Why should we hire you?

This is a popular interview question

Following are 4 sample answers

Sample Ans 1:

In my XXX years of experience as a manager, I have build-up a solid motivational and team-working skills. I was awarded twice as the manager-of-the-year for my excellent methodologies for motivating employees to encounter challenges and meeting deadlines. If hired, I will carry forward this ability of leadership and strategies for achieving profit gains to this position.

Sample Ans 2:

The subjects I chose while working for my degree in XXX subject have prepared me for this particular post. Also, my two-year experience working with company X has given me the platform to master the skills that I needed to deliver for this position. It seems as if I was prepared all my life to land this job.

Sample Ans 3:

For this particular job, I have the perfect combination of skills and experience that is required. I also bring the experience of strong analytical and problem-solving skills that I have gained while working with other companies. My dedication to excellent work standards will add value to the team and the company.

Sample Ans 4:

I am quite aware of the company’s mission of acquiring the largest consumer base in the area and to become the front-runner in supplier’s or provider’s community. My domain knowledge and hold over the customer base can make a big contribution towards this. I would really enjoy this challenge of growing this business bigger.

Tips

• Emphasize on your uniqueness but keep it concise
• Highlight your strength, skills, and your accomplishments
• Give an example that describes you as a quick learner
• State or provide some evidence that shows how you contributed to the growth of the previous company in terms of revenue, goodwill, and brand
• Include your research you made on the company- for a smaller company you can say- your company is open to new innovative ideas

What not to say

• Try to avoid saying- I need a job, money or this place is close to where I live
• Focus on what can you do for the company rather than what they can do for you
• NEVER DO THIS- comparing your skills to others. The natural instinct to this question is we usually start comparing our skills to others, when this question is put through.

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Why do you want to work for us?

This is a popular interview question

Following are 3 sample answers

Sample Ans 1:

I would be proud to work for a company like yours with such a long history of leadership in the industry.  I have carried out web research and believe that the company’s XYZ products and its future projections are very impressive and promising.  The XXX team is the team I would take pride to work with. A place where my skills or background fits perfectly and can be utilized respectively.

Sample Ans 2:

Your company made its fortune for making great products that help people do X. But on top of that it is the kind of place where I can fit in and excel, so I was thrilled to see you have this opening.  Your company believes in providing superior service, to which I share the same value and enables me to not only fit into your organization, but complement the team as well.

Sample Ans 3:

I was delighted to see on your website that your feature employees are talking about how great it is to work for your company. These days so many people seem to despise where they work for one reason or another. It’s wonderful to see that your employees are proud to talk about how much they love their jobs.

Tips:

• Conduct a thorough research of company and company’s top executive before facing interview
• Learn about the company’s vision and how you can contribute in it
• Demonstrate your eagerness to work for the company
• Evidence that you understand the employer’s business
• Mention why you rely on XYZ company for your growth and why it is the best place to utilize your skill and experience for the benefit of the company
• Demonstrate your belief in company’s product or service

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Tell me about Yourself?

This is a popular interview question

Following are 3 sample answers

Sample#1

I am Andrew Bell, a computer graduate from MIT. I like to apply my analytical skills to develop world class products in the XYZ domain. When I am not working, I volunteer to NGO’s as it gives me an opportunity to serve needy people.  I also travel a lot and an active member of XXX travel group or club    through which I could explore my hobby more.

Sample#2

As a technical project manager, I have more than six years of experience at top Wall Street Companies.  In recent company, I led the development of an award winning new trading platform.  I am a person that survives in a fast-paced environment. At moment, I am looking for a chance to apply my technical expertize and my creative problem solving skills at an innovative software company like this one.

Sample#3

Since last 4-5 years, I am deeply involved with my administrative work. I have always been interested and enjoyed working in the computer industry, but I consider myself lucky that I got an opportunity to work at different levels like business analyst, programmer and assistant manager.  My main strength is the ability to maintain a great rapport with the customer and my attention to their details.

Tips:

• Try to cover your accomplishment in your answer
• Talk about the work or project that resembles the requirement of the position
• Mention what led you to this point in your career and why job is the perfect match for you
• Don’t narrate anything that is personal
• End your answer by telling them you want the position and why
• Use selective terminology in your answer like problem solving, innovative, fast-paced, creative and so on

What not to say

• Don’t speak the same thing that is already mention in your resume
• Don’t counter question your interviewer by saying – “What do you want to know?” (Sounds Rude)

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Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This is a popular interview question

Following are 3 sample answers

Sample Ans 1:

In five years’ time, I see myself growing along with the team, developing and using new skills to the benefit of the organization. I find this position extremely motivating and exciting. I can imagine many challenges lying ahead of me, which I am excited to experience. And therefore, I am eager to invest my five years time learning all facets of the job towards professional advancement.

Sample Ans 2:

I am flexible with others and enjoy the roles that involves leadership. Although, my initial focus and priority would be to involve actively in the job I am applying for, I would very much keen to take management or supervisory role in 3-5 years…or less. I enjoy supporting my team members, and always try to set a good example for others.

Sample Ans 3:

I am obsessed to be the best at whatever I do. I would like to work in an organization where I’ll have the best chances to enhance my skills, doing interesting projects, and work along with team members that I can actually learn from. Some of the most innovative peers in the industry work here and that’s one of the reasons why I would love to built a career overhere.

Tips:

• Analyze a reasonable career path which will flow from the position you are applying
• Try emphasize your interest and goal in your answer
• Talk in terms of responsibilities and achievements
• Try mentioning things that bring value to an organization
• Fresher’s can put forward their plan for next one or two years instead of five or ten years
• Show your long term interest in the position

What not to say

• Don’t say this- I am not sure, I am thinking about xyz…
• Don’t portray yourself overly ambitious by saying something like……I want to be CEO in next five years
• Don’t say that you wanted to be in the interviewer’s role or I want your job some-day
• Don’t put your personal plan like buying a new car or going for a long tour etc.

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What motivates you?

This is a popular interview question

Following are 3 sample answers

Sample#1

I am very result-oriented person; my primary motivation is to achieve the desired end result.  While I enjoy working on the project of my own, I am particularly motivated by the buzz of working in a team. It’s very exciting working closely with others, who share the same common goal. I also like to take on the challenge, and rise to that challenge as part of a concerted team effort.

Sample#2

Primarily, my ability to work hard and delivering result motivates me.  But subsequent recognition of my efforts gives me the encouragement for my next efforts.

Sample#3

Responsibility towards work motivates me the most and my aim within any company is to move up to greater levels of responsibility to achieve each goal with better responsibilities.

Tips:

• Sometimes, the best solution is to be honest- you can say money is your motivational factor, but it should be your last option
• Mention things like Job satisfaction, working towards a goal, contributing to a team effort or developing your skills- provide a specific example that supports your response
• Excitement for new challenges
• Quest for personal development

What not to say:

• Do not mention that you are motivated by bragging rights, material things or fear of being disciplined

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How do you define success?

This is a popular interview question

Following are 4 sample answers

Sample ans#1

I feel successful with continuous progress.  I find exciting when I am allowed to implement new ideas and see its fruition. I would define my success as what I have learned through years and use them when circumstances arises or demands.

Sample ans#2

I feel successful when I meet my short term as well as the long-term goals. I try to achieve the set goals and work hard as much as I can, I try to reach those goals and achieve the desired outcome. I want to recognize myself as someone with a progressive attitude who does his best and gives 100% to attain goals.  To me success is not just my personal achievements but also by the efforts of the people around me.

Sample ans#3

Success to me is knowing that I am excelling in my performance and filling fulfilled. My work should add value to the company and its customers. Knowing that each day I am making the world a better place is a success to me. I would define success at work as what I have learned from key job assignments experiences.

Sample ans#4

Success to me is spending the majority of the time focused on work that are fulfilling and increasing my efficiency to help the organization grow.  While I also believe that greater success can be achieved while working as a team towards a common goal.

Tips:

• Summarize your career goals
• Don’t say something that sound self-centric

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What are your strength and Weakness?

This is a popular interview question

Following are 3 sample answers

Sample answer#1

My strength is my ability to convert negative work environment into a positive and at the same time, developing a supportive team. I am also capable of keeping many projects on track and ensuring deadlines are met. As far as my weakness is concerned I get impatient sometimes in order to get everything done very quickly. To tackle the problem, I am trying to re-consider the to-do list and prioritize the tasks.

Sample answer#2

I am very comfortable working with a different group of people. My strength is my analytical and planning skills, developed over the years, help me to complete my work before the deadline. I am a little bit nervous while speaking in a group, but I have given good number of paper presentation to overcome this.

Sample answer#3

I am efficient in a number of programming languages including HTML, C++, Java and AppleScript.  I have generated over 100% excess revenue for two separate companies through cost cutting programming efficiency, and I have leadership experience with a team of five IT professionals working on some of the popular iPhone apps online.  As far as weakness is concerned I have a tendency to remain quiet in meetings, but I am working on speaking up when I feel I have ideas to share.

Tips

• Focus mostly on strengths
• Show the interviewer how you are putting effort to overcome the weakness
• Mention about your real weakness but do mention about how you are going to fix it
• Make sure your strength and weakness don’t contradict each other
• Research well about the position you are applying for and identify the area where you can apply your strength
• Choose a weakness that is acceptable for the job in hand
• Don’t confuse interests with strength or dislikes with weakness

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