200+ Toughest Interview Questions Answered

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Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4
Getting to know the Interview Process ............................................................................ 6
Top 10 Must Do’s before Every Job Interview................................................................. 7
Interview Question Categories ........................................................................................ 9
What’s YOUR Background.................................................................................... 11
College Grades and choice of Courses......................................................... 11
How’s your past Performance Record........................................................... 15
Why were you Laid Off .................................................................................. 21
Why did you Leave........................................................................................ 23
Why the Long Break in between ................................................................... 25
What do YOU bring to the Table ........................................................................... 27
Why should I hire You ................................................................................... 27
Strengths and Weaknesses .......................................................................... 31
Are you a Team Player ................................................................................. 36
Can you Manage People............................................................................... 37
What do you know about the Job / Industry .................................................. 46
Is this a Win-Win situation ..................................................................................... 50
What are your Goals ..................................................................................... 50
Is this your Dream Job .................................................................................. 54
Will you fit in the Existing Team .................................................................... 57
Are you a good Long Term Investment ......................................................... 62
Is the Role / Organization Right for You ........................................................ 64
Teasers ......................................................................................................... 68
Questions that YOU can ask ......................................................................................... 82
Vision of the Organization ..................................................................................... 83
Work Culture ......................................................................................................... 84
Performance Criteria ............................................................................................. 86
Opportunities for Growth ....................................................................................... 87
Next Steps............................................................................................................. 88
Questions that YOU MUST NOT ask ............................................................................ 90
Introduction
The interview process is easy. Actually, let me rephrase that –
The interview process is simple and it is up to you to make it easy for yourself.
Think of the Job Interview as a Date.

Remember when you first saw that special someone for whom you would give anything
to go on a date… and when you did fix that date you began to get anxious as to what to
wear, what to say and how to act – you didn’t want to screw it up.
So with the Job Interview – you look at the advertised profile, want to get the job, you
apply for the interview keeping your fingers crossed… and when you get a call for the
interview date, you start to get anxious; because just like the date, you don’t want to
screw this up either.
The analogy of the Job Interview and the Date continues – on the Date you get to know
more about the person and decide whether you want to establish a relationship, and on
a Job Interview you asses if the job is right for you and whether you want to commit to it.
But while one date can be radically different from the other, thankfully job interviews
follow an unwritten, but similar process.
There is a finite set of questions and topics that you will be assessed on, and a fixed set
of parameters on which you will be measured. The process is similar across
organizations because it helps recruiters to measure different candidates on a common
scale.
Another important fact to remember is that Job Interviews are not a Lottery. And it is not
a numbers game – you will not get a job if you’ve given a number of (unsuccessful)
interviews in the past.
You will be successful at the Interview only if you are PREPARED.
This book will cover all the topics that you can be questioned on and give you more than
enough sample questions and suggested answers to help you prepare.
To make the most of this book, think of questions from two aspects; your answer, and
what the interviewer is looking for. Many a time we may give the right answers to the
wrong question. The book will help you avoid this trap.
The golden words to remember are… Listen, Think, Answer
Getting to know the Interview Process
It is common practice to have multiple interviews with every candidate before finalizing
the most suited individual.
This is done because interviews are done by different interviewers and by virtue of their
unique experiences, each interviewer evaluates the candidate, you, differently.
Additionally, this may also be done to engage different managers who would (in the
future) work with the successful applicant.
The good thing is that no matter who the interviewer and no matter what his/her
background, they will ask questions around one topic – YOU.
Yes, this is the best part. You may interview for different companies (and even in
different geographies), but no matter where the interview, they will ask you about you.
It is essential that you do your homework and know the position and the prospective
employer, but rarely would you get selected (or rejected) solely on the basis of your
knowledge of the company. An exception would be if you go for an interview to
Microsoft and don’t know the company’s mainstream business.
In essence, know the job you are applying for and prepare to answer the golden
question – why are You better than all the other applicants. Focus on highlighting your
skills and their relevance to the task in question. When possible always give examples
to support your answer.
Coming back to the process, the interview (or multiple interviews) will assess your
educational qualifications, past work experience, domain skills (for the particular
industry you are applying to) and soft skills (communication, enthusiasm and eagerness
to learn, passion for the job, ability to work in a team, and fitment in the company).
Before jumping into the questions, let’s take a minute to quickly review the Top 10 Must
Do’s before every Job Interview.
Top 10 Must Do’s before Every Job Interview
1. Congratulate Yourself
You deserve it! Research shows that on an average less that 1% of the applicants are
short listed for an interview. This means that you have passed a major hurdle, but now it
is time that you make the most of it and convert the Interview to a Job Offer.
2. Give yourself Time

Schedule the interview a week from the day you receive the call (if possible). This will
give you sufficient time to research and prepare. Every interview is important and
deserves your best shot so plan for it well.
3. Read and Research

In today’s fast moving world there is plenty of freely available information on the Internet,
in magazines and newspapers. Make use of this. It is extremely important that you
study your prospective employer; not only because you may be assessed on it, but also
because you need to know what you’re getting into.
4. Link Up
Tap into your network of friends, both online and offline. Sometimes you can get the
best information through grapevines; such as the company’s management style,
hierarchical structure, work culture, and any major changes that the company is
presently undergoing. This good source may also come with a little fluff and you should
parse though the information to pick out the truth from the lies.
5. Analyze and Ask

A good measure of a company is its standing with competitors. Use your research to
find out how your prospective employer fares with its peers. This will also give you a
good list of questions that you can ask during your interview. For example, at a Sales
interview you may want to ask if the management is thinking of changing its strategy to
attract a different demographic and capture greater market share.
6. Chew this Book
I have squeezed out questions and answers from thousands of interviews which I have
been part of directly (as an interviewer) and indirectly (that I have discussed with my
interviewer colleagues and friends). This book has all questions that will prepare you for
an Interview. Based on your specific individual situation there may be some additional
questions that you should add to the list here and prepare for. Use this book as a
reference and tailor the suggested responses to your unique situation for best results.
7. Make Notes
It is important to write down your responses to certain key questions. Notes will help you
quickly revise and prepare. Questions such as ‘What are your weaknesses’, ‘Where do
you see yourself in 5 years’, ‘Why should we hire you’ need to be thought out carefully;
here notes will come handy.
8. Review and Revise

The preparation process for an interview can be overwhelming, but diligent note taking
and regular review of the key points will definitely make you more confident on the big
day. Remember not to sound like a textbook, but to include the highlights in your own
natural responses.
9. Organize
On the day of the interview it is natural to be a little tensed. Therefore you should plan
your outfit, accessories, commute details and meeting details in advance. Research the
location and if you are not familiar, ask for the preferred route in advance – it will
eliminate stress and ensure you are not late. There have been numerous instances
when candidates don’t carry a copy of their resume, forget to bring a pen or look
frantically for something to write on during the interview – plan well.
10. Relax
Interview preparation is a process and it is important for you to give yourself time to
relax and rejuvenate before the Interview. About fifteen hours prior to the interview, stop
studying and relax. Take a bath, listen to music, do yoga and sleep well; also avoid
alcohol and late nights as these can significantly reduce your chances at the interview.
Interview Question Categories
What can they ask you – ANYTHING
Yes. Although it is unlikely that on a sales interview you will be questioned on the laws
of Physics, but if you’ve majored in the subject, the interviewer may ask you to explain
the Laws only to gauge your learning skills.
Having said that, we will divide the questions into three broad categories –
1. What’s your background
2. What are you bringing to the table
3. Is this a Win-Win Situation
Questions in these categories will assess your overall fitment and the interviewer will try
and judge whether you are likely to stay and grow with the company.
In today’s fast paced professional world everyone is looking to get bigger and better –
faster. If you come across as a dynamic yet loyal prospect, your chances increase
manifold.
Right answer, Wrong question

Always aim to completely understand what the question is before answering. For all the
questions in this book I will give you the intended Purpose of the interviewer. From this
you will be able to understand what the interviewer is looking for and you can answer
accordingly.
Guidelines and Suggestions

Use the suggested answers as a guide to help you understand and steer you in the right
direction. While some answers can be stereotypical, it is best if you add a personal
flavor to the answers by including personal experiences, learning and thought.
Now let’s dive into the world of Interview Questions
What’s YOUR Background
As you may have already guessed, this category will include your past experiences
such as education, previous employment and personal background (hobbies, interests).
What you are is an outcome of where you have been and what you have done.
You have to always keep your answers relevant to the current position you are applying
to; try to answer every question within the context of the job at hand.
College Grades and choice of Courses
Q1. How is your education helping you in your professional life?

TIP: Every lesson learnt comes in handy at some point
Answer: Education is a continual process and I always take lessons from everyday
challenges at work and at home. My under graduate degree is in “Electrical
Engineering” and it helped me secure a job at “Litman & Co.” where I could
apply theory to practical examples. At work I got real-life insight into the
professional world and I decided that a Masters in Business Administration
would boost my career graph. I always try to apply the theoretical lessons to
life and see how they play out – often the result is different from what I
imagine but theory makes me prepared and experience gives me tool to
adapt to change.
Q2. Your grades aren’t exceptional; how would you rate yourself as a
student?
TIP: Talk about the other aspects of college that you may have fared well at
Answer: I have always been curious as an individual and believe that there is a lot to
learn. Many of my friends at college went along with the flow and opted for
popular courses while I saw college as an opportunity to learn about diverse
fields before making a career in one. Also, at college I developed my people
and leadership skills as I was a prominent member of several groups.
Keep the interviewer engaged, don’t get into a monologue;
ask questions like –
Does that answer your question?
Does it work the same way in this company?
From my understanding these skills will come in handy for
this profile; is my understanding correct?
Q3. Why didn’t you finish college?
TIP: Focus on what you gained from the alternative
Answer: When the time came to decide a major, I was thoroughly enjoying all my
subjects; I needed direction on what area to focus on. I met with my counselor
at college and also discussed the predicament with my parents. While they
guided me on the selection criteria, the decision had to be mine. I decided to
take a one-year sabbatical during which I met with an exceptionally creative
group. Our freelance work got me my first job and that's how I got started.
Q4. How important are good college grades in real life?

TIP: Think of college as a solid foundation for a tall building
Answer: Education lays the foundation of success in the real world. College to me is
like a tool kit where you can select and sharpen the tools that you will need to
succeed while at a job. Grades are a measure of how well one has prepared
for the real world but I would call it a good estimate, not a metric that can be
blindly followed.
Q5. Your choice of courses in college is different from your career – isn’t
that a waste of education?
TIP: No education ever gets wasted
Answer: Education to me is more than subject matter; you are right about the
difference but when I took up Accounts in college I devoted myself completely
to it and can still keep books professionally. Sales was an opportunity that
presented itself to me in the form of my first real job and I thought it would be
fun to try it out. I admit I wasn’t seriously thinking of it as a career but the
more I got into it, the more I began to like it and succeed. Having said that, I
still try and do some reading on Sales so as to not miss out on basics.
Q6. My son went to your college for a semester; he said the students there
aren’t very smart…
TIP: Individual perceptions need not be true; plus focus on your individual strengths
Answer: It is possible that your son was with a batch of students that weren’t as smart
as him. I was luckier though; not only were the professors excellent, but even
my classmates were very intelligent individuals. Also, I found it very useful to
spend time at the research labs at college; knowledge is abundant and I am
happy that I did my best to absorb as much as I could.
Q7. Good students seldom excel in real life – what do you think?
TIP: Most likely you are being asked this because your grades are good – take it as a
compliment
Answer: This would be a great morale boosters to all the back benchers in college, but
I would not go by any statistic relating success in college to success at work. I
believe if a person puts in the right amount of effort success can be found in
every aspect of life.
Q8. Did you take up literature in college just because it was easy?
TIP: Assuming literature is not your profession, show diversity in study
Answer: On the contrary actually, literature was one of the tougher subjects for me. I
had the option of taking one vocational subject and I chose literature as I
guessed it would be my only chance. I was never a big fan of reading but I
thoroughly enjoyed my class.
Q9. Colleges don’t teach for the real world; would you agree?
TIP: Education is a means by which an individual has to find his/her own way
Answer: Having worked for quite some time now I would like to say that the real world
is so unpredictable that it is not possible for any training to mimic it. Having
said that, colleges give one a foundation where one can prepare to face the
challenges of the real world. For me college was an opportunity to learn and
discover my passion. I think I would not be as confident and well equipped to
succeed had it not been for my years at college. But I would agree with you
that it depends on the individual who can also choose to attend college
without really learning anything.
Q10. The colleges you went to don’t rank very high; what do you have to
say about that?
TIP: Focus on what you learnt rather than where you learnt it
Answer: Attending a smaller college proved to be a blessing in disguise as the
professors were more accessible and the learning was more hands on. I am
sure higher ranked colleges would have a better infrastructure but the caliber
of teaching at my college was top class and I am happy that I went there.
How’s your past Performance Record
Q11. Have you been a good employee?

TIP: YES
Answer: Yes. For me a good employee is one who acts in the best interest of the
company and always gives his/her 100%. Going by my past employment
record I have always proven to be a gainful member for my employer.
Q12. Tell me of a problem you faced with your manager and how you
resolved it.
TIP: This simple question is loaded – you are judged on what you find challenging, your
ability to handle pressure and your approach
Answer: I look at problems as challenges that teach me how to succeed in the future.
One major challenge that I have faced is working with a micro manager.
While I understand the necessity of correct direction and guidance, I could not
handle every email being reviewed before I sent it. The problem began when
my former manager moved on to a different profile and was replaced by a
new one. I started facing issues within the first week; I spent that weekend
analyzing whether my work was inaccurate and needed excessive
supervision. When I was convinced that I was not at fault, I requested my
manager for feedback on my work. We mapped out his expectations to my
deliverables and came up with a plan of action. The cause of the problem was
that my manager was new and was not confident of the team; when I gave
him background of my work and my skills, he was convinced of my abilities as
a professional.
It is important to show yourself as an asset to the employer –
showcase your most ‘sell-able’ experiences
Q13. Tell me of a mistake that you made and how you learned from it.
TIP: Don’t defend something you call a mistake; show what you learned
Answer: At one of my previous employers I was managing a division for which we had
hired a vendor to do a certain activity. The vendor gave us timelines that I
committed to senior management. Once the activity began, the vendor
realized that some tasks would take longer than planned – this delayed
timelines. As I did not have subject matter expertise for the activity myself, I
had trusted the vendor completely but have since learned always to get
requirements validated from a second source.
Q14. What did you like least about your previous job?
TIP: Always look at the glass half full
Answer: I always look for opportunities to learn and I often volunteered for additional
tasks. With time these voluntary activities got added to my existing
responsibilities and became difficult to manage in the limited time. While I
appreciated the opportunity to learn, I wasn’t very happy about the added
work.
Q15. What would your team / colleagues say about you?

TIP: Positive feedback with modesty
Answer: I consider myself fortunate to have worked with extremely talented individuals
in the past. I assume my colleagues would think of me as a positive
contributor and an effective team player. As a manager I try to be
understanding and accommodating to guide individuals in their best interests.
Just last year I was voted among the top 10 managers of the year within my
firm.
Q16. Tell me of a time you did not meet your goal. What did you learn from
it?
TIP: Accept failure as a reality and improve
Answer: During one of my previous employments one of my goals was to evaluate the
performance of all the sales offices of the organization. I knew that evaluating
865 offices would be a difficult task and wanted to give precise data
requirements to the offices. While my list was accurate I had not anticipated
the time offices would take to give the information. Whether it was done
purposely to delay fact finding or it genuinely took 7 weeks to furnish data I
will never know but the delay overshot my goal by 4 weeks.
I learnt that I should have started engaging the offices sooner and started
collating partial data instead of all at once. Another key learning for me is that
I should have more governance for external dependencies that are out of my
control.
Q17. Can you handle pressure? Tell me of one such instance.

TIP: Every job has some amount of pressure associated with it
Answer: Yes I can handle pressure well. In the past I have successfully passed through
stressful situations. One such scenario was when we were preparing the
budget for deployment of a new application; the budget had to be approved
by the Board and due to some reason the meeting was pre-poned by a week.
We were only informed a couple of days in advance and I had to reach out to
all departments and collate their requirements. Post this I discussed a
tentative budget with two short listed vendors. I remember praying for a
couple of extra hands so I could make more phone calls, but in the end we
made the presentation in time.
Q18. What would you term as your greatest accomplishment?

TIP: Keep it work related or showcase a key skill
Answer: Last year I was given my first independent marketing campaign where I was
responsible for launching a new product – a cell phone. I managed the launch
event along with pre launch and post launch marketing for television, online,
outdoor and print. The response was fantastic with a 10% increase in overall
revenue for the firm in the quarter. I was personally invited for a meeting with
the CEO who appreciated my efforts and helped me get other campaigns for
the company.
Q19. What would your supervisor say if you told him you were quitting?
TIP: A good employee is always missed
Answer: I have been performing well and am a high contributor in my team; I would like
to believe that my supervisor will miss me in the team. When I speak to her, I
will tell her my reasons for switching and knowing her, she will wish the best
for me. On my part I will ensure that I properly train the person who will take
over my responsibilities.
Q20. I know your supervisor, can I talk to her about your performance?
TIP: You should be the first to tell your supervisor; don’t sound as if you have something
to hide
Answer: I am confident that my supervisor will give you a positive feedback on my
performance. However, I would request you to not talk to her until the details
of my offer are final; I have included the details of other references that you
can speak to.
Q21. Tell me of some mundane activities at your last job. How did you
manage them?
TIP: Look at the big picture
Answer: When I started out, I was among the juniors and one mundane activity was to
set up meetings and confirm the presence of invitees. But I used the
opportunity to learn more about the individuals, the responsibilities they
managed and got an excellent understanding of how the business operated.
Q22. Tell me of a time when you anticipated and successfully mitigated a

problem.
TIP: Demonstrate that you can think ahead of the curve and lead
Answer: While working with a previous employer, I was given a new team to lead.
Upon studying the daily work process of the team, I realized that many tasks
could be automated by introducing new technology. But the challenge would
have been resistance to change as the team was seasoned in doing things a
particular way. By way of a team meeting I asked everyone to prepare a list of
challenges that they currently faced. In the following team discussion most
folks brought up the effort intensive and sometimes mundane tasks. I
promised to look into the matter and when I introduced the new technology
the team embraced it with open arms as it solved the issues they had raised.
Thus, instead of forcing them to adopt something new, I made them realize
the need for it and then adapt to it.
Q23. Have you ever been charged with violating a policy or regulation?
TIP: Breach of Company Policy can sometimes be punishable by law
Answer: No, I ensure that I strictly adhere to company policy and I have realized that
the policies are made to protect the employee and works in the best interests
of both, the company and the employee.
Why were you Laid Off
Q24. You say that you were let go from a previous job – please explain.
TIP: You shouldn’t find yourself in a similar situation in this job
Answer: Rapid changes in senior management were having an impact on business and
downsizing was rampant. My team survived the first two rounds but when
management decided to completely shut shop on Retail Sales, I was let go.
Q25. I have a friend who tells me that you were in a leave or get fired
situation at your last job – please explain.
TIP: Clarify whether the decision was performance based or otherwise
Answer: My team was supporting a client in UK and due to the downturn in UK
economy the client did not want to outsource any work. As I was hired
specifically for the client, when my employer lost the account I was given two
options; to work in a totally different domain or quit. I chose the latter as I
didn’t want to switch my area of expertise.
Q26. How did you feel the day you were let go?
TIP: Show that you can face challenges and don’t succumb to pressure
Answer: Letting my entire division go was a business decision that I was told about in
advance. Although I had almost finalized on another job opportunity before
my last day, I felt sad about leaving a firm where I had started my career and
achieved so much in a short span of time. The things I learned there will help
me for a long time to come.
Q27. When you were laid off the other members of your team were not;
please explain.
TIP: State the facts without putting yourself down
Answer: I was among the newest members of the team and when the senior
management suddenly decided to downsize, my manager decided to retain
the older members for as long as they could. I felt that was reasonable as the
others had put in a lot more time with the company than I had.
Always show positive learning
Never blame or criticize your past employers or colleagues
Why did you Leave
Q28. When your company was downsizing your team why didn’t you ask
for a transfer to another team – you seem to be a star performer?
TIP: Show your focus on career while respecting loyalty
Answer: That would have been the ideal solution and I did ask my managers for a
suitable position. Unfortunately the roles I was offered were either not
challenging or in a totally different area which I didn’t want to pursue. After
carefully weighing my options I decided to move out with a heavy heart.
Q29. You’ve moved jobs very quickly – not a trait that I am looking for.
TIP: You shouldn't come across as someone who may quit soon
Answer: I agree that my resume is checkered with 4 employers, but that was mostly
circumstantial. My first job was a continuation of my internship; I had to switch
from there as I wanted to move out of my college town to a bigger city. I
loved my second job but after marriage, for us to stay together, one of us had
to move – I made the switch. My third employment was a great learning
opportunity but when we bought our own house, my commute was over an
hour and a half – I barely got any time at home and had to switch to my last
employment. Now that I am settled and well rooted, I want to grow into an
opportunity that can help my career graph. I see that opportunity in your
company and want to build a long professional relationship here.
Q30. I see from your profile that you were doing almost similar work in your
previous organization. Are you leaving only for a higher pay?
TIP: Do not come across as someone who will jump jobs only based on pay
Answer: You bring out a very interesting point about similarity of work. While it is true
that I am applying for a similar profile, the main reason is career growth, not
salary. Given the current size of my previous employer, it is unlikely that I will
be able to grow and take on more responsibility – this is an opportunity I see
here.
Q31. Your past employment was with a very large organization, almost 20
times the size of this company. I have a feeling that you may not be able to
fit in to this culture…
TIP: You’ve done your research, talk about the advantages
Answer: This is actually one of the main reasons why I am looking for a change. As you
can see, I am fairly young in my career and I need to learn as much as I can
to progress steadily. In a very large organization the responsibilities are
sometimes very segregated and one cannot get a complete view of the
activities done. My previous employment gave me good exposure in my area
but other departments were opaque to me. By working with a smaller
company I will gain better insight into the Industry, which is my goal.
Q32. Why are you not pursuing a full time opportunity where you are
currently interning?
TIP: Show your enthusiasm to get good employment rather than easy employment
Answer: The internship was an on campus recruitment and I have learned a lot while
working with them. As I have realized, the company is very large with very
specific roles and a couple of my seniors who took up full time jobs with the
firm haven’t gained as much knowledge as I would have hoped. I am looking
for an opportunity to learn and I think this profile that you are offering is ideal.
Q33. What conditions would make you leave a job?

TIP: State the conditions where compromise is unacceptable
Answer: I consider myself to be a loyal employee and there would be very few
situations under which I would think of quitting, and even then I would discuss
the same with my managers. If I was treated unfairly, made to work in an
unethical environment or if I was not given respect at a workplace, I would
consider looking elsewhere; but only after discussions with relevant people.
Why the Long Break in between
Q34. There seems to be a gap in your employment for two years. What were
you doing then?
TIP: Explain how you benefited by taking the break
Answer: The gap in my employment is from 2008 to 2010 and in this time I was
pursuing a Masters in Business Administration. Actually I was not in favor of
taking a break and enrolled for the part time course in late 2007, but I soon
realized that I would benefit more by focusing on the course full time and
completing it in 2 years. The break paid off as I successfully completed the
course and returned back to work at a better profile.
Q35. Your resume shows that you’ve got a lot of gaps between
employments – how do you explain that?
TIP: Show that the breaks were planned and that you gained something from them
Answer: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain the gaps; I have taken the
three breaks with the intent of self development. In 2001 when I had worked
for two years I decided on taking up a full time Masters course and I
specialized in Tax Accounting. This was very helpful as I could get a focused
job in the Finance Industry. My next break was in 2004 when I decided to turn
an entrepreneur with my focused Tax experience. By 2006 I realized that I
was better suited for a regular job, and I became an independent consultant.
After consulting from 2006 to 2008, I had to take my third break as I was
blessed with a baby girl.
Q36. The gap in employment from 2004 was because you got pregnant; but
women take one year off, why did you take three?
TIP: Children need the most care when they are young
Answer: You are absolutely correct and a lot of my friends got back to work within one
year of motherhood. My husband and I discussed how we wanted to bring up
our daughter and felt it important for one of us to be home during the first few
years of her development. Even at three she was very young, but at that time
we felt we could manage work and home with a nanny to help out.
Never lie on your resume. Be honest in your Interview
A job based on lies will not only be short lived but will also
add stress and ill-will to your life – do not be tempted by it
What do YOU bring to the Table
Your current situation and skills are the most valuable part of your candidature; they
serve as your USP – Unique Selling Proposition. The past has already happened and
the future is yet to be proven, but your current strengths, weaknesses, knowledge and
fitment into the profile is what the following questions will test.
Wherever possible cite examples of real life situations; this always fosters better
communication and helps in easier understanding of what you are trying to convey.
Why should I hire You
Q37. Why do you think you are better than the other applicants for this job?
TIP: Sell your strengths, don’t get into comparisons
Answer: Since I don’t know the other applicants for this job, it would not be fair for me
to state how I am better, but I can definitely tell you why I am perfectly suited
for this profile. I have been in the Hospitality business for over 7 years and
have worked with some of the leading companies; my responsibilities cover
all aspects of Hotel Management and I have received coveted awards for my
performance.
The job you are offering is a step up from my previous profile so I would need
to pick up a few additional skills but I am a fast learner and an excellent team
player.
Q38. Tell me something about yourself that’s not on your resume.

TIP: Use this opportunity to showcase yourself as a ‘complete’ employee
Answer: I am an ambitious person who enjoys learning new things and exploring
avenues. I have a strong mix of interpersonal skills and product knowledge
which allows me to tackle challenges effectively. Often people think of Sales
as an easy line of work but I enjoy the fact that only the best survive; even
though I am early in my career I am confident that I will succeed.
Q39. Why are you looking to change jobs?
TIP: Show your thought process, motivators and goals
Answer: My previous job was a great platform and taught me valuable lessons on how
to manage people and to organize myself efficiently. I was handling multiple
responsibilities and the exposure was tremendous. However, as I advance in
my career I want to specialize in particular areas that I can focus on and gain
relevant experience. I discussed the same with my manager at the previous
job, but given the nature of the profile, I would not be given the opportunity to
specialize; hence the move.
Q40. Why should I hire you?

TIP: Sell your strengths; highlight specific areas that you can contribute to
Answer: Your website has a very pleasant landing page and is easy to navigate; but
when I did some research on search engines, your site did not rank high. Also,
while the products are well displayed on the site, the process to buy them is
rather long and can dissuade customers. I can help you with search engine
optimization and help you create a more user friendly website to boost your
sales.
Q41. What is the biggest hurdle you’ve faced – were you successful?
TIP: The situation should have contributed to your personality or professional
development
Answer: One of the biggest challenges that I have faced until now was when I moved
out of my parents’ house. I have been independent by nature but this was still
a big move for me and I wanted to ensure that I was not financially dependent
on my folks. At one point in time I was going to school, working on my
internship and working a night job, all at once. While the situation was
challenging, it was a growing experience and I am glad to have learned a lot
about responsibility and perseverance.
Q42. Your skills for Corporate Sales are good but you seem a little weak on
the Retail side. This role requires both; why should I hire you?
TIP: Highlight the skills you have and how you can use them
Answer: My previous profiles have predominantly required me to work on Corporate
Sales. However, I believe in continuous learning and at various times I have
supported Retail teams with analysis and market penetration approach
formulation. While I will have a learning curve, I am sure that I can quickly
start contributing to the team.
Q43. In terms of years of experience there are other candidates who have
an edge over you, why should I hire you?
TIP: Highlight other relevant skills
Answer: In the field of publishing I understand the importance of years of experience,
but at the same time I have the added advantage of working on assignments
independently. If you look through my resume, you will see that I have
successfully managed projects that one would generally associate with more
years of experience. Also, I bring a list of potential clients and existing
relationships with vendors which I think will be beneficial to the organization.
Q44. How early can you join?

TIP: Factor in your notice period and check for urgency from the interviewer
Answer: Thank you for detailing this opportunity for me and I am very excited about it. I
have a notice period of 2 weeks with my present employer but once I get a
formal confirmation from you, I will definitely talk to my manager and try to
finish the handover sooner. If you need me to join sooner, should I check with
your Human Resources team on the option of buying out my notice period?
General concepts and theories are good; but what really
drives the point home are hard facts, numbers and real life
scenarios
Use as many figures and past experiences as you can
Strengths and Weaknesses
Q45. You seem to come from a conservative background and this job
requires employees to be an extrovert. We entertain our clients at dinners
and take them to clubs. Would you fit in?
TIP: Focus on all aspects of client servicing
Answer: That is a very interesting point you bring up. Actually when I started working in
my previous profile I had faced some challenges with regard to business
entertainment; but as I continued to get involved in business development I
have picked up the required skills and have accustomed myself to the need of
the hour. I understand that business continues beyond business hours and
that has become part of my routine now.
Q46. Ethics or making a sale – choose one…

TIP: Sales figures can be made up for; ethics once lost are gone forever
Answer: I have realized that making a successful sale is the ultimate taste of success
and I get a strong feeling of accomplishment when it happens. Having said
that, I will never compromise on my ethics; I owe it to the client and to my
employer to be honest. If ethics and sales become counteractive then the
problem rests elsewhere and the answer is not in choosing one of the two.
Q47. What would you rate as your strengths?

TIP: Showcase the ones that are relevant to the job. Your strength as an ace swimmer
wouldn’t ordinarily come into play for a job in a financial firm
Answer: Patience and empathy is what I think are my key strengths. You may say that
for a nurse these are core values but I don’t just see my job as a paycheck. I
have learned that patients require a listening ear and someone to understand
their problems. I am a good listener and very often just by listening I can
diagnose the problem and save the patient time and pain. Seeing someone
benefit from my help gives me tremendous job satisfaction.
Q48. What would you say are your weaknesses?
TIP: Don’t state a weakness that is actually a hidden strength. Talk of one that does not
have a catastrophic impact on your work; state what you are doing to overcome it
Answer: Sometimes I get too impatient to get the work done and take everything onto
myself. I work with large teams and a lot of dependencies; there are times
when I am not sure if the deliverables will be met and I get impatient. The
effect of my impatience is that I take more onto myself and am left doing a lot
more than required. I am working on this by planning in advance, dividing
activities into tasks and effective delegation. Just a couple of months ago I
was organizing a fund raiser and was responsible for everything from sending
out the invites to arranging a press conference. I picked a dependable team
and assigned tasks to everyone. We had regular status calls and together we
made the event a success.
Q49. Are you better at handling black and white issues or do you perform
better when the solution falls in the gray area?
TIP: Different situations require different approaches
Answer: When I started working almost a decade ago, most challenges that I faced
were black and white, I either knew the answer or I didn’t. Today, as I have
taken on a more senior role, there are many decisions that I take whose result
can only be measured after the fact. I find this interesting as I can put my
experience and knowledge to test and seek best results.
Q50. Your educational qualifications and enthusiasm to work here are very
impressive; but the position requires a certain amount of real life
experience which you are missing…
TIP: Show how you can bridge the gap with your strengths
Answer: I understand the importance of real life experience but I feel that my added
qualifications and the fact that I continued my internship while studying gave
me good insight into the Industry. Also, as you have pointed out, I am always
eager to learn and a fast learner, I will quickly develop the specific skills that
you think are vital to succeed.
Q51. What circumstances make you lose your cool and get angry?
TIP: You should come across as a logical person
Answer: Being a seasoned campaigner I have learned the art of maintaining my cool in
the most difficult and stressful situations. I believe that anger can only
damage the situation further. However, I am a strong proponent of ethics and
do not like people who do not stick to basic principles and resort to short cuts
unethically. In one of my previous jobs I was managing a team where an
individual would often take credit for activities he did not do. After a couple of
occurrences I sat him down and discussed the implications of his actions
which included job termination. I am happy to say that the individual
understood the gravity of the situation and mended his ways.
Q52. How do you take constructive criticism?

TIP: You should be willing to make improvements where required
Answer: It is like you say, constructive. Today it is rare that people suggest
improvements in others, they generally use the weaknesses to their own
advantage. I always work on self improvement and reach out to my seniors
and colleagues to fine tune my skills and acquire new ones. As an example,
one of my managers told me that by using a drawing board I could better
communicate my thoughts to my team. That simple action of writing not only
helped my team understand faster, but also helped me think clearly.
Q53. How well can you anticipate challenges?

TIP: As an intelligent individual you should be able to anticipate risks and handle
challenges
Answer: Having worked in the field for quite some time I am fairly well acquainted with
the possible challenges that may crop up at various stages. I always plan for
risks and have a Plan B in case the need arises. I do not want to sound
boastful saying that I can anticipate all risks, but experience has taught me
well.
Q54. How would you facilitate a meeting where all attendees are senior to
you?
TIP: If facilitation is part of your responsibilities, you should be comfortable with it
Answer: I broadly divide all my facilitation meetings into two categories; one where I
purely facilitate and others where I host along with providing expertise on the
topic. I approach the meeting with an agenda and ensure that the discussions
are aimed at providing the required information. I have facilitated diverse
groups and am comfortable with it.
Q55. Are you a good negotiator?

TIP: Taking a neutral stand works best unless negotiation is a required skill for your
profile
Answer: I believe that the basis of any negotiation is good research and I do my
research to ensure what I am negotiating for is within reason and that I can
back it up from my end. In my experience this has proved beneficial to me as
well as to those that I negotiate with.
Read, Research & Repeat
Ignorance is not bliss and is definitely not excusable
Today a lot of importance is given to general knowledge and

knowing the Big Picture (Industry, Economy, Future
Prospects…)
Are you a Team Player
Q56. Are you a team player or a solo superstar?

TIP: Keep in mind what is required for the job at hand
Answer: As a Financial Accountant I mostly work independently. In today’s well
integrated world all corporate functions interact with one another and cannot
be successful in a silo. I enjoy the constructive discussions that I have with
my counterparts and believe that I am a good team player as well.
Q57. Are you a leader or a follower?

TIP: This reflects your working style and impacts career growth. It isn’t necessary to be
a leader in every role
Answer: A good leader must know how to follow well. I strongly believe in that
statement as I have had the good fortune of managing some of the brightest
individuals. My past projects have had me work with my core team and liaise
with other departments; officially I was the manager but when a team member
was better equipped to sort an issue I would defer to their expertise. At other
times, when direction or problem solving was required, I knew I had to mentor
and guide.
Q58. What do you do if the team is making a wrong decision?

TIP: Put forward your view without underestimating their knowledge
Answer: As a team player it is my duty to work in the best interest of the team and as a
contributing member along with others. If at a time I feel that the team may be
taking a wrong step, I will raise my concerns and discuss my views. If after
hearing me out, the team collectively decides to go the other way, I will accept
the decision and support the final decision.
Q59. What is your opinion on virtual teams?

TIP: In today’s world of globalization virtual teams can work well if managed properly
Answer: In global organizations often people from different locations have to work
towards a common goal and there the concept of virtual teams works well. I
believe that every employee should have a local manager who is easily
accessible but at the same time, for common activities, people can link across
the world through emails and phones and work well. Although to lead such
teams, it is always better to have a more experienced manager.
Q60. Does working in teams make an individual lose his identity?

TIP: A good performer will always shine through, even in teams
Answer: I believe that working in teams enhances the overall performance of the group
as the strengths of individuals synergize to perform better than they would
separately. As for one’s identity, I strongly believe that if one works with focus
and dedication, their individual contribution, even in a team, is well recognized.
Q61. What team size are you comfortable in working with?

TIP: Teams are formed with common goals in mind; size should depend on the goal
Answer: Teams generally work towards a common activity or goal; for this purpose the
most efficient team size would depend on the manager. I think that if the
teams get large, it is good to divide them into sub teams for better
management; but as far as my comfort is concerned, the number of team
members doesn’t really matter.
Can you Manage People
Q62. How do you motivate others?

TIP: A people person is always a great asset in any role
Answer: I believe that motivation is an outcome of understanding the needs of
individuals. My approach is generally two pronged. On one hand I explain
how regular activities benefit the organization and why they are valued by
management; this instills the feeling of doing important work in my team.
Secondly, I try and understand the personal and professional goals of my
team members; this way I can chart out their responsibilities and show them
the ‘what’s in it for me’ factor that will drive them to succeed.
Q63. Have you led teams? How was the experience?
TIP: Emphasize your people management skills
Answer: Yes I have had the opportunity of leading teams on more than one occasion.
People Management is a very important aspect for the successful completion
of any task. As a manager I ensure that I keep an open channel of
communication and am approachable to my team. I get to learn many skills
from my team members and try to maintain a positive team atmosphere.
Q64. How do you deal with difficult customers?

TIP: This is people management in a different form
Answer: Customers are the sole reason for any business to thrive. I always keep that in
mind when dealing with customers. Sometimes customers expect more than
what they pay for and I guess we all can be found guilty of that. I have found
that the best way to deal with difficult customers is to first hear them out
completely; very often doing just that works wonders. After that I calmly
explain to them what the solution to their issue is and almost always things
get sorted.
Q65. How do you deal with team members that slack at work?
TIP: This is vital for an effective manager
Answer: Often I have found that people who slack at work fall into two categories; one,
who have some personal issues that they are dealing with, and two, who
aren’t motivated to work. The starting point to remedy both these issues is a
personal conversation. I try to understand the core issue and suggest
solutions where applicable; where motivation is required I show the bigger
picture and how the individual’s contribution fits in. This approach has worked
wonders for me. Some people however are a mismatch of skills to
responsibilities; for them I try to find the right profile.
Beware the Masquerading friend
Many interviewers ‘act’ friendly and lure candidates to let

their guard down. Unaware candidates talk without thinking
and often kill their chances of getting the job
Stay Professional
Q66. Tell me of a time when your consensus building endeavor failed.
TIP: Focus on the greater good of the company
Answer: During one of my previous jobs I was doing a feasibility analysis on opening a
new branch office in the city of Scrampton. My research showed that the
potential city clients were not interested in our product. This was also why our
competitor’s office at the location was not doing well. I presented my business
case to senior management and put forth the points for consideration. While I
tried to reason, the senior management disagreed stating that we would
adopt a new strategy for Scrampton. An office was opened, but closed after it
did not generate revenue for three quarters.
Q67. A major part of your responsibility would be to manage teams

remotely. Projects could run simultaneously in Los Angeles and Chicago.
This requires managing different time zones and frequent travel. Are you
up for it?
TIP: Highlight your time management skills and travel preferences
Answer: I am glad you asked me that question as it gives me the opportunity to tell you
about the time I was working with DHL. As the logistics manager, on several
occasions there were issues that required me to communicate with offices
globally and track down the root cause. There were times when I had to travel
extensively as well. Consequently, now I am very comfortable in managing
my time across time zones and can also travel on short notice.
Q68. Most of our clients are from the Ethnic market and would prefer
professionals with that background; how will you manage?
TIP: Show that you are compatible and understanding towards other cultures
Answer: I understand that there is a certain amount of comfort level while talking to a
person of the same ethnicity. I have been working with diverse ethnicities for
the last few years and understand their specific needs well. Also, some
statistics show that the advantage of the same ethnicity is limited to
approaching the client and has little impact on closing of the deal.
Q69. How would you deal with someone who takes credit for others' ideas?
TIP: Demonstrate that you can stand up for what’s right
Answer: Unfortunately there are many people in the work force today that take
advantage of the sincere efforts made by others. In my view this is a double
blow; the credit taker does not contribute while the other person gets
disheartened and may stop making efforts in the future. The most effective
technique I use is to ask the credit taker very specific questions on the task
around the process, lessons learned and benefits. Almost always the real
doer is brought to light and the credit taker is embarrassed to repeat the act. If
that fails, I have a face to face candid conversation explaining the impact of
the person’s wrong actions.
Q70. Are you comfortable working with ethnic groups?

TIP: The world is flat and working with all ethnicities can teach us many skills
Answer: I believe that the world is flat and I have had the opportunity of interacting with
people from different cultures while at college and at work. It is remarkable
how similar people across the world are; all we need to do is see beyond the
color of their skin and hear beyond the language they talk.
Q71. What if I tell you to do a certain task and my colleague tells you not to;
what will you do?
TIP: Show that you can think for yourself while taking direction
Answer: I always attempt to understand the task before doing it; this makes me perform
better and also imparts valuable knowledge. If you were to tell me to do
something and someone else says not to, I would enquire about the reasons
behind it. Once I understand I would clarify with the person who said
otherwise; in the end I would respect the wisdom of my manager and follow
his directions.
What’s your type???
Do you know the Myers – Briggs Type Indicators?

This is a hot favorite of interviewers today
Q72. How would you handle a flirtatious supervisor?
TIP: Show that you can be professional in situations where others aren’t
Answer: As a girl I have been in several situations where I have had to deal with people
who weren’t exactly appropriate. When it comes to a fellow employee or a
manager, I would first understand if it is the nature of the individual or if his
intentions are specifically directed towards me. I would ignore a flirtatious
individual until it becomes difficult at which point I would have a conversation
with him and tell him to stay off. If his intentions are specifically towards me I
would politely tell him that I am not interested.
Q73. I think the person who fired you from a previous job works here now –
what if you came face to face with her?
TIP: Show that you know how to get over the past and move on
Answer: The reason my team was let go in the past was because the business unit we
were supporting was outsourced. It was what the management had decided. I
have since moved on and feel like it was a blessing in disguise as I have
done better than I may have otherwise. I do not believe in holding grudges
and if I came face to face with Sharon I would greet her just as I would have
in my previous employment.
Q74. Have you ever worked in a hostile group? What was the experience
like?
TIP: Show that in difficult situations you can manage yourself and others
Answer: On one occasion I was working as a consultant for a firm that wanted to
introduce an automated system to replace manual processes. Needless to
say, the team that was performing the manual functions was extremely hostile
as they feared losing their jobs. I did my homework by understanding their
point of view and spoke to them about the ease of adapting to new
technology and then the benefits of taking on more challenging tasks. Soon
everyone could see how the change was in their benefit and the hostility
quickly disappeared.
Q75. Have you ever fired anyone?
TIP: Yes/No question but you may want to ask how this is related to your profile
Answer 1: Yes. There was a time when one of my team members was not performing
up to his potential and was bringing down the team. I gave him pointers on
how to improve but he chose to ignore them. Seeing no alternative I had to let
him go. Does my profile have a significant amount of letting people go?
Answer 2: No I have not but if I am in such a situation I will ensure that I have tried to
guide the individual to my best ability. Does my profile have a significant
amount of letting people go?
Q76. How do you deal with customers who you know won’t buy?
TIP: They may not buy today, but could tomorrow
Answer: Dealing with a lot of customers has taught me to gauge the interest level of the
customer. As with any product, there are always more who just check out the
product than those who actually buy, and I think it is natural for people to think
before making a purchase. If I don’t spend the required time with them, my
competitor will, so I never ignore ‘window shoppers.’ However, if I realize that
an individual is simply killing time, I keep my conversations brief.
Q77. You seem to be an introvert; how do you deal with aggressive people?
TIP: Whatever your style, you should be able to deal with all types of people
Answer: I may be a little nervous in the interview but I wouldn’t say that I’m an introvert.
And as for dealing with people, my work has always involved extensive
interaction and I am comfortable in dealing with all sorts of people. What
works for me is focus on the task to be done and ensuring clarity in
understanding of responsibilities.
We all make mistakes…
Acknowledge your past, explain what you learned and how

you’ve corrected it for good
What do you know about the Job / Industry
Q78. How do you keep up with the competition?

TIP: Continuous self development is essential for success
Answer: Today we are in a fortunate situation where discoveries and developments
happen so rapidly that we are making exponential progress in many
industries. But for this to be possible all of us have to continuously keep pace
with the developments and plan ahead. I do so by reading profusely; there is
a lot of information available in books, magazines and on the Internet that I
regularly refer. In addition, I chalk out a learning path for myself which is
targeted learning in terms of courses and instructional lessons.
Q79. What are your views on this industry?

TIP: Show the research and background reading that you have done
Answer: I believe that the Pharmaceutical Industry has got a lot of support recently.
The US Government has just issued a new Bill last month which will come
into effect later this year but will work like a shot in the arm for the research
that goes on in our Industry.
Q80. Explain a marketing strategy for the launch of a new product.

TIP: Showcase your skills with an example
Answer: I believe that the success of a new product is highly dependent on the
advertising and marketing around the launch. Spreading awareness within
potential clients and highlighting key strengths with respect to competitors can
significantly boost sales. I have been involved in the launch of two products.
For one I was supporting the Marketing head while for the other I was leading
the launch. When I was in charge, I had exhaustive client and competitor
research done prior to planning the launch. Based on the analysis I realized
that most of our clients were online and preferred an Internet purchase. I
focused the launch accordingly and the product got an impressive response.
Q81. How would you increase word of mouth advertising?
TIP: Highlight your knowledge and expertise on the topic
Answer: Statistics show that word of mouth is the most effective form of advertising but
also the most limited as people need to truly believe in the product before
associating their name with it. There are two broad approaches that I would
take; one via existing customers and the other via the media. For existing
customers I would run discounts and specials for referrals. Through media I
would use print and television to garner hype and if budget permits I would
schedule road shows in major cities.
Q82. In accounting you may need to refer to old records; how do you
ensure safety of past records?
TIP: Demonstrate your organized and planned approach to work
Answer: You bring up an excellent point about archiving data and indexing it correctly
for quick reference. With today’s advanced accounting software applications it
is easy to keep backups and I have an automated daily backup of all my work.
Just last month we had a power outage and some data was lost. I ensure that
I am prepared for such contingencies. Also for quicker reference I segregate
information in folders and write short comments on their content. This helps
especially at the time of an Audit when auditors can ask for random pieces of
information.
Q83. Our company’s objective is to capture 30% of the market share within
two years. Tell me where you would start.
TIP: Showcase your strategizing and planning skills
Answer: From my research, your company currently focuses heavily on Corporate
Sales and is fairly successful in it as well. But there is also a strong retail
market which your competitors are tapping better. I would explore the retail
option with test market surveys and project what revenue can be expected
from there. Also, the general perception is that your company relies heavily
on agents. If a strong sales team can be developed in-house, it will result in
better relationships and greater sales.
Q84. In perspective of the Industry, what makes this role exciting for you?
TIP: A great opportunity to show your excitement about the role
Answer: In my current capacity, the role is an excellent platform for me to be successful
and I am also very excited about the added exposure that I will get; the
opportunity to learn about different functions within the organization will help
me work better and grow. For example, I was only looking at Customer
Requests in my earlier job, here I am excited to be part of overall Client
Management where I can understand the root cause of issues and prevent
other clients from facing similar challenges.
Q85. With regard to this role where do you think you will face challenges?
TIP: A great opportunity to clarify doubts
Answer: Being a couple of years younger than the average age for this profile there
may be a possibility that initially people look at my age and not my experience.
Could you tell me if my concerns are valid?
Q86. Why do you think you would be successful in this role?

TIP: Show that you will be great asset to the company
Answer: I believe that to be successful at any job one needs the right mix of education
and real world experience. I have the required qualification for the job and
given that I have worked in the Industry for three years, I think I can positively
contribute to be successful here. For example, I can leverage the valuable
experience that I gained as a technician at Midas Tech to help design the
range of steam converters here.
Q87. What impact do you think will outsourcing have on this Industry?
TIP: Refer to the research you have done; always be positive
Answer: Outsourcing is a fact we have to live with. But I believe that most of the jobs
that are outsourced are very structured; outsource-able activities must be
repetitive in nature and not individual dependent. In our Industry success is
very dependent on the personality of the individual and I feel that outsourcing
will not have a big impact on us.
Sometimes there is no escape
Most employers will run checks on;

Education
Past Employment
Criminal Records
Social Security History
Personal and Professional References
Is this a Win-Win situation
Now that the interviewer is convinced of your ‘capability’ she has to also ensure that you
are a good fit into the organization and the team.
A good interviewer will always check two broad parameters –

• Are you good for the organization
• Can the organization give you what you seek
You MUST select the organizations that you apply to with care; as you plan to render
your services, you must also think about building a career.
Your responses to the next set of questions should show the interviewer the harmony
between your expectations and the organization’s offering.
What are your Goals
Q88. Where do you see yourself in five years?

TIP: Demonstrate that you have a broad perspective and think ahead
Answer: Presently I consider myself as an effective team member where I contribute
based on my knowledge of the subject. Within the next 3-5 years I want to
acquire and master key management skills to lead teams and manage
people.
Q89. What salary are you expecting?

TIP: Salary negotiations should only be done with the Human Resource team; also as
far as possible do not be the first to quote a figure
Answer: Your organization is a leader in its area and is home to the best talent
available. I am sure that given my experience and background your offer will
be as per or better than industry standards.
Q90. You’ve managed teams before but in this profile you will not be
managing people; how do you feel about that?
TIP: Clarify if this is an important aspect that you seek in a profile
Answer: Managing teams is a great opportunity to learn people dynamics and I am
happy that I have successfully done so in the past. I understand that at this
point in time I will not be managing a team but I believe that people
management is a handy skill which I can use while interacting with people at
all levels.
Q91. How do you set your goals?

TIP: Show vision and effective planning
Answer: I categorize my goals into personal and professional; for each I list down
milestones that I define as success. Based on the effort and time required to
achieve my milestones the goals become short or long term. I divide most of
my long term goals into several shorter term goals. For example, a current
professional goal of mine is to effectively manage teams at a distant office. I
have achieved the shorter term goal of managing teams locally and with this
job profile I could get a chance to lead teams at global locations.
Q92. Tell me one of your personal goals.

TIP: This could be something you want to acquire or accomplish
Answer 1: I have been planning to buy a house and within the next couple of years I
will be ready to step into the market for one. Ever since I was a child I always
dreamt of having my own house and once I do it will be a major
accomplishment for me.
Answer 2: Ever since I was a child, I have been afraid of water. My current goal is to
overcome my fears and learn swimming. I have enquired about a training
offered at my gym and will sign up for the class in the near future.
Q93. Do you set your goals yourself or have your manager set them for
you?
TIP: It is best to have a combination of both
Answer: I use a two-pronged approach when setting my professional goals. Keeping in
mind my objectives and areas of improvement, I draft a set of short and long
term goals. Then I discuss the same with my manager to check fitment into
the overall success of the organization. We refine the scope of my goals and
plan the approach. I have found this to be very efficient for me in the past. Is
there a preferred method of goal setting that you recommend?
Q94. How far into the future do you plan for?

TIP: Show that you have a long term perspective on life
Answer: I divide my goals and aspirations into short and long term goals. My short term
goals span between 1-3 years. For activities that I need to accomplish within
a year I make a detailed plan with action steps. For goals that will take me a
few years to accomplish I have a broad plan and for long term goals which
could be as far as 10-15 years away I keep a reminder so that I work slowly
but surely towards them. An example of a long term goal would be that I want
to own a water facing house in Riverside within the next 10 years.
Dress formally but comfortably – you need to focus on the
questions, not on the tight pants or ill-fitting shoe
If you have an option, sit across from the interviewer(s) so as

to easily make eye contact with them
Is this your Dream Job
Q95. Most people take 3-4 years to get a promotion, would that frustrate
you?
TIP: Promotions and salary increments are incentives for most people but you should
know the norm for your Industry and profile
Answer: I understand that each organization has its own culture and working style.
What I look for is a common standard for promotions which will apply to all
employees. I have seldom seen that an organization would not promote a
worthy employee only based on the number of years of employment.
Q96. Describe your dream job.

TIP: No one likes to be a stepping stone
Answer: I am glad you asked that question; I am actually well on my way to acquiring
my dream job of managing a chain of outlets for a major fashion house. As
you can see from my resume I have been focused on fashion designing from
my college days. Since then I have gradually picked up the necessary skills
and experience to excel at the job.
Today I am interviewing with you as I see my dream job in your company in
about 5-7 years. I am confident that while I continue to learn I will be able to
positively contribute to the success of the company.
Q97. Who is your role model?

TIP: It would help if the role model has qualities that will come in handy at work
Answer: Kevin Lance, the manager at my first job has had a profound impact on my
career. I was fresh out of college and Kevin was a seasoned campaigner, he
used to tell me that I had potential and he would tap it. He taught me the
nuances of the industry as well as certain best practices and tricks that had
benefited him. I learned enormously under him and cherish his enthusiasm to
mentoring. I strive to be as passionate towards my work as he is and although
we no longer work together, we stay in touch.
Q98. How important is it for you to get promoted quickly?
TIP: Don’t come across as someone who would change jobs quickly for a promotion
Answer: I believe in rewards following results. I always aim to give high performance
and then hope to get rewarded accordingly.
Q99. Everyone wants to retire by 40, what about you?

TIP: Why talk of retirement while interviewing for a job
Answer: I think people confuse retirement with financial freedom. Yes, I want to be
financially secure, but as far as retirement goes, I enjoy my work and want to
continue for as long as I can.
Q100. Why do you like this job?

TIP: Refer to your research on the profile and highlight mutual benefits
Answer: This profile has great potential for growth. In my last job I was responsible for
most of what is offered here but there was limitation to what I could do 2 or 3
years in the future; I guess that is the shortcoming of a small company. Here,
once I begin to perform and you see my contribution, I am confident that I will
get larger exposure and will be able to grow with the organization.
Q101. The job profile we have is only a guideline; would you be

comfortable if the responsibilities exceed beyond what is mentioned?
TIP: No job can be described with 100% accuracy – this is an opportunity for taking on
more
Answer: I fully understand. Rarely can a job be defined with 100% accuracy and I am
comfortable with that as long as the profile requires that. Do you think that I
may be asked to work on tasks that are completely away from my profile and
will not help me in my career growth?
Don’t go empty stomach – a growling stomach isn’t a job
getter
Have a sip of water and straighten yourself before the

interview starts… avoid having anything during the session
so you don’t spill or spoil your makeup
Will you fit in the Existing Team
Q102. You would be reporting to a younger lady as your boss. How do you
feel about that?
TIP: Show that you are open minded
Answer: I strongly believe in giving credit when deserved and I am sure that the lady
who I would report to would have earned her spot. Also, I had taken a
significant break from work when I was pregnant and am comfortable with
working with younger professionals.
Q103. Do you put forth your opinions or is the boss always right?
TIP: Show that you know how to manage senior management
Answer: I believe that my employer has the right to know the most beneficial way of
doing things. When I am confident of my opinion, I voice it, but irrespective of
whether my suggestions are considered, I play as a team. There may always
be logical reasons that I am not privy to.
Q104. Tell me one thing about your former manager that you do not like.
TIP: Do not back bite (speak ill about others in their absence)
Answer: My former manager is a wonderful person and I have learned many things
from her. Her ability to understand individuals reflects in the loyalty that she
gets from her team. If I had to pick an area of improvement for her, I would
say it is foresight. She takes direction from senior management and follows
instructions to the T, sometimes without thinking of the best possible way to
do it.
Q105. You’re a working mother and I respect that. On average the team
here is about 5 years younger than you; are you sure you will be able to fit
in?
TIP: Everyone’s situation is unique; you should know what you deserve
Answer: I understand your concerns but let me assure you that my age and
motherhood status will only prove beneficial. As a mother I have become
more responsible and maturity has taught me to value opportunities and not
act irrationally. The decisions that I take, both personal and professional, are
well thought out; I analyze the pros and cons before taking the decision. This
quality will be another value that I can add to the team.
Q106. The lady you would be reporting to may be more comfortable with a
seasoned professional; you’re well qualified but I’m concerned about
fitment…
TIP: Show that you are well deserving
Answer: Thank you for pointing that out as I will keep that in mind. As you can see from
my resume, the exposure that I have received and the responsibilities that I
have successfully shouldered would be expected from someone more
seasoned. I will credit this to good mentors and favorable situations. I am
confident that when the lady you talk of realizes this, her concerns will
disappear.
Q107. We have an equal opportunity hiring policy but the specific area you
are applying to is very male dominated; will you fit in and succeed?
TIP: Show how your strengths position you to succeed
Answer: You bring up a valid point as this was a challenge that I faced when I entered
this field. But over the last couple of years I have tuned myself to the skills
required to succeed and my efforts are reflected in the accomplishments you
see on my resume. While I agree that it is a male dominated industry, I have
found a way to make my mark.
Q108. This position has opened up because a particular gentleman quit as

he couldn’t work with the lady he was reporting to. I assume you will have
the same challenges; I’m inclined to hiring a lady.
TIP: If the manager was wrong, she would be gone; show that you can deal with a lady
boss
Answer: As I don’t know either of the individuals I cannot take a stand, but I can say
that I have had a couple of lady bosses in the past and got along well with
them. I believe that all differences can be sorted and worked out by a strong
communication channel.
Q109. We are a predominantly white group here, will you be comfortable?
TIP: Unless you absolutely cannot handle being one in the crowd, showcase
compatibility, team spirit and camaraderie
Answer: The color of someone’s skin never deters me from approaching them or
having a professional relationship with them. I have worked with people from
different cultures and backgrounds in the past and we have successfully
gotten along. I believe in working with professionals, not races.
Q110. You’d be working with the top brass of the company and that group
is among the city’s richest. Would you fit in?
TIP: Show your ability to hold your ground and not feel inferior
Answer: In the past I have encountered outrageously wealthy people both personally
and professionally. The only thing I seek from them is their knowledge. I
believe that everyone has unique strengths; they have theirs and I have mine.
If you quickly glance at my resume you’ll see that I have successfully dealt
with people from privileged backgrounds in the past.
Q111. Here assignments are of short duration, you would have to hit the
ground running every time?
TIP: Ensure that there is no impact on your performance or evaluation because of this
Answer: I am comfortable with assignments of shorter duration. Can you elaborate on
any challenges or issues that I may face as opposed to working on longer
duration assignments?
Q112. It’s a boys club here; I would love to hire a woman but I’m concerned
it may be tough for a girl to fit in and perform…
TIP: Show how you would fit in and contribute
Answer: You can be assured that it will not be an issue at all. Right from college, I have
been in courses and project work where my peers and team members were
mostly men. As long as the team is professional, there is nothing to worry; my
comfort level does not depend on the gender ratio.
Q113. The team here comprises of seasoned veterans. Your youth may be
good for the team but I think you’ll find it very challenging to be accepted…
TIP: Focus on your unique selling proposition
Answer: Like you pointed out, it is my youth that will be an addition to the team. I
respect experience and am sure that I will learn tremendously from your
team; at the same time I will contribute with my new ideas and familiarity with
the latest technology. It may be challenging but I am confident that I will
quickly become one of the team.
Showcase your unique strengths
Focus on Dedication, Loyalty, Hunger to Learn and

Contribution to the Team / Organization
Are you a good Long Term Investment
Q114. Tell me about your philosophy at work.

TIP: Showcase your approach towards a successful career
Answer: I believe in a collaborative approach and in team synergy. While working alone
I plan my day with most important activities prioritized first. When managing
teams, I know that the best way to lead is by participating in hands on work. I
delegate tasks according to skill and also take on a task for myself so that I
can gauge the challenges faced by the team.
Q115. I get the feeling that you are strongly inclined towards getting a
Masters Degree; are you planning to just stick around until you save
enough to go to college?
TIP: You shouldn’t be taking up the job only for the paycheck
Answer: You are absolutely correct in spotting my inclination towards education. As of
now I have not planned for a Masters Degree and think that it is best to get a
few years of experience to understand the industry. Also, when I plan to
pursue a Degree, I will most likely do so part time along with my job as that
way I can relate theory to real life situations.
Q116. I am looking for someone who can stay and grow with us long-time.
How do you see your career progressing here?
TIP: Show that you want to build a long term career with the organization
Answer: I am really glad you asked me that question as it is something on my mind as
well. I am looking for an opportunity that will give me a good platform to build
on my skills and grow into larger responsibilities. I have a good amount of
ground level experience but am looking to acquire management skills which
can boost my career. From the job description shared with me the opportunity
you have fits my criteria well, but it would be great if you could elaborate more.
Q117. Work can be stressful, how do you de-stress?
TIP: Describe your hobbies
Answer: I am a gym enthusiast. An hour at the gym is the best stress buster for me and
I try and stick to the schedule as far as I can. Besides, I have a close group of
friends that I hang out with, to rejuvenate.
Q118. This position has opened up because the person worked here for a
year, learned our techniques and decided to use them elsewhere. How can I
be sure you won’t?
TIP: Explain why long term employment benefits the employee as well
Answer: I am sorry to hear about the actions of the person you mention. In my view I
think that while loyalty is good for the employer, it is also very beneficial to the
employee. If I were to spend time and effort in acquiring skills at a particular
job, I would be most benefited by using them at the same organization.
Q119. The average tenure of my team members is three years of working

with me. I am looking for someone who can make that kind of commitment.
TIP: If you’re looking to make a career, why shy away from commitment?
Answer: Employee loyalty is the best measure of an organization. I am looking for an
opportunity where I can learn and grow and I am sure that your team will
provide me with the same as it has to the other members. Today the average
time one spends at a job is not much but I can assure you that I am looking
for a career and am willing to spend the time and effort required to succeed.
Is the Role / Organization Right for You
Q120. You seem to be a very talented individual and there is a strong

possibility that you could get employed with the bigger players in the
market. I have a feeling that this may just be a stop gap arrangement for
you.
TIP: Show that you are here to stay
Answer: Thank you for the compliment. I find mid-sized companies the best to work for
as they don’t have the challenges and insecurities of a start up; neither are
they so big that an individual cannot see a complete picture. My goal is to
learn and for that I am looking at an opportunity that will give me access to an
end-to-end view of the processes.
Q121. Define success.

TIP: Steer away from hard numbers (e.g. salary of $100,000, BMW convertible…)
Answer: Success to me is the feeling of achievement; while different people would
measure this differently, I feel successful when I make a positive contribution.
For example, in my previous employment the Marketing metrics were not well
defined. After I joined, I discussed the matter with my supervisor and captured
the vital measures for gauging the impact of advertising. I would rate that as
my success. I also define short and long term goals for personal development
and enhancement which steer me to continued success.
Q122. Why are you interviewing with us?

TIP: Refer to the research you’ve done on the company
Answer: After working with medium sized marketing firms I think it is a logical
progression to move on to a larger multinational organization such as yours.
Also, while I have picked up core skills at my previous employment, I think I
will get greater exposure here given your global presence. I read that the
management is planning to expand a new business in South America and
given that I have interned there, I may be able to contribute there as well.
Q123. Where else are you interviewing?
TIP: Steer away from names and state this opportunity at top preference
Answer: I am interviewing for a profile where I can focus on a specific niche and not
continue to be a generalist. Among a few lucrative options I would be
happiest if I could get an opportunity to work here. This profile suits my skills
and offers wonderful growth prospects.
Q124. What if you were to not get this job?

TIP: Disappointed but not disheartened
Answer: This organization is a leader in the Industry and the profile that I am
interviewing for seems to be a good fit for my skills. I would be disappointed
at not getting the opportunity to contribute to the success of this organization.
May I ask if you see something missing from my candidature?
Q125. If you could work for any company in the world, where would you?
TIP: Here, here, here
Answer: I would want to work here. There are many reasons why I think that this is an
ideal opportunity for me. Based on my skill set and career aspirations, this job
would give me a great platform to build and grow my capabilities. Also, this
organization has a clear vision and based on the results for the last two years
I see definite potential for further growth. I have researched on the working
style and the culture here and feel that I would fit in well. Given a chance to
choose, I would want to make a positive contribution to this organization.
Q126. You do realize that this job isn’t glamorous and may have significant
down time. I don’t want you to quit because you may get bored.
TIP: An enterprising You can find ways to be constructively occupied
Answer: The way I look at it is that I am being given the opportunity to learn more. As I
am relatively young in my career, I will utilize any down time to learn other
functions and also help colleagues when required.
Q127. How did you shortlist our company to apply to?
TIP: Show the research you have done
Answer: I mapped my existing skills and future plans to the best organizations in the
Industry, checked for open positions and applied. In your organization I
particularly like the strong infrastructure, the wide network of offices globally
and the importance given to employee development.
If you are caught in the Good Cop – Bad Cop routine, avoid
clinging to the Good Cop
Hold your own fort and don’t get threatened – the goal is to
test your ability to stand up not to insult or demean you
Also, you don’t want to take sides because you don’t know
who has a greater influence on the hiring decision or who
would you be working with once you’re hired
Teasers
Q128. I have your salary expectation figures, they seem low.

TIP: Do your research on the feasible salary range; most often these are trick questions
Answer: Salary is only one of the factors that have prompted me to apply to your
organization. Growth opportunities, work culture and talented individuals
would make working here a dream. Also, I trust that you have a better view of
the industry and would tailor my salary as per industry standards and my
individual potential.
Q129. While we respect a work life balance, your specific role may keep
you at the office past 9 pm thrice a week; will your spouse understand?
TIP: Be clear on your work-timing constraints
Answer 1: It is nice of you to bring this up. My husband and I are both relatively young
in our careers and understand the efforts needed to succeed. Both of us
ensure that we spend quality time on the weekend and accept the long
weekdays.
Answer 2: It is nice of you to state the requirements for the position. As I have young
kids at home, I will not be able to regularly stay back late. I understand that
there are times when the work load increases and I can definitely make
exceptions.
Q130. If you could be any product in the world, what would you be?
TIP: Highlight the qualities and attributes that you have or would admire
Answer: I am an avid user of the Apple iPad and given the choice I would want to be
one. It is sleek, stylish, comes from great pedigree and is impressively skilled.
Made with a lot research and backed with top of the line marketing strategies,
as an iPad I would be an asset for people around the world.
Q131. If for a particular position in your team your boss wants a man and
you found the perfect candidate to be a woman, who would you convince?
TIP: Show that you have a logical approach to situations
Answer: This would be a peculiar situation but hypothetically if my boss would tell me
to specifically hire a man (or a woman) I would ask him for any special traits
that were required. I would then look to hire an individual with the required
skills. I believe that every responsibility should be matched with the right set
of skills irrespective of caste, color or gender.
Q132. Are you better managing up or managing down?

TIP: Show that you can manage in both directions
Answer: I believe that people management is an effective skill which should be applied
to construct Win – Win situations at the workplace. In my professional life I
have successfully led teams as well as managed expectations of senior
management.
Q133. Tell me of one recent risk that you’ve taken and whether it paid off.
TIP: Illustrate that you take calculated risks with the responsibility of the outcome
Answer: Last year when we had a case of attrition in my team I was interviewing some
candidates for the open position. While there were a couple of good fits, I
spoke to one aspiring young man who was a little less experienced but came
with a good educational background and showed a tremendous zeal to learn.
I acted on my hunch that he would be more successful at the job than the
others and within the next six months he was doing even more than his
predecessor.
Q134. Describe yourself in one word.

TIP: Based on your personality and fitment to the job, pick one
Answer: Charming (for sales), Leader (for managing teams), Flexible (for fresh
graduates), Persistent (for sales), Hungry (for knowledge – for fresh
graduates), Caring (for hospitality).
Q135. What are your views on office politics?
TIP: Something that everyone has to live with
Answer: It is a reality in today’s workplace. In my opinion work would be a lot smoother
without office politics but getting rid of it is very difficult. I stick to my
responsibilities and let my work do the talking.
Q136. How is your sense of humor?

TIP: Jovial is good, a joker may not be
Answer: I believe there’s no medicine like laughter but I wouldn’t call myself a stand up
comedian; I fall into the category of one liners and witty retorts. At a particular
team lunch I wanted my colleague to pass me the vinegar but just couldn’t
remember the term ‘vinegar’. When I asked her to pass me the ‘spices’ she
said, ‘its called vinegar.’ I smiled back and said, ‘I know, but I wasn’t sure if
you knew what it was called.’
Q137. Are you married?

TIP: Answer correctly and ask relevance
Answer 1: From a professional standpoint, would my marital status have a bearing on
your decision? I understand that the job can be taxing but as I have done the
same in the past, I can assure you that you will face no issues with my efforts.
Answer 2: Yes I am. I am guessing you ask this only because of the extended work
hours in this profile. I am lucky to have a very supportive husband who
understands and respects my career aspirations. We spend quality time on
the weekends and dedicate the weekdays to work.
Q138. Do you have children?

TIP: Answer correctly and ask relevance
Answer 1: From a professional standpoint, would my having children have a bearing on
your decision? I understand that the job can be taxing but as I have done the
same in the past, I can assure you that you will face no issues with my efforts.
Answer 2: Yes I do. I am guessing you ask this only because of the extended work
hours in this profile. My daughter is a smart individual and as I stay close to
my in-laws, I can bank on them to help me with certain things.
Derogatory and Personal questions are meant to catch you
off guard
As far as possible do not pick an argument – if the questions

seems inappropriate avoid answering it
You have to like the job and the organization – not the
interviewer
Q139. While at work who manages your kids?
TIP: Ask for relevance and you may choose to politely refuse to answer
Answer 1: Professionally, I am guessing that you ask this only because this profile
involves significant travel, am I correct? I was told of this requirement at the
time I applied here and am comfortable with it as I have a son who has just
stepped into young adulthood. Also, I have a great support system in terms of
my family members who stay close by.
Answer 2: Pardon my asking, but how would that have a bearing on this profile? I was
told that this role does not involve travel and overtime is rare. Am I correct in
my understanding?
Q140. Are you an atheist?

TIP: Ask for relevance and you may choose to politely refuse to answer
Answer: I believe in not imposing my thoughts on anyone and not acting in a way that I
would term fanatical.
Q141. Do you vote?

TIP: Show that you are a responsible citizen
Answer: Elections, irrespective of what the common perception is, are still a good way
for the common man to make their intentions known. While I do not religiously
follow politics on a daily basis, I vote for candidates who address issues that I
feel are pertinent.
Q142. Is it important for you to take religious holidays off?

TIP: There may be work scheduled on those particular days
Answer: By religious if you mean Thanksgiving and Christmas, then I would like to take
them off as it’s the time when families have common time off and we can
meet. However, if you give me sufficient notice, I can plan to be at work on
some occasions.
Q143. What are your views on gay marriage?
TIP: Sharing your opinion either way will not help the outcome of the interview
Answer: The issue is more political than otherwise. Do my views matter for this job?
Q144. Are you a good mother?

TIP: Seems irrelevant, ask relevance
Answer: A question that you should probably ask my son, but in my opinion I have tried
my best to give my son the best values and principles that I could. We share
a healthy relationship and I am extremely proud of the man he is shaping into.
Does that quality better my chances of a job here?
Q145. Does your spouse work, where?

TIP: Ask relevance
Answer: My wife’s an interior designer. Does her profession have an impact on my
application here?
Q146. Who provides financial support to your family?

TIP: Ask relevance and whether it will impact your salary
Answer: Financial support means different things to different people; in my family we
work as a unit. Will the financial standing of my family members have an
impact on the outcome of this interview or on my salary offer?
Q147. You live in an expensive neighborhood, how do manage the costs?

TIP: Describe how you manage expenses and show that you’re well planned
Answer: You’re right that the neighborhood is upscale but I have always wanted to stay
there and just last year my wife and I decided to cut back on all other
expenses so that we could buy our dream house. So far we’ve stuck to our
plans and are managing well.
Q148. Are you looking for a job because you just got divorced?
TIP: Show that your actions are well thought out
Answer: My divorce was an eye opener. While I have to work on several fronts I know
that using my strengths to their full potential is one of them. I have had good
education and am well qualified for this position. As for work experience, I
was working successfully before I decided I quit to get married. I feel
confident that I have the foundation and will fill the missing gaps quickly.
Q149. How old are you?

TIP: Ask relevance
Answer 1: I was not told that there was an age criteria for this job and I hope that my
age has no bearing on the outcome. Can you please tell me how this
information would help you evaluate me better?
Answer 2: Does age have a bearing on your decision? I maybe a couple of years older
than your other applicants but that is because of the break I had taken when I
was pregnant.
Q150. Are you sensitive about your weight?

TIP: Showcase your confidence
Answer: No, I am confident in the way I am, inside and outside. I didn’t expect this
question in an interview as I know in doesn’t affect my performance. I hope
that my weight does not have any bearing on my application.
Q151. Are you a creative person?

TIP: Depending on the job profile choose to highlight or underplay your skills
Answer 1: Yes, I love to think outside the box and generally at my level when a
problem still remains unsolved it is because people have tried and failed with
the regular measures. To give you an example I was once faced with the
challenge of turning around a branch office that didn’t have high sales. I was
told that a lot of incentives were made available to attract potential clients but
despite spending the money, the sales were not justified. Instead of thinking
like their manager, I thought like the team from the office and realized that
there was little motivation in terms of incentives that was made available to
employees. The office quickly turned around with the introduction of a new
commission structure.
Answer 2: Not exactly. To tell you the truth I feel facts and figures are more of my
strength and that is what got me inclined to the world of Accounts. While I
enjoy fantasy movies, in terms of work I’d stick to facts.
Q152. If you had to choose one, would you say you’re emotional or logical?
TIP: Use a well balanced approach
Answer: I believe that in Sales one should use a good mix of emotions and logic. Let
me give you an example. When I do my research and prepare a mix of
products that I would sell to a prospective client I use logic and reason.
During the meeting with the client I study her likes and dislikes and based on
her comfort level I may suggest other products as well.
Q153. What is the one quality that you most admire in others?
TIP: This would be something you would be proud to have yourself
Answer: I am a great fan of honesty. A lot of times people massage the truth under
some pretext but I believe that anything but the truth is a lie. I also know that
a simple truth can simplify things and save time.
Q154. This role will report to me; would you like to report to me?
TIP: Without going overboard you can earn some brownie points here
Answer: I am very glad that I am being interviewed by the person who I am going to
report to as this gives us both a good chance to see fitment. On my part I
would like to say that you have been kind to make me feel comfortable and
have been explaining things very clearly; this would definitely make working
easy for anyone in your team.
Q155. Are you on Facebook / Twitter / social networking websites? I am.

TIP: Some see social networking as a skill while others don’t; don’t take a firm stand
either way
Answer: These sites are a good way to keep in touch with friends and I use them
sometimes as a convenient option.
Smile
It is not uncommon for nerves to give rise to a constipated

look – not a job getter
Q156. What would you say about your childhood?
TIP: Talk about any positives from your past
Answer: My father’s job involved a significant amount of travel and I was lucky to have
seen a lot of places as a child. Interacting with people from different
backgrounds has taught me a lot and made me a better person.
Q157. What is your passion?

TIP: It is always good to be passionate about work or something related to it
Answer: Right from my early school days I was fascinated with numbers. It helped that
I was rather good at it as well. As I began to read more, statistics and
accounts formed a natural progression and in college I could dive deep into
the subjects. And now when I work in the field, I get a sense of satisfaction
and thrill out of doing what I love.
Q158. Are you an honest person?

TIP: No one wants to hire a dishonest person
Answer: Yes. A lot of times people massage the truth under some pretext but I believe
that anything but the truth is a lie. I also know that a simple truth can simplify
things and save time.
Q159. If you were asked to speak impromptu on a topic what would you
choose?
TIP: A good chance to talk about your interests
Answer: I would love to talk about behavioral dynamics. Being in Human Resources I
have to deal with people from all backgrounds and in different situations. To
help me understand them better I started researching behavioral sciences
and today I am deeply fascinated by the field. Just the other day I was
reading an interesting article on the impact of shopping habits on
relationships.
Q160. If you could break one law what would it be?
TIP: Your risk appetite should not be drastically different from what is expected on the
job
Answer 1: I am not a big fan of taking risk and would not want to break any law even if I
had the liberty to. However, to answer hypothetically, I would probably park in
the handicap space while I quickly run into the store to get something. But my
guess is that I would later feel so terrible about it that I wouldn’t do it again.
Answer 2: I have a fairly decent appetite for risk but nothing illegal. If I could break any
one law it would be that of speed limits. I understand that while driving one is
also responsible for others in the traffic so if I could drive at the speed of
lightning I would choose an empty road.
Q161. Is it better to be lucky or skillful?

TIP: Show that you recognize the benefits of both
Answer: I believe that luck can get you to a certain place but only skill can keep you
there. In today’s world of immense competition there is a lot of talent begging
for opportunity; in light of that if I had to pick any one it would be luck. But in
order to get any form of satisfaction and a feeling of achievement one needs
to have earned it on the basis of his skill.
Q162. If you could be an animal what would you be?

TIP: Pick one for the qualities you most admire
Answer: I would most likely want to be a dolphin. They value social behavior as they
live in groups; they are playful and enjoy life to the fullest. Also, I was
impressed to note that they stand up for each other and fearlessly fight
predators to overcome challenges.
Q163. What would your immediate reaction be if I didn’t give you this job?
TIP: Show that you believe in yourself
Answer: This is a great opportunity and I would not want to miss out on it. However, if
things don’t work out, I will look for similar profiles in the market. Is there
something that I can clarify further in order to strengthen my application here?
Q164. Do you easily form opinions about people? Are you generally
correct?
TIP: Prejudice is not a virtue that is cherished by many
Answer: I have learned from experience that human nature is unique and no one
should be judged. I rely on my personal interactions to form opinions and I
tend to keep them to myself.
Q165. Are you a perfectionist?

TIP: Thin line where superior performance is commendable but perfection could seem
like a negative word
Answer: I maintain very high standards of my work and constantly try to improve further.
Perfection is tough to define and I would leave it to my managers to label me
with it if required.
Q166. What is the latest book you've read?

TIP: If you don’t read books, state what you do instead
Answer 1: I just finished reading ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone’; I was
never really into the Harry Potter euphoria but a couple of months ago my
niece coaxed me into watching the movie. I was so impressed that I started
reading the first book of the series.
Answer 2: I am not much of a reader but I like to keep myself updated with the latest
developments in the Industry; I religiously pick up the Time magazine for
information.
Q167. Rate me as an interviewer?

TIP: Neither critique nor flatter
Answer: From my end I can say that you have been very kind in explaining in detail
what the profile requires and have clarified all my doubts. I hope that on my
part I have been as effective as you have.
Q168. What are today’s newspaper headlines?
TIP: You know it or you don’t
Answer1: The headlines that caught my attention in today’s newspaper was that of
Credit Card defaults that are on the rise. I hope that the issue is dealt with
before it adversely affects the economy.
Answer 2: I apologize as I did not get the time to read the paper this morning; I was
ensuring that I get here ahead of time as this route is new to me and I did not
want to be late.
Q169. I want a change from this Industry - funny that you want to get into
it...
TIP: Let the interviewer choose his career while you choose your own
Answer: Fashion designing has been my passion from the time I was a child. Through
the years I feel lucky to have been able to pursue my dream and build a
career in the field. Few people can build a career out of their passion and I
feel lucky to be one of them.
Q170. I see that you're unmarried, we have a lot of eligible folks in our
team…
TIP: Stay professional and steer clear of this question
Answer: I appreciate the offer but the great profile that you have to offer is all that I’m
looking for.
Q171. What came first, the chicken or the egg?

TIP: Choose a smart answer
Answer: The egg… It may have hatched into a dinosaur baby and not a chicken, but
theoretically chickens cams after dinosaurs, so a dinosaur egg came before a
chicken.
You don’t have to wait until the end to ask questions
Clarifying doubts during the conversation keeps the

interviewer engaged and eliminates remembering all the
queries until the end
Questions that YOU can ask
Most interviews last about 45 minutes and by the end of it most of us are glad that it’s
over. But it isn’t over until you get some vital information about the organization that you
are planning a career with.
Today when we don’t even go for a movie without reading reviews, then why should we
commit to years of service without knowing the organization?
Internet and peer research is a very good source of information but there’s nothing
better than getting it straight from the horse’s mouth!
From broad questions about the organization’s vision and strategy to the details about
the profile and the team, you MUST get all your doubts cleared because it is you who
will have to fit in and evolve within the organization.
Vision of the Organization
Q172. I have read the company's vision, can you please elaborate on the
long term plans – say 3-5 years?
Purpose: You are planning to invest part of your life in the company – you should be
aware of its plans for success.
Q173. Can you share any immediate steps that the organization is taking to
capture the young generation market?
Purpose: As with long term goals, you should be aware of what the organization is
doing with a short term view.
Q174. What are some of the challenges being faced by the company?
Purpose: Some hurdles are not surmountable and you should be aware if they impact
your profile directly.
Q175. I have recently seen extensive advertising about your company - is

there a new product that you are launching?
Purpose: An interesting way to get to know the company strategy and assess whether
it fits with your plan.
Q176. For long it has been the strategy of the company to focus on the
common man clientele. Was there a failed attempt to tap the rich man's
pocket or has that never been tried?
Purpose: Specific to the profile of your employer a broad question tells you of the
growth strategy and future plans.
Q177. Most of your manufacturing is outsourced, does this have a negative

impact on the brand image of the company?
Purpose: Every business move has an impact on the company and indirectly on you;
before making a commitment you should be aware of the present and
possible future of the employer.
Work Culture
Q178. What would you say of the work life culture here?
Purpose: A good way to get to know the work culture is through someone who has
experienced it first hand; especially so if you are going to be part of the same
team.
Q179. How long have you worked here? Do you like it?
Purpose: A veteran in the company will give you more correct information than
someone who has just joined.
Q180. Can you tell me of the team dynamics within the group that I will be
working with?
Purpose: Every team has its unique way of functioning and it may help to know what
works to be accepted quickly and progress in your team.
Q181. In some organizations managers purely manage; how does it work

here? Do they still get their hands dirty in the work?
Purpose: This will tell you about the work culture; the interviewer could add valuable
information such as, “here managers oversee a lot of activities so teams have
a lot of freedom” or “here managers are appraised on the basis of their team
performance and they closely supervise”.
Q182. Would I have to travel extensively? Would it be domestic or

international?
Purpose: This is good information especially if you have restrictions on travel; even if
you don’t, this is part of the job profile which you should be aware of.
Q183. Are late nights a regular feature? I just want to be aware of all the
aspects of the profile.
Purpose: If you have restrictions based on working hours then this is a must ask, even
otherwise it is nice–to–know.
Q184. You said that I will not be reporting to you; could you tell me about
the management style of the person who would be my manager?
Purpose: This could be asked even if the interviewer is going to be the reporting
manager; some managers like to micro manage, some stay completely aloof
while the best ones give you sufficient freedom to think while guiding you at
the right point.
Performance Criteria
Q185. How will my performance be measured?

Purpose: You should know the criteria that will be used to base your performance on.
Q186. Is this a new position that has opened up or is it due to attrition?

Purpose: A new position may have unforeseen challenges with performance criteria
that may change. An existing profile will be better defined – nothing wrong
with either type but it helps to know.
Q187. As this is a position created due to attrition, can you tell me some of
the key strengths and weaknesses of the earlier individual? It will help me
prepare better…
Purpose: You can get valuable tips to succeed.
Q188. As this is a new position how will you measure success in this role?
Purpose: There is considerable thought behind creating a new position – it will help to
know the intent and align yourself accordingly.
Q189. Does the company follow a yearly appraisal cycle?

Purpose: Some companies have it twice a year; knowing the cycle helps in planning
when to bring up conversations around performance.
Q190. As your appraisal cycle is conducted in November every year, I will

not have sufficient time to show my performance this year – would that
impact me in any way?
Purpose: If you are in a position that you cannot do enough to create impact, it should
be held against you. Also, if there is a salary increment cycle that you will
miss then you should negotiate accordingly.
Opportunities for Growth
Q191. What are the learning and growth opportunities made available to
employees here?
Purpose: You should aim to constantly improve your skills and your employer should
be supportive.
Q192. Can you plot my career graph within this organization?

Purpose: It is very important that you know how you can progress and that the
organization has thought about it; you will be surprised to know that there are
times when positions are meant to be filled by people who are expected to do
the same thing ‘forever’.
Q193. I know this is not a client facing profile but am I given the option to
prove myself and move into such a role?
Purpose: Based on your profile and liking you may want to ask about a bigger
responsibility in the future.
Q194. How do you think my role will make an overall impact on the success
of the organization?
Purpose: This is very important for you to be valued, feel secure and progress. If your
work is not valued, little value will be placed on you.
Q195. Can you elaborate on the promotion criteria?

Purpose: Be cautious not to sound too eager for a promotion but you should be aware
of the factors that are considered for rating your performance.
Q196. Are there any aspects about the profile that I will be exposed to at a
later stage? For example, presenting to senior management?
Purpose: This shows your enthusiasm to grow into a larger role and helps you see
what the future holds.
Q197. The organization has offices globally; is there a rotation policy for
employees?
Purpose: Rotational programs help the employee to get an overall picture of how the
organization functions which in turn helps the organization as the employee is
more aware and can implement best practices as seen at other offices.
Next Steps
Q198. What are the immediate challenges that you think I will face upon
taking this role?
Purpose: Fitting in to a new setup takes time and it helps to know the challenges in
advance.
Q199. How does the interview process work here - are there further
interviewers I will have to meet?
Purpose: You may have already gotten this information from the HR but there is no
harm in confirming. If there are further interviews, you could ask for any
specific things that you should prepare.
Q200. How urgent is it to fill this position (you can add whether you are
available immediately or after a short notice period)?
Purpose: This can be a good measure of how soon you can expect an offer letter!
Q201. What preparation would you advise me to do before I join so that I

can hit the ground running?
Purpose: Shows your enthusiasm to start contributing from Day 1.
If there are supporting documents / additional information
that you can provide later, ask the interviewer for the best
way to do so
Take a pad to note important points but remember that You

are there for a discussion, not to take meeting minutes
Questions that YOU MUST NOT ask
Yes I agree that you must clarify all your doubts before you take up a job but experience
has shown that some questions should be asked at the right time while others should
not be asked at all.
Here is a list that many will find obvious, but if you were thinking of asking these, please
don’t.
Q202. Did I get the job?

Reason: Even if it is the last interview in the process, you must give the interviewer time
to speak to the hiring team. You can ask how long will it take for them to get
back.
Q203. Can I take this call?

Reason: Your cell phone should be off. There is less than 1% chance that someone will
need to urgently (and importantly) when you are in an interview. There is
however, a 99% chance that you will irritate the interviewer by taking the call.
Q204. I had to leave home early, can I eat my breakfast while we talk?
Reason: Do you need me to give you a reason? Eating one hour later will not kill you.
Q205. The elevator in this building is a piece of junk; why don’t you get it
repaired?
Reason: Unless you are applying for the post of a repairman, ignore the elevator.
Q206. Do you work out?

Reason: When you want to socialize you go to the bar; when you go for an interview,
you only want the job.
Q207. Is that a wig? I too am losing my hair…
Reason: Don’t go there even if you are applying for the job of a hair stylist.
Q208. Have you had cosmetic surgery?

Reason: None of your business.
Q209. I parked next to the Audi convertible; who owns that?

Reason: May work only if the interviewer is the owner; and the chances of that are
small.
Q210. Will I also have an office like this?

Reasons: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. First focus on the interview,
then on the perks.
Q211. I am going for the new James Bond movie after this interview; have
you seen it?
Reason: Keep your plans private, they do not help you get the job.
Q212. What are the best food joints around here?

Reason: Try Google or have fast food.
Q213. I hate suits; do I have to wear them everyday?

Reason: Don’t gamble a job prospect because of the dress code.
Q214. Can I smoke?

Reason: Smoking is rarely allowed inside the office space. Even if it is, you will come
across as an addict.
Q215. Are you married?
Reason: Whatever your reasons, don’t ask this.
Q216. Did you brush your teeth? Your breath stinks…

Reason: Bear the agony; a stinky YES is better than a refreshing NO.
“ It’s an Interview, there will be more
It’s not the end of the world for sure
Take a deep breath, smile confidently
And let the best in you shine behind that door ”
– Jobxray.com

200+ Toughest Interview Questions Answered

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Copyright © 2011 by Jobxray.

The interview process is easy. Actually, let me rephrase that –

Think of the Job Interview as a Date.

You will be successful at the Interview only if you are PREPARED.

The golden words to remember are… Listen, Think, Answer

2. Give yourself Time

3. Read and Research

5. Analyze and Ask

8. Review and Revise

What can they ask you – ANYTHING

Right answer, Wrong question

Guidelines and Suggestions

College Grades and choice of Courses

Q1. How is your education helping you in your professional life?

Q4. How important are good college grades in real life?

How’s your past Performance Record

Q11. Have you been a good employee?

Q15. What would your team / colleagues say about you?

Q17. Can you handle pressure? Tell me of one such instance.

Q18. What would you term as your greatest accomplishment?

Q22. Tell me of a time when you anticipated and successfully mitigated a

Q33. What conditions would make you leave a job?

Why should I hire You

Q38. Tell me something about yourself that’s not on your resume.

Q40. Why should I hire you?

Q44. How early can you join?

Use as many figures and past experiences as you can

Q46. Ethics or making a sale – choose one…

Q47. What would you rate as your strengths?

Q52. How do you take constructive criticism?

Q53. How well can you anticipate challenges?

Q55. Are you a good negotiator?

Ignorance is not bliss and is definitely not excusable

Today a lot of importance is given to general knowledge and

Q56. Are you a team player or a solo superstar?

Q57. Are you a leader or a follower?

Q58. What do you do if the team is making a wrong decision?

Q59. What is your opinion on virtual teams?

Q60. Does working in teams make an individual lose his identity?

Q61. What team size are you comfortable in working with?

Can you Manage People

Q62. How do you motivate others?

Q64. How do you deal with difficult customers?

Many interviewers ‘act’ friendly and lure candidates to let

Q67. A major part of your responsibility would be to manage teams

Q70. Are you comfortable working with ethnic groups?

Do you know the Myers – Briggs Type Indicators?

Acknowledge your past, explain what you learned and how

Q78. How do you keep up with the competition?

Q79. What are your views on this industry?

Q80. Explain a marketing strategy for the launch of a new product.

Q86. Why do you think you would be successful in this role?

Most employers will run checks on;

A good interviewer will always check two broad parameters –

What are your Goals

Q88. Where do you see yourself in five years?