FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY INTERVIEW PANEL

1. Tell me about yourself?

Interviewers like this approach, as it breaks the ice and quickly gives them a 'gut feeling' about a person. The interviewer will have an idea about whether or not you can express yourself clearly or whether you find it difficult to find things to say. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. The key is not to ramble on and on, keep it short, perhaps no more than a couple of minutes. Limit it to work - related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held. At the end, ask the interviewer whether he / she would like you to expand further. Above all, be positive, talk about your accomplishments and make your answer relevant to the demands of the job. 

You should always expect this question, or a variant of it, and prepare a short speech. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present. Split your answer into: 

a) Work and study background. Talk about your work experience, skills, education, and goals that relate to the job for which you're applying. 

b) Your personal life, leisure, and home activities. This is entirely optional; hobbies other than competitive sports are seldom of interest to the interviewer, and your marital status is probably irrelevant. "How would you describe yourself?" Discuss positive, work-related frame of mind example: suggest that you get along well with people, are committed, loyal, etc.  

2. Describe your hobbies? 

   What do you like to do in your spare time?  

The very purpose of asking such questions is to know whether you have any leisure activities that could interfere with your work.

Answering it, you need to strike a balance. You should demonstrate that your hobbies and interest do not interfere with you job effectiveness. Reasonably your best answer is "when I get time, I like to do…….  

Demonstrate that you have other interest also to keep you going, but be careful of overdoing the extracurricular activities, as it may give a feeling of interference with your job effectiveness. You need to strike a balance. A reasonable answer would be: 'When I get the time, I like to do... Organizations where people work late may disapprove your being interested in outside interests. 

3. Why did you leave your last job? 

Why are you looking for a new job?" 

Why are you looking to leave your present job?" 

What are you looking for in a job?  

This is one important question asked in any interview. The answer to this question will be different for different people. Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Don't criticize the existing position. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers, or the organization. One good answer is, "I like my present job very much, but my potential for growth is limited because of its size. Hierarchical set up limitations etc.” 

 I have no hard feeling. I learned a lot and I am ready for a change. Be honest and always try to turn a negative situation into a positive one. Reassure the interviewer that you're not running away from anything. If you speak negativity or criticize, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something better and value adding, always mention a forward-looking reason for your change.

 

 4. After being with the same organization for so long, do you think you will have trouble getting used to another? You have been with the same company for long time? Would you be comfortable with change at this time?

  Do not tell; you got stuck there as the employer wants an assurance that you are ambitious. Tell how you grew up and buildup your experience during the period of your stay. En-cash your adaptability factor that you have worked in different environments.

With the changes you have gone through. Express that you are an achiever and how your stay with the organization was benefiting. The key is to demonstrate that loyalty is an asset and not a liability.  

5. If you don't leave your present job, what do you think will happen to your career? How far do you expect to advance with your present company? 

Remember the saying: “there is no better time to look for the new job than when you are happy with your old job." Don’t sounds like a desperate refugee? Say, "Assuming that I'm not the successful candidate for this position..." and convince the interviewer that you can make the most of the employment situation you said you want to leave.”If you have these complaints about your present company, and they think so highly of you, why haven't you brought these concerns to their attention?" 

A suitable answer might be: "We talk quite openly about some of the problems we have in keeping good performers." 

 6. How long have you been looking for a job? 

Employers are prejudiced against candidates who have been on the market for some time and haven't found anything. You can't hide your having been unemployed, but if you're still working, always say that you just started looking. Otherwise be prepared to explain why you haven't received or accepted any offers.

7. What do you like about your current job? 

"What did you enjoy most / least about your previous job?" 

You’re being too specific about your liking could lead to a negative impression; the interviewer may think you can stay there. 

8. What is your disliking about your current job? 

Be careful answering as here your Frame of mind is exposed, if you are dissatisfied or disheartened it will come across in inhibiting any kind of dissatisfaction you may be asked why you have been there for so long time. You need to maintain a balanced Frame of mind saying like "on the whole the job has fulfilled you." but how it lacks challenge or that the company is not growing/expanding as fast as it once was. If necessary support your statement with facts and figures. 

9. What is your general impression about your present employer? 

Instead of stressing upon your frustration talk positive only. Even every problem brings an opportunity. Share what have you gained. Talking about company philosophy and the people is always better.  

10. You are changing jobs quite frequently why? 

 You didn't last very long at X. Why did you leave? 

You've only had your present job for a short time, and You’re already looking to leave? 

Don't deny this; try to back up your reasons for moving or changing jobs. It could be your family reasons, wife's job etc that encourage you change, stating it do not lose cord and try to convince that you are the in charge of your career or life.

 Emphasize that you want to stay and grow with the same company, and that you had intended to stay with the previous employers. You can say that you had trouble defining your career goals at first, but now you are quite sure of your direction. You can also say that you left previous positions only after realizing that moving on was the only way to increase your responsibilities and to broaden your experience.

Answer honestly and professionally, even if you were fired or quit in anger. Do not blame others for your frequent moves Avoid showing anything negative about yourself, your work, or your ability to get along with others. Don't criticize your former employers or co-workers.  

11. You have been out of work for a long time? 

Mention that it has been a tough time for you and you enjoy being busy and working. 

12. What were you doing since you left your last job? 

If the break between the jobs was relatively long, it's better to say that you deliberately took some time off to be with your family or to learn new skills. 

13. What experience do you have in this field? 

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience get to as close as you can. 

14. What do co-workers say about you? 

How someone who knows you would describe you?  

Put all the positive things you said about yourself into your co-workers' mouths. Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. "Sumit, a co-worker at XYZ Company, always said I was the hardest worker she had ever known." It is as powerful as Sumit having said it at the interview himself.  

15. Describe your best friend and what she / he do for a living? 

 In what ways are you similar or dissimilar to your best friend? 

Interviewers assume that best friends are alike, so this is another way of asking you to describe yourself. 

16. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?" 

How do you generally handle conflict? 

How do you behave when you're having a problem with a co-worker?" 

The successful candidate will work alongside some highly trained people who have been with the company for a long time. How will you fit in with them?" Display your eagerness to learn from co-workers. 

17. What do you know about this organization? 

This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been, and where they are going. What are the current issues, and who are the major players?  

 18. What have you heard about our company that you don't like?

Avoid responses related to the job you're after example, say that you heard of a layoff a few months ago, and you hope that it's all over. "What aspects of the job I've described appeal to you the least?" "You don't know X. How do you intend to learn what you need to know to perform well in this job?" Demonstrate that you have a plan, such as reading books or going to seminars.
 

19. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

20. Are you applying for other jobs?

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.
 

21. Why do you want to work for this organization?

In what way a job with our company meet your career objectives?
This may take some thought and certainly should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here, and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

22. What kind of people do you get along with the best?

Describe your ability to mix.

Try to show that you can work with all kinds of people, but perhaps add that you find some people easier than other to get on with. Then expand, by explaining what you found easy and difficult in others. A good reply is, 'I have never worked for anybody I couldn't get along with. ’Sometimes the question may be more specific and ask you how you cope with withdrawn or aggressive people. Before diving in and answering the question blind, it is advisable to ask the interviewer if he/she is referring to a particular individual within the company. Asking the interviewer to expand further will help you to give a specific and relevant answer rather than a waffle one.
 

23. What kind of people annoys you most?"

Candidates usually mention traits that they do not possess. One good answer is, "I'm too impatient with mediocre and slow workers, I don't expect to ever accept poor work, but I'm learning to be more patient."
 

24. What makes you angry/lose your temper?"

What kinds of people have trouble getting along with you?"

If you answer none, the interviewer will not believe you. One good answer is, "People who don't work as fast as I do resent it." 

25. Do you know anyone who works for us?

Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.
 

26. Are you a team player?

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself is good evidence of your team Frame of mind. Do not brag; just say it in a matter-of-fact tone? This is a key point.
 

27. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: "I'd like it to be a long time." or "As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job."
 

28. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?

What were your most unpleasant work experiences?

This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force. 

29. What is your philosophy towards work? 

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here.
 

30. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Have you ever been fired? Why?

Why did you leave your last job?

Stress what you learned from the experience. Don't badmouth your former employer, even if he deserves it. Unfortunately, being fired/laid off reflects negatively on a candidate even if the layoff had nothing to do with his performance. An acceptable answer would be, "I was one of the 5,000 people laid off when the sales fell."
If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief, and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.
 

31. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.
 

32. Why should we hire you?

Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.
 

33. Tell me about a suggestion you have made.

Give an example of your contribution which was much beyond what was required in your job. 

What you consider is best idea you sold to your superior?
What you consider the best idea you ever failed to sell?

Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

 34. What irritates you about co-workers?
How do you generally handle conflict?
How do you behave when you're having a problem with a co- worker?
What kind of people annoys you most?
What makes you angry/lose your temper?
What kinds of people have trouble getting along with you?

If you answer none, the interviewer will not believe you. One good answer is, "People who don't work as fast as I do resent it.”Give me an example of your creativity, problem-solving ability, initiative, willingness to work hard, reliability." This is known as a behavioral question. A traditional hypothetical question ("How would you address an angry customer?") calls for a theoretical answer ("I'd be patient and polite"), which may not represent what you'd do in a real situation. Behavioral questions ask for specific examples of past experiences, often negative, which are supposed to predict your future behavior in similar situations. They deal with "probes", such as: assertiveness, clarification, commitment to task, dealing with ambiguity, decision making, interaction, leadership, management skills, communication skills, organizational skills, problem solving, team building and others. One can prepare for such questions in advance by thinking of specific relevant examples (both successful and unsuccessful) for each probe. These examples may also be cited in response to non-behavioral (hypothetical) questions, and be more credible than theoretical answers.
 

What was your greatest failure?

This is a trap question. Think "real hard" but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great the successful candidate will work alongside some highly trained people who have been with the company for a long time. Display your eagerness to learn from co-workers.

35. What is your greatest strength?
Do you anticipate problems well or merely react to them?
Would you describe yourself as a risk-taker, or someone?
Who plays it safe?
What would your superiors say your strongest point is?

Difficult to answer well, but there is no time for modesty now. If you turn the question round, what the employer is really asking is, 'Do you have the confidence and skills to do this job and to do it well?' So relate your answer to the job in question and sing your own praises. Don't hang your head and mumble; refer to the advertisement or job description and relate your strengths to the job requirements. They might request:

• Managerial skills.

• Technical expertise.

• Communication skills.

• Computer literacy

Choose a couple of strengths for each highlighted dating and back up your statements with examples. So, instead of saying, ' can mange people' try saying something like, 'I adopt a varied style of management dependent upon the situation. For example, if the need arises I will and can discipline individuals, but in other instances I might choose to lead by example or to enlist the support and help of the team and to come to a group decision'. I have high standards for myself and I can motivate and encourage others so that they too power form at their best.' Expect the interviewer to probe and to dig deep. You may be asked'. How did you achieve something?' or 'What was the benefit of this or that?' Thus, the key is to remember you are in charge, so only offer truthful and relevant information.

36. What are your weaknesses?

If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
Undoubtedly this question will be asked. "An employer will be happy to put up with such weaknesses". Saying, "I don't have any weaknesses worth mentioning", indicates that you don't know yourself very well (poor self-assessment). Avoid answering, 'I don't have any', because everyone has faults and is not proud about certain things about themselves. It is best to keep your answers short-and to the point. Who said what and the effect on you? Don't try to justify yourself and seek approval from the interviewer. It won't be given.
 

The key is to turn a weakness into strength. For example your weakness might be impatience. If this is the case, you could say that, 'I get impatient with people who go home when they haven't finished the job'. Other weaknesses, such as disappointment, failure to understand, or lack of acceptance, could be described as follows. 'I get disappointed with people who are rude and bad mannered. I respect everyone I work with.' "I fail to understand when people are deliberately destructive or sloppy because I love and take pride in what I do'.”I find it hard to accept when people don't take responsibility for what they've done, because I will."

37. How do you compensate for your weaknesses on the job?

Saying something like, "I'm not as organized as I'd like to be, so what I now do is to use checklists. I've found this a great help," shows that you not only realize you have a failing, but have successfully used a strategy to combat it. Other examples: "I tend to take on too much myself, so I'm trying to delegate more." "I'm impatient with delays, so I'm trying to learn more about the process to anticipate holdups in the future. I think I may be a workaholic, so I'm reading books on time management." Don't ever admit to any quality that hampers job performance, such as laziness, procrastination, or lack of concentration.

38. How do you handle the least interesting or least pleasant tasks of a job?

A good answer might be, "Every job in this field has routine tasks, which have to be done, too. Doing them is part of the satisfaction of doing the job well. They make the chances to be creative even more satisfying.
 

39. Tell me about your dream job.

Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best bet is to stay generic and say something like: "A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute, and can't wait to get to work."
 

40. What interests you most about this job / This Company?"

Now is the time to demonstrate that you've done your homework and to ask intelligent questions, showing your familiarity with the company.
 

41. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Why do you think you are the best applicant for the position?

What makes you unique?

Emphasize the qualities, Give several reasons and include skills, experience, and interest.
That you don't expect most other candidates to have. Don't put down other candidates (e.g., "I suppose most other people you've interviewed didn't know X as well as I does" is not a nice thing to say even if you are the world's greatest expert on X).

42. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.
 

43. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.
 

44. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.

Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may not succeed. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a superior.
 

45. What has disappointed you about a job?

Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:
Not enough of a challenge.
You were laid off in a reduction.
Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

46. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

Describe your ability to cope with pressure.

What are the toughest problems you have faced, and how did you handle them?

You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.
A popular topic, as jobs these days is highly demanding and pressurized. However until you know what is expected of you in this particular job, it will be difficult for your to comment. So it is much better to ask the interviewer to clarify what he / she means and would expect of you. If you say yes that you can cope with pressure is for you. Your answer should give the interview the impression that pressure isn't a problem for you and make your assessment afterwards.
 

47. Do your skills match with this job or some other job more closely?

Do you have the confidence and skills to do this job well?

Try to refer to the advertisement or job description and relate your strength to the requirement of the job. It may be managerial skills, communications skills or technical strength in some areas. Choose a couple of strength and back up your statement with example, offer only truthful and relevant information.
Probably this one Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

48. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
What are you looking for in your next job?"

This question gauges the candidate's interest in the position. Based on your personal trait, you can say few
good examples are:
• A challenge
• Achievement
• Recognition

49. Are you willing to work Overtime / Nights / Weekends?

What are your preferred hours of work?

Clarify with the interviewer that what he means by late and how often such late is expected. If you do not
agree to him say a clear ''no'' however, if working late is not a problem for you let the interviewer know.
Advice is to give a genuine answer rather than being very right over the issue.
Try to give a general answer, rather than saying that you like to be home by 7pm every night. However, if
working late isn't a problem for you, let the interviewer know. If you don't object but prefer not to work
late all the time, say so. Try to find out what the interviewer means by late, and how often it is expected.
Say something like:' I refer to late as 8pm; is this definition of late? How often would I work late in a typical
calendar month?'
This is up to you. Be totally honest.
 

50. How would you know you were successful on this job?

How do you evaluate success?

How do you define failure?

Do you consider yourself successful?

You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and
you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.
• Several ways are good measures:
• You set high standards for yourself and meet them.
• Your outcomes are a success.
• Your boss tells you that you are successful.

51. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

Do you have a geographic preference? Are you willing to travel?

You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview, if you think there is a chance it may
come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later
on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief.
 

52. Do you have any physical problems that may limit your ability to perform this job?
How many days a year did you miss at your last job? Why? How is your health?
What do you do to stay in shape?
Do you have any physical problems that may limit your ability to perform this job?

This is a perfectly legitimate question - you shouldn't apply for a data entry job if you're suffering from the carpal tunnel syndrome. On the other hand, health problems that don't affect your ability to perform the job are none of the employer's business.

53. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.
 

54. Describe your management style.

Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like "progressive", "salesman" or "consensus", can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The “situational" style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of "one size fits all."
 

55. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it a small, well-intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be ... working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.
 

56. Do you have any blind spots?

Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.
 

57. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

58. Do you think you are overqualified for this position? 

You seem to be overqualified for this position. Why do you want this job?

The interviewer is concerned that you'll leave this job as soon as something better comes along. Emphasize your long-term commitment to the job. Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.
 

59. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?

First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up. Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.
 

60. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
How would you describe your last manager?

Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates, and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.
 

61. Describe your best and your worst boss?

For the "best" boss, you might say that you enjoyed working with someone who was interested in helping you learn and grow, involved with monitoring your progress, and generous about giving credit when it was due. If this is true, then you're lucky. For the "worst" boss, avoid accusations that might reflect badly on you. E.g., saying that a boss always looked over your shoulder makes the interviewer question why you couldn't be trusted to work independently. On the other hand, saying that a former boss was "stringy with knowledge" accentuates your desire to learn. "Looking back on the experience now, do you think there was anything you could have done to improve the relationship with that one bad boss?" Use this opportunity to demonstrate your experience and maturity.
 

62. Would you like to have your boss's job? Why or why not?

Saying yes indicates you're ambitious and interested in career advancement. Saying no indicates doubts or reservations, at least about job in question.
 

63. Suppose your boss left an assignment in your mailbox and left for a week. You can't reach him, and

you don't fully understand the assignment. What would you do?

This is an example of a situational question. Take a minute to think and to weight the alternatives. The correct answer is probably to approach your boss's boss for clarification, making sure that your question does not reflect badly on your boss.

64. Suppose your boss tells you to do something in a way that you know is dead wrong. What do you do?"

The correct answer is probably to propose the alternative in the most deferential way possible, or to ask a knowledgeable person - not your boss's boss - for advice; but if he insists, do it his way.
 

65. What would you do if you were unfairly criticized by your boss?

The correct answer is probably to explain your point of view to him later, after the atmosphere has calmed.
 

66. Have you managed people in any of the positions you've held?"

Even if you haven't had people reporting to you, or the authority to hire or fire anyone, you can talk about your consensus-building or project leadership roles.
 

67. Have you been in charge of budgeting, approving expenses, and monitoring progress against financial goals?"

Even if the answer is negative, you can talk about your purchase approval authority - what was the largest purchase you could sign off on without anyone else's approval?

68. Have you ever hired anyone? Why did you choose them?"

Even if you haven't, you can say: "On several occasions I was asked to give technical interviews to prospective applicants. I also tried to determine whether they would be team players and would get along with other people in the department." Avoid being negative.
 

69. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.

Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled.
 

70. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?

Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
 

71. Describe your work ethic.

What personal performance standards do you set for yourself?

Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, "determination to get the job done" and "work hard but enjoy your work" are good.

72. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

What is worst career decision you have ever made?

What was the biggest mistake you've ever made in choosing a job?

If you had the last 10 years of your life to live over again / if you could start your career
All over again, what would you do differently?
Unless you're looking for a complete change of career, you can say that you wouldn't change a thing. Don't say, "I wish I had never gotten into this field, but I guess now I'm stuck." Do say, "I regret I didn't go into this direction sooner. I started in a different field that I really liked, but later I found that I really loved this field." Or: "I regret that I left that job because I was impatient for a promotion, and later realized that I could have learned more."
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.
 

73. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.
 

74. Have you been interviewing at other places?

Have you received any other offers?

It's better to say; "yes" I'm glad that I didn't accept, since now I have a shot at this position.
It's not safe to lie and claim to have received an offer when you didn't, since the employer may be able to check your claim.

75. What was your salary at your last job?"

What kind of salary do you need?

What was your salary at your last job?

What are your salary expectations/requirements?"

A loaded question, a nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, "That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?" In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range but under these circumstances, you might firmly state that your last salary is irrelevant to the job you're interviewing for.
 

76. When would you be available to start?

If you're currently unemployed, you can start right away. If you're currently employed, you should give two weeks' notice to your present employer. You should consider taking a short vacation, since you won't have any vacations for some time after starting on a new job. Meanwhile, you can offer to come on evenings and weekends to familiarize yourself with the new position.
 

77. May I contact your current employer?

No. It's too likely to get you fired. You can say, "Sure, you can, after we've come to an agreement. I think it's best if they hear about it from me first."
 

78. Tell me about a time when you worked hard but felt a great sense of achievement.

When planning permission for the new office development was turned down, I carried out another round of consultation and drew up new plans. At the third attempt, amended plans were accepted and the offices were built.

79. Do you think problems are solved by better communication?

During the strike I talked to the staff about what they really wanted. It turned out they were more worried about redundancy than pay. I got management to give them the facts on the threat from our nearest rival and they agreed to a productivity deal.
 

80. What unpopular decisions have you made?

I believe that the benefits of unpopular decisions have to be sold to the people they affect, otherwise they won't work. Recently the tea boy retired and we were going to install a machine on every floor. I called a staff meeting first and discovered people were already being too impersonal. So we asked them what would work and they voted for a small coffee bar.

81. Give an example of when you did more than was required.

When we set up the first self learning groups for employees to develop their business skills, I joined the first three groups myself and went to every meeting to show my commitment.
 

82. Give me a specific example of a time when you didn't meet a deadline.

These are all variations of behavioral questions.
 

83. Are you trustworthy?

My current line manager now leaves me to oversee both payroll and purchasing; at the recent audit our department had the lowest number of discrepancies.
 

84. Tell me about a project you started.

What was the most interesting job or project in your career?

The answer shows whether the candidate likes challenges. Come up with your specific result and figure oriented contribution in the project.
 

85. What was the last book you read?

What was the last movie you saw? Name a non-fiction self-improvement book (e.g., one about time management) and a popular, non-controversial movie.

86. Can you think of a time when you solved a problem where others had failed?

I was moved to the overseas office to manage a difficult but creative team who didn't want management imposed on them. I solved by making it a two way process, they were to train me in their system at the same time that I was teaching them the new procedures.
 

87. What's your Frame of mind to efficiency versus staff satisfaction?

I don't believe there's a conflict. If the system works smoothly it's better for everyone. But if the system isn't user friendly, that in itself leads to resentment and more inefficiency.
 

88. Do you see yourself as a leader or a follower?

How do you work with others? Are you a leader or a follower?

Do you have the potential to manage others?

Would you like to have your boss's job? Why or why not?"

Saying yes indicates you're ambitious and interested in career advancement. Saying no indicates doubts or reservations, at least about job in question.

There are always people I can learn from. But when I am in a position of responsibility I enjoy taking the lead. Although this will be my first big promotion, I was elected chairman of the PTA at my children's school three years ago and built up the fund raising committee to raise money for a new swimming pool.

89. "Have you recently established any new objectives or goals?"

Avoid answering "no" to such questions. Instead substitute strength for weaknesses: describe your proficiency in similar tools and packages, and express confidence that you can quickly attain proficiency in this one.
It's hard work but if you don't do it in advance, you'll be hard put to come up with anything convincing in the five to ten seconds you get in interview to describe how you dealt with a difficult employee or improved sales figures.
'Learn to be flexible; it makes the curves in your life path much easier to manoeuvre.'
 

90. What were your most memorable accomplishments in your last job? Of your career?

Focus on your most recent accomplishments, relevant to the position you seek.
 

91. How long do you plan on keeping this job if you get it?

What do you hope to be doing in 3 years?

What are your career goals for the next 5 years?

The next 10 years?" most employers don't want to restart the search process too soon. E.g.,
"If you hire me, I'll leave this lousy, boring job as soon as I find something I really like or as soon as I learn enough about your business" is definitely the wrong thing to say, even if it's true. A good evasive answer is: "This depends on my performance on the job and the opportunities for growth." However some employers do expect turnover in junior, temporary, or dead-end positions. It's OK to say that you hope to outgrow this job eventually. If the job allows for growth, a good answer might be: "I feel confident that I'll take on progressively more management responsibility in the future, which suits me, fine."
Sound as flexible as possible. If the job description doesn't call for these, you probably won't see them. The company wants to know that you can be counted on in an emergency.

• What are the skills you most need to develop to advance your career?"
• What do your supervisors tend to criticize most about your performance?"
• What have you learned from your previous work experience?"

92. Have you managed people in any of the positions you've held?

Even if you haven't had people reporting to you, or the authority to hire or fire anyone, you can talk about your consensus-building or project leadership roles.

93. What were your typical duties in your previous job?

What improvements you made in your last job?

Did you initiate any new procedures / systems / policies in any of your past positions?

Demonstrate your creativity. List all the great ideas you've had which couldn't be implemented due to circumstances beyond your control (e.g., no financing).