HR Interview Questions

1)Tell me about yourself?

2) Why are you applying for this job? (or)

Why this role attract you?

3) Would you like to work overtime or odd hours?

4) What is more important to you: the money or the work?

5) What do you know about this organization?

6) Why did you leave your last job?

7) Why should we hire you?

8) What are your salary expectations?

9) Assume you are hired, then how long would you expect to work for us?

10) How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10?

11) What are your achievements in life?

13) What are your strengths?

14) What are your weaknesses?

15) What are your hobbies?

16) Explain, how would you be an asset to this organization?

17) Would you lie for the company?

18) Are you applying for other jobs also?

19) How do you get to know about our company?

20) What does success mean to you?

21) Describe yourself in one word?

22) What is the difference between confidence and overconfidence?

23) What is the difference between smart work and hard work?
24) Just imagine that you have enough money to retire right now. Would you?

25) Don't you think that you are overqualified for this position?

26) Do you have any blind spot?

27) How do you handle stress, pressure, and anxiety?

28) What is the disappointment in your life?

29) What makes you angry?

30) What was the most difficult decision you have made in your past life?

31) How did you know about this position/ vacancy?

32) What gets you up in the morning?

33) What is your favorite book?

34) As you said, internet surfing is your hobby. Which site do you surf mostly?

35) What was the biggest mistake of your life?

36) Do you have any reference?

37) How do you deal with an angry or irritated customer?

38) How do you deal with an angry or irritated customer?

39) What is your greatest fear?

40) Explain the difference between group and team?

41) What will you do if you don't get this position?

42) What is the success for you?

43) Would you like to relocate or travel for the company?

44) What makes you happy?

45) Is there anything which makes you different from other candidates?

46) Describe the three things that are most important for you in a job?

47) What are your expectations from the company?

48) On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer?

49) Who is your role model? What have you incorporated into your life from him/her?

50) Do you have any questions for me?

51) How are you today?

52) What motivates you?

53)Why do you want to leave your present job? /Why are you looking for a job change?

54) If needed, would you be willing to relocate for this job?

55)Do you consider yourself a team player?

56)Do you have any serious medical issues that we should know?

57) What is your work ethic?

58)How do you deal with criticism?

59)Suppose you win a lottery now that ensures you are set for life. Would you still work, or
would you quit?

60) Do you think you are overqualified for this job role?

61)Would you rather be liked or feared?

62)What sets you apart from other candidates?

63) In the past year, what steps have you taken toward upskilling?

64) Are you good at time management?

65)Tell me about the gap in your resume.

66) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

67) How did you handle disagreements with your manager?

68) Tell me how you will handle it if suddenly the priorities of a project were changed?

69)What would you do if you were working under a bad boss?

70) What do you think is an ideal work environment?

71) What is your dream company like?

72) How long do you think you will be working for us if you are hired?
73) If you were reborn as an animal, what animal would you want to be?
 HR Interview Questions and Answers
1)Tell me about yourself?

This is the most famous question for an interviewer and also most difficult to answer this
question for the candidate. This question puts all the pressure on the candidate, and the
interviewer relax.

You should alert enough to answer this question. You should start with an easy and confident
tone and answer in a proper manner. It should not be scripted. Always remember, you are not
giving the interview to a robot so your articulation, your pronunciation of each word should be
clear and confident.

A good way:

Analyze your interviewer interests.

Express your most important accomplishments first.

Possible Answer 1

"Good morning/afternoon/evening" sir/mam.

First of all, thank you for giving me this opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Ajeet Kumar.

As far as my education qualification is concerned, I have done MBA with finance stream from
Srivenkateswara university in Emerald's P. G. College, Tirupathi, in the year of 2014.

I had completed B.tech from N.I.T Jaipur in 2012.

I had completed my schooling from G.I.C. Allahabad.

As far as concerned my family, I belong to a middle-class family. My father is a Businessman,

and my Mother is a homemaker. My brother is preparing for civil services.

I am good in programming languages C, C++, and Java and very much interested in HTML,
CSS, ASP. Net and SQL.

My strength is self-confidence, positive attitude, hard work.

My weakness is: I can easily believe every one.

My hobbies are: Watching news channels, Playing volleyball, Listening to music.

Possible Answer 2

"Good morning/afternoon/evening" sir/mam, it's my pleasure to introduce myself. I am Anshika

Bansal. I belong to Meerut. I have done my B.Tech in CSE from Lovely Professional University.

While coming to my family members, there are 4 members including me. My father is a doctor,
and any mother is a teacher. My younger sister will appear her 12th CBSE board exam this year.

Now coming to me, I am sweet smart, confident, and hardworking person. I am a cool hearted
person, so usually see every difficulty with a positive side and keep myself always smiling which
makes me stronger even more.

I can carry out any task assigned to me without hesitation.

My hobbies are dancing, Internet surfing, playing Chess, listening to music, watching the news
channel. In my spare time, I like to read news on my phone and traveling to my hometown.

Thank you for giving this opportunity to introduce myself.

Possible Answer 3

"Good morning/afternoon/evening" sir/mam, it's my pleasure to introduce myself. I am Anshika

Bansal. I belong to Meerut. I have done my B.Tech in CSE from Lovely Professional University.

I am carrying 5 years of experience at top Wall Street Companies. In my recent company, I led
the development of an award-winning new trading platform. I can survive in a fastpaced
environment.

Now I am looking for a chance to apply my technical expertize and my creative problemsolving
skills at an innovative software company like yours.

2) Why are you applying for this job? (or)

Why this role attract you?

By this question, the interviewer wants to know that:

o If you fully understand what the job entails

o How well you might match their requirement

o What appeals to you most about this job

Before answering this question, take your own time an answer in the way that convinces the
interviewer. Explain your qualities according to the above-stated points.
Possible Answer 1

I have applied for this vacancy because it is an excellent match for my skills and experience.
This role is exactly the sort of role I am currently targeting, and I am confident I will be able to
make a major contribution.

Possible Answer 2

Sir, it's a great privilege to work in a reputed company like yours. When I read about your
requirement, I found that my skills are matching with them. Through this role, I can show my
technical skills to contribute to the company growth.

3) Would you like to work overtime or odd hours?

You should become very honest to answer this question. Don't tell a lie or compromise to get the
job only. If you don't have any problem, you can answer like this:

I know that in the company being asked to work for an extended number of hours comes with a
good reason, so I am ok with it. It an extra effort means I am doing something for the company,
I'll be happy to do it.

4) What is more important to you: the money or the work?

This is a very tricky question. The work should always be more important than the money. This
frame of mind is good for you(at least at the time of interview).

Possible Answer 1

"Money is always important, but the work is most important for me."

Possible Answer 2

"I would say that work is more important. If we work and achieve Company goals then
obviously money would follow. I believe work to be prior."

Possible Answer 3

"Work is more important for me. Working just for money may not be fulfilled if I don't feel
satisfied with my job. My work makes me stay productive, and money would naturally come
along well."

Possible Answer 4

"I think money probably matters to me about as much as it does to anyone. It's vital and
necessary for us to live and prosper but, at the same time, it's not my single most important
driving force. I believe that money is rewarded for work."
5) What do you know about this organization?

You should fully aware of that organization where you are going for an interview, so check the
history, present structure and working style of that organization. Check the company's website,
Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn pages to gather the information.

Possible Answer 1

We all know that it is one of the fastest growing infrastructure company in India. The facilities
provided to the employee is best. People feel proud to be the part of your company as the
company provides full support to their employees in professional front. The working
environment of this company is decent. It has crossed the branches in the world also. And I was
in search of this type of company.

Possible Answer 2

We all know that this company is India's no.1 company for development. I was delighted to see
on your company website that your employees are talking about how great it is to work for your
company. Now these days, so many people seem to hate the company where they work for one
reason or another. It's great to see that your employees are proud to talk about how much they
love their company and jobs.

6) Why did you leave your last job?

You should be very careful with this question. Avoid trashing other employers and making a
statement like "I need more money". Instead of this, you can say that:

Sir, it's a career move. I have learned a lot from my last job, but now I am looking for new
challenges to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set.

7) Why should we hire you?

Tell your qualifications and highlight that points which makes you unique.

Possible Answer 1

"I believe that everyone starts with a beginning, I need a platform to prove my abilities and
skills. I think your company is the right place to explore my abilities. I need to be a part of your
growth. I will do my level best."

Possible Answer 2

"As a fresher, I need a platform to prove my ability. If I will be a part of your company, I'll put
my effort and strength to uplift your company. None is born with experience, and if you hire me,
I will get professional experience through your company."
Possible Answer 3

"Sir, as I am a fresher, I have theoretical knowledge, but I need a platform where I can
implement my knowledge in the practical field. I am ensuring you that I will put all my efforts
for the good progress of the organization. As a fresher, I have no preset mind regarding work
culture in an organization, and this will help me to adapt the working culture of your company
very easily. Being punctual and regular, I can finish the work giving to me on time and try my
best to fulfill all the needs of the company."

Possible Answer 4

"I have a good experience in that particular field (field of your specialization), and I think my
talents will be a big contribution to the continuing pursuit of excellence of your company."

8) What are your salary expectations?

Don't ask your salary in exact numbers, instead of this show your commitment to the job itself.

Possible Answer 1

I am more interested in the role than the pay, and I expect to be paid appropriate money for this
role based on my experience. As you also know that the high cost of living here in Delhi.

Possible Answer 2

As I am fresher, Salary is not an issue for me. Learning and gaining experience is my major
priority. As your company is one of the most reputed company, I just accept the salary offered by
you is the best in the industry.

Possible Answer 3

As of now, I haven't thought much about it. I am more focused on learning the requirements for
this position that I am applying for.

9) Assume you are hired, then how long would you expect to work for us?

Possible Answer 1

"I will do my best for the growth of your company as long as I have the career growth, job
satisfaction, respect and a healthy environment, then I don't need to change my company."

Possible Answer 2

"I will work with the company as long as my presence benefits the company and I get ample
opportunity to grow and develop both professionally and monetarily."
Possible Answer 3

"Everyone looks for a bright future, healthy work environment, good salary, job satisfaction and
I am pretty sure that your company gives such things, so I don't need to change the company."

Possible Answer 4

"I will work with the company as long as my presence benefits both the company and mine in
parallel. So your company gains good results, and I can be in a good position to improve my
skills."

10) How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10?

Possible Answer 1

I will rate myself 8 out of 10 because I would never like to think that there should be a room left
for putting in more efforts. That thought will create an interest in learning the things. Thank you
very much for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

Possible Answer 2

I will answer this question based on some parameters. As far as hard work is concerned, I will
rate myself as 8 because there should always be a scope to increase our skills which will create
an interest in learning the things. When it comes to creativity, I would like to rate myself as 9. In
the past, I have designed banners and brochures which were appreciated by the clients. To talk
about patience, I will tag myself with 6 because I am an entry-level professional. Same as
personal life, even professional life needs more experience for more patience. That is probably
why in most companies, senior management looks more patient than entry level or even middle
level. Overall, I would rate myself as 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.

11) What are your achievements in life?

This question may also be asked that what are your biggest achievements? Or what are you most
proud of?

You should discuss only work-related achievements. Try to pick a recent achievement.

Possible Answer 1

"My greatest achievement so far in my career would probably be winning the Manager of the
Year award last year."

Possible Answer 2

"My biggest accomplishment is overcoming my fear of failure. It gives me a complete sense of

living and makes me more confident."
Possible Answer 3

"I experienced my greatest achievement when I worked as a website manager for an

entertainment outlet. My team was under pressure and the website was struggling at the time,
and I was tasked with forming a strategy to increase traffic.

12) What is your objective in life?

Your answer should be realistic and practical.

Possible Answer 1

"My short-term goal is to work in a reputed organization like yours where I can enhance my
technical skills and knowledge. My long-term goal is to see the company at a topmost position
where I am one of the people responsible for that."

Possible Answer 2

"My goal is to become a successful person and make my family proud of me."

13) What are your strengths?

You should always remember that even if your strength is not business related, find a way to
relate it to work. Tell your positive points related to the job.

Possible Answer 1

My main strengths are the ability to use my initiative to take on challenges. I am always
proactive at what I do, and that keeps my mind stimulated and focused.

Possible Answer 2

My greatest strengths would be my intelligence and thoughtfulness. I believe that in every work
environment you need to process every step and be detailed in your work.

Possible Answer 3

My time management skills are excellent, and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride in
excelling at my work.

Possible Answer 4

I always understand the value of time, and I am always able to innovate. I listen to advice from
others.
Possible Answer 5

My greatest strength is my ability to focus on my work. I'm not easily distracted, and this means
that my performance is very high.

Possible Answer 6

My biggest strength is my Confidence. Apart from that, I am Hardworking, self-motivated with a

positive attitude towards my career and my life. If I have a problem, then I think its an
opportunity for me to express my ability.

14) What are your weaknesses?

Everyone has weaknesses so while answering this question don't spend so much time on this.
This question is generally asked to know how honest you are with yourself. State one or two
minor weaknesses and try to relate it works. (avoid saying "I work too hard" it is a very common
answer). Don't pretend you don't have weaknesses and don't avoid answering the question.

Possible Answer 1

You can say, "I used to be very disorganized, always forgetting assignments and birthdays. But I
managed to work out a computerized system of to-do lists and reminders that keep me on top of
everything."

Possible Answer 2

"I am a straightforward person, and I cannot say no when someone asks me for help."

15) What are your hobbies?

It totally depends on you what you like and what hobbies do you have but always justify your
answer.

For Example:

My hobbies are dancing, Internet surfing, playing Chess, listening to music, watching the news
channel. In my spare time, I like to read news on my phone and traveling to my hometown.
Thank you for giving this opportunity to introduce myself.

16) Explain, how would you be an asset to this organization?

While answering this question, don't merely say that you are hard working, dedicated, punctual,
etc. because these are not assets, these are the responsibility that management wants. Off course
these are positive words and has a lot of meaning for you as well as for the company. Actually,
these qualities make you an asset for the company after getting experience.
Possible Answer 1

"To become an asset for an organization, we have to punctual, dedicated, quickly adapt of the
environment and positive working attitude I have all of these qualities so I will prove an asset for
this company."

Possible Answer 2

"As I'm a fresher, I'll be passionate about my work, and if given a chance I'll be ready to expose
myself into different sectors of work into the industry, and would be faithful to the company
always."

Possible Answer 3

"My skill in XYZ company is outstanding. I have earned a lot of certificates and awards from
my past employers. As an employee, I can handle pressure with ease and can work with minimal
supervision."

17) Would you lie for the company?

You should answer this question in a very diplomatic manner.

Possible Answer 1

"It depends on the situation if my lie creates a positive impact on the company and It was useful
for many people, then I will lie."

Possible Answer 2

"Probably I would say no for a lie. But if condition persists that my lie will help thousands of
persons and it is not giving any impact to other persons, then I will agree with the lie. My one lie
results lot of success and happiness without hurting others rights then I expect to do this."

18) Are you applying for other jobs also?

This question has a very specific purpose. The interviewer wants to know that if the candidate
admits that he has applied to other places or gives a canned answer. Or what the candidate think
about their company.

You should never claim that you did not apply to other company. Despite this, you can say that –

As you know, I would like to work as a software developer. Beyond your company, I have also
applied to XYZ company and ABC company. This answer is more specific.
19) How do you get to know about our company?

The interviewer should not lie while answering such questions. Because an interviewer is a
brilliant person and they can detect it if you are lying.

For Example

I get to know about your company from several online websites

20) What does success mean to you?

Possible Answer 1

If I feel I am making a difference working with a team of people to make a more profitable
company. It is a success for me.

Possible Answer 2

If I put a smile on someone face and make him happy, it is a success for me.

21) Describe yourself in one word?

This question is asked to the candidate to judge how spontaneous and explaining he is. If he uses
a word, he must be able to explain that word and also represent himself according to that word.

These are some positive words. You can use it but be sure that you are judging with the word.

Original, genuine, logical, incredible, focused, curious, active, quick, balanced, achiever, etc.

22) What is the difference between confidence and overconfidence?

Confidence is based on facts and knowledge, and overconfidence is based on speculation. There
is a small difference between confidence and overconfidence. Yes, I can do this work is self-
confidence. But only I can do this work is overconfidence.

Or you can say that: confidence is an internal belief that I am a right person for this job and
overconfidence is thought that I am only the right person for this job.

23) What is the difference between smart work and hard work?

The difference between smart work and hard work are as follows:

Smart work and hard work are related to each other. Without being a hard worker, we can't be a
smart worker. Smart work comes from the hard work. That means everyone has to specialize in
his work to become a smart worker. So, all of us have to do hard work to achieve smart work.

So hard work increases your accuracy, and smart work increases accuracy as well as efficiency.
24) Just imagine that you have enough money to retire right now. Would you?

If your answer is YES, you are surely get FAILED.

You can say that

: "No sir, I don't think so. I am a professional, and I love my work, so there is no question to
leave my work. Yes, it may be that I would take a break to spend quality time with my family."

25) Don't you think that you are overqualified for this position?

This is trick of the interviewer to trap you and judge how boasting you are?

So, be alert to answer this question and don't even hint to the interviewer that you are
overqualified although you are.

This is a good answer:

"I think I am qualified for this post because I am just a beginner and have lots more to learn. I
think qualification is not only a matter of theoretical knowledge or results; it also depends on
practical knowledge and learning. When I get practical knowledge, I will consider myself just a
well-qualified not overqualified. Because learning never ends."

26) Do you have any blind spot?

It is a trick question. So don't specify your actual weaknesses. Instead of this try to show you are
very team oriented

For example:

"I would say everyone has blind spots and I would too that's why I believe in teamwork because
when you are a team, you can point out the blind spots of other people, and they will also do the
same for you."

Note: "don't admit failure as a blind spot. Failure is not a blind spot."

27) How do you handle stress, pressure, and anxiety?

It is a typical interview question asked to judge how you handle the job stress and pressure.

Possible Answer 1

I believe in working in a planned way and finishing my work regularly. I always react to
situations, rather than to stress. In this way, I handle the situation and don't take the stress.
Possible Answer 2

I go to the gym regularly and do work out. In this way, I remove my stress. I believe that
physical exercise is a great stress reducer.

28) What is the disappointment in your life?

This question is asked to judge, what type of situations make you uncomfortable and
disappointed. While answering this question, don't just say your disappointment. Instead of this,
you should include what you learn from that incident.

Possible Answer 1:

The greatest disappointment in my life so far as when my laptop had stolen, and I had lost all my
important data. I remember that I had to work hard for the next 10 days to redo all my work to
make sure to submit on time."

Possible Answer 2:

If you did not face any disappointment in your life "Sir, I don't feel that I have faced such type of
situation."

29) What makes you angry?

You should always answer this question in a manner that suits both your personality and
management too.

"Sir, I am not a short-tempered person, but I feel a bit of annoyance when someone disturbs me
in my work without a genuine reason. Although I am an even-tempered person, when I get
angry, I try to channel my negative feeling in my work."

30) What was the most difficult decision you have made in your past life?

This question is asked to judge your decision-making capabilities. The interviewer wants to
know, how you take a decision in tough times.

Possible Answer 1

After completing my graduation, the toughest decision is whether to go for higher studies or do a
job. Then I chose the job because getting trained is better than educated and it was also the
demand of that time.

Possible Answer 2

My toughest decision was to take admission in B.tech. I belong to a middle-class family, and my
father was not in favor of taking admission, but I convinced him, and today he is very happy.
Possible Answer 3

Before some time when I had to choose between joining a group of employees protesting some
issue, and staying away from the issue. I ended up being a mediator between our immediate
supervisor and employees, and I am glad I made that decision because it all ended well and
without further conflicts in the company.

31) How did you know about this position/ vacancy?

Just tell the source from where you got the information about this post. If the interviewer asks,
what you know about this position or what appeals you most in this position?

Then you can add:

I have carefully studied both the job description and the person specification, so I am fully
aware of the duties and responsibilities of this role.

32) What gets you up in the morning?

It is my promise that gets up me in the morning. My promise is to learn something new and
someone in need. It provides me the satisfaction that I am making a difference in someone life.

33) What is your favorite book?

This question is asked to judge your taste about reading books. The interviewer wants to know
what types of book you like. Would you fit for the company culture?

Answer this question according to your sense, your knowledge about the book. Only named the
books you have really read. You should choose something from a reputable author that your
interviewer has probably heard of.

34) As you said, internet surfing is your hobby. Which site do you surf mostly?

This is your choice that which sites you surf most, but while answering this question always
refers to sites which are relevant to your field of job. Don't take the name of social networking
sites or other irrelevant sites.

35) What was the biggest mistake of your life?

At the time of answering this question, you should choose a story containing not too many
mistakes. It should be real.

Talk about the mistake, but it is also important to convince the interviewer that you never make
the same mistake again.
For example:

I think the worst mistake I ever made at work was in my first ever job - five years ago now. A
more senior member of the team seemed to take an instant dislike to me from the start, and one
day she was particularly unpleasant to me in front of several colleagues.

Later on, I was talking to one of those colleagues who was, I thought, attempting to console me.
Angry and hurt, I foolishly vented my feelings and told her what I thought of the lady in
question. I was naturally shocked to find out that she went on to tell everyone what I had said
and this certainly didn't help my relationship with the team member who was causing me
problems.

Rather than let the situation carry on, I chose to have a quiet word with this lady to find out what
her problem was with me and to see if we could put it behind us. It turned out it was nothing
personal; she just resented the fact that a friend of hers had also been interviewed for my position
and had been turned down. Once we had got matters out into the air, her behavior changed, and
we got on quite well after that. However, I certainly learned a lot from experience. I learned that
careful communication is vital in managing interpersonal relationships and that if I have a
problem with someone, it's always best to talk it over with them rather than with someone else.

36) Do you have any reference?

This question has just two answers, YES or NO. If you know anyone from that company, say
YES, otherwise NO.

37) How do you deal with an angry or irritated customer?

Possible Answer 1

I would try to find out exactly what the problem was, and evaluate if there was something I
could do to make it right.

Possible Answer 2

I would ask the customer to explain his problem and carefully listen to him. After that, I do my
best to solve his problem. If that problem is not regarding my work area, I spoke to someone who
could help him immediately.

38) How do you deal with an angry or irritated customer?

Possible Answer 1

I would try to find out exactly what the problem was, and evaluate if there was something I
could do to make it right.
Possible Answer 2

I would ask the customer to explain his problem and carefully listen to him. After that, I do my
best to solve his problem. If that problem is not regarding my work area, I spoke to someone who
could help him immediately.

39) What is your greatest fear?

Possible Answer 1

Before some time, public speaking has been a challenge for me. I was very nervous and hesitate
while giving any presentation, so I started taking public speaking seminars to improve it. Now, I
still get nervous before pitches, but I have learned how to remain calm and get the job done right.

Possible Answer 2

As you know that I have never worked in my life and this is my first job, my inexperience is my
weakness. But I beg to differ. I am confident and a fast learner. I assure you that I will perform
my job without carrying any pre-conceived notions regarding how I feel.

40) Explain the difference between group and team?

The difference between group and team are as follows:

There is only one difference between the group and the team. That is unity. Any set of people
who stand together without any purpose or goal can be called as Group. Whereas, when more
than 2 people work towards a common goal, can be called as a Team.

For example:

If you assign work to a group, then the work will be divided between the members and each
member will work out their part, without any coordination with the other members of the group.
On the other hand, if you assign a project to a team, they will collectively take the responsibility
and work together with the goal to achieve the desired result. In a team, the members will
cooperate and coordinate with each other at all times.

41) What will you do if you don't get this position?

Possible Answer 1

I have high hopes that I will be selected. In case if I will not select, I will continue to look for
another job in the same field that will fit my schedule and goals.
Possible Answer 2

If I don't get this job, I will use this experience to reflect my weakness and try my best to
improve on them for the future opportunities along the way.

42) What is the success for you?

Success refers to the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

43) Would you like to relocate or travel for the company?

Firstly, you need to understand the purpose of this question. The fresher candidate does not say
YES at once. This will only show your desperation to this job. You can answer like this:

Possible Answer 1

I will definitely consider traveling if the opportunity is appropriate, rewarding and feasible. I
don't think that I will have any problem with the traveling involved.

Possible Answer 2

Yes, as part of growing up. I used to travel a lot as my father is an ex-serviceman hence
occasionally he used to be posted throughout the country. Though I would prefer my city as it is
my birthplace and all my friends and relatives are there, but at the same time, I am ok with
relocating.

44) What makes you happy?

I feel happy when I accomplished my task. I also feel happy when I achieved my goals. Holiday
with my family and friends also makes me happy.

45) Is there anything which makes you different from other candidates?

It is good to start with a disclaimer that you are not aware of the strengths of the other candidate.
Also, you sure that some impressive candidates apply for this position.

Possible Answer 1

Although, I am not familiar with the others whom you are interviewing for this position. I am
sure many talented people applying for the job. But because of my background and the
problemsolving skills, I considered myself to be a strong candidate for this position.

Possible Answer 2

I understand that success is not always guaranteed but there is still hope, and I never lose the
faith, whether I succeed or not. I think this power makes me stand alone from all other
candidates.
Possible Answer 3

I have exceptional organizational skills. In my last job, I created a project which was termed as
quite creative by the clients. I think my technical skills make me stand alone from all other
candidates.

46) Describe the three things that are most important for you in a job?

Possible Answer 1

According to me, Honesty, Loyalty, and determination to achieve my team's target are the three
important things in a job.

Possible Answer 2

According to me, Professionalism, growth and a healthy work-life balance are the three
important things in a job.

47) What are your expectations from the company?

Though this answer is objective and can be different for different persons, but you should be
positive in your thoughts and do not say many things about the company which gives the
interviewer an illusion that you are exaggerating. In short, be realistic and precise.

For Example

I have always wanted to work with an organization which provides a very comfortable and
home like work environment. I would like to work in the company where I can get the
opportunity to learn and enhance my skill to become a better professional in the future.

48) On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer?

Possible Answer 1

Sir, I'm not in the position to rate you as an interviewer. Anyway, I'm not going to disappoint
you. As an interviewer you've fulfilled your job, So, I can give you 10 out of 10. But I'll give you
9/10 as there should always be a scope to increase our skills which will create an interest in
learning the things. Thank you very much for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

Possible Answer 2

Thank you for giving me such an opportunity, but for sure I am not the person to rate you. As it
is obvious that your position is highly reputed and you have been chosen to undergo this process
that shows your excellence at this place, but still I have to answer this question so honestly, it
would be 9/10 as no one is perfect and we always leave room for improvement.
49) Who is your role model? What have you incorporated into your life from him/her?

You should think of people who embody the qualities that you most admire.

For Example

The role model of my life is my mother. Whenever I am down my mother helps me to push my
limits, and she always keeps me on the track. She was scolding me whenever I do something
wrong. She is everything for me, I still got inspired from her, how she manages every problem in
every situation.

50) Do you have any questions for me?

It's your turn now. If you get such an opportunity, you may ask questions like that:

Possible Answer 1

Thank you for giving me this opportunity. After my overall performance till now if I got selected
what I need to improve and if I'm not selected how can I succeed further. Can you give any
advice sir?

Possible Answer 2

First of all thank you very much, for being so much polite & friendly to me throughout the
session, that I can express myself so easily. Can you please tell me that what are the qualities you
are expecting from fresher like us & I want to know, if am selected, then what should I improve
before I join your company, if I am not selected, your opinion will help me to the upcoming
interview

51) How are you today?

HRs usually ask this question to set the mood and environment for the interview. No matter what
your day’s experience has been, it would help if you positively answered this question with a
smile on your face. Keep your answer short and simple, like:

“I am doing great, thank you. It’s good to be here.”

52) What motivates you?

This is a straightforward question that demands an honest and inspired answer. When you
answer, stick to things like job satisfaction, achieving your career goals, becoming a valuable
part of the team, sharpening your professional skills, and excitement for new challenges, as the
primary motivators for excelling in your professional life.

You can also mention money, but make sure you keep it towards the end
– it should not come off as your primary motivating factor. Never brag about material things
while answering this question.

Below are two examples to help you understand what the interviewer expects to hear from
you:

“I’m a very passionate person, and passion is my strongest motivator that continues to push me
to become a better version of myself. When it comes to working, I believe that great results will
follow if I put in the commitment, dedication, and patience in whatever I do. Working as a part
of a team excites me. The thrill of being able to create something valuable motivates me to work
harder.”

“My greatest motivation is to become the best version of what I can be. It excites me to exceed
my expectations and accomplish tangible results. I love to be productive and achieve milestones.
This gives me a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. Learning new things and completing new
challenges also motivates me to go the extra mile.”

53)Why do you want to leave your present job? /Why are you looking for a job change?

One of the most common HR interview questions, this question is mainly directed towards
experienced professionals. Whatever your reason be for a job change, be it a bad working
environment or low salary package at your current company, do not divulge such information.
Do not talk negatively about your present employer – it will put you in a bad light. Instead, keep
it very professional.

You could say something like this:

“Sir/Ma’am, I feel like I’ve learned all that I possibly could in my present organization, and now,
I’m looking for something different. I want to explore new avenues and am more than willing to
take on challenging roles.”

“I feel like it’s time to expand my horizons. I’ve been with my present organization for quite
some time, and while I’m grateful for all that I’ve learned there, I want to go beyond my current
role. And I feel that your company is the perfect place for me to challenge myself and push my
limits.”

54) If needed, would you be willing to relocate for this job?

With this question, the interviewer wants to know if you can take up field jobs and tasks that
require extensive traveling. Do not say “Yes” straightaway – build your answer. It will only
make you look desperate. If you have familial obligations to stay at your location, make sure to
state it honestly. Understand the tone of your interviewer and answer diplomatically, like this:
 “I will certainly like to travel if the opportunity presents itself and is rewarding for my career at
your company. I think work-related travels are excellent for exploring new places, new business
opportunities, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.”

If you are inclined to travel, you could say:

“Yes, I would be willing to travel/relocate to new locations. I love traveling, and I think going to
new places will be a delightful experience for me.”

55)Do you consider yourself a team player?

By this question, the interviewer asks whether you can work and collaborate with others in an
organization. So, answer this question positively. Your answer should make the interviewer
believe that you will fit in well with the team they assign you to and contribute to the company
individually and as a part of the team.

Here’s what you can say:

“Yes, I do consider myself as an excellent team player. I’ve been lucky enough to work both as
an individual contributor and as a part of the XYZ team in my present organization. So, I am
fully aware of what each role demands of me. When given a task, I can handle it well with
minimal supervision, and I can also work seamlessly within any team. As part of a team, I
always keep communication lines open and am always ready to help my teammates wherever I
can. know that collaboration is often the key to innovation and success, and I’m perfectly
comfortable with working in a team environment.”

“Yes, I am. Right now, I’m working as an independent contributor to my present company.
However, I’ve worked with my colleagues on numerous projects, and my transition into the team
structure happens quite naturally. I like being a part of the team as it allows me to open up to
new ideas and explore new avenues while working on different projects.”

56)Do you have any serious medical issues that we should know?

This is a crucial question that often makes it to most HR interviews. Interviewers ask this
question to understand if you are suffering from any severe or life-threatening illness that
hampers your productivity. When you answer this question, only mention serious conditions like
cancer, epilepsy, heart diseases, etc. Also, expectant mothers must disclose if they are pregnant.
Such conditions must be declared in the first instance to avoid any problems at the workplace in
the future.

If you do not have any severe issues that are worth considering at this point, do not stretch your
answer. Say the needful without mentioning too many details of your health status. Remember
that any kind of harmful exaggeration here may cause HRs to assume that you’ll have a bad
attendance record. You can end up losing a good job opportunity, and even if you get the job,
you might miss out on travel opportunities. Keep your answer brief and simple:

“Sir/Ma’am, I’m perfectly fit, and as of now, I haven’t been diagnosed with any serious illness or
medical condition. While the occasional fever and flu aren’t strangers to me, I try to keep myself
as fit and healthy as I can.”

57) What is your work ethic?

HRs usually ask this question to judge what kind of an employee you will be and if you are a
professional through and through. This question aims to divulge if a candidate is disciplined,
organized, and well-behaved. While answering this question, focus on your core strengths and
posit them as your work ethic, like so:

Though I’m a fresher, I’ve always been organized and planned with my schedule. Even during
my academic days, I was a very disciplined student. I like planning my schedule and follow it
diligently. My aim as a professional is always to deliver quality work within due time. I believe
no job is menial and that all tasks should be given equal importance.”

“To be honest, my work ethic lies in my diligence, commitment, and passion for my work. So
far, in my professional life, I’ve worked dedicatedly to never miss a deadline without
compromising my work quality. I believe that teamwork and collaboration go a long way into
creating a healthy work environment.”

58)How do you deal with criticism?

This question aims to judge your attitude toward feedback or criticism and how you react to
feedback. The key to answering this question is to make the interviewer understand that you’re
open to constructive criticism and feedback. While you should exude confidence, you should
never come off as a stubborn or ignorant person who cannot take input in any form. You can say
something like this:

“Sir/Ma’am, I know that I’m not perfect. I’m still learning. Naturally, I make mistakes, but I feel
that I can learn from my mistakes. I’ve always been enthusiastic about learning new things and
acquiring new skills. If anyone offers me constructive feedback or criticism, I’ll surely consider
it and try to better myself. If you have a piece of advice for me that can benefit me and my work,
I’ll make sure to keep it with me moving forward.”

“Over the years in my professional experience, I’ve learned how to turn criticism into positive
insights that I can use in my daily life. If ever I’m wrong and I’m criticized, I understand that I’m
at fault. In such instances, I always try to rectify myself. I feel that I’m flexible and mature
enough to handle criticism, both positive and negative.”

59)What would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10?

As a rule of thumb, do not convey the message that you are completely perfect and that there’s
no scope for improvement anymore. The trick is not to sound overconfident but also keep
yourself in the good graces of the interviewer:

“On a scale of 1 to 10, I will rate myself an 8. The reason for this is because I know that I’m not
perfect. There’s always room for improvement and upskilling. I believe this is pivotal to
improving both personally and professionally. One should have the interest to learn and grow.
So, that’s why an 8.”

59)Suppose you win a lottery now that ensures you are set for life. Would you still work, or
would you quit?

Do NOT, under any circumstance, say “Yes” to this question! Any employee who’s purely
materialistic and money-centric isn’t a valuable asset to an organization. If you show that a job is
only a means to earn money and that you could easily give it up if a lump sum is handed to you,
no company will ever want to hire you. Instead, say something like this:

“Sir/Ma’am, if I win a lottery, I will be thrilled. It will mean that now I have hefty savings ready
for me and my family’s future. But not even for once will I think of quitting my job because I’m
a professional. I enjoy my work, and I would like to continue to learn and excel in my field.”

“While the thought is tempting, I think I will continue to work because I enjoy what I do. I love
learning and exploring new domains in my field, and I cannot give it up for anything. I aim to
retire after having completed a rich and fulfilling career.”

60) Do you think you are overqualified for this job role?

This trick question is directed to understand if a candidate is boastful or humble. There’s a thin
line between confidence and overconfidence, and you must never sound overconfident before the
interviewer. Even if you are overqualified for a particular job, don’t mention it out loud. Frame
your answer like this:

“No, Sir/Ma’am, I don’t think I am overqualified for this job role, but I think I’m perfectly
qualified for it. I have the right skill set, educational background, and experience for this post,
and I believe I can use them to my advantage at your company, that is, if I’m hired. I feel that
there’s no end to learning. So, yes, I’m well qualified for this post.”

61)Would you rather be liked or feared?

You must answer this question diplomatically. No interviewer will like to hear a candidate
saying they would love to be feared at the workplace. Here’s what you can say:

“Honestly, I would love to be well-liked and respected in my organization. For me, respect is
necessary at my workplace. I would never like to be someone with whom my colleagues or my
juniors cannot talk to. I believe ‘respected,’ and not ‘feared’ is the right word here because being
feared doesn’t always command respect.”

62)What sets you apart from other candidates?

Since you are a candidate who’s not aware of the strengths and weaknesses of other candidates,
make sure you start with this point as a disclaimer. This shows that you know you’re not in a
position to judge other candidates and pit yourself against them.

When answering, frame it like this:

“I’m sure that this profile has attracted many candidates with impressive profiles. However,
since I’m not familiar with what other candidates have to bring to the table, I’ll not compare
myself to others. As for myself, I am a creative individual with excellent organizational and
problem-solving skills. I’m also a diligent and dedicated professional, and I think these qualities
make me a strong contender for this position.”

63) In the past year, what steps have you taken toward upskilling?

The question is pretty self-explanatory. Generally, companies expect professionals who’re

always learning and gaining new skills to create value for their organization. So, if you say that
you haven’t done anything in the last year to improve your professional knowledge, they might
swap you for another candidate who takes an active interest in upskilling. However, remember
that you shouldn’t lie here. If you say you have done/completed some course while you haven’t,
the interviewer might ask you something related to it and catch your bluff.

Here’s what you can say:

“Last year, I attended various seminars for professional grooming and personality development.
Also, I took two courses relevant to my field of work and attended training workshops conducted
by my present employer.”

“Although I haven’t attended any professional seminar or course in the past year, I did complete
a few online courses on XYZ as it is highly relevant to my work. I’ve also been regularly
working on my communication skills through online tutorials and books.”

64) Are you good at time management?

This is a straightforward question that demands a simple and honest answer. For this question,
you could say:

“I take on a very professional approach to time management. It’s my habit to make schedules
and timelines for work to complete my tasks before the deadline. I also make to-do lists and
make sure to stick to my routines. These little things help me keep my days and weeks
organized.”
“For time management, I believe there’s nothing better than to-do lists and schedules. Once I
have a list of tasks to do, I prioritize the tasks and then schedule them in my weekly/monthly
schedule. I also follow a scheduling system for my meetings so that they never collide. This
helps me to keep things well-planned and organized, both at work and home.”

65)Tell me about the gap in your resume.

This question comes up when the interviewer finds something interesting and out of ordinary in
the resume. Some examples could be a job that could be unrelated to what you are seeking or a
job that lasted only for some months or in some cases, the outright gap between two consequent
jobs. Here, HR wants to make sure that the gaps are not due to any red flags.

Sample answer:

After the completion of my bachelor’s degree, I started working continuously for 8 years without
taking any break. This sort of impacted my productivity and also harmed my work-life balance.
Hence, I decided to take a break of 6 months to clear my mind, make amends with my family,
and also do solo travel to different places. I also gained some lessons during this break such as
the importance of work-life balance, organizational ability, and a fresh new perspective on life.

66) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Now, this question is the trickiest and deadliest one among all. This can prove to be a trap and
you might not even be aware of it. While the question might seem casual, the main purpose of
this question is to find out how long you are planning to stay in the company if hired and how
your vision fits the vision of the company.

“You might be tempted to answer honestly by saying things about your plans for higher studies,
your plans to start a startup, your plans of becoming a hiring manager in the company or if you
don’t have a plan then you are simply tempted to say you don’t have a plan at all. These are the
things the interviewer doesn’t want to hear and hence avoid giving such answers.”

“ The recruiter is only interested in knowing how long you are planning to stay in the company
and how satisfied you are with the current position you are going to be hired. “

Sample answer:

Over 5 years, I would love to utilize all the opportunities that this company provides me to learn
by utilizing the internal and external training programs. My ultimate career goal is to become a
Technology Architect and hence I would look forward to developing various products that
represent the vision of this company and be a part of making a difference along with quickening
my journey of becoming a Tech Architect.
67) How did you handle disagreements with your manager?

The interviewers want to know how well you deal when your ideas are disagreed by your
manager/supervisor. Disagreements are part and parcel of working in a team. Hence, the recruiter
wants to know if you are capable of handling such disagreements and how well you plan to
develop the relationship with the manager.

Some tips to answer this question:

• Explain what the disagreement was.

• How did you overcome that?
• What was your learning outcome?
• Do not speak ill or abuse your manager.
• You can not tell that you never had a disagreement before as it would just prove that you
do not have a sense of leadership or you lack creativity.

Sample answer:

This reminds me of an instance where I and my manager had a disagreement on why a certain
feature has to be included in the product and he was against it. We had lots of discussions
regarding the pros and cons of that feature. During this, I explained to him why adding that
feature to our website would be the best thing to do and how it would make the lives of our users
easier. I gave him various scenarios and good reasons why that feature would be a great idea. My
manager was convinced as he felt the reasons were good enough and we got his green signal to
work on it. In the end, when we unveiled this feature to our client, the clients were indeed very
happy and praised us all as we went out of our way to add this feature. My manager was very
happy with the result. I learned that effective and graceful communication is the ultimate key.
Ideas should be respectfully conveyed to people when there are disagreements as we belong to a
team and the collective vision of the team is to launch the project successfully. In case my
manager’s idea was best for the project, then I would gracefully accept that too.

68) Tell me how you will handle it if suddenly the priorities of a project were changed?

Here, the interviewers want to know how the candidate will act in the situation when priorities
are changed. This will also reflect the candidate’s ability to handle stress and solve problems.

Some tips to answer this question:

• Make sure that you convey the right things to the interviewer.
• Give instances of how well you are capable of handling pressure and stress.
• Avoid boasting and no matter how frustrated you were during these situations, do not
tell the interviewer.
Sample answer:

I certainly understand that there might be valid reasons for a company to change the priority of a
project. The vision of a project at one particular point of time would change at another time due
to various conditions. If the priority of the task that I work on gets changed, I will put efforts into
understanding why this happened and I will consider that it is in the best interest of the company
and start to work on the new task of higher priority rather than crib about it. The ultimate goal is
to achieve big things by putting in my best efforts.

69)What would you do if you were working under a bad boss?

Interviewers want to know how well a candidate can cope up with people with different beliefs
and ideologies and hence it can get a little tricky to answer this. While answering this, you
ensure that you are avoiding emphasis on the negative aspects of the situation.

Sample answer:

Firstly, before jumping to the conclusion that my boss is bad, I will try my best to understand his
personality and get to know what their problem is. If I find my boss to be aggressive, then I will
make note of the things that would make him angry and will work on avoiding that. I will also
try asking my colleagues how they have worked on dealing with him. If things get worse, I will
contact HR to get a solution regarding this.

70) What do you think is an ideal work environment?

The main intention of this question is to understand if you will fit into the work environment
that the company has already. Employers want to ensure that the employees are more productive
and happy doing their work and retain them in the long run and hence they ask this kind of
question to understand if the employees can fit into their culture.

Some tips to prepare for this question would be:

• Thoroughly research the company you are interviewing for and have a brief idea of the
work culture, the hierarchy of the company, etc.
• Talk about the work culture that would focus on growth.
• Emphasize how a team-oriented workplace would be of interest to you.
• Ensure that whatever you talk about is aligned with the company’s vision.
• Avoid mentioning a workplace that gives a lot of vacations, flexible timings, more
bonuses, and fun. We know it is ideal, but it doesn’t work that way.
Sample answer:

According to me, an ideal work environment is one that revolves around a team where the focus
is on learning, working, and growing together to take the team members and the company to new
heights. It is where the skills and capabilities of team members are being leveraged to grow.
While I was researching your company, I found that you pay more importance to teamwork and
that was something which impressed me. I believe that I can work better in an encouraging
environment.

71) What is your dream company like?

This a tricky question where the interviewer again assesses your rightness for the job. While
answering this, do not spill out your actual dream of working for 6 figure salary in a company
with frequent access to vacation and flexible work hours. The interviewer is not interested in
these things and will consider these as red flags as they make you seem materialistic.

Some tips to answer this:

• Be sincere in what you want in an ideal workspace.

• What you say should align with the work culture of the company.
• Avoid exaggeration and point out a specific employer as an example.

Sample answer:

My dream company is a place that would provide me loads of opportunities to learn and grow
and help me harness my abilities to contribute to the overall growth of the company. I value such
a company that will recognize and appreciate performance and based on what I have researched
about your company, I believe this place can offer me these opportunities.

72) How long do you think you will be working for us if you are hired?

The recruiter wants to check for how long you will be staying in the current company. Do not be
honest and share your plans of switching to a dream company or your plans of higher studies.

Sample answer:

I am planning to be in this company for a very long time as long as I am being valued and
respected for my work and as long as the management sees me as an asset.

73) If you were reborn as an animal, what animal would you want to be?

This might seem to be an odd question to answer to. Rest assured, the interviewer does not want
to joke with you. Instead, they ask this question to get what kind of personality you are, what
your thought process is, and how creative you are by describing yourself as an animal.
Some tips to answer this question would be:

• While answering, make sure your justification is aligned with the job role you are
choosing.
• Do not choose animals with poor traits.
• Do not choose animals with the traits that are opposing the ones required for the job role.
• Following are some traits of animals. Make sure your skills match those traits:
➢ Lion: Always ready to fight, never backs from challenges, strong and rightly known as
the king of the jungle.
➢ Dog: Known for loyalty and friendliness.
➢ Elephant: Hardworking animal capable of performing hardcore work.
➢ Cows: Known for love and loyalty.
➢ Dolphin: Known for selflessness and helpfulness.
➢ Butterfly: Has the ability to transform from one stage to another and always waiting to fly
beautifully.
➢ Ant: Known for being a hard worker and for the ability to carry weights twice their
weight.
➢ Owl: Wise creatures known for seeing bigger pictures. Dove: Known for peace and non-
violence.
➢ Chameleon: Jells well in all environments. Also considered to be sneaky. - This animal
can be avoided.
➢ Snake: Known for being tricky - This animal should be avoided.
➢ Tortoise: Known for being lethargic and sluggish. - This animal should be avoided.

Sample answer:

I would like to be reborn as a lion. A lion is known for its love for challenges and its pride. It
goes for what it wants and it can thrive in a battle (or challenge) which is why I want to be a lion.