBA is really a rush for big money Ethics in Business are just a passing fashion The objective of Management is to maximise profits Do professional managers have a chance in our family run businesses? The Internet is an exercise in hype Is an MBA necessary to succeed in life? Family owned business vs professionally run businesses Smaller businesses and start-ups have more scope for professional growth. Dot com or doubt com?

Creative Topics:

The Wheel is Turning Round and Round If I was the Finance Minister/Prime Minister There is no right way to do a wrong thing Group Task: How can we have Mount Everest in India? Do Beauty and Brains Go Together? When I woke up in the morning I saw A ship docked in harbour cannot face the storms Up the Down Staircase Just as we have smoke free zones, we should have child free zones Marriage is a social trap

SOCIAL TOPICS:

The Internet chains have come on the wings of science and technology but are no less restrictive for all that. Secularism has become a tool to justify the wrongs done by the minorities. Media is a mixed blessing/How ethical is media? To fight AIDs, stop being coy about sex education. What should India strive for- Westernization or modernization?

ECONOMIC TOPICS:

Developing countries need trade, not aid. Why do we lag behind China Capitalism is a very flawed system but the others are so much worse. Flexibility of labour laws is the key to attracting more Foreign Direct Investment. Is the business of business only business?

POLITICAL TOPICS:

Reserving seats for women in Panchayat has not only been a farce but has distracted from developing a more genuine voice of women. Have the nuclear tests of 1998 benefited or harmed India? Voters, not, political parties are responsible for the criminalisation of politics. The voters are required to be well informed and educated about their candidates so that they can elect the right aspirant by their own assessment. India should go for the presidential form of democracy.

ECONOMIC TOPICS:

In our economic matters, there is an excessive tendency towards the thinking rather than doing. Every cloud has a silver lining Can the economy achieve an 8 percent growth rate?. Is disinvestment really that good for India or is a rethink in order? Are co-operatives relevant in today's globalised environment? Foreign aid is a dangerous drug that can stimulate in small doses but become fatally addictive in larger doses. Modern day sport in industrialized society is an industry, as anything else. Government should clean its own hands before pointing finger at the private sector for corruption. Is the NPA ordinance too harsh? Reforms have to grow up.

The future lies with globalization. Is the consumer really the king in India?. Globalization versus nationalism Conditional access system for cable TV watchers: boon or bane? If India is poorly governed, the reason is that we have designed our system of governance for protecting, if not encouraging, corruption? Commercialization of health care : Good or Bad ? For globalization to succeed in India people must be able to see what is in it for them Is the US economy headed the Japanese economy way? Economic freedom not old fashioned theories of development will lead to growth and prosperity Markets left to themselves encourage greed. For globalisation to succeed in India people must be able to see what is in it for them Should businessmen run the finance ministry Should important services like transport be left to market forces?. Is there any point in having a business strategy when the world changes from month to month? Is the patents bill good for India? Is the business of business only business?. Globalisation is good for developing countries Public sector being a guarantor of job security is a myth. Is industry less growth here to stay ? Capitalism is a very flawed system but the others are so much worse ? How can business get rid of the bad name that it has earned? Government pumping money into the economy is not the solution for our economic problems Business ethics are no longer a luxury for corporate but a necessity? How should privatisation proceeds be utilised ? Is the budgeting exercise of any use? Should agricultural subsidies be stopped ? Will Mumbai's film industry ever evolve into a truly modern corporatised one? Will market reforms enrich rich states further, while poorer ones lag further?. Why do we lag behind China ? Who says MNCs are superior to Indian companies ?. Why not use a brand index to measure national prosperity?. What we need to reduce scams is better regulatory bodies. War rhetoric is misplaced in a country like India which is trying to globalise its economy. Trade can help the poor ? The power ministry should cut off supplies to all the defaulting SEBs. Steal a few lakhs and you're a criminal. Steal a few hundred crores and you become an industrialist. Should PSUs be divested through strategic sale or public offer? The state is above the law?