Frequently Asked Interview Questions and Answers
When attending the HR interview, you should demonstrate that your qualifications and job exposure meet all the criteria demanded by the employer. In other words, you should sell your abilities before the buyer, i.e., the employer. Doing good homework before the interview will surely help you climb the target hill. Below are a number of frequently asked interview questions and their corresponding answers.
Question 1: Tell me about yourself.
Most interviews begin with this innocent question. Many candidates go unprepared for this question and harm themselves by sharing personal matters and old job history.
Answer: Start with the present and showcase how you are the best fit for the vacant position. Be sure to provide specific examples of your responsibilities and achievements, tailored to present yourself as a perfect match for the needs described.
Question 2: What are your greatest strengths?
This question may seem simple, but it's essential to be prepared. Your key strategy is to understand your interviewer's wants and needs before responding.
Answer: As a general guideline, the ten most desirable traits that all employers appreciate in their employees include a proven track record as an achiever, intelligence, honesty, good fit with corporate culture, likeability, good communication skills, dedication, definiteness of purpose, enthusiasm, and confidence.
Question 3: What are your greatest weaknesses?
This question is designed to filter candidates.
Answer: Disguise a strength as a weakness. For example, "I sometimes push my team too hard to achieve targets."
Question 4: Why are you leaving (or did you leave) your current position?
Avoid speaking negatively about your previous job or company.
Answer: Be straightforward and avoid negative remarks about your previous boss, team, or company policies. Provide a brief reason for leaving, such as seeking more opportunities, growth, or responsibility.
Question 5: Why should I hire you?
Ensure you are well-prepared to answer this question.
Answer: Tailor your response to match the employer's expectations for the vacant position, emphasizing why you are the best fit.
Question 6: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Interviewers may ask this to understand your long-term goals and commitment.
Answer: Express your interest in making a long-term commitment to the position by aligning your goals with what the role offers.
Question 7: Why do you want to work at our company?
This question assesses your knowledge of the company.
Answer: Highlight positive aspects of the company that you discovered during your research, providing concrete reasons for your interest.
Question 8: Why have you been out of work for so long?
This question can be challenging if you've been unemployed for an extended period.
Answer: Explain that you took time to find the right opportunity and emphasize turning challenges into positives.
Question 9: Why have you had so many jobs?
Address concerns about stability by minimizing the appearance of frequent job changes on your resume.
Answer: Try to reduce the number of short-term job entries on your resume to avoid being perceived as a job hopper.
Question 10: May I contact your present employer for a reference?
If privacy is a concern, handle the request diplomatically.
Answer: Express your preference for keeping your job search private initially, but assure them it will be okay in due time.
Question 11: "The Salary Question" – How much money do you want?
This is a crucial negotiation point that should be approached carefully.
Answer: Let the interviewer initiate the salary discussion. Emphasize the importance of opportunity and growth over immediate compensation. Be honest about your current salary and consider including fringe benefits in your total compensation estimate.
Regards,
Shijit.
From India, Kochi
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125When attending the HR interview, you should demonstrate that your qualifications and job exposure meet all the criteria demanded by the employer. In other words, you should sell your abilities before the buyer, i.e., the employer. Doing good homework before the interview will surely help you climb the target hill. Below are a number of frequently asked interview questions and their corresponding answers.
Question 1: Tell me about yourself.
Most interviews begin with this innocent question. Many candidates go unprepared for this question and harm themselves by sharing personal matters and old job history.
Answer: Start with the present and showcase how you are the best fit for the vacant position. Be sure to provide specific examples of your responsibilities and achievements, tailored to present yourself as a perfect match for the needs described.
Question 2: What are your greatest strengths?
This question may seem simple, but it's essential to be prepared. Your key strategy is to understand your interviewer's wants and needs before responding.
Answer: As a general guideline, the ten most desirable traits that all employers appreciate in their employees include a proven track record as an achiever, intelligence, honesty, good fit with corporate culture, likeability, good communication skills, dedication, definiteness of purpose, enthusiasm, and confidence.
Question 3: What are your greatest weaknesses?
This question is designed to filter candidates.
Answer: Disguise a strength as a weakness. For example, "I sometimes push my team too hard to achieve targets."
Question 4: Why are you leaving (or did you leave) your current position?
Avoid speaking negatively about your previous job or company.
Answer: Be straightforward and avoid negative remarks about your previous boss, team, or company policies. Provide a brief reason for leaving, such as seeking more opportunities, growth, or responsibility.
Question 5: Why should I hire you?
Ensure you are well-prepared to answer this question.
Answer: Tailor your response to match the employer's expectations for the vacant position, emphasizing why you are the best fit.
Question 6: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Interviewers may ask this to understand your long-term goals and commitment.
Answer: Express your interest in making a long-term commitment to the position by aligning your goals with what the role offers.
Question 7: Why do you want to work at our company?
This question assesses your knowledge of the company.
Answer: Highlight positive aspects of the company that you discovered during your research, providing concrete reasons for your interest.
Question 8: Why have you been out of work for so long?
This question can be challenging if you've been unemployed for an extended period.
Answer: Explain that you took time to find the right opportunity and emphasize turning challenges into positives.
Question 9: Why have you had so many jobs?
Address concerns about stability by minimizing the appearance of frequent job changes on your resume.
Answer: Try to reduce the number of short-term job entries on your resume to avoid being perceived as a job hopper.
Question 10: May I contact your present employer for a reference?
If privacy is a concern, handle the request diplomatically.
Answer: Express your preference for keeping your job search private initially, but assure them it will be okay in due time.
Question 11: "The Salary Question" – How much money do you want?
This is a crucial negotiation point that should be approached carefully.
Answer: Let the interviewer initiate the salary discussion. Emphasize the importance of opportunity and growth over immediate compensation. Be honest about your current salary and consider including fringe benefits in your total compensation estimate.
Regards,
Shijit.
From India, Kochi
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Thanks for sharing the informative tips. I would like to add that during an interview, candidates should also try to analyze the nature of the job. Only if the job suits their personal profile, expertise, or interests, should they consider accepting the offer.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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Nice question bank. We can add more questions into the same, such as total experience, relevant experience, current designation, team size, current location, preferred location, major self-assessment/self-rating, company's profile description (i.e., the industry/area the company is in), shift timings (current and favorable).
We need to prepare for these questions as well.
Regards,
Richuka
From India, New Delhi
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We need to prepare for these questions as well.
Regards,
Richuka
From India, New Delhi
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Hi Shijit,
I am an MBA student at Pune University and will be starting my summer project in HR soon. Could you please guide me on the do's and don'ts while undertaking a summer project in an organization? How can the summer project serve as a key factor in securing a job offer in the HR field from the same organization?
Please help.
You can email me at
.
Thanks and regards,
Poonam
From India, Pune
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I am an MBA student at Pune University and will be starting my summer project in HR soon. Could you please guide me on the do's and don'ts while undertaking a summer project in an organization? How can the summer project serve as a key factor in securing a job offer in the HR field from the same organization?
Please help.
You can email me at
Thanks and regards,
Poonam
From India, Pune
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