Tricky HR Interview Questions – Common for All: Q. 11 – 15
Set of Five Questions
Q. 11: Why do you want to work at our company?
This question tests whether you’ve done any homework about the firm. If you haven’t, you lose. If you have, you win big.
Best Answer can be – This question is your opportunity to hit the ball out of the park, thanks to the in-depth research you should do before any interview.
Best sources for researching your target company: annual reports, the corporate newsletter, contacts you know at the company or its suppliers, advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press.
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Q. 12: What are your career options right now?
The interviewer is trying to find out, “How desperate are you?”
Best Answer can be – Prepare for this question by thinking of how you can position yourself as a desired commodity. If you are still working, describe the possibilities at your present firm and why, though you’re greatly appreciated there, you’re looking for something more (challenge, money, responsibility, etc.). Also mention that you’re seriously exploring opportunities with one or two other firms.
If you’re not working, you can talk about other employment possibilities you’re actually exploring. But do this with a light touch, speaking only in general terms. You don’t want to seem manipulative or coy.
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Q. 13: Why have you been out of work so long?
This is a tough question if you’ve been without a job for a long time. You don’t want to seem like damaged goods.
Best Answer can be – You want to emphasize factors, which have prolonged your job search by your own choice.
Example: “After my job was terminated, I made a conscious decision not to jump on the first opportunities to come along. In my life, I’ve found out that you can always turn a negative into a positive IF you try hard enough. This is what I determined to do. I decided to take whatever time I needed to think through what I do best, what I most want to do, where I’d like to do it�and then identify those companies that could offer such an opportunity.”
“Also, in all honesty, you have to factor in the recession (consolidation, stabilization, etc.) in the IT industry.”
“So between my being selective and the companies in our industry downsizing, the process has taken time. But in the end, I’m convinced that when I do find the right match, all that careful evaluation from both sides of the desk will have been well worthwhile for both the company that hires me and myself.
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Q. 14: Tell me honestly about the strong points and weak points of your boss (company, management team, etc.)?
Skillful interviewers sometimes make it almost irresistible to provoke you to spill out the dirt from your previous position.
Best Answer can be – Remember the rule: Never be negative. Stress only the good points, no matter how charmingly you’re invited to be critical.
Your interviewer doesn’t care about your previous boss. He wants to find out how loyal and positive you are, and whether you’ll criticize him behind his back if pressed to do so by someone in this own company. This question is your opportunity to demonstrate your loyalty to those you work with.
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Q. 15: What good books have you read lately?
As in all matters of your interview, never fake familiarity you don’t have.
Best Answer can be – Try to name couple of the most recent and influential books in your profession and on management.
Consider it part of the work of your job search to read a few of these leading books. But make sure they are quality books written by well-known writers respected in your profession that should reflect favorably upon you nothing that could even remotely be considered superficial.
Continue to Next Set : Q. 16 to 20
General HR Interview Questions Common For All
An expert on R&D, Online Training and Publishing. He is M.Tech. (Honours) and is a part of the STG team since inception.