Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
To what extent should we be prepared to answer questions related to our field? At entry level jobs, are the questions all behavioral questions, or any related to the field? Like, should I be prepared to answer accounting questions?
Has anyone tried this website?
Does it look legit?
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
You guys have it all covered pretty much. There are obviously industry specific questions missing here but I think, all the general questions are listed already. I am more frequent interviewer then interviewee. So I'd list some of the common mistakes that people make to some of the commonly asked questions. (These are primarily based on interviews conducted in IT and ITES industry in Pakistan)
Tell me about yourself
Reason to ask this question is to get an introduction from you. Also
1) It is an ice-breaker because an individual obviously knows about him/herself.
2) It would tell how detailed oriented you are.
3) Since you have to speak for about 1 min or so, it can easily provide a basis to judge how good your communication skills are
What to include in the answer
1) A brief about your qualification/certifications etc relevant to the job you are applying for
2) Any experience you have and achievements
3) If you are applying at entry level, focus on a couple of extensive projects you were a part of or you worked individually and highlight the tasks that were relevant to the position you are applying for plus any thing that suggests how good your learning curve was.
It is a surprise how some people don't know how to answer this questions or how brief their answer is and sometimes its even rude. Some common ones are
1) Everything is already written on my resume. (If we have one printed with us)
2) (Handing over the resume) You can check everything here.
3) My name is xyz and I am looking for a job as a web designer or php developer etc.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
I remember our career counselors telling us to be prepared for behavioral based interview questions. Like have 6 situations (related to education/job) thought out and use the STAR technique. But no one listed anything related behavioral questions here...
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
Kish Mish , behavioural questions are quite easy to tackle actually .. coz you quote your answers based on real experiences and that cant go wrong .. the STAR technique really helps and the fact that you have spent some time thinking about situations . Even if a question pops up where you havnt given it an earlier thought then dont panic , take a quick moment , thinkback of a situation that you handled and respond to it ..
Behavioural based questions totally depend on the field you are in ..
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
can you expand more on the STAR technique?
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
it called scenario based testing.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
can you expand more on the STAR technique?
Sara, STAR basically stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result .
So when you are asked a behavioural question, for example : Tell us of a time you had to deal with a difficult deadline.
You describe the initial situation first, so the interviewer knows the background.
Next you explain the task you were given, targets, core objective etc
then you explain the Actions you took to achieve the task.
finally the Result or the outcome , example, you managed to finish it in time or if you didnt then how you managed the managers expectations , quote the target objectives etc ..
This technique always helps you give a structured answer rather then giving an abstract or all over the place information.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
on a phone interview last week, I was asked a very interesting question; the interviewer herself said that she's done a poll and majority of the people she's interviewed have said that no interviewer has asked them that-- "What are your 3 dealbreakers?"
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
This Question is usually asked by the agency from the candidates before being shortlisted for the employer .. Employers can ask this question too but usually just one big reason is good enough , I think asking for three is just over doing it !
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
INTERVIEWER(1): Do you have a gf?
INTERVIEVEE(2): NO. I am married, I have a wife.
(1):Good...Is she hot?!....hahahaha...joking
(2): Haahahaa....LEBANESE BEOBLE ONLY MARRY HOUT LAYDEES!!
I took this interview of a lebanese emoplyee hahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!!!
Shukar Alhamdolilah, I never ever had to give any interview but I have taken many interviews.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
Ahmed F, dude you're lucky they didn't file a law suit.
It's shocking really how many people tank in behavioural questions. For one they can't think of specific examples and instead reply with, 'I'd do this or I'd do that' or they'll give you a quick one-liner scenario,I.e. tell me about a time you gave someone incorrect information by accident? They'd respond like.'I gave the customer wrong price.' roll eyes
This example is obviously for a very basic position but even the most experienced folks can't think of concrete examples or quality ones. Also it's better to say can we come back to this instead of making it up. If you make it up, it's only going to lead you to answering more of ''then what happened' type queries.
Also, some interviewers are big on body language and especially will try to make you laugh and get you to drop your guard so they can really see who you are and what kind of a person you are. So be your very best self (or not!). A big pet peeve of mine is people who don't smile. It's like if we have to work together I have to like you so you better smile for a start.
Another big no-no, especially for your first interview is to talk about $$$. The employer has to first decide if they are even going to hire you or not. Once they make their decision then comes the time to discuss remuneration. It's amusing when the interview is mediocre and then the candidate asks if there will be benefits and what the compensation package will be like. Ha.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
I wish people would provide the answers too which they gave in reply to the interview questions.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
I will like to give some pointers about some FAQs .
Tell me something about yourself .
this is an ice breaker and a chance for you to calm down and give your elevator pitch.
tell me your strengths and weaknesses
this one is to judge your communications skills and to see if you can handle a difficult situation .
who would give out a laundry list of their weaknesses in a job interview ? right?
so what do you do ?
mention your strengths as a weakness like I am workaholic .
use humor , I am morning person , l am always craving for a pb&j sandwitch . you got the idea.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
Haha that kind of thing is actually regulated by law in some countries. E.g. In canada, you can’t ask personal questions like that in an interview to prevent the possibility of discrimination. Yay pseudo socialism!
Do u live in a single household or a living in relation or are u married?
Are you planing to get married in next 5 years?
Are you pregnant?
Do u use "anti-babypills"?
Height?
Weight?
Are u planing to have kids?
Its saturday evening u r going out with ur friends to disco n on the way to the disco u get a call from someone from office n the person tells u to come to office right now... wat will u do?
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
Are you taking the mickey? this kind of interview cant be for a proper day job !
Do u live in a single household or a living in relation or are u married? Are you planing to get married in next 5 years? Are you pregnant? Do u use "anti-babypills"? Height? Weight? Are u planing to have kids?
Its saturday evening u r going out with ur friends to disco n on the way to the disco u get a call from someone from office n the person tells u to come to office right now... wat will u do?
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
Tell me about yourself?
What do you know about the company?
Why should we hire you?
Why you want to switch from current job?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your biggest weakness?
What are your salary expectations?
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
Do u live in a single household or a living in relation or are u married? Are you planing to get married in next 5 years? Are you pregnant? Do u use "anti-babypills"? Height? Weight? Are u planing to have kids?
Its saturday evening u r going out with ur friends to disco n on the way to the disco u get a call from someone from office n the person tells u to come to office right now... wat will u do?
da whaaaaa??
I really want to hear more about this? what country is this?
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
Recently I got asked, right at the end of the interview, after we'd wrapped up and I'd asked my questions
"one more thing! is there anything else you think I should have asked you".
that was a tough question, and sneaky.
Re: Most frequently (and infrequently) asked Interview Questions!
no I dont think its sneaky at all Tiger. It only implies that you have the opportunity to mention any achievements that are not work related but worth bringing in the conversation . Its just an informal way of asking . So you can always reply with " I think we have covered everything well. I am off for a speaking session at the xyz event , have you heard about the event? "
In that way you told them about your extra skill set and also involved them in a conversation. so yeah that was just an example.