Sample Questions to Ask Employers

Candidates should ask as many questions as they can. Taking a job is a big life decision and they need to know as much as possible about the organization, just as the organization wants to learn about them during the interview.

A few key principles about asking questions:
>Ask only those questions to which you want an answer. This may seem obvious, but many people will ask questions merely to impress the interviewer. Why waste your time and theirs when they are likely to see through your smoke-screen?
>Ask questions that reveal the depth of your research and your interest in the job. In other words, don't ask questions that are easily answered on the company Web site or in the job description. (You do have a copy of the job description, don't you?)
>Don't ask questions about salary, vacation, or other benefits until you are offered the job. If you do ask, the interviewer will be inclined to think that you are more interested in the money than in the position. (There are exceptions to this rule - for, instance, if you already have experience in this field and need to know if the job falls within your acceptable salary range.)

Some sample questions:

1. How and when will my performance be evaluated on this job? How is success measured in this department / organization?
2. I read in your literature that your training program is comprised of three six-month rotations. Does the employee have any input into where he will go at the end of each rotation? How do you evaluate the employee's performance during the training period?
3. I read in Business Week that a major competitor of yours is increasing its market share in your main market. What plans does your firm have to regain its lost market share?
4. Can you please tell me how your career has developed at this organiztion? Would someone entering the firm today have similar opportunities?
5. What is an average week in this job really like?
6. Does the management encourage the policy of promotion from within the organization?
7. Describe typical first year assignments on the job.
8. What are the challenging facets of the job?
9. What are the organization's plans for future growth or change?
10. What makes your firm, hospital, school system, ad agency, etc., different?
11. What are the organization's strengths, and what challenges does it face?
12. How would you describe your organization's personality and management style?
13. What are your expectations for new hires within their first three to six months on the job?
14. Describe the work environment.
15. What is the overall structure of the department where the position is located?
16. What qualities are you looking for in your new hires?
17. What characteristics does a successful person have in your organization?

Creating a List of References

*When do you need a list of references?

>Potential employers commonly ask for a list of references whom they might contact (usually by phone) before or after interviewing you.
>Be sure you have such a list at hand when you go to an interview or when you need to fill out an application for employment.

*How many people do you need to serve as references?

>You should have three to five people on your list.
>If you have been in the work force for a year or more, at least two of these should be professional references, such as from previous employers or close business associates.
>Always ask these people if it is okay to list them as references. If they agree, take down their exact job title, the name of the company where they work, and their work address and phone number. You will need to include all of this information on the list you present at job interviews.
>If you can, tell them the type(s) of position you are applying for and the skills and personal characteristics that are being sought.

*Whom should you ask?

>People who have supervised your work, through your paid jobs, internships or volunteer and extracurricular activities.
>In addition, close business associates can provide references, whether you have worked with them on the job or while planning professional association activities.
>Do not list family members as references.
>People who, preferably, know you in a context that is appropriate to the job to which you are applying (for research positions, you would typically ask professors with whom you had worked; for most other jobs, work and internship supervisors or advisors to extracurricular activities; a mix of people who know you in different contexts is probably best).
>People who are willing to say good things about you! If you're not sure, ASK. Be straightforward: "These are the skills my potential employers are looking for. Do you feel that you know me well enough to say positive things about me in these areas?" A less-than-positive recommendation can kill your chances at a job.

*How should you format your list?

>Do not make the mistake of listing your references on your resume, as it is commonly seen as inappropriate and unprofessional.
>On a separate page, list three to five people; their exact title, the company they work for, their work address and phone number (add e-mail address if it is available); and their relationship to you ("supervisor at summer internship at Houghton Mifflin," "thesis advisor," "supervisor of volunteers at Cambridge Community Services," etc.).
>At the top of the page, write "References for (your name)."
>Create this using word processing software (such as Microsoft Word, or WordPerfect)--in other words, don't hand-write it.
>Print on high quality bond or linen paper in white, off-white or light gray.

*Stay in touch with your references.

>Don't forget to send each of your references a thank-you note when your job search is over. Proper etiquette aside, it will help keep your contacts current. You never know when you might need their help again sometime down the road

Direct From the Recruiters

*Well before the interview, do an "inventory of your successes."
Write them down. And have stories and examples you can draw on to elaborate on the successes. The goal is to have a menu of successes you can draw from during an interview, depending on which strengths and characteristics you want to emphasize.

*Come up with a "30-second commercial" that includes:
-Who I am?
-What I want to do?
-What I can bring to the table?

*When describing your examples and stories, use the CAR structure:
1. Circumstances: here's the situation/problem
2. Action: here's what I did and why
3. Result: here's how it turned out

*It's best to try to turn the interview into a conversation, not just a linear Question & Answer format. Two suggestions on how to do this:
-Your examples/stories should engage the interviewer so that they'll ask to hear more about what you did.
-Break the ice by showing interest in them. ("How is it going today?" If they're an alumnus/alumna: "When did you graduate from BC?")

*Always take notes during the interview.
It shows that you're interested and listening and puts you more in control. It also lets you refer back when asking questions later. Ask early in the interview, "Do you mind if I take notes?"

*You are always being interviewed and you are always networking.
In other words, any interactions on your internship, or on the phone with a receptionist, or even with a professor or advisor can potentially be a chance to put your best (or worst!) foot forward.

*Today, students are the commodity - you're in the driver's seat.
Today, the company expects the student to tell them what the student wants to do and accomplish, not the vise verse. BUT - it's important to be able to articulate what you can do for the company and how you can fill the role they have available.

*Prepare for the interview the same way you would for a final exam.
Do your homework and the test will be easy.

*Try to match the interviewer's energy level.
People like to hire others like themselves.

*Remember that the employer is looking for reasons to hire you.
You walk in with an A and it's up to you whether you keep that A or sink lower.

*Take a few seconds to think about a difficult question before responding.
Responding quickly may convey that you're impulsive and don't take time to think about your decisions.

*You want to lose your anxiety and become engaging with the employer
This also shows that you would be customer-oriented and able to be comfortable with people of varying status.

*Don't make up answers to questions you don't know.
They will fear you will do the same thing in the work place.

*Understand the significance of language abilities and travel experiences.
If you can master one thing they will see you capable of mastering their information as well.

*The interview is constantly happening.
Always act as if someone is watching you.

*Check the room for clues.
Family pictures, sports stuff, etc. can provide "ice-breakers" to help make conversation.

*Students should be setting forth goals (and thinking strategically) early on.
Think about your short-range and long-range goals as you decide on which internships and activities to participate in.

*Enthusiasm is vital!
Demonstrate your interest in the job and in the company

Tuning Your Resume

Resume is having vital power than any other thing in this world with respect to job search. It speaks with the Employer prior to the candidate. So Resume should be given higher priority in job search . Is there any standards for updating resume available in this world? Nobody can give unique answer , because it varies from person to person , because resume filtering again depends on person . So, it not that much of easy to update (tune ) , resume , so that every where it can be acceptable. But there are some steps, which can able to make the resume to speak effectively.
The following are few tips for tuning the resume …
1) Before tuning the resume, the aim behind it should be very clear . It means , what is to be highlighted , has to be known. If its required to highlight technology , it should be given priority in terms of technical way of writing resume .If its required to present communication skills, then it should be prepared in a way that the richness of the language can be reflected . According to the aim ,whatever has to be highlighted first should be given more stress. For this , the analysis of job requirements is must.

2) Every block (Phase) of the resume has to be shuffled in a way that the sequence of the priorities will be maintained so that the employer can easily pick the resume in the filtering process.

3) Revising the resume is essential. It can be done personally or it is better to ask somebody to revise and comment about it. The unwanted things can be removed this way. Because, for an accountant , its not required to keep the school best athlete award , at the starting page , but for a person who is trying for a post in the army it is essential. So unwanted issues can be removed or given lower priority.

4) Resume should undergo continuous updates that are happening. It means that every 15 days or 30 days , the resume has to be updated with enhanced skills. To make the work simple , update it whenever time permits , rather than on the day before the interview or job applying.

5) Try to read as many other resumes as possible so that , new points can be squeezed and can be placed in own resume. Many resumes are available on the internet which can be found by effective search.

6) Generally, a job seeker who does not get a job think that resume is not good . But self confidence is required to have a belief that their own resume is having good standards, once its tuned.

Taking more care or worrying more for one issue makes sick . So don’t worry much about the Resume; but give the sufficient quotient of time to update ( tune ) it.

How to Answer in an Interview

Regardless of the type of question you are asked, you will find it easier to respond effectively if you keep in mind some basic question-answering strategies.

*You can never predict all the questions that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an inventory of important points. Make a list of the points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were to apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in the industry and related knowledge (perhaps from your academic program). Consider each question as an opportunity to provide some of this information.

*Don't assume anything. You will be evaluated on your answers, not your resume. Therefore, ensure that you incorporate the relevant information from your resume in your answers.

*Pause a couple of seconds before you respond to each question, even if you know exactly what you want to say. Take this time to quickly plan your answer, this helps to avoid misunderstandings and produces much more concise answers.

*If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. This is expected and can avoid an unsuitable answer. If you need time to collect your thoughts - take it. When people are nervous they tend either to "draw a blank" or to babble. It is better to think for a few moments and make sure that your answer is doing you justice and that there is a point in what you are saying.

*Always expand. Never answer a question with a "yes" or "no."
The interview is an opportunity to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to 'blow your own horn.' As long as you are providing examples which demonstrate that what you are saying is true, you are not bragging. Third party observations can also be mentioned. For example, "My last employer told me that I was promoted because of how I handled conflicts with clients."

*Be very positive. Don't complain about anything - from your former employer to the weather - and don't apologize for experience that you don't have. Just sell what you do have and let the employer decide if you have what he/she is looking for. Also, avoid negative words. For example, you should not say "I have a little experience..." Instead say "I have experience......"

*Don't be afraid to repeat important points. In fact, it is a good idea to do this.

And last but not the least, Confidence in your answers will surely not let you down in an interview. So stay confident and win your dream job.

All the best!!!

Preparation for an interview

Great interviews arise from careful groundwork. You can ace your next interview if you:

1.Enter into a state of relaxed concentration: This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.

2.Act spontaneous, but be well prepared:Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating the questions you'll be asked on a final exam.

3.Set goals for the interview:It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements. If you sense there are misconceptions, clear them up before leaving. If the interviewer doesn't get around to asking you important questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer them. Don't leave the meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get further interviews, especially with other key players.

4.Know the question behind the question:Ultimately, every question boils down to, "Why should we hire you?" Be sure you answer that completely. If there is a question about your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is probing delicately about your personal life, careful not to ask you whether your family responsibilities will interfere with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they are present.

5.Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter:Don't write this letter lightly. It is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a meeting is a very minimum. Standing out among the other candidates will occur if you thoughtfully consider this follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get to do all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate your added value to the team.

6.Consider the interviewer's agenda:Much is on the shoulders of the interviewer. He or she has the responsibility of hiring the right candidate. Your ability to do the job will need to be justified. "Are there additional pluses here?" "Will this person fit the culture of this organization?" These as well as other questions will be heavily on the interviewer's mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities above and beyond just doing the job.

7.Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself.":This is a pet question of prepared and even unprepared interviewers. Everything you include should answer the question, "Why should we hire you?" Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job before you. Obviously, you'll want to know as much about the job description as you can before you respond to the question.

8.Watch those nonverbal clues:Experts estimate that words express only 30% to 35% of what people actually communicate; facial expressions and body movements and actions convey the rest. Make and keep eye contact. Walk and sit with a confident air. Lean toward an interviewer to show interest and enthusiasm. Speak with a well-modulated voice that supports appropriate excitement for the opportunity before you.

9.Be smart about money questions:Don't fall into the trap of telling the interviewer your financial expectations. You may be asking for too little or too much money and in each case ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.

10.Don't hang out your dirty laundry:Be careful not to bare your soul and tell tales that are inappropriate or beyond the scope of the interview. State your previous experience in the most positive terms. Even if you disagreed with a former employer, express your enthusiasm for earlier situations as much as you can. Whenever you speak negatively about another person or situation in which you were directly involved, you run the risk (early in the relationship) of appearing like a troubled person who may have difficulty working with others.

Job Fair : Go Get Ur Job

IT is the season ... for job fairs. As summer draws to a close, recruiters are ramping up their efforts to find new employees at career fairs across the country.
Never been to a career fair? Or have you gone to one and walked out with a few business cards and a full stack of your own resumes? Never fear. Use these tips to make the most of any job fair.

Prepare Pre-Fair
The best way to prepare for a career fair is to find out which companies are going to be in attendance.
The fair's sponsor will usually have at least a partial listing on the event's web site or in advertisements. Review the list carefully for companies of interest to you. Don't let a strange name deter you; do your due diligence and familiarize yourself with all the participants.
Visit each company's corporate web site. Take into account the proximity of each to your home. Investigate recent company news using Yahoo! / Google search engine.


You've Gotta Look Smart
If you want the job, look like you've already got it.
Dress in business-friendly attire. A suit in a neutral color is always your best choice. Shine up your shoes the night before -- or treat yourself to a shine or a new pair of shoes. Make certain whatever shoes you wear are made for serious walking. Career fairs are often held in large exhibition halls and making the rounds requires that you spend a lot of time on your feet.
Arm yourself with a simple portfolio or briefcase and stock it with copies of your resume, business cards (if you have them), a pen and a small pad, some breath mints and a few tissues. Make sure, too, that you're able to hold all the business cards you collect as you make your way through the fair.
Finally, don't forget to bring your most winning smile, a good attitude and a firm handshake -- and make sure you showcase them to everyone you meet.

Scope Out the Scene
However long you have to spend at a job fair, make sure you give yourself a few moments to get the lay of the land. Walk the aisles. Make note of all the companies and their booths. Are there any surprise participants? If there are, and you're not fully prepared to speak with them, call a friend or use your cellphone or PDA to get any small tidbits that can help you more easily converse with their representatives. How are their stocks doing? Have they been in the news lately?
Next, assess your time. Don't linger too long at any one booth. To cover more territory and make for smoother interactions, gather some materials from each booth and take a few minutes to review them. Lurk around and subtly eavesdrop on the interactions other candidates are having with each company's representatives.


Knock Their Socks Off
Because you did your homework, you have a sense of a company's culture, its needs and what positions are open. Using this foreknowledge and the information you've gleaned from the newest materials you've read and conversations you've overheard, whip up a short elevator pitch -- two or three sentences on your expertise and how it matches the company's current or future needs.

*After you deliver your elevator pitch, try to engage each representative in a brief conversation. Be sure to ask a question or two and make eye contact the entire time. Don't monopolize anyone's time for too long.
*Be gracious to everyone you meet, but remember not to act desperate. This is a career fair, not a final interview. Curiosity and enthusiasm will go a long way; overt aggressiveness will not.
*Feel free to send brief thank-you notes to those you have met, reiterating your interest in working at their organization.

Beware of these...

An interview can be incredibly stressful: You often have only a few minutes to show an interviewer how capable, confident and intelligent you are.
And remember: The interviewer isn't just evaluating WHAT you say, but also HOW you say it. She's asking herself: Are you well-spoken? Do you sound polished and professional? Are your answers clear and concise?
If you've spent all of your time working on the content of your answers, you now need to focus on the delivery.
Read on for some interview "talking tips."

Skip the 'Filler'
When an interviewer asks a question, you may feel like you should fill the silence right away. Or, after you start speaking, perhaps you realize you're not sure what you want to say and need to stall.
That's when most people use "like," "ya know" and "ummm."
These words are common in many people's vocabularies. They're simply verbal filler that we've become accustomed to using. But they're not very professional.
Taking time to think about a question, rather than rushing to answer, can help eliminate the need to use filler.
Like any habit, this one will take time to break. So start practicing before you have an actual interview.

Don't Jargon Your Way Out of a Job
You say: "Our value proposition is to create synergy while leveraging our respective ROIs."
The interviewer thinks: "Huh?"
You don't need to use jargon to sound knowledgeable in an interview. First, don't assume the interviewer is familiar with the jargon.
Also, as many interviewers will tell you, people often use a lot of fancy jargon when they want to disguise the fact that they aren't completely confident in what they're saying.
So speak simply and coherently and your intelligence should speak for itself.

Why Slang Is 'Way Bad'
Here's the 411 on slang in interviews.
Never use slang in an interview. You should speak to an interviewer just as you would to a business colleague or even a boss. That means you must sound polished and professional.
Also, the interviewer (who may not be as cool as you are) may have no idea what you're saying when you use slang.
Last, never, EVER, use profanity in an interview. There's simply no place for it.

Don't Answer Before You've Been Asked
You want to make a good impression on an interviewer. You want to seem knowledgeable, confident and engaged. So when the interviewer starts to ask you a question, you jump on it, right?
Wrong.
First, it's rude to interrupt.
Second, you may incorrectly assume that you know what the interviewer was going to ask and answer the wrong question.
Third, you won't have time to think about your answer before you start speaking, which can lead to lots of mid-sentence "ummms" to stall for time.
When an interviewer asks a question, it's tempting to answer quickly, especially if you're nervous. Don't. Instead, wait for her to finish speaking, then take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. Then answer the question.

You'll appear calm, confident and polite. And, after taking a moment to think, you'll probably give a much better answer too.

Answers to some of the most important interview questions

Please do not rehearse them verbatim or adopt them as your own. They are meant to stir your creative juices and get you thinking about how to properly answer the broader range of questions that you will face.

1.Tell me about yourself.
My background to date has been centered around preparing myself to become the very best _____ I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I've prepared myself . . .

2.Why should I hire you?
Because I sincerely believe that I'm the best person for the job. I realize that there are many other college students who have the ability to do this job. I also have that ability. But I also bring an additional quality that makes me the very best person for the job--my attitude for excellence. Not just giving lip service to excellence, but putting every part of myself into achieving it. In _____ and _____ I have consistently reached for becoming the very best I can become by doing the following . . .

3.What is your long-range objective?
Where do you want to be 10 or 15 years from now? Although it's certainly difficult to predict things far into the future, I know what direction I want to develop toward. Within five years, I would like to become the very best _____ your company has. In fact, my personal career mission statement is to become a world-class _____ in the _____ industry. I will work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I will be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities that might be presented in the long term.

4.How has your education prepared you for your career?
As you will note on my resume, I've taken not only the required core classes in the _____ field, I've also gone above and beyond. I've taken every class the college has to offer in the field and also completed an independent study project specifically in this area. But it's not just taking the classes to gain academic knowledge--I've taken each class, both inside and outside of my major, with this profession in mind. So when we're studying _____ in _____, I've viewed it from the perspective of _____. In addition, I've always tried to keep a practical view of how the information would apply to my job. Not just theory, but how it would actually apply. My capstone course project in my final semester involved developing a real-world model of _____, which is very similar to what might be used within your company. Let me tell you more about it . . .

5.Are you a team player?
Very much so. In fact, I've had opportunities in both athletics and academics to develop my skills as a team player. I was involved in _____ at the intramural level, including leading my team in assists during the past year--I always try to help others achieve their best. In academics, I've worked on several team projects, serving as both a member and team leader. I've seen the value of working together as a team to achieve a greater goal than any one of us could have achieved individually. As an example . . .

6.Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but certainly there have been situations where there was a disagreement that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it's because of a failure to see both sides of the situation. Therefore, I ask the other person to give me their perspective and at the same time ask that they allow me to fully explain my perspective. At that point, I would work with the person to find out if a compromise could be reached. If not, I would submit to their decision because they are my superior. In the end, you have to be willing to submit yourself to the directives of your superior, whether you're in full agreement or not. An example of this was when . . .

7.What is your greatest weakness?
I would say my greatest weakness has been my lack of proper planning in the past. I would overcommit myself with too many variant tasks, then not be able to fully accomplish each as I would like. However, since I've come to recognize that weakness, I've taken steps to correct it. For example, I now carry a planning calendar in my pocket so that I can plan all of my appointments and "to do" items. Here, let me show you how I have this week planned out . . .

8.If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?
I believe they would say I'm a very energetic person, that I put my mind to the task at hand and see to it that it's accomplished. They would say that if they ever had something that needed to be done, I was the person who they could always depend on to see that it was accomplished. They would say that I always took a keen interest in the subjects I was studying and always sought ways to apply the knowledge in real world settings. Am I just guessing that they would say these things? No, in fact, I'm quite certain they would say those things because I have with me several letters of recommendation from my professors, and those are their very words. Let me show you . . .

9.What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
The key quality should be leadership--the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and direction for subordinates. A manager should also be a positive role model for others to follow. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person who I consider to be a true leader . . .

10.If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
That's a good question. I realize that it can be very easy to continually look back and wish that things had been different in the past. But I also realize that things in the past cannot be changed, that only things in the future can be changed. That's why I continually strive to improve myself each and every day and that's why I'm working hard to continually increase my knowledge in the _____ field. That's also the reason why I want to become the very best _____ your company has ever had. To make positive change. And all of that is still in the future. So in answer to your question, there isn't anything in my past that I would change. I look only to the future to make changes in my life. In reviewing the above responses, please remember that these are sample answers.

What are your strengths?

It is important to prepare in advance for the interview question: what are your strong points?
If you've already listed your strengths when preparing your CV / resume, coming up with three answers shouldn't be too difficult.

But be careful. The interviewer is asking you to sell yourself, but at the same time, they do not want to hear you being arrogant. And while they may want to know about your personality (if you are over confident they will certainly learn something about you), do remember that this is still an interview situation, so your answers must be relevant to the job in question. In other words, don't get too personal.

So how do you go about answering the interview question what are your strong points? The general recommendation is to prepare at least three answers and to relate them to the organisation and the vacancy. This means you need to tailor your answers. Ensure there is truth in what you say, but do not be too honest, especially it makes you sound like a less than ideal candidate.
Here are some suggested responses and the reasons why they might work in interviews for certain kinds of jobs.


"I am confident and outgoing"
This is a response that says something about your personality, but if you are applying for a role where you need to relate to a lot of people - particularly the public - it will serve your purposes. However, if the vacancy involves consultation, it might be better to say "I have good interpersonal skills", as this implies that you are able to listen to people as well.

"I enjoy a challenge"
Be careful with this. It is an excellent response if the vacancy requires problem solving, or servicing of some kind, working to tight deadlines or project completion. It will obviously not be helpful if the job is less dynamic and involves a larger amount of regular, less exciting duties - the employer might be concerned that you will become bored. You could always qualify it to offer a more balanced response: "I enjoy a challenge, but I'm also happy completing regular tasks." Then it illustrates that you're flexible and responsive to different work situations.

"I'm a strong team leader"
Clearly, this is appropriate if the job involves managing people. It's a good idea to show that you know what leading a team involves (although this will no doubt come up in other questions too). So, "I'm a strong team leader with the ability to motivate others" and "I'm a strong team leader who leads by example" represent stronger answers. Draw on your own understanding of your management skills plus the job description to decide what you'll say here.

"I am ambitious"
This is a very strong answer and you should use it with care. In the wrong situation, it can sound hard-headed and the employer may wonder whether you'll compete too fiercely with your colleagues, or even your superiors. However, in a sales role it might be perfect, especially if you focus your response a little more: "I am ambitious and aim to exceed targets".

"I am dedicated and hard working"
You're on safe ground here, as this can be true whatever your individual working style. It's not the most exciting answer, but when presented alongside two others that are more individual, it should offer reassurance to the interviewer.

"I am a good communicator"
Again, this is a win-win answer. Be prepared to expand, though: specify whether you have strong writing skills, are good at explaining difficult ideas in a simple way, or perform well at important meetings.

"I work well without supervision"
A majority of employers would be pleased to hear this, providing the vacancy is at a level where they'd normally expect you to need a degree of supervision. But be careful not to sound as if you prefer to work without supervision, as this may sound as if you risk coming into conflict with your supervisor or manager. A safer option might be to state "I work well with or without supervision".

"I enjoy learning through my work"
Again, this is a safe answer. The interviewer might then ask how you have done this in the past, so be ready to give details of some hands-on learning or special training you've experienced, and to say why you enjoyed it.


And finally
These examples show that when preparing an answer to the interview question what are your strong points, it is important to consider whether your responses could be taken the wrong way. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes - you can then ensure that the potential for a negative interpretation is removed.

Group Discussion

Here's a listing of what you need to do to succeed in a GD ( a night mare for many)

*Sleep well previous night.
*Visit wash room and freshen up before entering the GD room.
*Dress – Formal yet comfortable.
*Posture – Knees together.
*Sketch the layout of the GD table on pad as soon as you enter and settle.
*Fill in the names of members as they introduce, you can use this data to address them by name (leadership quality).
*Start off with a quote.
*If you are one of the first few to speak, you get extra points for leadership skills.
*Do not wait to be invited to join, take initiative to participate.
*Give reasons to support your stand.

A Guide to build a Resume (CV)

A Resume or a C.V(Curriculum Vitae) is the most important thing that can give you a brighter chance to get an interview. Here's how your resume should be.


What is should be like:-
*Max one or two pages.
*4 steps – Compiling info about yourself, choosing a resume format, adding style, proofreading.


What should be its contents:-
*Name, Marital status, DOB, address, email, tel no.
*Objective statement.
*Experience (Paid and volunteer).
*Education.
*Hobbies, special skills, awards and honors.
*Avoid nicknames.
*Use your permanent residential address.
*Use your permanent telephone number (If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting).
*Choose an email address that sounds professional.


Objective:-
*An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you are hoping to do.
*It should sound like what you can contribute to the organization.


Education:-
*Graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first.
*Alumni can list it after the work experience.
*Your most recent educational information is listed first.


Work Experience:-
*Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you skills, and your achievements.
*Use action (active and not passive) words to describe to describe your job duties.
*Include your work experience in reverse chronological order.
*Title of the position, Name of the organization, location of work, dates of employment.


Key Skills Employers look for:-
*Leadership experience in volunteer organizations.
*Participation in sports.
*Team Spirit.
*Self-motivation.


Reference:-
*Ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you gave their names.
*Do not include the references on your resume unless asked for.
*Never write “References will be furnished on request” (It sounds insulting).



Design of a resume:-
*Use white or off white paper.
*Use 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
*Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
*Use non decorative fonts.
*Choose one font and stick to it.
*Avoid italics, script and underlined words.
*No hand written resumes.
*Do not fold the resume, put in a large envelop if it is to be couriered.


What your resume should not contain:-
*Fancy words that may frustrate the employer.
*The reasons why you left your last employment.
*Expected salary.

Dress Code For an Interview

Many candidates fail in an interview only because of improper dress code and not because they are not eligible. Dress Code vary from company to company. Some tips to dress-up better for an interview are listed below.

*You must look smart
*Jacket, pant, tie, socks, shoes (No 3 piece suit)
*Wear a white or light colored shirt
*Avoid loud colors and flashy ties
*Hair recently cut and look neat
*Shave in the morning
*Have fresh breath, brush before leaving, don’t eat before interview, don’t smoke right before interview
*Piercing rarely fit within company’s desired image
*For women a tailored classic suit, or a formal Sari
*Avoid very high heels (uncomfortable)
*Stay away from chunky jewelry and accessories, they can be distracting
*Be modest with make up and perfumes
*Folder or briefcase (No plastic bag or sack)


For Both Men and Women
*All clothes should be neatly pressed.
*Conservative two-piece business suite (solid dark blue or gray is best)
*Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel is next best)
*Clean, polished, conservative shoes
*Clean and well-groomed hairstyle
*Clean, trimmed fingernails
*Minimal cologne or perfume
*Empty pockets – no noisy coins
*No gum, candy or cigarettes

For Men
*Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern
*Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best); clean and polished
*Dark socks (black is best)
*Short hair always fairs best in interviews
*No beards – mustaches are acceptable (keep neat and trimmed)
*No earrings
*No heavy cologne

For Women
*Always wear a suit with a jacket; or a sheath dress with a jacket
*Do not wear extremely high-heeled or platform shoes
*Do not wear open-toe shoes or mules (they are more casual)
*Conservative hosiery at or near skin color (and no runs!)
*If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative color
*One set of earrings only
*Conservative makeup
*No heavy perfume
*No heavy cologne

Typical Interview Questions

Here's a list of a few interview questions asked in an interview. You must be prepared to answer these questions before you appear an interview.

*What are your future career plans?
*In what school activities have you participated?
*Which did you enjoy most?
*In what type of position are you most interested?
*What are the reasons for which you might like to work for our company?
*What courses did you like the most? Least?
*What kind of boss do you prefer?
*What were the reasons of your choice in college major?
*What interests you about our products or services?
*What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
*Do you consider yourself a team player or do you enjoy working alone?
*What would be the benefits to us of your joining our organization?
*Tell me about yourself
*What are your hobbies?
*Describe your ideal job
*Why should we hire you?
*What do you know about our products or services?
*Where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years?
*What job related skills have you developed?
*Why did you quit your last job?
*Give an example where you provided a solution to the employer.
*How do you think your former supervisor would describe your work?