Good Answer For Interview Question

A good answer for interview question can make a big difference. We all know that no matter what the question is and how well you have prepared, more often than not you end up feeling that maybe you could have said it better. Let us consider these common sample interview questions and their answers. Practice these answers aloud, in front of a mirror and with friends to refine the effect.

1. Tell us about yourself and what you have done so far in your career?

Good answer for interview question: This question shows how clear you are about yourself. The interviewer is interested in knowing all the things about you that help him find the right person for the job. Give a nice snapshot of yourself. Briefly describe your education, career path, jobs and position held along with any relevant highlights and achievements. Substantiate the content in your resume (instead of repeating what it says) such as giving examples of leadership situations, being part of winning teams or citing occasions where you have done some original work.

2. What do you know about our organization and the industry?

Good answer for interview question: A thorough analysis of the company’s past, its future plans, its current performance, its products and plans, its work environment etc will give you a great idea of why you wish to work for the company. You will be surprised at how a little research adds clarity to your own decision making about the company. Be familiar about the company’s main
business areas, products, research activities, geographical presence, turnover, profit etc. Reel off the information you have gathered about the industry from the Internet, industry journals, reports etc to validate your statements. If you are aware of the latest developments state the facts to substantiate the fact that you are indeed abreast of industry trends and that you are a valuable asset to the company.

3. Why have you applied for this job?

Good answer for interview question: Because you are the best person for this job! Qualify why you are the best person for this job with your qualifications, experience, skills, temperament, knowledge etc. Be clear about the value the job adds to your career and the value that you bring to the job as well. There are mutual benefits, economically, personally and socially, that affect both you and the company in the short and long term.

4. Why should we select you?

Normally company’s hire people who can deliver, who get the job done, who can handle themselves in crunch situations, who are professional and can exceed expectations in the long run. Know lucidly, what you bring to the organization such as personal qualities, knowledge and skills that will add value to the company. If you can qualify these with quantifiable records you have achieved in previous jobs or assignments, it adds credibility.

5. What are your career goals and where do you see yourself five years from now?

Good answer for interview question: You would be looking to go ahead and grow in your job. In five years you would have won the confidence of the senior management, taken upon higher responsibility and aligning yourself with the growth plans of the company. If you have a creative suggestion for the company’s growth in any particular area, you would be working for it. Spare some thought for this because your prospective employer is interested in knowing how clear you are at this moment about what you want to achieve.

6. Why did you leave your last job?

You may be tempted to recite the real reasons (low pay, lousy work conditions, bad employers etc) but please control your emotions and speak about your real motive for leaving the job which would normally come down to - ‘furthering your career goals by gaining more focused exposure’. Focus on the positives such as your career path and how you needed to further your career and long term interests.

7. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Good answer for interview question: You must certainly know your strengths. You will find many strengths if you look. Ask friends and relatives, teachers and associates the same question and you will get a whole lot of answers. Focus on your strengths. Acknowledge weaknesses and restrict them to professional traits. State how you counter the weaknesses by taking courses or working on it in some prescribed fashion. Better still, convert weaknesses into strengths. For e.g. the positive side of “taking time to work on a proposal” could be that you are “meticulous and produce quality results”.

8. What is your salary expectation?

Research well so you don’t quote too high or too less. Be in the range or even better, quote a range and leave it tactfully open for negotiations. There is no one way, but prepare for all circumstances with tactful answers, leaving this answer out – open for negotiation later.

9. How do you handle a situation such as a conflict or management situation?

Good answer for interview question: Your real life experiences are your greatest teachers. Apply your real life situation to the one cited in the example and address the problem using your experience, creativity, instinct and sensitivity and in all circumstances keeping the organizations long term goals in view.

10. How would you describe yourself?

Go for the best. Give an honest appraisal of all your best qualities. It would help if you could visualize yourself in an ideal job and describe yourself in that situation. (You would certainly be honest, committed, loyal, goal oriented, self-motivated etc.

11. What makes you tick?

Challenge, satisfaction and a desire for excellence.

12. Do you have any questions?

Good answer for interview question: Yes. Any question that you would like an answer for about the organization, the job and related areas may be asked now. Prepare your answers and rehearse them because it will help you to polish the answers well.

Good Answer For Interview Question