Common interview Questions
and how to answer them.
Tell me about yourself.
(This question is where you need to tell your story by selecting the incidents from your life that either define you or have led you to your current career path. Most likely, your next question would be based on this answer, so think it through and craft this well.)
For instance.: I am a go-getter kind of person. I truly believe that if one really wants to achieve something in life, one should not be afraid to ask for an opportunity and then work towards giving it their best shot. In one particular instance…
Or
I come from a family of teachers, so I was introduced to a disciplined life at an early age, which has helped me fulfill my career aspirations with ease…
What are your hobbies?
Most of us have a hobby; if it is a genuine hobby, you would probably know enough about it to answer some basic questions.
(Music- Who is your favorite musician? Do you play an instrument? How many strings does a guitar have?)
(Football- Do you play? Favorite Football club? Who won the last world cup?)
However, do not adopt a hobby just for the sake of the interview. Nobody judges you for what hobby you have, however, if you don’t know any basic information about whatever hobby you mention, it brings your sincerity into question.
What is the meaning of your name?
If you have a unique name, you get this question more frequently, but even if it’s a common name, with cross-geographical teams, someone still might ask you this question, so have an answer ready.
The meaning of your name, why was it chosen, where is it derived from, etc.
What did you like/dislike about your previous job?
This is a rather tricky situation to be in and needs to be handled tactfully. No one likes a crybaby or a tattletale so prepare a list of reasons why you wanted to change your job but do not openly criticize your employer.
What is your strength?
(In a notebook, write down all your strengths, and take inputs from friends, seniors, teachers, managers, and yourself)
Choose a recurrent strength that even you are convinced you possess better than average.
Choose incidents that depict where this strength was evident and make it a part of your narrative.
What are your weaknesses?
(I learned this the hard way but knowing your weaknesses is equally important)
This, apart from external inputs, needs a lot of self-reflection.
Identify your weakness, explain why and then write how you plan to improve upon it.
For ex: My weakness is that I easily get overwhelmed when I have multiple tasks. I have realised that taking the time to plan my day/week in advance helps me avert it.
How do you handle stress?
Talk about your own coping methods since it is an unavoidable part of work-life.
For ex: I usually try to plan my week ahead by scheduling time for important things like family, workouts, and cooking along with my work schedule. Having dedicated time for everything reduces the stress for me day to day.
Also, taking the time to work out or take a walk helps me have a clearer state of mind while working and reduces my stress.
What was your biggest accomplishment?
Talk about the professional milestones you have achieved and the value you have added.
Why should we hire you?
Talk about what differentiates you from other people with similar qualifications.
What are you passionate about?
Is there a cause you believe in? Or a game you enjoy? Or a personal project you work on in your free time.
Talk about your raison d'etre.
Do you have any questions for me?
Think this through, and ask questions about things you want clarified, things that have meaning for you, or any doubts.
If you have no questions, ask about the career path. It’s good to get to know the company better.
Walk me through your resume.
A short, crisp summary of the highlights of your resume that are relevant to the role you are applying for. It should ideally be 30s to 60s long.
Can you tell me something that's not on your resume?
An anecdote from your professional life that highlights a trait that would be useful to your new role.
What do you want to be remembered for in 5 years/10 years' time? or Where do you see yourself 'n' years from now?
Talk about the legacy you’d want to leave behind.
Why do you want to switch?
It could be anything, stagnation, better opportunities, the need to develop a more rounded professional personality and professional goals.
Why do you want to work with us?
Talk about the company’s principles and how they align with yours.
(This means going through their website to understand their ethos in advance)
Describe yourself in three adjectives
Pick carefully and substantiate with instances from your life.
Why do you think you'll be a good fit for this role?
Anecdotes from your life that make you a fit.
How have you handled conflicts in your past role? Give me an instance and your response.
I am sure everyone has handled conflicts both in their personal and professional life. It’s ok even if you did not handle it well, talk about what you could have done better in hindsight.
What does integrity at the workplace mean? In the past, how have you demonstrated integral character?
Talk about your moral and ethical outlook, and if there have been instances where you have displayed integrity, mention it.
