Job Interview gives anxiety for Job aspirants. As we are not aware what will be asked. HR looks for softskills, domain knowledge, personality as well as language skills, HR looks at many aspects when interviewing an aspirant. While you may prepare for the written examination, the interview is truly tough to prepare for but not impossible. 

Interview, by definition, is a face to face interaction between a person and/ or persons.

In a job interview, the person or job aspirant is often asked questions pertaining to his specific skill, his past experiences and more. Apart from checking if the candidate is right fit, an interviewer also ascertains the ‘attitude’ of the candidates.

Tell me something about yourself

 

This is the first question a HR asks and checks your communication skills and  and profile .While there are many things you can say, there is one thing you should never say or rather do. And that is answer the question with a question – ‘What do you want to know?’.

Many HR professionals and Executives find this as as affront or indecisiveness on the interviewee’s part. This is also the ultimate test of your confidence and you must not come across a person who has nothing to share. Why do you want to leave your current organization?

There are more than one ‘Wrong Answers’ for this. Say either of the following and the buzzer goes off in the minds of your interviewer. 

Here is what you should NOT say. 

I had issues with my reporting manager this shows insubordination, issues with authority, etc.                                                                                                                                           

There are more than one ‘Wrong Answers’ for this. Say either of the following and the buzzer goes off in the minds of your interviewer. Here is what you should NOT say. I had issues with my reporting manager (shows insubordination, issues with authority, etc.)

I had issues with my team members (highlights you may not be a team player)I am bored in my present organization (shows lack of self-motivation)
The organization is toxic (Very strong and negative feelings!)

Essentially, any word which reflects negatively is not received positively by the interviewer. Try to keep your answers positive, focus more on why you want to join the company you are giving an interview for rather than why you want to leave the one you are currently employed in.

What are your weaknesses?

This is increasingly becoming a favorite question for the interviewers and usually becomes a trap for most. Especially when an answer – “I don’t have any weaknesses!’ is the worst reply you can possibly give.
Remember, having a weakness is rather human and suggesting that you do not have any only makes self-assessment your biggest weakness. Further it might be perceived as over-confidence. Instead, one must be prepared for this question and honestly share the areas of improvement and what one is working on mitigating the same.

Why do you want to join this company? Why this job?

As frequent as it is for an HR Executive to understand why you are looking for a change, they also wish to ascertain the reasons (if any) on why you are interested in the job. Answering that you are doing it for the money only shows small term goals and is often flagged as they might see you as susceptible to leaving their organization for a better offer as well.
Also, statements like, ‘I am looking for better growth opportunities’, ‘I want to leave my present organization’, and etc. might be too random and negatively perceived.

Best reply is often a well-researched and thought out reply that shares your motivation, intent and desire for the job you are interviewing for. Any answer that shows disinterest in the company or the job profile and focuses on everything else is not usually the best way to approach this question.

To sum up, interviews should not be considered lightly or ‘speak from the heart’ situations. It should be a considered a healthy discourse where one must find ways and means to impress their suitability for the specific job.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your short term and long term goals?

Surprised? Thought this question is not asked anymore? Think again. This is a classic question which is asked to ascertain the goals of the employees. It is also asked to understand the vision of the interviewee and how he/she expects out of the organizations.
While the answers may wary, here is how you MUST NOT answer this question. 

I don’t think that far out in future

Aiming high is appreciated but goal, if not realistic, might only highlight that you have not really thought about.

So, it’s important to think before answering any question