- For competency questions, the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is recommended by the UK National Careers Service
- Many large employers, including Google, now hire for several roles without requiring a formal degree, weighing skills and experience instead
- Shakuntala Devi's mental-arithmetic feat, set at Imperial College London in 1980, remains an unbeaten Guinness World Record.
An interview is one of the easiest ways to sell yourself into getting your dream job, yet many consider it the most tedious process. The technical or subject questions in an interview can be answered with good knowledge of the subject. Once those are answered, much of your interview is a success, as next comes the common HR round. The HR round should be easy as it is just answering about yourself, yet if you stumble, this is your perfect guide to ace the interview.
The key to attending an interview is having CONFIDENCE. No matter what comes along, always stay confident and HONEST. As the saying goes, 'Honesty is the best policy', and it really should be taken seriously during your interviews. Do not lie in your interviews. Try to present your achievements and your life in a better way, but do not say something you have never done.
How Do You Answer 'Tell Me About Yourself'?
This is usually the first question every interviewer asks, used to make you comfortable in the new surroundings. Although it seems basic, your answer will be judged closely, so prepare beforehand. The interviewer already has your resume, so share a brief gist of yourself and a few achievements that are not already written there, without telling long stories.
The interviewer will have your resume in hand and can read all the details you have specified, so they expect a few points that are not on the resume. Keep the answer brief and do not tell stories. Just give a gist of yourself and your achievements.
Career Objective for Freshers: Samples and ExamplesRead →Why Should We Hire You?
This question is usually asked at the end of the interview. Do not answer as to how you want to improve yourself with this job. That is not what the interviewer is searching for. It's a self-analysis to check your suitability for the position being offered.
Talk about your qualifications and your persona and how well they fit the job description they offer. On the whole, explain how you can help the betterment of the company and, most importantly, what it is about you that stands out from the other pool of applicants.
What Are Your Strengths?
This is a very easy question to answer, but what makes interviewees mess it up is their overconfidence. Prior research about the company is a must. Understand what the company is about and what they are looking for, and frame your strengths according to the requirements that best suit the company.
Do not list all the strengths you possess. Pick two or three strengths that well support the company and the job you are looking for, and elaborate on why you think you are good at them, possibly with an example.
What Are Your Weaknesses?
This is a question to test you on your character. The interviewer is looking for clues to reject you by checking your confidence, how well you handle stressful situations and if you can carry out your job at the peak of pressure.
So remain calm while answering this question in particular. Do not say you have no weakness, which sets a rude and overconfident tone. Instead, name a strength as a weakness and explain how you are trying to overcome it. Example: 'I am a perfectionist, so I check every small part of the work thoroughly, which takes some extra time'.
Resume Format for FreshersRead →What Are Your Long-Term and Short-Term Goals?
This question tests the commitment of the interviewee towards the job. Do not answer by saying you will improve yourself and find another job abroad; this will not get you the job. Always explain what you are looking for in your life in six months, one year and five years, including the company in your plans. Do not mention salary.
How Well Do You Handle Stress/Pressure?
The interviewer is looking at how well you handle pressure and your work ethic. Never say you never get stressed or pressurised. Every individual feels stressed or pressurised at some point. The best way to answer is to explain how you think you handle it, and elaborate by giving an instance from your life.
Are You Willing to Relocate/Travel for Work?
The interviewer is looking for employees who will adjust to the demands of the job. It is a personal answer, and the selection for the position often depends on the job description, whether it strictly demands relocation or simply lists it as an option you can consider.
If you do not wish to relocate, don't abruptly answer 'No'. Instead, say, 'No, I would not wish to relocate at this point in my life due to various circumstances, but I will consider this option in the future'. The interviewer might ask what the circumstances are, so be ready to give a valid reason.
What Are Your Hobbies?
This question is asked only to check your personal interests and has little to do with the job role itself. It is a way to gauge your all-round character. Mention only positive hobbies, talk about how you pursue them, and include any volunteering work you have done, as this shows commitment.
What Are Your Thoughts About Working in a Team?
This question is to check your compatibility in a team and test if you are a team player. They expect employees to work together in difficult situations and produce great results. Hence, always give a positive answer to this question, and back it up with a personal instance from your own experience to make it credible.
Do You Have Any Questions From Me/Us?
The main motive of this question is to check how eager and keen you are about this job. Do not say you have no questions. Do ask something about the company, the role or anything on your mind related to work, and not about things like vacations, leaves or perks.
What Are the Most Common Interview Questions for Freshers?
In today's job market, opportunities span every field, from accountants and mathematicians to artists, marketing interns and HR managers, attracting people of different backgrounds and skill sets. Interviews exist because a written test cannot judge skills, passion and curiosity; one-to-one interaction can. They also let the employer connect with the candidate and decide if both parties will benefit.
Did you know the technology giant Google has some employees who do not hold a degree? They were hired for their skills and knowledge in their particular field. There are many examples worldwide of people without a degree becoming an ace practitioner in a field. One of the best examples is Shakuntala Devi, an Indian writer and mental calculator popularly known as the Human Computer. She had no formal education, yet her mathematics skills set a world record.
This makes interviews one of the most important turning points in the process of getting a job. There are typically five stages of the interview round.
- Introduction
- Small talk
- Information gathering
- Question and answer round
- Wrapping up
The introduction is where both the candidate and the employer make their first impression; greet the employer with a smile, shake hands and be courteous. After the introduction comes small talk, which helps you connect personally and build confidence. This is followed by information gathering, where the candidate describes their education, achievements and everything productive they have done so far. Then comes the employer's turn to ask questions that check the candidate's knowledge and skills and judge whether the candidate is right for the job.
What Are Some Common Interview Questions for Freshers?
Apart from job interviews, there are many settings where a candidate can be interviewed. For example, if you want to join a sports club or community, the head of authority may interview you. Here too, the basic thing they want to know is your purpose for joining, and they may ask you to demonstrate a relevant skill.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you think you are a better fit than others?
- What do you expect from your mates?
- What are your hobbies?
- Do you have any questions?
What Job Interview Questions Are Asked of Freshers?
As a fresher, it is quite difficult to predict what the recruiter will ask you. Just by looking at the five stages of the interview round, you can get an idea of some common interview questions. Here are some common fresher interview questions; personalise the answers to help you prepare for your job interview.
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What do you know about our company?
- Why should we hire you?
- Where do you see yourself 5-6 years from now?
What Common Interview Questions Should Freshers Know How to Answer?
To answer such questions, tell the interviewer what you like about their venture and relate it to your goals. Address major strengths like flexibility and adaptability that benefit both parties, and share skills, knowledge and work experience relevant to the job. Before the interview, do your homework and read about the company and its background beforehand.
- What is your weakness, and how do you overcome it?
- How do you work under pressure?
- Are you ready to work at night?
- How will you deal with your boss on a big project?
- Do you have any internship experience?
What Are the Most Important Interview Questions for Freshers?
After emphasising the importance of interviews and the skills an individual possesses, remember that those skills are often the most important factor in deciding whether you ace your job interview. Just having a degree or certificate is not sufficient. Here are some of the most important interview questions for freshers; personalise your answers and grab the coming opportunity.
- What are your salary requirements?
- What are your long-term goals?
- What was your role in your last internship?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want this role?
What Are Common HR Interview Questions for Freshers?
The HR interview round is one of the most important and is generally the last round of any interview process. It is conducted to judge your personality, strengths, weaknesses and capability to handle the role. Another purpose of the HR round is to check your background and find out if you are the right fit for this job.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How do you feel about working late or on weekends?
- Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
- Why should we hire you?
- How much salary are you expecting?
What Interview Questions Are Asked After the 12th Standard?
Your performance in the 12th standard often shapes your career path. To get admission to a top college like Delhi University, you must score a good percentage. However, there is another side, where the 12th class does not matter much, such as a job that only requires you to have passed class 12. It depends on your career requirement.
- What is your stream?
- Why have you chosen this stream?
- What practical skills have you learned?
- Have you got any experience working in a team?
- What do you know about us?
What Interview Questions Are Asked of Nurses?
Nursing is a skilled field where people work tirelessly to fulfil the medical needs of individuals. Apart from technical skills, nursing requires the individual to be compassionate and to respect human dignity. The pandemic clearly showed the importance of frontline workers, including nurses. Here are some common interview questions asked of nurses:
- How do you practice self-care?
- How would you deal with someone who is not satisfied with their patient care?
- How do you handle working with other nurses, staff and doctors?
- How would you handle a disease outbreak?
- If you saw someone administering improper medicine, what would you do?
What Interview Questions Are Asked of Teachers?
Few roles are better than shaping a human being and equipping them with knowledge, skills and insight. Teachers play an important role in the overall development of a student, and in shaping the nation. Beyond the time-honoured reputation lies a highly skilled profession. Here are some common interview questions asked of teachers:
- Why did you choose teaching as a profession?
- What is your teaching idea?
- What do you find most frustrating about teaching?
- How do you evaluate your students?
- What is the biggest challenge today's students face?
What Interview Questions Are Asked of Electrical Engineers?
In this technology-driven world where people depend on technology the most, electrical engineers are the ones making the hardware for that technology. It is an interdisciplinary field with vast career opportunities waiting for ambitious and curious people. Here is a list of some common interview questions asked of electrical engineers:
- Why did you choose electrical engineering as a profession?
- What is referred to as the electron in the outer orbit?
- What do the different colours on a wire indicate?
- What will the current be if resistance in the circuit doubles?
- Explain what a laser diode is.
What Interview Questions Are Asked of Bankers?
With a growing world and rapid industrialisation, the need for banking is growing at a high pace. It is an industry responsible for holding financial assets and investing them in a way that creates more wealth. Bankers help drive the economy and meet people's financial needs, and the banking sector offers a promising career. Here are common questions:
- How do monetary policy and fiscal policy differ from each other?
- What is the difference between a commercial bank and a consumer bank?
- What is a crossed cheque?
- Do banks charge for overdraft protection services?
- Explain liquidity and the repo rate.
What Interview Questions Are Asked in Quality Assurance?
The Oxford dictionary defines quality assurance as the maintenance of a desired level of quality in a service or product, especially through attention to every stage of delivery or production. It is the way of preventing mistakes so that the product reaches the customer without manufacturing defects and bugs. Here are some common quality assurance questions:
- How do quality assurance and software testing differ from each other?
- What are bug leakage and bug release?
- What is data-driven testing?
- What is a test case?
- What are five common solutions for software development problems?
What Interview Questions Are Asked of an Accountant?
The main task of an accountant is to examine financial records. They check whether the records are correct and that taxes are paid on time. An accountant needs basic algebra, arithmetic and analytic skills. Accounting is a promising career, and here are some of the important interview questions asked of an accountant:
- What happens on the income statement when inventory goes up by Rs. 2,000?
- What is working capital?
- When do you capitalise instead of expense a purchase?
- What is PPE, and why is it important?
- What are the revenue recognition and matching principles?
What Interview Questions Are Asked for the HSC Exam?
The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), also called intermediate or plus two, is an exam for school students. It is commonly known as the class 12 exam and is conducted at both state and central levels. State boards conduct it at the state level, while the CBSE and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) conduct it centrally.
- What is your favourite subject, and why?
- Who is your role model, and why?
- What is your goal in life?
- How do you de-stress yourself?
- What are your hobbies?
What Interview Questions Are Asked of Civil Engineers?
Civil engineering is a discipline that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, dams, airports and sewerage systems. Civil engineers play an important role in society and help maintain its overall safety. A career in civil engineering offers immense opportunities. Some common questions are:
- Why did you choose civil engineering as a profession?
- What personality traits do you believe a civil engineer needs?
- What is the biggest challenge you believe civil engineers face?
- Tell me about your final-year project or dissertation.
- How do you describe the soundness of cement?
- What are some common roof types?
What Interview Questions Are Asked in Computer Science?
In the digitally growing world, with its ease of operations and user-friendly interfaces, the demand for computer scientists is growing exponentially, making it one of the most sought-after fields of study. The employment rate in this field is also quite high. Some of the common interview questions for computer science are:
- What is a file?
- What is a class?
- Who is the father of the computer?
- What is a constructor?
- What are the different types of access modifiers?
- What is a character stream?
- What is an abstract class?
