I left my previous job without having another job lined up two months ago, and it seems that was my biggest mistake. I left for many reasons: I was demotivated, exhausted from the long commute and rotational shift timings, and the company was selling a product against my vegan ethics. The only good thing about that company was the high salary and good benefits, but working there was extremely frustrating. I thought I should just leave to take a break for a month or two, rest, and meanwhile find a new job. However, I have attended interviews at several companies and haven't received a callback from any of them. I believe this is due to my personality and age. I am a 37-year-old female and have not advanced to the managerial level, having only done mid-level jobs so far. I prefer not to work in a call center or KPO again, but I am now open to it if I can secure a job. Whether I work in a rotational shift or a day shift, I am not willing to compromise on salary. I need a minimum of 25k per month for a day shift and a minimum of 30k for a rotational shift if I don't get a day shift job. Here's where I face a problem: some companies are not willing to pay more than 10-15k even in 2017 for a day shift if you lack experience in that industry. I don't understand why the job market expects you to work in the same industry just because you started there. I am so scared. If I don't get a job within a month, I will be in financial trouble. I was under the impression that I could immediately withdraw my PF and not face a problem, but I learned it takes a minimum of 90 days to withdraw PF, and it will be taxable, so I am confused about whether to withdraw or not.
I feel I am not performing well in interviews. At some places, the interviewer hardly asked 3-4 questions, then asked if I had questions for them and said they would get back to me. I am looking to switch industries. I worked in mid-level positions earlier in an educational company and then an outsourcing company. I no longer wish to work in a rotational shift and want to change industries. I am willing to work in the HR field, business development, or any relevant role in a reputed company. I have completed an MBA in HR through correspondence.
Interview Questions I Struggle With
Here are a few questions I am not able to answer properly:
- What is the reason for leaving your last job? I answer that I left due to personal reasons and family obligations, but the interviewer seems to doubt if I was terminated, which is not the case. How can I smartly answer this with good wording?
- Why do you have a gap in education? (I graduated, then did post-graduation after five years, and recently completed an MBA).
- Why did you do an MBA in HR? (Honestly, I did it for the degree and to add value to my education and resume, but that's not what I can say).
- Why HR as a specialization? (I don't remember exactly why I chose this specialization. I thought HR would be good since I had previous experience in counseling and office work. I didn't want to do marketing due to the pressure, and finance seemed too calculation-intensive for my schedule).
- Why did you choose to do an MBA in your 30s after many years of graduation?
- You have done an MBA in distance learning. How do you think that will help in this job?
- Why did you do an MBA in distance learning and not full-time? I find this question frustrating as they should know how a working professional manages.
- What did you learn from your previous jobs? I struggle to answer this. What can one learn from BPO or mid-level or admin jobs? I learned soft skills in email and interacting with international customers, but it seems that's not what interviewers want. I need better wording for this.
- Why do you have a gap between each job? (I was married and separated, and in India, it's sometimes difficult for a woman to work while handling family responsibilities). I can tell this truth, but I don't know how to present it well to the interviewer.
- One interviewer noted my low academic scores. What was the reason for that? How do you think your education will be helpful in your job? (I scored 50% in graduation, 40% in PG, and a B grade in MBA).
- You have worked in the BPO industry, but ours is XYZ industry, and you lack relevant experience. How do you think you're fit for this job?
- We prefer candidates with relevant experience in this industry or field, but you don't have that. How do you think you're suitable for this role?
- How good will you be in cold calling?
- How would you convert customers? (This question is asked when I apply for a business development position).
Please help me with the above interview questions so that I can be well-prepared and answer nicely.
From India, Ahmedabad
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I feel I am not performing well in interviews. At some places, the interviewer hardly asked 3-4 questions, then asked if I had questions for them and said they would get back to me. I am looking to switch industries. I worked in mid-level positions earlier in an educational company and then an outsourcing company. I no longer wish to work in a rotational shift and want to change industries. I am willing to work in the HR field, business development, or any relevant role in a reputed company. I have completed an MBA in HR through correspondence.
Interview Questions I Struggle With
Here are a few questions I am not able to answer properly:
- What is the reason for leaving your last job? I answer that I left due to personal reasons and family obligations, but the interviewer seems to doubt if I was terminated, which is not the case. How can I smartly answer this with good wording?
- Why do you have a gap in education? (I graduated, then did post-graduation after five years, and recently completed an MBA).
- Why did you do an MBA in HR? (Honestly, I did it for the degree and to add value to my education and resume, but that's not what I can say).
- Why HR as a specialization? (I don't remember exactly why I chose this specialization. I thought HR would be good since I had previous experience in counseling and office work. I didn't want to do marketing due to the pressure, and finance seemed too calculation-intensive for my schedule).
- Why did you choose to do an MBA in your 30s after many years of graduation?
- You have done an MBA in distance learning. How do you think that will help in this job?
- Why did you do an MBA in distance learning and not full-time? I find this question frustrating as they should know how a working professional manages.
- What did you learn from your previous jobs? I struggle to answer this. What can one learn from BPO or mid-level or admin jobs? I learned soft skills in email and interacting with international customers, but it seems that's not what interviewers want. I need better wording for this.
- Why do you have a gap between each job? (I was married and separated, and in India, it's sometimes difficult for a woman to work while handling family responsibilities). I can tell this truth, but I don't know how to present it well to the interviewer.
- One interviewer noted my low academic scores. What was the reason for that? How do you think your education will be helpful in your job? (I scored 50% in graduation, 40% in PG, and a B grade in MBA).
- You have worked in the BPO industry, but ours is XYZ industry, and you lack relevant experience. How do you think you're fit for this job?
- We prefer candidates with relevant experience in this industry or field, but you don't have that. How do you think you're suitable for this role?
- How good will you be in cold calling?
- How would you convert customers? (This question is asked when I apply for a business development position).
Please help me with the above interview questions so that I can be well-prepared and answer nicely.
From India, Ahmedabad
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I understand your concerns about facing challenging interview questions and the pressure of finding a new job. Here are some tips to help you navigate these questions effectively:
- Reason for Leaving Previous Job:
- Emphasize the positive aspects of your decision to leave, such as seeking personal growth or exploring new opportunities. Focus on your desire for a more fulfilling role aligned with your values and career aspirations.
- Education Gap:
- Highlight any valuable experiences or skills gained during the gap period that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Explain how the gap contributed to your personal and professional development.
- MBA in HR:
- Connect your decision to pursue an MBA in HR with your passion for people management, problem-solving, and organizational development. Mention how this specialization aligns with your career goals and interests.
- Learning from Previous Jobs:
- Showcase transferable skills acquired in your previous roles, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. Provide specific examples of how these skills can be applied in the new role you are seeking.
- Handling Job Gaps:
- Be honest about the reasons for any career breaks and focus on how you utilized that time to enhance your skills, pursue further education, or manage personal responsibilities effectively.
- Low Academic Scores:
- Acknowledge your academic performance and highlight your practical skills, work experience, and achievements that demonstrate your capabilities beyond academic grades. Explain how you have continuously improved and grown professionally.
- Relevant Experience:
- Showcase your ability to transfer skills and knowledge from your previous roles to excel in a new industry. Highlight your adaptability, willingness to learn, and passion for taking on new challenges.
- Cold Calling and Customer Conversion:
- Demonstrate your understanding of sales processes, customer engagement strategies, and your ability to build relationships effectively. Provide examples of successful customer interactions or sales conversions from your past experiences.
By preparing thoughtful and tailored responses to these questions, you can present yourself as a strong candidate with valuable skills and a clear vision for your future career path. Good luck in your job search!
From India, Gurugram
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142- Reason for Leaving Previous Job:
- Emphasize the positive aspects of your decision to leave, such as seeking personal growth or exploring new opportunities. Focus on your desire for a more fulfilling role aligned with your values and career aspirations.
- Education Gap:
- Highlight any valuable experiences or skills gained during the gap period that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Explain how the gap contributed to your personal and professional development.
- MBA in HR:
- Connect your decision to pursue an MBA in HR with your passion for people management, problem-solving, and organizational development. Mention how this specialization aligns with your career goals and interests.
- Learning from Previous Jobs:
- Showcase transferable skills acquired in your previous roles, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. Provide specific examples of how these skills can be applied in the new role you are seeking.
- Handling Job Gaps:
- Be honest about the reasons for any career breaks and focus on how you utilized that time to enhance your skills, pursue further education, or manage personal responsibilities effectively.
- Low Academic Scores:
- Acknowledge your academic performance and highlight your practical skills, work experience, and achievements that demonstrate your capabilities beyond academic grades. Explain how you have continuously improved and grown professionally.
- Relevant Experience:
- Showcase your ability to transfer skills and knowledge from your previous roles to excel in a new industry. Highlight your adaptability, willingness to learn, and passion for taking on new challenges.
- Cold Calling and Customer Conversion:
- Demonstrate your understanding of sales processes, customer engagement strategies, and your ability to build relationships effectively. Provide examples of successful customer interactions or sales conversions from your past experiences.
By preparing thoughtful and tailored responses to these questions, you can present yourself as a strong candidate with valuable skills and a clear vision for your future career path. Good luck in your job search!
From India, Gurugram
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