Tuesday 12 April 2016

HR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

The interviewer usually asks this question to initiate the talk and put the candidate to ease. You can smile and answer this question by saying: “It wasn’t difficult to find this place".


Tell me about yourself

This question is usually the first question that HR might ask you. This question could form a basis for further discussion.
Discuss your family background in short
Discuss your qualification
Discuss your characteristics that will help you professionally
Discuss your interest, hobbies

Tell me something about yourself that is no written in your resume.

If you missed out on some points while writing your resume this is your chance to discuss them:
Whenever talking about yourself, be confident, but not over confident.
Do not praise yourself all the time.
You could discuss some personal traits or achievements


What do you want to be in next 5 years?

This answer shows your ability to make plans for yourself, have an ambitious but realistic plan:
Say you would like to acquire certain skills and move up the ladder
If you are interested in Management, say you would like to take up a part-time course/full time course in x years time


What do you know about this organization?

This question is one reason to do some research on the organisation before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. 

Why do you want to work for this organization?

This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organisation. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be used. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

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.

What kind of salary do you need?

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.

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 attitude. Do not brag; just say it in a matter-of-fact tone? This is a key point.

What irritates you about co-workers?

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.

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.

What is your philosophy towards work?

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That,s the type of answer were that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organisation.

What are your greatest strengths?


Number of answers are good to give, but in positive manner. Some good instances are: About your problem solving skills, ability to work hard, professional expertise, leadership skills, positive attitude etc.

Do you have any Minus Points?

Disguise your strength as a weakness (your weakness should be strength to company) . Beware this is an eliminator question, designed to shorten the candidate list.

Are you an Introvert or Extrovert?

Being on either of the extremes at work can be bad for you and the company. Your behaviour at work should be as per the requirement. To answer this question you can say something like: I behave as per the requirement of the situation. For e.g. If I am representing the company at an event which requires me to talk to a lot of people, I become an extrovert while if there is some serious issue under discussion, I think quietly and deeply on it.

Why does this role interest you? Or why have you applied for this job?

The purpose of this question is to see if you are really interested in this job or you applied to this job just because you are jobless. Relate the job requirements with your candidature and explain why do you believe you are a suitable candidate for this job

Why should we hire you?

Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. A company will want to hire you if you can add some value to it. So, focus your answer on your skills and how they can be helpful for the position you are being interviewed for. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison . Also, tell them about your ability to grasp new things quickly, adjust well into a team and flexible attitude. These are the qualities that employers usually seek in a fresh graduate.

Are you willing to change your project/profile when required?

This is very important for a company, they want employees who are willing to change roles, to meet business demands, so the typical answer here is “Yes”. Say “I understand it will be in best interest of the business, if my manager wants me to develop my skills and take up another role.”

Do you have any other offer at hand?

This is usually a closing question and they might want to know how actively you are looking for a job. Usually give an honest answer and say why you are looking for another job with that offer at hand.

Are you planning to go for further studies?

This answer needs to be answered tactfully, they want to know whether you are going to stay for long or you are just there to use their training resources and then say goodbye in 6 month’s time.
If you are pursuing further studies, say so. Tell them why you want to go for that course
If you are taking up a distance education course or a part time course, they should know, as you will need to take leaves when you appear for exams

What newspaper/magazine/book do you read?

Browse through the newspaper that morning they might ask you what was the front page headline, they might ask you your favorite columnists name
Same goes for the magazine, make sure you have read the last edition
When giving names of books, remember the author(s) name(s) and be ready to give out some summary of the book

Do you know anyone who works with this company?

It is fine if you do not know anyone, but if you know it will be good to give out the name:
This shows them about your level of interest, and it is human nature if you know someone who works there you will ask them for feedback about the company or the role
They could ask that person for your reference

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 is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can,t wait to get to work.

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

Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

What are you looking for in a 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 is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can,t wait to get to work.


Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

What motivates you to do your best on the job?

This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement and Recognition.

Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?


This is up to you. Be totally honest.

Do you have any questions for us?


Always have a question ready to answer this one:
You can ask whether the company allows for lateral and vertical role changes
You can also ask whether the company encourages learning and development of employees
Ask whether the company has plans for expansion
You can also discuss your role in detail






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