Department of Economics, Business and Management / University Batna 1

Speciality: Accountancy and Auditing / Level Master 2

Teacher: Ms. BOUZIDI

Academic year: 2023/2024

Course 2:

Job Interviews
Definition of an interview

Interview means a conversation between interviewer and interviewee aimed at assessing the
potentialities for a job. It is a two way communication between the candidate and the interviewer.
In simple words interviewing means “deliberate active listing with a purpose to draw the other
person out, to discover what he really wants to say and to give a chance to express himself
freely”.

1. Guidelines for Interviews

 Be on time for the interview – it is better to be an hour early than a minute late
 Do your research – about the company and the role you are applying for
 Update your resume – ensure that you highlight points which are relevant for the job you
are applying
 Dress smartly – first impression matter a lot
 Be polite – manners and business etiquettes are quite important
 Practice what you have to say
 Identify your strengths
 Be honest about your skills and qualifications
 Keeping a go-getter attitude can help you a lot in your interview.
 Ask questions to the interviewer if possible.
 Lastly, do not be nervous or anxious – just take a deep breath and continue with your
interview.

2. Interview Questions and Answers Asked Frequently

1. Tell me something about yourself in brief?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions during an HR round interview.

Possible Answer #1:

On an individual front, I perceive myself as a confident, conscientious and hardworking
individual.
I carry out any task assigned to me without hesitation, provided the instructions are clear. In the
case of doubts, I never hesitate to put forth my questions.

I have always been a fast learner, and I love to keep up my process of learning to figure out
better ways of solving problems.

Moreover, I love to compete with my own past performances than competing with my peers, as I
believe that improvement is always better than perfection!”
Don’t make the mistake of sharing too much personal information in any of your HR interview
questions and answers round.

You will not be left with enough time to sell your experience and relevant technical skills.

Possible Answer #2:

“Well, I am a confident, hardworking and a very professional individual.

I have always carried out all the tasks assigned to me without hesitation, provided the
instructions from my Reporting Managers or seniors were clear.

I have also been a good mentor to my juniors and never hesitate to guide them.

On the other hand, I am a creative person and I love to test my boundaries.

In order to do so, I keep pushing myself to think out of the box!”

This is another version of frequently asked HR Interview questions and answers, for the same
question.

2. Describe who you are or Tell me about your background?

In a job interview, you can be asked to describe who you are, Describe yourself in one
word or Describe yourself in 3 words, but all such questions essentially mean that you talk about
your skills and qualities.
If your degree is obviously related to the job you’re interviewing for, you can give this answer.

Possible Answer #1:

“I am a B. Tech in Computer Science/B. Com in Economics. I also have an MBA or I have
completed a certification course in Digital Marketing from ABC Academy.

What else would you like to know?”

In case your degree is not as relevant as it should have been, but you feel that you have the
potential to shine through, you can give this answer.

Possible Answer #2:

“I have worked on an independent project work with 2 other students on Soft Skills.
I have also participated in several paper presentations on Business Communication.”
Possible Answer #3:
“I have scored an A in Professional and Technical Written Communication in English, in my first
semester. Here’s my marksheet.”

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is a very common question asked by HR personnel to candidates.

Remember that interviewers these days hardly ever get impressed by flowery responses.

Possible Answer #1:

“I have several strengths namely – I am patient, committed, honest and self-motivated.

I am the biggest dreamer I have ever come across! I forgive easily and hate to keep grudges in
my heart.

My greatest weakness is that I don't like getting interrupted when I am seriously into something.

Another one of my weaknesses is that I trust people very easily.

As I already said, I am a very patient person, so I am actively working on this lacuna.”

Possible Answer #2:
“I am a perfectionist and that is my main weakness, which I also think is my strength.”

4. What is your ideal company or workplace?

Possible Answer #1:
“My ideal workplace or company is a fair one that values my contributions even as a fresher and
encourages me to speak up and share my ideas.

It is a place where I can be myself, while working towards a greater goal.”

Possible Answer #2:
“My ideal company is the one which can bring forth exciting challenges. Such opportunities will
bring out the best in me as I can use my interests and experiences to grow.

I like my present workplace as it offers all this along with a clean and professional work
atmosphere, and more.

But I am looking forward to a company that is actively involved in social welfare, and your
organization does exactly that.”

5. Where do you see yourself 3 years from now? or Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Possible Answer #1:
“My current goal is to find a career spot that ensures continued growth alongside new
challenges daily.

3 years from now, I see myself as an experienced and reliable senior in the team and 5 years
from now, I assume that I will be ready to take up managerial responsibilities like product
strategy.

I want to have a stable career in a single organization and hope I will get the same wherever I
start.”
Possible Answer #2:
“I see myself working for a reputed organization, at a strategic position with budgeting power,
good remuneration, and minimal interference.”

6. Give an example of a time you had to respond to an unhappy manager/ customer/

colleague/ professor/ friend.
Possible Answer #1:
“Personally, I am not too fond of conflicts. I don’t like it when people are mean, so I try to avoid
conflicts and tongue-lashing as far as possible.

In case such a situation arises, I let my seniors or professors handle it.

I cannot recollect the exact situation right now, but that’s what I have done in the past.”

7. What software packages are you familiar with?

Make sure you know each of your skills thoroughly. In case you don’t know a particular software
package or a terminology, please do not talk about it in front of the interviewer.

Possible Answer #1:

“I am proficient in Operating Systems like Windows and Linux. I am familiar with Microsoft
Word, Excel and PowerPoint from the Microsoft Office Suite.

I am also familiar with regular web Browsers, Photoshop and AutoCAD.”

Possible Answer #2:
“Among the Operating Systems, I am proficient in Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows ME,
Mac 0SX, Windows 2000, Mac OS 8.6, Solaris, Mac 0S9, UNIX, Linux, AIX, Sun OS, OS/2, DOS,
FreeBSD, Novell 4.0, Exchange 5.5, etc.

Among software solutions, I am proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, IE, Outlook Express, Lotus
1-2-3, IBM Notes, etc.

I also have good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw Pro, Adobe Illustrator, Studio,
FileMaker Pro, MySQL, SQL Server, SQL 6.5 & 7.0, Enterprise Manager, EZ-SQL, Net Objects
Fusion, Vignette, Broad Vision, etc.
8. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate yourself as a leader?
HR interview questions and answers are a way of testing you in and out. The HR interviewer may
ask you this question to gauge your self-confidence.

Possible Answer #1:

“I rate my leadership skills an 8 out of 10. There is much to learn, but I have always been a
strong leader.

I was the head boy/girl during my school days and in the college, I was a Senior Wing NCC
Cadet.

I have completed my C-certificate and have earned lots of badges in several NCC camps.

I have led the Senior Boys/Girls contingent at the Republic Day Camp in 2012 as well.”
Possible Answer #2:
“I am a good leader. That is the reason why today, I manage a 5-member strong team
independently in an MNC.

While assigning tasks, I consider people skills often.

If a team member is feeling demotivated, I try my level best to understand them and accordingly
control the situation.

Bearing my performance as a Manager over the past few years, I would rate myself an 8.5/10, as
there is still a lot of scope to learn and grow.”

9. What are your future goals? Tell me about your short term and long-term goals.
Possible Answer #1:
“My short-term goal is to join a reputed company, like yours, where my job role would allow me
to apply my knowledge and key strengths.

I want to get recognized for my contribution to the company in the long-run.”

Possible Answer #2:
“I’ve picked up Marketing Automation basics during my first job, which lasted for two years.

Now I am prepared to take up a bigger and more challenging project.

I want to see myself as a marketing analyst in the next two years, that would be my short-term
goal.

Following which, I would see myself as an end-to-end Digital Marketing Strategist or a Manager
in the long run.”

10. Can you describe your time management skills?

Possible Answer #1:
“I make a to-do list with timelines and stick to this until any further revision of schedule is
announced. That’s how I manage time.”
11. What do you know about us or our company?
Possible Answer #1:
“I’m a Blivkart customer myself. The company was founded by Som and Bandit Vashisht. They
previously worked for Umazin.com, and then quit their jobs to start their own firm in India.
Today it is one of the fastest growing companies in India and is all set to create new records. It
will be more than a privilege to get through and join such a super talented team.”
Possible Answer #2:
“Yours is one of the fastest growing and leading IT firms in India. Both your mission statement
and tag line, are catchy and very attractive.

Everyone I know, who is a part of this organization, is very happy about working here. I think
this will be a great place for me to perform, show my talent and get recognized as well.”

12. Why do you want to work for us or our company? or Why do you want this job?
Possible Answer #1:
“I read an article in the newspaper a few months back. The news piece revolved around your
corporate community service. I am not exactly a philanthropist, as I am not that rich yet, but
giving back is a big part of my personal philosophy. When I read that article, I was moved.

The true excitement overtook me when I got this interview call. It will be really nice if I get to
work in an organization, which follows the same philosophies as I personally do.

Because my technical skills will be recognized in other places as well, but personal philosophies
are equally important.”
Possible Answer #2:
“Teamwork is what I truly believe in. When I saw that there was an opening in your
organization, I made sure that my application was put in.

Being a team-player, I believe working together to achieve a higher goal is what drives success
in the long run.

And my skills as an engineer and a team member will give me a 360-degree work satisfaction for
me”

13. Why should we hire you? or Why should I hire you?

Most freshers might treat this as a challenging question. Remember that it’s a stress test which
you can pass smoothly with a powerful answer.

Possible Answer #1:

“Sir/Ma’am, I have all the requisite qualifications and skills. I can do the work that the profile
requires me to do.

Besides, I have the capacity to deliver exceptional results. I can blend into mixed cultures and
will fit in beautifully, which will make me a great addition to the team.

For a fresher, I have the right amount of exposure into this industry, as I have completed my
internship with XYZ company only recently.

Hiring me will be a great value-add to your workforce as the organization will keep on gaining,
with me around.”
14. Are you applying for other jobs? Do you have any other offer in hand?
Do not get intimidated with this HR interview question and answer. You can be open about the
other offer or keep it private, depending on how happy you are with it.

HR recruiters generally ask this to understand your demand in the market. They also want to
know that by the time they interview you and reach the offer stage, you would have already
accepted another one.

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes Sir/Ma’am, I am negotiating verbally about an offer with the HR of a startup company right
now. But there is no documentation to support the same. So, nothing is concrete yet.”
Possible Answer #2:
“I and some of my batchmates received verbal offers from a company, during our campus
placements.

I was supposed to receive the official offer letter through an email communication from the
company within a week of my selection, but it’s been over 6 months now.

I have sent them one follow up email, but the HR that I am writing to is still silent. So, I don’t
know clearly if I actually got the job. That is the reason why I came for this interview.”
Possible Answer #3:
“No I don’t.”

15. What are your salary expectations?

Possible Answer #1:
“My salary expectations are in line with the current industry standards, according to my
experience and qualifications.”
Possible Answer #2:
“Thank you, Ma’am/Sir, once my responsibilities are clear I can state an exact figure.
Right now, I would like to know what my potential Manager expects from this job position, in
your organization.

After this discussion, maybe we can both meet a conclusion about my future remuneration.”
16. Your interview is more or less coming to an end when the interviewer asks you, “Do you
have any questions for me?”
Never say “no” as this is perhaps the worst response ever given by any interview candidate!
Remember that interviews are not integrations but are business conversations where both the
parties should ask and respond to questions. Coming back to the situation, the best answer for a
fresher is as follows:

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes, I do!”
This is probably your very first chance during the interview, to ask a question. Questioning will
indicate that as a fresher, you came well-prepared for the interview and you are still absorbed in
the conversation.

It will also show that you do take interest in the organization. Make a general list of five
questions about the company and ask them to your interviewer, after all other HR interview
questions and answers are over.

Possible Answer #2:

“How has your journey been so far in this organization? What excites you the most about
working here? How long does it ideally take a person to prove their caliber here? Where is the
organization headed in the next years? What are the next steps of this interview?”

Exercise:
According to you, try to answer these 16 questions briefly as if you are the interviewee (candidate
for the job).