A job interview is a critical step in the hiring process where potential candidates are assessed for their suitability for a particular position. It serves as an opportunity for both the employer and the candidate to gather information and make informed decisions. During a job interview, the employer typically asks questions to evaluate the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Simultaneously, the candidate can inquire about the company culture, job responsibilities, and growth opportunities.
10 tough Job Interview questions and answer
- Describe Yourself
- Why Do You Want This Job
- Why Should We Hire You
- What Are Some Of Your Weaknesses
- What’s Your Greatest Achievement
- Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job
- How Do You Respond To Failures
- Do You Have Any Regrets In Life
- What Have You Learned From Your Mistakes
- What Qualities Do You Feel Is Required For This Job
1. Describe Yourself
It can also be asked as ‘Introduce yourself’, this question is generally asked at the beginning of a job interview. This can be the trickiest question as it becomes hard for an individual to balance pride and modesty. Plus being too honest about ourselves can sometimes backfire too. Many end up giving general answers like “I am passionate and hardworking”, etc, which sounds very casual and these are the answer tricks the recruiters hear every now and then. The importance of this job interview question is generally pooh-poohed by many interviewees. This question is actually very significant for the interviewers as they are willing to know whether you fit in the role or not. The interviewers want to see how you perceive yourself. Are you someone who is honest when it comes to speaking about yourself? Let’s go through several dos and don’ts of answering this job interview question:
Dos: Try to be as honest as possible. Be confident when asked about yourself as your confidence reflects your authenticity. Try to balance your pride and ego. Be humble and modest. Be pessimistic and reflect on all the good qualities you find in yourself which will serve the purpose of the job you have applied for. Introduce yourself by telling your name. Then give the interviewers a summary of your experience. Follow up by telling them a list of your accomplishments. Give them proof if required. Lastly, wrap up your answer by telling them how you are fit for the job.
Don’ts: Don’t try to give unnecessary details of your life. You will barely have 2 minutes to answer this job interview question. The interviewers don’t want to know about your life story. What they are expecting from your answer is how your nature aligns with the job and will you be able to fit in the company’s environment. So be specific. Also do not tell them about your negative aspects if you think you have any.
SAMPLE ANSWER: Hello sir/ma’am, my name is Siddharth. I am currently working at a private school as an English teacher in my hometown. I have a teaching experience of 6 years, where I have worked at two private schools. Coming to my nature, I am someone who takes my work seriously and is dedicated. As a teacher, I have taken additional responsibilities in my school several times. Apart from teaching my subjects, I was also a counselor in my school. I have also set up after-school clubs, have organized several school trips, and have volunteered as a school representative for several social events. I believe I have classroom management skills and a caring attitude, this was a compliment I got after an inspection.
2. Why Do You Want This Job
By asking this question, the interviewers want to know your motive behind joining the company. Whether you are here for the salary and incentives or you are here to serve the organization. They also want to know your understanding of the job and how you relate yourself to it. So let’s go through the dos and don’t of answering this job interview question tricks
Dos: Do some research about the company and the company’s culture before stepping in for a job interview. This will show the interviewer that you understand the company’s overall environment. Show the employers that you are passionate about the company and that you will stick with the job for a long time. Tell them that you are excited to join and give them a valid reason for it. Sound realizable and confident. Do not forget to admire the company as well as the job by boosting the company’s general reputation. Show the interviewer how you respect the company’s values. Tell them how the job will help you build a strong professional life and help you achieve the goal you have set for yourself.
Don’ts: Do not give a casual answer like, “I am here because I saw an ad on the paper”. This shows that you are ignorant. Do not over-praise yourself and say something like “I want this job because I think I am the best personal trainer in this country”. Avoid using such superlatives. Do not over-praise the company as it may sound as if you are buttering them just to get hired. Do not mention advantages like salary, convenience, or proximity of your house to the job place as a reason to join the job. If in case you had a bad experience with the firm you worked at in the past, never come down on your previous job or the company. Avoid spilling out anything negative about your past experience.
SAMPLE ANSWER: Well I am excited to join this job like it. I will be able to work to my best potential. At the same time, this company has the best workplace environment. Since this company provides me a platform where my skills can be put to the best possible use, I will be able to contribute to the company’s overall growth. This job is exactly what I have been looking for all these years. And who doesn’t want to work for a company which has such good repute and is putative? Know More Details Career And Job Switch Guidance.
3. Why Should We Hire You
This question is asked at the end of an interview. Remember, the job of the interviewers is to hire the best person. There are 100 other people waiting outside, and the interviewers want to know what sets you apart from them. Why should the interviewers give you an air of unusual superiority over all the other candidates? So give them reasons! Here are the dos and don’t of answering job interview question trick:
Dos: Go through the job description and know the requirements of the company. Tell them how your qualifications match the job. Show them how closer you are to your position and that you have a lot to bring to it. Even try to give them evidence if required to back up your claims. You can even share a success story. If required brag a little about how you stand out from the crowd.
Don’ts: Again, don’t give general answers like, “because I am hardworking”, “because I am talented”, etc. This sounds artificial and bogus. Also do not appear as if you are begging for the job. Do not be arrogant and start boosting yourself when you have no evidence to back up your claims.
SAMPLE ANSWER: Sir/ma’am, I have subjective knowledge as well as leadership skills that are required for this job. But when it comes to acquired skills, you might not find me different from anyone else here. But my strongest point is that I have the lust for learning and I am dedicated. When it comes to working to my best potential, I am not sluggish at all. As a teacher I have taken some additional responsibilities too like assisting the Principal, being a sports team leader and school councilor apart from teaching my subject. You will never regret giving me this opportunity, I ensure you that. Know More Details on Masterclass For Working Professional.
4. What Are Some Of Your Weaknesses
Telling about your weakness to your interviewers while you are trying to sell yourself can give you a hard time. It can be hard to be candid and honest when you are dealing with this question. Interviewers know this fact. By asking this question they are actually noticing how you talk about your weakness. So here are some dos and don’t s of answering tricks for this job interview question:
Dos: You have to show that you are someone who is self-aware. Remember, choose a weakness that is real. Also, mention the steps you are taking to improve it. Tell them a weakness that is relatable to the job, not something which is very personal like, “I am visiting a psychiatrist because I have post-traumatic stress disorder”. Lastly, you can mention those negative aspects of your nature which actually sounds positive. Remember to choose weaknesses which can be changed.
Don’ts: Don’t just say something like, “I don’t find anything negative in me” just because you fear judgment. Remember, you are a human, do not be too candid and let all your weaknesses come into sight, especially the ones which might make the recruiters think that you might not excel at work. Do not tell them unnecessary aspects of your nature which you consider to be a weakness and which has nothing to do with the job, for example, “I hate kids. And I don’t know why I hate them”.
SAMPLE ANSWER: Well I am a bit emotional and gullible. Because of this trait of mine, I sometimes find it harder to stay focused on my work. I do overthink sometimes over issues that are generally ignored by most of the people and working on this aspect of my nature, reading good books and seeing a counselor who is helping me untangle my mind. Know More Details Workplace Communication Masterclass.
5. What’s Your Greatest Achievement
Boasting about oneself can often time lead us to appear as a big mouth, that’s what we are taught since childhood. That’s why most people get hesitant and reticent when asked this question in an interview. Remember the purpose of asking this question is not to check whether you are full of yourself but to know what you view as an accomplishment and what sets you apart from the others. Let’s go through the dos and don’ts of answering trick for this job interview question:
Dos: Pick an achievement that is weighty and impactful. At the same time, it should be something that is relevant to the job you have applied to. Your greatest achievement should be something that is compelling. This is the time when you can share your success story, as this is what the interviewers want to hear from you. Mention an achievement that demonstrates the qualities the interviewers are looking for. Lastly, mention an achievement which is recent, not something which happened when you were in 7th grade.
Don’ts: Do not give an irrelevant example that will be of no benefit to the company you are applying to. Do not get too personal with your answer tricks and say something like, “I overcame my depression when I was a teen”, etc. Do not mention any negative situation that you overcame as your achievement. Rather be positive while talking about your biggest achievement.
SAMPLE ANSWER: My greatest achievement was when I was a coach of a football team in my school and my team made it to the finals at the national level. Our team couldn’t get a trophy but when my students appreciated my efforts and called me the best coach, I was feeling on top of the world.
6. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job
Be careful while answering this question. This is one of the riskiest questions asked by HR in an interview. If you end up sharing dissatisfying and negative experiences about your current job, you might unintentionally seem like a negative person. Here are some dos and don’ts of answering trick for this job interview question:
Dos: Focus on the new company and tell the employers how their company will give you the best platform where your skills will be put to the best possible use. At the same time, you can even praise your current job for providing you experience and expertise.
Don’ts: Do not speak anything negative about your current job, even if you are dissatisfied with it. No one wants to hire an individual who bad-mouths. Do don’t compare your current job with the new job. Do not sound as if you are too eager to leave your current job.
SAMPLE ANSWER: I am grateful for what my current job has provided me. Working 7 years as a career counselor there, I have learned a lot. But now I feel that it’s time for me to take up new challenges in my professional life. Your company provides me a platform where my skills will be put to the best possible use. I will be able to develop my skills more efficiently and learn new things. Your organization is one of the most renowned and influential organizations which deals with thousands of clients on a daily basis and is trusted by people. Career councilors working for your organization are considered to be very professional and slick. Know More Details on CERTIFICATION COURSE FOR JOB HUNT TOOL KIT .
7. How Do You Respond To Failures
Especially when it comes to professional life, failure is inevitable. Often times, employers ask this question in an interview as they want to see how you get through when you are at your lowest or suddenly find yourself at the bottom of the pit. Are you someone who can turn your mistake into a valuable life lesson or you are someone who feels stuck and trapped and are unable to move forward? Many battles with this question as it’s easy to talk about your successes than your failures. Let’s go through the dos and don’ts of answering trick for this job interview question:
Dos: Be positive and accountable. Be brave enough to admit your failings. Take responsibility for your failure. Show the interviewer that your energy is composed and cool when you aren’t successful. Identify the best scenario in your life where you addressed a failure and learned from your mistakes. Tell them the story of your self-development in brief. Try to sound like someone who takes risks in life and has the ability to grow as he/she understands that no one is perfect.
Don’ts: Do not blame others for your failure. Do not be too candid and give references to any failure that makes the employers feel that you aren’t fit for the job. Remember, everybody fails in life at one time or the other, so don’t try to be perfect in front of the interviewer by fabricating the answer as it will make you sound arrogant and artificial. Do not confess your darkest secret that will make you look like a negative person.
SAMPLE ANSWER: After completing my master’s in journalism, I was freelancing for three years. The last two years were smooth as I was easily getting projects to work on. But initially, when my journey started as a freelancer, I struggled a lot. I would barely get any work as people didn’t trust me easily and wasn’t experienced so I was paid less even after working for hours. I was struggling financially. But then I realized everyone who is successful today was once a struggler.
Nothing is easy in life. And I never wanted to be spoon-fed in life. So whenever I felt low, I would read biographies of several influential people and what I learned was that they all were best at what they were doing. They all never gave up. So I believe that rather than waiting for quick results and being impatient in life, one should focus on being the best at what he/she is doing. Success will automatically follow.
Therefore, I started focusing on learning and acquiring expertise in my field. I never cared even if I was paid less. After a year of working hard, I had dozen of works that I could show to people that were incredible. Projects suddenly started popping up and they were high-paying. My attitude towards work hasn’t changed even after being a successful freelancer. I focus on my work rather than the money I will receive.
8. Do You Have Any Regrets In Life
The approach to this question is quite similar to what we saw in the previous question “What is your biggest failure”. Employers aren’t interested in knowing about your regrets in life, rather they want to see how you learn from your mistakes and bounce back. They are basically assessing your character by asking this question. Let’s go through the dos and don’ts of answering trick for this job interview question:
Dos: Be honest. Tell them one or two scenarios where your actions have led to your failure and how the situation could be handled differently. Tell them why you consider these incidents to be your biggest regrets. Also, tell them what you have learned from your mistakes and how you bounced back. Sound professional and give an example that is relatable to your job or career.
Don’ts: Do not blame others for your regrets, rather be someone who takes responsibility for his/her mistakes. Nobody is perfect, so do not try to be someone who is out-of-this-world. Also do not share personal details of your life. Be professional. Do not reveal something that makes you appear like a bad person, for example saying something like, “I regret shouting at my manager”.
SAMPLE ANSWER: When it comes to regrets, I think I have plenty. But I would stick to something which is related to my professional life. The first IAS academy I was a public administration teacher there and attending my last lecture of a batch. After the class was over, my students approached me for an extra class on a particular topic which they founded to be the toughest. I told them that the topic was not relevant as UPSC haven’t asked any question related to this topic since the past 7 years, therefore they can skip the topic. In fact, giving preference to a family function I had to attend. I now feel that this was so irresponsible from my side as a teacher.
The saddest part was when UPSC actually asked three questions related to the topic in the prelims. Many students missed these questions and couldn’t clear their prelims. When it comes to the IAS examination, even one mark can hold you back from clearing the examination. My students were disappointed with me. I felt really sad for them as they trusted me and skipped the topic. I still sometimes think about the incident and as a teacher, anyone would be down in the mouth and really ashamed of it. But what I have learned from it is that as a teacher, students’ concerns should be your priority. A teacher should be available for his/her students whenever they need them. It has made me a more responsible teacher and I never take my job for granted since then.
9. What Have You Learned From Your Mistakes
This is a behavioral question. The interviewers are not searching for flaws or errors in you rather they want to see your ability to learn. So here are the dos and don’ts of answering trick for this job interview question:
Dos: Focus on what you have learned from your mistakes, rather than giving them details about your mistakes. Show them how your mistakes have actually helped you grow as a person. Turn the negatives into positives. Focus on the mistakes you have committed in your professional life, rather than giving them an unnecessary glimpse of your personal life.
Don’ts: Do not dwell on the mistakes, focus on what you have learned from it. Do not try to rationalize your mistakes. Do not get down on yourself when talking about your mistakes. Remember everybody commits mistakes, no one is perfect.
SAMPLE ANSWER: Well over time I have learned to be patient with people and not to be judgemental. During my initial days as a councilor, I would easily get irritated and annoyed while dealing with my clients. They came to me for a solution to the blunders they have made. Many times I would lose my patience and would end up dealing with them harshly. It has been 13 years since I have been counseling people. I have worked with several clients. Now I am more humble and I never judge anyone because I feel that as a councilor you are expected to listen to people’s problems and sympathize with them. They came to you for help, and you can’t afford to be like all the other people whom they find hard to trust.
10. What Qualities Do You Feel Is Required For This Job
By asking this question interviewer wants to know your understanding of the job. This is essential for them to know, as your understanding of the job and the position will help them decide whether you are the best candidate. The answer trick to this interview question has two elements to it. First, the set of skills that are required for the job. Second, your positive traits make you fit for the job. If you are someone who understands the requirements of the job, then you will perform the task effectively. Here are the dos and don’ts of answering trick for this job interview question.
Dos: Do some research about the job and the company beforehand. Go to the company’s website and read the ‘About Us’. It’s also important to read between the lines of the job description. This will give you an insight into what skills and qualifications are necessary for the job. Apart from that, think about the qualities that a person in this profession should have. See if you have these qualities. Be honest and tell them about your best qualities that make you fit for the role. Let’s say you are applying for a company where you have to work as a salesman, tell the employer that you have good communication skills and that you can persuade people easily.
Don’ts: Do not say something like, “umm I think, a sales executive should…”. When you say “I think”, it shows that you aren’t clear about the requirements of the job.
SAMPLE ANSWER: As an ISR first of all a person should have the product knowledge and should know how to demonstrate them. These are the basics. A rep should have effective communication skills as they have to deal with stranger prospects on the phone. The tone of voice, pace and volume are important sales skills. Tonality is equally important to what you actually say. They should be someone who is humble with people and can easily convince them. They should be an active listener, this way they will gain more knowledge about the prospects and can then sell products more effectively. I also believe that time management is very important in this profession. You cannot waste hours on a deal that isn’t going anywhere. I have worked as an IRS in several companies for 17 years. My experience has helped me master these skills.
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