INTERVIEW

GUIDE
WITH SAMPLE ANSWERS

Prepared By :
Ankita Singh Gujjar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankita-singh-gujjar

@ANKITASINGHGUJJAR
I am glad that you want to bag your dream role and are working hard for
it. To make your interview preparation a smooth process, I am sharing
my guide with you. I hope this will ensure that you make a good
impression on your interview panel and bag the role that you always had
your eyes on! Make sure to read the guide carefully. Reading the guide
2-3 times will give you a good idea of how you can tackle the most
common yet difficult questions with ease.

Good Luck!
Q 1. Tell me about Yourself.
The question "Tell me about yourself" is a common question in job interviews, and one that can be difficult
to answer concisely and effectively. Your answer should provide a brief introduction of who you are,
highlighting relevant information such as your relevant work experience, career aspirations, and any
additional skills you possess that set you apart from other candidates.

To answer effectively, begin by stating your full name and the position you are applying for. Briefly explain
where you are currently in your career and which experiences have helped shape and prepare you for the role
you are seeking. You can include both professional experience and relevant accomplishments and include any
relevant certifications or educational background.

Highlight examples of your skills and experiences that demonstrate your qualifications for the position such
as your ability to work independently or collaboratively, your successes in leading or contributing to a project,
your experience in managing a team or in a client-facing role, and any examples of demonstrated technical
expertise. If you have skills or experience that makes you stand out, such as a second language, don't hesitate
to include this in your answer.

Finally, end your response by mentioning why you are passionate about the particular role and why you believe
you will be successful in it.

Sample Answer:

My name is John Doe and I am applying for the position of Financial Analyst. Before this, I worked as an
Investment Associate at a large financial institution, gaining valuable experience in financial reporting and
analysis. I also graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Analytics.

I possess strong technical skills including advanced Excel proficiency, experience in financial modeling and
risk analysis, and the ability to quickly interpret complex financial data. Additionally, I have a proven track
record of leading projects from inception to completion, managing multiple stakeholders across departments.
I am also proficient in Spanish, which gave me the opportunity to work in a bilingual setting during my
previous role.

In my current role, I am seeking an opportunity to grow while leveraging my technical and leadership skills.
I believe that my combination of skills and experience make me an excellent candidate for this role and I am
very excited to be able to bring my knowledge and experience to the table.

Q 2. What is your greatest strength?

Your response should also provide concrete evidence and examples to support your strengths. The best way
to answer this question is to think about the skills and experiences you can bring to the role, and then
explain why you believe these are your greatest strengths.

For instance, you may mention your problem-solving skills, ability to take initiative and drive results, ability
to prioritize tasks and to manage stress and pressure. Additionally, you can also mention experiences that
illustrate your abilities and how you used the relevant skill to benefit your previous work.

Sample Answer:

My greatest strength is my ability to solve complex problems. For example, when I was working at ABC
Company, I was faced with a challenge of finding a cost-effective solution to resolve a supply chain disruption.
I utilized my problem-solving skills and collaborated with stakeholders to create an effective solution that
saved the company thousands of dollars.

Moreover, I am an excellent communicator and I can effectively convey complex ideas and concepts. In my
previous role as a project manager, I successfully coordinated and managed teams spread across various
countries, which demonstrates my strong communication and organizing skills.

Finally, I have an ability to quickly adapt to new environments with ease. My previous work experience in
various companies allowed me to develop a global perspective and have a better understanding of different
cultures, which enabled me to successfully navigate new external environments.

Overall, my combination of problem-solving, communication and organizational skills, along with my ability
to rapidly adapt to new environments, makes me confident that I can make valuable contributions to this role.

Q 3. What is your greatest weakness?

It is a good idea to answer this question honestly, but to focus on a positive side of your weakness. During
an interview, it is important to present yourself in an articulate and professional manner, and this is a great
chance to show a little bit of personality as well.

When answering this question, start by mentioning a weakness that could be seen as a strength in certain
situations. For example, if you talk too much you can mention that you can be very enthusiastic in
conversations, but need to remember to give the other person a chance to speak as well.
The main thing, then, is to explain what you are doing to improve and reduce this weakness. For example,
if you have a tendency to be messy, you can mention that you have implemented systems to keep your
workspace organised, or that you have started to focus your conversations and make sure that every point is
relevant.

Sample answer:

“One of my greatest weaknesses is that I often talk too much, particularly when I am passionate about a topic.
I realise that this can disrupt the conversation, so I am trying to be more conscious of how much I am talking
and focus on listening to others more. I am trying to remain confident but speak only when I know it is in
relevance to the conversation.”

In the end, everyone has weaknesses and it is important to show that you are aware of yours and doing
something to improve them. By tackling the question in this way, you will be able to show positivity and
enthusiasm in your self-evaluation.

Q 4. Why should I hire you?

When responding to the question of why you should be hired, it is important to highlight both your
qualifications and your enthusiasm for the role. Your answer should be concise, engaging, and convincing,
as you are essentially selling yourself to the employer.

Begin by outlining the key skills, strengths, and experiences that make you the ideal fit for the role. Describe
how these skills have been applied in past positions, and how you believe your qualifications can be used to
benefit the company in this role. Additionally, emphasize any unique abilities you possess, such as speaking
other languages, proficient computer skills, a standing offer of certification or degree, and/or specialized
training.

When discussing past work experience, emphasize the positive outcomes of your actions. Explain how you
have succeeded in the past, what challenges you have met with success, and the impact your work had on the
team or organization. Use real-life examples or anecdotes to support your claims, as this will engage the
employer and make you more memorable.

Finally, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Show that you have taken the time to learn
about the company culture, mission and/or vision, and what you can offer to help them achieve their goals.
Make sure to phrase your answers in a positive and motivational light, not just repeating what is stated on your
resume. Demonstrate that your enthusiasm for the job goes beyond just the salary or the position clout, and
that you are truly invested in the company’s success.
Sample Answer:

I believe I am the ideal fit for this position because of my experience in the sales field, my enthusiasm for the
mission of this company, and my aptitude for meeting goals. I have five years of experience in sales and
customer service roles in the tech industry, and I understand what it takes to develop relationships and drive
results for my team. Furthermore, my ability to think out-of-the-box has proven to be effective when
approaching challenging customers or making sales progress.

I have accomplished a lot in my past roles, like implementing a referral program that increased sales by 25%,
and I am confident that I can similarly contribute to this team. I have also done extensive research on this
company, and I am incredibly passionate about the mission and what you are striving to achieve. I believe I
have the right skills and motivation to excel in this role and help you reach your team’s goals.

Q 5. Why do you want to work at our organisation?

When answering a question about why you want to work for an organisation, it is important to be candid,
honest, and demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge of what the organisation has to offer.

Specifically, your answer should focus on why your skills and experience make you an ideal fit for the
organisation. You should concentrate on the great work that the organisation does, the unique challenges
the organisation faces, or the opportunities the position presents.

For example, you could start by talking about how you appreciate the organisation’s commitment to doing
quality work, and how you’d like to be a part of that team. You might then address a unique challenge or
accomplishment that the organisation has achieved, such as launching a new product, entering a new market,
or developing a new technology.

Additionally, if you know the organisation’s stated goals or core values, you can talk about how those
aspirations align with your personal values. For example, if the organisation is focused on sustainability, you
can talk about how meaningful it is for you to contribute to that goal.

Sample answer:

I'm very excited about the possibility of joining your organisation as it is well-known for its high standards
and commitment to excellence. I have always been focused on quality work and I’m drawn to the challenge
of being part of a team of highly motivated, knowledgeable, and experienced professionals. I am also very
interested in the organisation’s stated goals of reducing waste and increasing sustainability, and believe that I
could contribute significantly to that goal. My experience in the industry, my excellent communication and
interpersonal skills, and my commitment to making a difference would be a great asset to the organisation.
Q 6. Where do you want to be in 5 years?

It is important to give a thoughtful, impressive response to the question “Where do you want to be in 5 years?”
in an interview as it can demonstrate your ambition and potential. The interviewer wants to see both a realistic
and aspirational outlook on your goals and career path.

When responding, it is important to show that you have taken the time to reflect on your career objectives and
that you are willing and ready to work towards them. Demonstrating your ability to stay organized and set
achievable goals is important. The specific details of where you want to be in 5 years, however, should not
be too specific; if for example, the company does not have the type of position you are envisioning in 5 years,
it could create unrealistic expectations and underwhelm the interviewer.

To this end, it can be beneficial to focus on the transferable skills and experiences that you want to build
over the next five years. For example, you might want to learn certain job-relevant skills and/or progress to
higher levels of responsibility, such as to a department head or executive position. Furthermore, speaking
about goals such as getting certification, learning a new language or finding a way to network with industry
experts can show the interviewer that you have a forward-thinking mindset and that you would be a great
addition to the team.

Sample Answer:

In the next five years, I'm hoping to be in a role that allows me to build on my current skills as well as develop
new ones. I'm also hoping to have more advanced responsibilities and be able to contribute in meaningful
ways to a team or a project. I'm looking forward to finding ways to get certified in my field and provide value
to the companies I work with. Additionally, I plan to leverage my skills to network with industry leaders and
continue to gain knowledge of the latest trends in my field.

Q 7. Who has inspired you in life and why?

In an interview, answering the question of who has inspired you in life and why is important as it provides an
insight into the empowered individuals in your life. The answer should be expressed in a way that reflects
upon positive traits that have made an impact in your life and the values you possess. It is also a great
opportunity to highlight someone who has motivated you and whose success you have looked up to.

In conclusion, expressing your thoughts with confidence and sincerity on who inspired you in life is essential
in an interview. Frankly speaking about the person that has inspired you and emphasizing on their personal
values and characteristics is a great way to leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. Moreover, it also
showcases your own principles and gives appreciation to the person who may have unknowingly had an
immense impact on you.

Sample Answer:

My greatest source of inspiration is my mother. She has always taught me to be a strong, independent and
brave woman. Despite having faced a number of struggles throughout her life, my mom has worked hard and
never given up on her dreams and her inspirations. She is also highly dedicated to her friends and family and
puts her entire heart into whatever she does. Whenever faced with a difficult situation, she is the one person
who I turn to for advice and encouragement. Having grown up with her guidance, everything I have achieved
in life is a result of the values she has passed down to me. She is my role model and I aspire to be like her one
day.

Q 8. What are your outside interests/hobbies?

An interviewer may ask "what are your interests and hobbies" in an interview to better understand the
candidate's personality and lifestyle outside of work. This question can add an extra layer of insight into the
candidate's work motivation, long-term goals, and interests.

A good response will highlight relevant hobbies and interests that are useful in the workplace.

For example, an interviewer may word the question as "Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy?"

Sample Answer:

I am an avid reader and particularly enjoy business-related topics as well as personal development books. I
like to stay informed on the latest industry trends so I can assess how they might impact my work. I also like
to stay active and enjoy running, playing basketball, and swimming. As a big passion of mine, I volunteer
regularly with a local animal shelter to provide care and advocacy for animals in need.

This answer would give the interviewer a glimpse of your personality, interests, and values. It shows the
candidate is goal-oriented, professionally-minded, health-conscious, and gives back to the community.

In summary, the answer to the question "what are your interests and hobbies" should focus on activities that
give insight to the candidate's work ethic and values, as well as those that show the person is actively trying
to improve themselves.

Q 9. What was the toughest challenge you have ever faced?

One way to answer this question is to identify a recent challenge you faced and explain the steps you took
to resolve the issue. Firstly, provide some context behind the challenge and the environment in which it arose.
Then, explain the steps you took to analyse the issue and formulate a plan of action. Here, show the analytical
skills and problem-solving techniques you used and how you have overcome obstacles along the way. Finally,
emphasize how you managed to bring the situation to a successful resolution and what you learned from this
experience that could be transferable to the new job.

Sample Answer:

The toughest challenge I have ever faced was rebuilding a failing marketing project at my previous job. The
project had started off with a lot of promise and investment, but it was beginning to fail due to a lack of
marketing focus and resources. I identified this situation and used my project management skills to step in and
refocus the mission. I met with key stakeholders and outlined a new course of action that would help the
project reach the original goals. I was also able to resource more resources and adjust the budget to ensure
success. Ultimately, I’m proud to have been able to successfully turn the project around and we achieved all
of the targets. This experience allowed me to hone my project management skills, as well as take responsibility
for the success of a project and use my problem solving skills to identify and address the challenges.

Q 10. Is there anything else I should know about you?

The question "Is there anything else I should know about you?" is a common question in interviews and can
be difficult to answer because you may not be sure what exactly the interviewer would like to know.

The best approach for this question is to provide a brief summary of what makes you an excellent candidate
for the job. You should provide an overview of your strengths, such as your technical knowledge, work ethic
and communication skills. You can also mention some of your qualifications, certifications and awards,
if they are relevant to the role. Additionally, you can discuss any highly relevant experiences or skills you
have acquired outside of the workplace.

You can also use this opportunity to emphasize how passionate you are about the organization or industry.
Talk about what specific elements of the organization you are excited about and how you aim to contribute to
the organization's success.
Finally, explain why you believe you are the right fit for the role. Show enthusiasm and explain how you are
passionate about the role and its responsibilities.

Sample answer:

In addition to my technical skills, qualifications, and relevant work experience, I believe I can offer my
enthusiasm and dedication to the role. I am excited about joining this organization and the specific elements
that set it apart from its competitors. I take my responsibilities seriously and have an eager interest to learn. I
care deeply about what I do, and I love working in a team to create something great. I believe my hard work
and commitment will be an asset to your organization and I am confident I have the skills and qualities that
you are looking for.