Facing an in person interview overpowers most of us with anxiety; excites some of us. However for a prepared and masterly candidate a face to face interview is most awaited scene. A smart professional is always armed with the right answers to the toughest interview questions- ready to take up new undertaking- moreover, willing to impress the interview panel with their precise and accurate replies.
For the daring contenders who are engaged in a constant endeavour to graduate to the top rung of success ladder styleshark presents 5 most challenging interview questions and answers.
So let’s get the show on the road
Q 1 Why do you want to work with us?
Purpose
The employer is searching for a genuine reason for your switching of job. They want to ensure if you are steady in nature, willing to work and will add worth to the organization.
Wrong Answer
“I am attracted to the benefits your company offers” or “I am fed up with my present job” would be immature to say and reveal your ungroomed side.
Right Answer – You may begin as…
Variant 1
Well, your organization has an impressive profile in this business. The future of the company seems promising and rewarding. I have studied the organization’s products and policies on the website and I think it offers some of the best services to its customers and lends an array of prospects in the favour of employees. Here I can use my French communication skills thanks to its global business environment.
Variant 2
This job position requires frequent travelling to other places while at work and I love travelling this keeps me motivated and eager to learn more. Apart from travelling I can telecommute while I am on holidays which help me control my work and keep in touch with my team and superiors.
Variant 3
My current profile does not provide enough opportunity to learn new skills and explore new domains; therefore limits my creativity and potential. Being a man of enterprise I aspire to take on new ventures that can raise my professional status.
Q 2 Do you consider yourself successful?
Purpose
Employer wants to know how you evaluate your experience and growth mutually.
Wrong Answer
Don’t start boasting yourself like an ignorant arrogant individual, e.g. “I think I am at the top of success ladder.” A snob could not go far in the interview. This way you will sound lofty and aloof.
Right Answer- You may begin as…
Variant 1.
Yes, so far, I think I have performed well in my job and achieved my targets. Moreover, I have been able to reach the deadlines well ahead of time. Besides, success to me is more in fulfilling what my job responsibilities demand of me and contribute value to the company and its clients.
Variant 2.
What makes me successful is carrying out my work in combination with improving my finesse at job. In addition, success must enable me to deal with different situations and come up with innovative solutions to people’s problems.
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Q 3 What are greatest strengths and weaknesses?
This is the most common yet very tricky interview question to answer. Most people rehearse the answer but mix up at the right time. Unless you have introspected yourself and pondered carefully about your strengths and weaknesses you cannot sound composed at such questions.
Purpose
The interviewer is expecting a genuine reply and probing into your personality. If you are wide off the mark about your qualities you will be caught in the middle of the explanation.
Wrong Answer
Talking in imagination will be a foolish error. Saying that “I can work day and night for the company” will seem unprofessional or “I like to finish my target alone” will make you look haughty and recluse.
Right Answer – You may begin as…
Variant 1
Strengths – I am keen on learning new skills, I am keen on punctuality and well informed at my job that keeps me well-organized. My dependability is the biggest quality that you can count on.
Weaknesses – I have little experience since I have been in this job for only two years from now. My qualification I guess might be my weak point as I graduated with a BE in Computer science but I am working in finance.
Variant 2
Strengths – I am serious about my work but I also like to relax between sessions. I am good at time management, if required I multitask but I am very careful during this time. I love to encourage and help my coworkers.
Weaknesses – I come off as a shy person in public presentation which is my major minus point, to defeat this weakness I attend sessions of personality experts on weekends and have also given mock presentations which is working fine.
Variant 3
Strengths – I value my clients for the company depends on them for business and I make efforts to maintain positive ties with the clients by serving them well in good time.
Weaknesses – Sometimes I get anxious to finish the daily tasks in time; however, to beat this flaw I recheck and reorder my priorities if required.
Q 4 What would be a dream job for you?
Here you need to be much prudent because your answer might include few circumstances you have never been through but envisage to be true.
Purpose
This interview question tests your innate quality of describing a practical work setting which should match with the current role being offered. However, you don’t want to appear to be dancing to the interviewer’s tune to get the job. You should only say what you prefer the best for you.
Wrong Answer
Proceeding recklessly might lose you the opportunity at hand. Saying things like “For me weekends are the party time only” or “A place where I could get a day off at my disposal” could flip the scene against you.
Right Answer
Keep the responsibility on top while mentioning your ideal job.
You may commence as…
“I would prefer a challenging work environment where I could handle bigger projects and enhance my skills but also steal time to unwind myself.”
Or “For me a perfect job should offer more opportunities to interact with people with different professional background, furthermore it should allow me to learn latest business tactics.”
Or “ I look forward to join a company where I can work full time, get better prospects, apply my creativity, use my innovative ideas to elevate business for the mutual growth.”
Or “A secure job with a new exciting role would be my priority.”
Q 5 Where do you see yourself in five years?
The question is to trick you blab your secret plans or future personal goals. Be wise!
Wrong Answer
An overambitious green candidate could easily fall victim to this trap and reveal his personal aim. Don’t speak “I wish to be the president of the company” or “I desire to be among the board of directors of the organization.“ This will surely put the employer off and throw you off the selection criteria.
Variant 1
I picture myself learning new skills and deliver my best to the organization. In the preceding job I had a chance to work under some of the accomplished superiors; that has trained me to take on new roles and play them quite unerringly. In next few years from now I would like to test my potential in certain managerial work. Furthermore, I wish to gain an insight of the business and use my underived ideas to boost company’s position in the global market. In addition to that I see myself rising and achieving my professional goals parallel with the organization.
Variant 2
In the years to come I would love to assume responsibility of demanding projects and lead a bigger team. I also look forward to work in a multicultural environment, which has been my true desire since I graduated as this will refine my cross-cultural communication finesse. Again, taking up new challenges will examine my quick decision making and adaptability. Moreover, I nurture a bona fide desire to pass down my experience and knowledge to the tenderfeet lest they should err.
Variant 3
Next five years will be crucial to my career, I firmly believe that my set goals will meet the end and I will be in a position to undertake major projects and finish them in time. I strongly feel that my persistence in work and professional attitude will bear fruit in the favour of both me and the organization, although I don’t deny the hurdles lying ahead but my steady positive attitude is sure to subdue all difficulties. Besides, I wish to motivate and inspire my fellow workers and be the beacon for my subordinates.
