Chapter 4.

Electronics 101
...in reality, nothing but atoms and void Democritus In writing this book, my hope is to bring to you an understanding of the design process involved in producing an embedded computer system. To this end, I have kept the electronics, the chips, and the systems I have used as simple as possible. I want you to understand the big picture without getting lost in detail. But, however simple I keep the computer designs, you won't get very far without at least a very rudimentary understanding of electronics. So what I want to do in this chapter is give some basic background theory to guide you on your way. Electronics is a truly vast and complicated multidisciplinary field, and it is not possible to cover even a thousandth of it here. I won't even attempt to. What I will do is give you an understanding of the basic principles necessary for embedded computer engineering in a simplified, and hopefully easy to understand, way. The rest of the vast mountain, I will leave unvisited. If you want to learn more, pick up a copy of Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill's The Art of Electronics (Cambridge University Press). It's a great introductory text.

4.1. Voltage and Current

It's all about electrons. It is from their very name that we derive the term electronics. Electrons are subatomic particles with a negative charge. They are bound to positively charged atomic nuclei through Coulombic attraction. The classical physics view was to think of electrons "orbiting" the nucleus, analogous to planets orbiting in a solar system. While not at all correct,[*] it makes it easier to visualize what goes on. The strength by which electrons are bound to the nucleus varies from atomic element to atomic element, and from molecule to molecule. Substances are either conductors , insulators , or semiconductors . In a conductor, such as a metal, the energy required to shift an electron from one nucleus to another is negligible, and the electrons may easily exchange with nearby atomic nuclei. In effect, the metal is a collection of nuclei surround by a "sea" of semi-free electrons. In an insulator, the opposite is true. The energy required to shift an electron from a nucleus is excessive, and so electrons tend to stay put. In a semiconductor, the substance may act either as a conductor or as an insulator, depending on external influences. By controlling the external influences, you change the conductivity of the substance and therefore change the way electrons move within that substance. In effect, a semiconductor is a switch that may be controlled by other semiconductors. It is this basic principle that is the basis of all modern electronics. It is the cornerstone upon which everything digital is founded.
[*]

The truth, as always, is far stranger. The quantum view is both beautiful and bizarre. For a simple and elegant introduction, read Richard Feynman's brilliant QED (Quantum Electro Dynamics) (Princeton University Press). The flow of electrons through a conductor or a semiconductor is known as current . Current is measured in Amperes, more commonly called just plain Amps (with the unit symbol "A," equation symbol "I"). For an electron to move through a conductor,[*] there must be a "vacancy"

at the next nucleus into which it can shift. (If the next nucleus has a full complement of electrons, the Coulombic repulsion of those electrons will prevent any others from slotting in.) Semiconductor physicists term these vacancies holes . An electron shifting into a neighboring hole leaves a new hole behind it. This new hole is then filled by another electron further down the line, which, in turn, creates another new hole. So current flow is, in effect, a movement of electrons in one direction and a "movement of holes" in another. The electrons are negatively charged, and the holes may be thought of as positive charges. (A missing electron at a nucleus means that the positive charge of the nucleus isn't fully canceled, and so a net positive charge exists at that location.) So while electrons move from negative to positive, the holes move from positive to negative, and it is the movement of holes (rather than electrons) that we refer to when we talk about current. Current flow, which we work with in electronics, is deemed to be from positive to negative. For continued current flow, there must be a continuous circular flow of electrons in one direction and holes in the other direction. It is from this circular flow that we derive the term circuit .
[*]

I'm treating a conducting semiconductor as though it were an ordinary conductor.

For current flow to occur between two points, there must exist an imbalance between electrons at one end and holes at the other. The size of this imbalance is known as the potential difference , or voltage difference , between two points. (It is also sometimes termed "the voltage drop across an electronic component.") The unit of voltage difference is the Volt (unit symbol "V"). The greater the voltage difference, the greater the opportunity for current flow. It is very important to note that voltage refers to the difference between two points. A voltage cannot exist in isolation. Although you will sometimes see a statement like "the voltage at this point is...," it is taken as given that it is relative to some common reference point, usually ground (the zero-volt reference point). A common beginner's mistake in testing electronic circuits is to wire up only one lead of a piece of test equipment. Without both leads, there is no common reference point, and, therefore, any measurement taken is meaningless.

4.2. Analog Signals

An analog signal can have an amplitude of any voltage within a range, unlike a digital signal, which can be in one of two defined voltage states (either high or low). Figure 4-1 shows a typical analog signal (in this case, a sine wave).
Figure 4-1. An analog waveform

The voltage of a signal may vary over time, or it may be constant. If the voltage varies, it may repeat at regular intervals, in which case the signal is said to be periodic. The period is the interval of time it takes the signal pattern to repeat (for example, from one wave crest to another). The frequency of the signal is the number of times per second that the pattern repeats. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) and relates to the period in the following way:
Frequency = 1 / Period

Thus, a signal with a period of 1 ms has a frequency of 1 kHz. A unipolar signal (Figure 4-2) has component voltages that are either all positive or all negative. A bipolar signal (Figure 4-3) has both positive and negative voltages.
Figure 4-2. Unipolar signal

Figure 4-3. Bipolar signal

A typical analog signal will have both an AC component and a DC component (Figure 4-4). The DC component is the fixed voltage of the signal. The AC component is a varying voltage imposed on the DC component. The AC component is sometimes referred to as the peak-to-peak amplitude of a signal and is denoted with the suffix "pp." For example, an AC component of 5 V would be written as 5 Vpp.
Figure 4-4. DC and AC components of an analog signal

4.3. Power
A voltage difference is generated by a difference in potential energy between two points. Therefore, to generate a voltage, you use a device that can create such an energy difference. Such devices may be mechanical (generators), converting motion into a potential difference by electromagnetics; photovoltaic (solar cells); or chemical (batteries). Conversely, a voltage difference (and therefore current flow) can be used to produce mechanical movement (motors), light emission (light bulbs, LEDs), and heat (toasters, Pentium 4 processors). Power is the amount of work per time (Joules per second) and is measured in Watts (unit symbol "W"). The equation for calculating power is simply:
P = V * I

No electronic device is 100% efficient (far from it!), and so it will consume power as it performs its task. The power consumed by a device may be calculated using the above equation, from the voltage difference across the device and the current flowing through the device. A typical embedded computer may consume a few hundred mW (milliWatts) of power, but it can vary quite considerably. A large and powerful embedded machine may use several tens (or even hundreds) of Watts, while a tiny embedded controller may use just microWatts.

4.4. Reading Schematics

You won't get very far in electronics unless you know how to draw and read schematics. They crop up everywhere, and understanding them is a must. The schematics are like an architect's blueprint. They show what components will be used in a circuit and how they are connected together. The schematics may also include other information such as construction directives. A schematic may have a list of revisions indicating what changes have been made to the original design. These are commonly called Engineering Change Orders (ECOs). As a design grows and changes over time, it's a good idea to keep track of what changes were made and, more importantly, why they were made. Just as commenting source code is important, so is keeping track of the ECOs. You will come across two types of schematics. There are the schematics you see in datasheets, books (like this one), and other technical documents. These schematics will just show the circuit (or partial circuit) and maybe a note or two, and that's all. The other sort of schematic is the actual drawing(s) used to generate a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). These schematics represent a full system design and will often have a title block located in the lower right of the sheet, indicating what the sheet represents, who drew it, and when. Figure 4-5 shows a sample title block.

Figure 4-5. Title block

Essentially, there are two types of objects on a schematic: component symbols and nets . Nets are the wires that show what is connected to what, and component symbols represent physical devices. A component symbol will have a component name and a component type. For example, a memory chip may have the name U3 and have a component type AT45DB161. The component name is simply a reference label, much like a variable name in source code. It's important to keep component labels unique. Having two devices labeled U3 on a schematic may cause a great deal of confusion for the design automation software. The component type is the actual part number used by the component manufacturer. It is common practice with component names to use common prefixes for components of the same type. For example, resistors have the prefix R. You will see resistors on a schematic labeled R1, R2, R3, etc. Similarly, capacitors carry the prefix C, inductors L, diodes D, transistors Q, crystals X, and connectors and jumpers J. Semiconductors often carry the prefix U, but not always. Logic gates and other small, nondescript semiconductors may have the prefix U, but larger semiconductors may have a more informative name. For example, a processor may be labeled PROC, while four memory chips may carry the names RAM0, RAM1, RAM2, and RAM3. Giving larger devices more meaningful names often makes schematics easier to understand. However, that being said, a lot of people still give every semiconductor the U prefix. Figure 4-6 shows an example component with a net.
Figure 4-6. Signal net and component

As well as the name and part number, the component will also have an array of pins. The pins may have a number, a name, or both. The number indicates the physical pin on the chip to which the schematic pin is referring, and the name gives an indication of its function. Some components, such as resistors, do not have pin names or numbers shown. Component pins may have names and symbols that indicate their characteristics. Figure 4-7 shows an example component with a variety of pin types.
Figure 4-7. Pin types

Pin 1 is a generic pin. Pin 2 has a bar over the pin name that indicates that it is active low . This means that a logic 0 on this pin will activate its function, while a logic 1 will deactivate it. Pin 2's name is , which typically means chip select . In other words, this pin is used to activate the chip. Most peripherals and memory chips have a chip-select input. Chip selects are important since there are many memory and peripheral chips within a computer system. It is through the chip select that the processor will enable the chip so that it can write data to it or read data from it. Some devices have an input called , which means chip enable . It's exactly the same as a chip select. They are just two different names for the same function. The little triangle on pin 3 indicates that it is an edge-triggered input. This simply means that the input responds to a change in signal. Pins 4 and 8 are ground (GND) and power (VCC), respectively. "VCC" and "VDD" are used to label voltage sources for powering the circuits. The terminology originates from transistors and solid-state electronics, where "collectors" (VCC) and "drains" (VDD) are common parlance. You don't need to worry about what the names mean, just know that when you see "VCC" or "VDD," we're talking about supply voltages. Pin 7 is an output that is active high, and pin 6 is an output that is active low. Note the circle on pin 6. This indicates that it is an inverted output. The fact that it has the same name as pin 7 indicates that pin 6 is the inversion of the output of pin 7. Finally, pin 5 is labeled "NC." This is commonly used to represent "No Connect," which means that this pin has no function. No net should be connected to it. (Very rarely, you'll also see a pin name "Do Not Wire." It means the same thing.) However, just because you see a pin name "NC" doesn't mean that you should assume that it is a no-connect. It may just be that the chip manufacturer labeled the pin NC for some other reason. As always, check the datasheet carefully for each device.

A net may be drawn between two components or may simply have a net label giving the net a name and indicating that it is connected to every other net with the same name. With complicated schematics, it may not be practical to show every wire that must be connected. There would simply be wires going everywhere, and the resulting schematic would be impossible to understand. Therefore, it is common practice to simply use the net labels to locally name a net, and this alone is enough to indicate what is connected to what (Figure 4-8).
Figure 4-8. Net labels show which pins are connected without the need for drawing every wire

Signals that are functionally related, such as buses, are drawn using a bus net (Figure 4-9). It is common practice to use more than one schematic sheet for a design. Just as a program is broken up into functions, with commonly used code placed in libraries, designs are also broken into functional units, allowing subsystem reuse in multiple designs. For example, the same power-supply circuit may be used in several different embedded computer designs. By placing the power-supply circuit on its own sheet,
Figure 4-9. Related signals are routed using a bus

that same subsystem design may be reused in many designs. Ports are used to indicate when a schematic's nets are connected to another schematic sheet. Figure 4-10 shows a component with connections to off-sheet objects. In this case, the "D0:D3" port is a bidirectional bus, the "A0:A3" port is an output bus from this sheet (and therefore an input to another sheet), and the "MODE" port is an input net to this sheet.
Figure 4-10. Ports indicate that nets are connected across multiple sheets

Figure 4-11 shows nets crossing each other. The vertical net on the left is not connected to the horizontal net. It simply crosses over on its way to another part of the circuit. The vertical net on the right is connected to the horizontal net, and this is indicated by a junction dot.
Figure 4-11. Nets crossing

In some hobbyist electronics magazines and old textbooks, you'll sometimes see nets with "little bridges" as they cross other nets (Figure 4-12). This is definitely not the way to draw itvery unprofessional, very uncool.

Figure 4-12. How not to draw one net crossing the other

Figure 4-13 shows common power ports . These indicate connections to voltage sources (power supplies) and grounds. The ground symbols all mean a potential of zero volts. The different symbols are used to differentiate between different ground networks. In microprocessor schematics, you'll commonly see the two leftmost ground symbols (usually only one or the other) and rarely see the other two.
Figure 4-13. Power ports

By the way, always place your power ports vertically, never horizontally. Horizontal power ports are like source code that isn't indented-- frowned upon as the work of the Unenlightened. Also, voltage ports (like VCC) should point up, while ground ports should point down. A ground port should never be pointing skyward, nor should a voltage port be pointing down. For a professional engineer, they're a vexation to the spirit.

Most frequently asked Interview Questions

Why have you selected to join us? I always longed to work with a company. I am familiar and whose products I have used and trusted. (Narrate briefly how you can prove your statement. Do good research on the company before facing the interview)

Where do you want to be in 5 years? I would like to be frank. Judge me from the work and I am sure you will put me right where I want to be. Note : Do not over ambitious and speak in a way that you are not satisfied with your current job which you have applied for.

Describe your ideal career? Talk of what you enjoy most your skills and natural talents. Do not specify your goal and any job title.

Tell me something about yourself Do not just repeat what you have given in your resume. Be ready with the answer, a talent or something you did out of the ordinary. You can sound it as unique or give it a touch of your personality.

How did you apply for the job? Be specific and give a straight answer of how you came to know about the vacancy. If it was advertised specify how you came across it.

Why do you want to work here? Have a research done about the company / organization Give just one or two reasons why you are interested. You can add these points (1) company's reputation(2) desire to join the specific field of interest.

Don't you think that you are over qualified for this job? (This question is put to you to puzzle a candidate. Be calm and answer the question with a positive and confident approach) Answer in the negative My experience and qualification will just help me to do the job better. Moreover I am at establishing a long term relationship which my qualification will favor me to handle more responsibilities and help me to rise to your expectations.

What competition do you see if you take up this job? When you answer, clearly show that you have researched carefully and acquired more in-depth knowledge about the company.

Enumerate some positive and negative traits of the company and their competitions. Feel confident to show that competition is not an unexpected one.

What would you do if our competitor offer you a job? Show your confidence in the company's worth, stress the point 'I would say No' by pointing out some qualities you found out in your research about the company.

Why are you leaving your current job? You should give two or three reasons for leaving. Lack of challenge, focus on the limitations etc. Point out your ambition to prove your worth confidently.

What salary do you expect? (This is a tricky question to be answered carefully. Interviewers often accept people with realistic financial goals.) If you mention a salary that is low it shows that you are not up to the mark. If you mention too high you have ruined a chance to get a job. So the best is to ask for the salary they offer and then show your capacity, how your experience and qualification rate with what is offered.

What interests you most about the job? (Show how you believe that you are most suited to the post. If you can find out an earlier experience it would be fine.) If you have experience, you can quote some similarities from the past and how you achieved success.

What is your dream job? Make the question a chance to display your aptitude that fits the job you have applied for. Display how your skills can be put into suite the challenges and modern trends.

Why should we take you? This is often the concluding Question( Some tips to the answer)

Don'ts : Do not repeat your resume Do not enumerate your experience

Do's: Prove Your interest Be positive in your answer Be prepared with confidence in what you are going to say Make sure the answer comes from the bottom of your heart.

If you have unlimited time and financial resources how would you spend them Even though it is tempting to discuss thing you would do for fun, answer these questions with strict coherence with the job you have applied for. Egg: If you are into teaching, touch on your interest in adult literary programmers and other teaching oriented aspects.

How is your experience relevant to this job? Sketch out some similar work which you have done in your previous job. It should be something justifiable by you, even though others may think differently. You can even ask some question where you can prove that your experience stands in good strand.

How could you enrich your current job? Design your answer to show that you are still interested in the job and you point out a few instances where improvements can be made. Convince the person that you can be relied on and you will not get bored with what you do with time.

How many days where you absent from work? Give a solid attendance record. But at the same time show you were not responsible . Convince that you are willing to take up responsibility. Egg: I was absent 7 days. 4 days due to conjunctivitis and one day due to the death of a close relative and 2 days had to accompany my parents for their check up.

Tell me about a time you had to deal with an irritate customer, how did you handle the solution?

The question is aimed at you to hear from yourself how you handle people when others loose their temper. Here the best answer you can give to describe a situation and show how you handled it with maturity and diplomacy.

How do you manage stress in your daily work? You can describe a situation of how you had managed stress in your previous work if you had one or narrate how you can find time in your busy schedule to relax a bit.

Describe a professional skill you have developed in you? It will be better if you be specific with your answer. Narrate some thing you worked for to fulfill your work more efficiently. Describe how you attended a seminar and brought about the changed in your work.

How do you manage your work to meet dead lines Answer the question effectively . Describe in detail how your plan out, set priorities, determine schedules, how you follow out to see the progress and meet the dead line.

What books you read? Do not ever say you have read a book which you have not. Here your suggestion can lead the interviewer to know your taste and interest. It can also hint on how you take your profession.

What are the most rewarding aspect of you most recent job? The best way to answer it is to focus in what you do efficiently, keep in mind the position you are applying for.

What aspects of this job do you feel most confident? Narrate what you are good and match it with the present job requirements. You may ask questions to clear if that particular skill will add benefit to the company

What can motivate you? The Interview expects an answer to know you better .Keep in tune with your job and work you have applied for. Do not beat around the bush.

Whom do you choose as your reference and why? Name the references and how you know them. You can also show that you are a person who care for relationships and how you stand in good stead with them.

Can we call all your references? If you have given your present boss as your reference you can tell that you prefer to call your current boss only after you receive a confirmed offer as he may not like you changing the job.

Do you have any questions? Be prepared to answer this question in advance. List out a few questions you wish to know more about. After you have faced the interview your logic will guide you to ask the question you really want to know more about.

How do you handle criticism Here the interview is on the look out for your accountability and professional character. Simply explain a situation that caused a problem and narrate how you faced it and overcame it.

Tell me about a situation that upset you at work Her the interview is trying to find out how you deal with pressure. Be diplomatic

and objective with your answer. Prepare the answer so that the answer comes as a smooth reassurance Have you ever been fired? If the answer is negative, the answer is simple. But if you have been fired, you need to be prepared to the answer the follow up questions that my come up. If the termination was for reason beyond your control narrate it. If not do not try justifying yourself. If you had a fault, admit it and convince the interview that you have corrected it. Do you change your job frequently? Be honest and if you had changed the jobs frequently there could be ample reasons to do so. Put them up as contracts that expired at the stipulated time.

Be convincing when you say that you long to have a steady and long lasting relationship with the present job you are applying for. What is the toughest job you had? Avoid making any negative statements especially about your previous employer. Change the question with a positive outlook and answer it with a satisfied remark of your outcome. How do you handle tension? Answer with ease that in any job and any situation that tension is a part of it. Relax before putting the f act you are very used to such type of works. What is your current salary? Do not bluff. Be specific on the answer. Do not hesitate to say the benefits you enjoyed in the previous job. It may be verified so never mention the benefits you have not got. Will you be willing to accept transfer? Tell you preference but do not specify that you will be not willing to work else where. What is your weakness? Turn the question to a positive one. Simply say that you are a perfectionist and your commitment to output of high quality perfect work. Say this is your weakness Frequently Asked Questions How did you get your last job? A polished answer is what is expected. Frame the answer in such a way that it shows how you had planned to get the job. Make sure it was not by happenstance.

What was your position in your last employment? Provide a consistent answer. Precision will help you from answering the questions which will follow from ambiguous answers. What is the reason for you leaving your last job? Answer the question with confidence. Do not give a selfish answer. Frame the answer in a broader way. Do not point out short comings of the company. How did you hear about this position? Be honest with the answer. This will help you from complicating the interview by giving a wrong answer later.

Have you received any other job offers? A positive answer can show that you are efficient. A positive answer should be true as it may be verified.

What do you do with your spare time? The interviewer is looking for some insight into your personality by asking the question. If you say something be ready to answer more question on the topic.

What is your current salary? Answer carefully. If you have filled up a form they would already know it.

Have you been denied a salary increase? A positive answer shows that you are a person with a problem.

Have you had a pay cut? A detailed explanation is needed it you agree you have had one. Be prepared for the follow up questions .A negative answer is the best.

Have you been asked to resign? Prepare in advance how to answer the question if the answer is yes. Disclose the circumstances objectively.

Has your work been criticized? This question asked by an experienced interviewer can give an insight into your ability to communicate, your tolerance to take criticism, and the environment you have been working. The ideal way is to describe a situation that shows your work was criticized, but portray them as being borne out by situation itself.

We find gaps in your resume. What were you doing this time? You should be prepared to answer the question before hand. Make your answer crisp, brief and focused on the point and but do not be defensive.

Do you have any objection to psychological testing? You can answer that you have no objection to being tested. The interviewer is probably just trying to find out if you have any problems.

Can we contact your references? Be sure that the references you give are people who will stand strong in your favour. You can therefore answer in the affirmative.

Are you looking for a temporary or a permanent job? Prepare your answer carefully before hand because it offers your potential employer a clear chance to judge you by the statement you make.

How long have you been without work? Answer the question with a convincing tone with a positive touch. If possible narrate why you were unable to work.

What career option do you have at the moment? Be specific with your answer. If you are answering to a human resource consultant you may quote your interest if not stick on to what you have applied for because the person may lose interest in you if you divert from the present context.

What do you look in your job? Whatever you say add that I am looking for a job where I can make meaningful contributions and grow professionally.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself? Plan the answer carefully. Select a concrete project either professional or personal. It can be concerned with education or some personal development programme.

How do you feel about your career progress so far? Be frank with the answer. Keep it so straight forward that it becomes the answer to demonstrate satisfaction to a point which is the reason for deciding to move in the particular direction now.

How do you define success? This is a question which should be answered in a way to impress the interviewer. Example; I define success as being able to financially provide for my family while performing work that is tied to the success of the organization that employ me.

What personal trait is needed to be a success in this job? Some of the qualities that are to be included as you answer the question are Persistence, Work Ethics, Loyalty, Truthfulness and Insatiable Curiosity. Be ready for the follow up questions by preparing some instances where these qualities were put to use.

What are your long range goals? Aim for the top and express it politely. Do not forget to be practical and realistic.

What will you do if this job is not offered to you? Show your disappointment. Simply express how you have a lot to loose .

If you could start your career again what changes will you prefer? This is a tricky question .Be careful with your answer. Just point out how you could have improved your career rather than go for a change in career.

What do you know about the position you are applying? Do a lot of ground work before you attend the interview. This will help you to answer the question with precision.

What is your learning style? Even though it may look to be a silly question if asked a definite answer should be given .The question can be made use to project your systematic nature.

How do you keep update with the latest trends in your job? This is a question which throws light on your personality. It should be answered with accuracy. Include the latest techniques available like the Internet.

Why did you choose the subject? A simple question but it will show how you determined your career and what aspects made you choose the career that you are pursuing.

Have you worked for a difficult person? This question is aimed at you to show how you handle work pressure and how you will satisfy tense situations as and when they arise.

How much time do you spend for your hobby? A question to be answered in a creative and subtle way that the time you spend will not interfere with the working span.

What mode of communication do you prefer? In the present situation most of the big companies are with their communication on line. Answer the question considering the level to which you have applied for. Do not hesitate to say you are well versed in all modes

Do you plan and organize before you start a work? This question is aimed at you to show how systematically you plan and proceed with your projects. If you have experience give a systematic answer. Do not beat around the bush as they are looking for a concrete stuff in your answer.

How were you evaluated in your last job? Be brief and honest. Clarify the evaluation with a system.

What are things that you find difficult to do? The question is asked to make you answer the thing you do not like to do. Remember to have a piratical touch in your answers.

What is your relationship with your former employer? It is a question aimed at to know you better. The answer will throw light on how you were in the last work place.

Describe a situation where you could not attain your goal? Be ready with the answer before hand or you may land in trouble. Choose one and give correct details

Can you work overtime? Do not be intimidated. Agree if you are willing but clarify the details before making commitments.

Do you have any questions? Be casual and clear all the doubts you have. Do not try out any question that will bring forth any questions back to you.

Have you had difficulty getting along with others? Give a reply in the negative and bring forth the idea that you are easy to get along with others.

What can you do for us that others cannot? This is a question that can be answered to bring out your talents and to prove that you are efficient and dynamic.

What reservations do you have about working here? Do not have any negative at the moment to pint out. Answer the question with a positive statement. Point out the organization as one where you really wanted to belong and work.

Why do you want to work here with us? Do a deep study about the organization and have a list of merits ready so that you will be able to give a steady and easy answer.

This job requires long hours will it be a problem for your spouse /children? Frame the answer in such a way that you give equal importance to your work and family. You should be able to prove your credibility.

Do your spouse work? The question gives an insight if you are the only bread earner of the family. If the answer is yes there will be follow up questions as to who takes care of the children and the rest.

Whom should we notify in case of an emergency? The question gives a clear insight on whom you depend and trust .It is almost as equal as giving a reference.

Are you in the habit of changing your jobs frequently? Answer the question with the resume you have given .If it shows many places worked give a reply that you wish to stick to the present job applied for.

What do your parents do? The question is asked to understand the background of the applicant. If a parent has a positive tie- in to the organization /industry that you are seeing, employment you may mention this.

Are you a religious person? An odd question but if the organization is run by religious institutions your answer in the positive will have real good effects.

What organizations do you belong to ? You may list the various organization in which you are a member. Make sure you do not list any organization that can bring negative impact.

How old are you? Just a question asked to remind you that you are too old for the job or too young for the job. Be aware and answer the question with accuracy.

How flexible are you ? Be brief, direct and focused with the answer. Prepare the answer and keep it ready.

How do you deal with change? The ideal answer is to give an idea that you can accept any change as long as it is for the good. The answer also throw light on the personality. It also reflects how dynamic you are.

Do you think you are too young for this post? Convince the maturity that you have will stand in good stead than the years of experience.

Will you be willing to start at a lower salary because of your inexperience? Deal with the question by emphasizing the fact that inexperience will not come in the way of doing the work efficiently. Have many justifications to prove it.

Do you have any disability? This is a broad question to be answered carefully. If you have any, disclose them.

How long have you been disabled? A follow up question of the previous one that can be supported with documents.

Have you filed a compensation claim with any company you worked for? If the answer is yes it is better to say that you do not wish to answer the question and end at it. There is no law that prevents one from getting a job because of prior workers compensation claim.

Have you been a target of sexual harassment? Have you filed a complaint? This question is raised to determine your proclivity to take legal action at work place. Be open and express yourself freely as the question came from them and it was not you who initiated it.

Have you ever been arrested? The question can be answered negative unless you were arrested and proved guilty by a court of law. This is because a person who is arrested is innocent until proven guilty.

Has any court found you guilty? This question is asked to clear and clarify if any criminal record is present.