IBS Interview Skills

8/2/2019 IBS Interview Skills

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Job Interview Questions

Q1. Why do you want to work with us?

A1. Tell about what attracted you most like their products or person or direction in which

company is moving etc. Tell them when you first got interested in them.

Q2. Why should we hire you?

A2. Talk about your past experience, qualification, research of market, competition etc. and

how they are useful for the type of job in question. Even if this question is not asked, youcan summarize in the end all your strengths and experiences and how they fit the job and

benefit the company.

Don’t sound arrogant but confidently mention the observations made by others about you.

Q3. What are your 5 year goals?

A3. Don’t talk about salary or position or unrelated goals. Just talk about what you enjoy doing

and what skills you would like to sharpen and how you would like to sharpen and how you

would like to be part of a leading team.

Q4. If you had all the money and time in the world what would you do?

A4. Talk about how passionately you would pursue charity work or pursue skills related to

industry further. Don’t talk about unrelated hobbies.

Q5. Tell me what you know about our company?

A5. Based on your research talks about company’s reputation, company’s uniqueness, job

description or how the industry or company meets with your passion.

Q6. What would you do differently if you ran the company?

A6. You must have talked to insiders and known their grievances. You can suggestimprovements without naming anyone. This sets you apart compared to other candidateswho hardly know anything about the company.

Q7. What other companies are you interviewing with?

A7. Talk about its competitors who are interested in hiring you. “Do not talk about big

companies in other unrelated industries. That will show that

committed to remain in this field or industry of your choice.

Q8. Would you join our competitors, if they offered you a position?

A8. Again contrast and compare why you like this company better so you would not consider

other competitors. This company is your first choice.

Q9. What salary do you expect?

A9. This is to weed out people with unrealistic expectations. Tell him that you are soon goingto demonstrate that you are his company’s best new recruit and so you expect the salary to

be on the higher side of the possible range of salary that he has in mind.

Q10. What are your strengths?



A10. Talk about 2 or 3 strong points that will allow you to do this job better. Also prove this

strength by citing examples from the past. Don’t talk in general. Provide specific proofs.

Q11. What are your weaknesses?

A11. Talk about one of your strengths as if that was a weakness. For example, I always finish

my task before the deadline but I hate people who wait until deadline. I should be moretolerant of them.

In short, talk about your positive point as if it is your weakness and thus turn a negative

question into a positive answer.

Q12. How do you handle customer complaints?

A12. Give a specific example where you

Listened Acknowledged – I see, I did not know, tell me more

Understand – I understand how you feel

Find solution TOGETHER (Don’t give your solution)

Feedback from customer as to how happy he is now with the solution.

Q13. What books have you read recently and what did you learn from it?

A13. Talk about “How to win friends” by Dale Carnegie or Dr.Robert H. Schuller, etc.

Q14. Tell me about an incident where you were pleasantly persistent and got your way?

A14. Think about such incident beforehand.

Q15. Would you be able to travel extensively, if required by the job?

A15. You should know how much traveling is required by this job. Be realistic.

Q16. What would your boss or colleagues or friends say about you?

A16. Again summarize your strengths.

Q17. How do you go about solving the problem?

A17. I use Dale Carnegie formulaa) What is the problem?

b) What is its root cause?

c) What are all possible solutions?

d) What solution would I suggest? Why?e) Act on it.

Q18. Tell me about your major accomplishment.

A18. Focus on action you took and results you got.

Q19. Tell me about the contribution you made to your TEAM?

A19. Be specific. Tell what you did that was more than expected and how your TEAM

appreciated that.

Q20. Tell me about yourself



A20. Talk about your career and job background and what kind of challenges really motivates

you Talk about accomplishments and goals. Talk about your enthusiasm to meet the

challenges. Talk from company’s point of view…

Q21. What are your long term goals ?

A21. In high tech information industries, it is difficult to see beyond 5 years. Just say I want toan expert and leader in the field. Don’t specify job titles or salary after 5 yrs.

Q22. How long will you stay with us?

A.22 I would like to stay forever as long as you provide challenging tasks every year andappropriate rewards. I would like to take on more and more responsibility and grow

under your leadership and eventually be able to lead a winning team.

Q23. What are your hobbies?

A23. Interviewer may be looking for long term commitment and consistency of interest. Also

whether your hobbies are of any value to the company.

Q24. Tell me about some fresh idea you got while on vacation that you could apply inyour work

A24. They are looking for a creative person who can transplant good ideas from another industry to their own.

Q25. What do you do to relax?

A25. Again talk about hobby like say reading which may be useful to your career.

Q26. If you have a lot of free time, what would you do?

A26. Again talk about sharpening some work related skill (learning a new language or attending seminar on topics in your field) or doing some charity work for the community.

Q27. Tell me about a movie that really inspired you.

A27. Talk about a movie like Swadesh / Lagaan / etc. Focus on the message that the

movie conveys.For eg Leadership qualities Teamwork in Lagaan.

Q28. What would you do if I told you that so for you are doing poorly in this interview?

A28. First I would ask you ‘why do you feel that way?’ ‘Which question did I fail to

understand and answer to your satisfaction?’ Thereafter I would try to give answer at

length and to your satisfaction.

Q29. Tell me about the time you failed.

A29. Show humility and your ability to learn from your mistakes. Give specific examples.

Q30. Time Management is very important aspect of business life. Give me an example of

a time management technique that you learned and how you applied it.

A30. Show how your productivity or effectiveness has gone up because of time saved by thattechnique.

Q31. Would you be willing to relocate?

A31. I would prefer to be here but if responsibility and reward incentives are right then I would



definitely consider it.

After the Interview

What is the best way to “close” an interview?

Being too original and ‘gimmicky’ is not the way to leave an interview. Actually, being one of

the very few interviewees that know how to close an interview is impressive in itself. Having

intelligent questions to raise, inquiring about the next step in the interview process and

determining what other information is needed for you to make a decision if the job offered is

quite enough to sell yourself!

Close with a brief statement about how you fit the position (skills, experience, interests) and

thanking the interviewer for his/her time is wonderful. Follow up with a handwritten, crisp

thank you note… restating your interest in the job.

From experience, it is a rare interviewee that follows up with a thank you and actually asks for

the job.

What do I say If don’t want a prospective employer to contact my current employer?

About the employer reference – just say you would not like them to contact your current

employer without your permission and not until an offer is extended. Whether you are in a

good relationship or not with your current employer (and supervisor) it is very professional to

state the request as mentioned above. In fact even if you were in the greatest relationship with

your current employer it is not wise to allow any potential employer to contact them whenever

they wish. You are a professional and you need to protect your situation at all items.

Also, consider why they may be raising this issue. If they are questioning your capabilities, do

you have any former supervisors, client/customers or other professional relationships that you

could consider offering as an interim reference? This issue comes up so often that the

interviewer should not be surprised with your ‘wait…. do not contact my employer yet’

response but should be impressed that you thought ahead and offered alternative professional

references.



Smile at the interviewers & look them in the eye when you meet and when you leave.

Maintain lots of eye contact in the interview.

Sit upright and lean slightly forward.

Take your time in answering questions.Look and sound both enthusiastic and interested.

Speak up.

Get across information that will help your case.

Carefully quality your answers to “hypothetical” questions

Be witting to defend your viewpoint in a friendly way.

Ask one or two questions of your own if the chance arises.

• Be Truthful, especially regarding your academic and

work achievements. If you are not, you are likely to be caught out at some stage.

Don’ts

1. Slouch in the chair.

2. Fidget.

3. Panic if there is a period of silence (do not talk for the sake of talking).

4. Be evasive in your answers, or try to bluff.

5. Boast or “sell” yourself directly unless invited to.

6. Argue with the interviewer in a heated way.

7. Don’t be put off if the interviewer seems unenthusiastic or bored.

8. Speak too quickly.

9. Volunteer information about your real or imagined deficiencies.

10. Take it easy when faced with a female interviewer.

A list of probable questions:

• What are your strengths/weaknesses?

• What are your short term and long term plans?

• Where do you see yourself in our organization a few years down the line?

• Why do you want to leave your current job?

• How do you think you can contribute to the organization’s development?



• What are your expectations from this job?

• What are your interests and hobbies?

• What do you know about our company?

• Why do you think you are suitable for this job?

• Tell us about your major achievement in your previous job.

• Tell me something about yourself.• What are your salary expectations?

• How would you define “success”?

• Would you think of yourself as “successful”?

• What did you like about your previous job?

Apart from these you can also be asked questions on academic topics and on industry to

which you belong.

Remember:

The most important question always is :

Why should we hire you?Answering this question requires research and preparation.

1. You must first identify the needs of the company .

2. The problems that an ideal candidate must be prepared to solve.Be prepared to convince the interviewer that you are uniquely qualified to make a

Contribution.

INTRODUCTIONS

1. Introducing Yourself

There are occasions in which you need to introduce yourself. For example if you are meeting

new colleagues, associates or clients. To introduce yourself extend your hand and say.

“Hello, I am____________ I am the ________________ with Company ABC.

If you have previously been introduced to someone do not assume that they will remember

you.

Be prepared to reintroduce yourself should it be necessary.

Some of the situations in which you should shake hands:

When meeting a person for the first time or when saying good–bye.



When renewing acquaintances.

When greeting a host or hostess or being introduced to someone.

When ending a transaction or leaving a business or social event.

Begin with your fingers together and your thumb up.

Shake hands web–to–web with a firm but not

crushing grip.

Never offer only your fingertips, causing a

weak, limp handshake.

Keep your fingers together and your thumb up. Slide the web of your hand all the way to

the web of the other person’s hand. Otherwise, he ends up shaking hands with your fingers.

Also, shaking web–to–web effectively prevents the other person, no matter how strong,

from crunching your knuckles.

You shake hand when…..

Someone offers his/her hand to you



First meeting someone.

General--In the Indian context-Let the lady take the initiative.

You don’t offer the hand when someone is having lunch /meals.

PHRASES USED IN DAY TO DAY CONVERSATIONS

1. ABC – the elementary things, elementary principles.

2. A bed of roses – a very comfortable situation.

3. A blue stocking – a lady having literary taste and learning.

4. A capital crime – a crime legally punishable with death.

5. A chicken-hearted fellow – a timid, cowardly fellow who has no courage.

6. A close–fisted man – a miser.

7. A cool head – not easily excitable.

8. A curtain lecture – a lecture given by a wife to her husband in bed or within bed

curtains.

9. A dead letter – laws that are not in force.

10. A cold blooded murder – an unprovoked murder, a murder done deliberately

11. A fast friend – a friend who is firm and steadfast in his friendship

12. A fast man – an extravagant man13. A gala day – a day of gaiety and festivity

14. Good for nothing fellow – a useless fellow

15. A great gun – a good preacher or lecturer

16. A good hand – expert

17. A henpecked husband – a man habitually snubbed by his wife

18. A lame excuse – unsatisfactory reason

19. A man of letters – a scholar

20. An oily tongue – A person who uses honeyed words of flattery

21. An open hearted man – a sincere and frank man

22. A promising youth – a young man likely to turn out a good man

23. A slip of a tongue – a slight mistake in speaking

24. A white lie – a harmless and non malicious lie



25. xyz of it- everything about it

26. Above suspicion – not to be doubted

27. Afraid of one’s own shadow – excessively afraid

28. Apple of ones eye – dearest thing

29. At dead of night – at mid–night

30. At random – without any definite aim

31. At sixes and seven – in disorderly state

32. Back up – to support

33. Bag and baggage – with all belongings

34. Beauty Sleep – sleep taken before midnight

35. Birds of the same feather – person of similar tastes and character

36. Big wings of society – persons of consequence in society

37. Bolt from the blue – a sudden and unexpected danger

38. Born in the purple – born of royal parents

39. Break open – to open with force

40. Bring up – to rear or train

41. By leaps & bounds – by a series of very rapid advances

42. Casting vote – The final vote which decides when the voting is otherwise equal

43. Castles in the air – schemes that have no solid foundation

44. Chapter and verse – full detail

45. Chatter–box – a talkative person

46. Cook and bull story – unbelievable story

47. Crocodile tears – false or hypocritical tears

48. Cut down – to fell, to reduce in size/amount

49. Do away with – to remove

50. Drug in the market – a commodity for which there is no demand

51. Eat one’s fill – to eat to one’s satisfaction

52. Egg on – to instigate

53. End in smoke – to end in nothing

54. Every man has his price – everyone can be bribed



55. Every cloud has a silver lining – every evil had some food in it; nothing is wholly bad;

there is always some ray of hope in the darkest hour of life.

56. Fair and square – honest

57. Fair sex – women

58. Fair weather friend – a friend who deserts you in difficulties

59. Far and near – in all directions

60. Far and wide – all around

61. Fast living – luxurious living

62. Fire and Fury – passion. violent anger, intense emotion

63. First and Foremost – before anything else

64. For good – Finally permanently

65. French leave – absence without permission

66. From the cradle – from childhood

67. From time immemorial – from a long time

68. Get one’s finger burned – to get onself into unexpected trouble

69. Get over – to overcome

70. Green horn – a novice

71. Hand to mouth – on daily earning

72. Hang about – to loiter near

73. Head–over–heels – hurriedly

74. Heart and soul – earnestly

75. Herculean Task – a work requiring very great effort

76. Hush money – bribe paid to secure silence

77. Hush up – to suppress to keep a matter concealed

78. In accordance with – according to

79. In case – if

80. In case of – in the event of

81. In full swing – fully at work

82. In lieu of – instead of

83. In the nick of time – at the right time

84. In petticoats – in the form of a women



85. In touch with – familiar to

86. In a trice – very quickly

87. In vogue – in common practice

88. In unison with – agreeing with

89. (An) inch of cold iron – a stab from a dagger or other sharp weapon

90. Every dog has its day – every one has their turn may be not now but definitely

EXPRESSIONS USED IN DAY TO DAY CONVERSATION

1. It is my pleasure / pleasure is mine

2. Nice meeting you.

3. So am I.

4. Good Heavens – (To show surprise)

5. Is that right ? (To show doubt)

6. I can’t make it (some thing not possible)

7. You are welcome

8. Please don’t mention it / Don’t mention (Reply to thank you)

9. By & large – (Generally)

10. Hail & Hearty (Happy & healthy) – used mostly in written communication

11. Dear. me – (to show surprise)

12. He had it from me (I will teach him a lesson) – He had it.

13. May I please be excused (excuse me) / kindly excuse me

14. Oh Boy ! (To show emotional change / upset)

15. Don’t tell me (I am not ready to believe) – Don’t tell me that

16. Isn’t that beautiful ? / Wonderful ? – etc. (It is really beautiful)

17. God forbid (If god will not go against)

18. I am honored (It is my good luck)

19. My privilege, Thank you. (It is my duty)

20. Please lend me your ears (Listen to me carefully)

21. Beg, borrow or steal. (Do it anyhow)

22. By hook or by cook. (Do it anyhow)



23. It’s pouring (It is raining heavily,)

24. Are you quite sure ?

25. I am cocksure (Reply to 24)

26. Would you care… (do you mind)

27. I don’t care (I don’t bother) (I don’t mind)

28. Goodness me – (To show surprise) – Oh my goodness

29. Once in a blue moon (Very rarely)

30. Now & then (frequently, not always)

31. At the very outset – (In the beginning)

32. Thanks for calling ( on the telephone.)

33. If you ask me, well….. (someone has asked for an opinion)

34. Between us / between you & me

35. Let me see…. (Let me think over) (Before you make a commitment)

36. Strictly speaking (Frankly speaking)

37. We have good tuning : We understand each other well

We can work well together.

38. Eat, Drink & be merry (Enjoy)

39. Day in & day out (All 24 Hours)

40. A Childs job (very easy work) – it is a child’s play – A very easy work

41. Only the other day (Few days ago)

42. I am afraid… (to politely say no) – To refuse politely

43. Any Tom Dick & Harry – anyone

44. If I were you (if I was in your place)

45. A happy go lucky chap (A person who is happy with what he has)

46. Over & over again (Repeatedly)

47. All said & done. – finally

48. to patch up (To compromise / To repair a relationship)

49. I care a damn (I don’t care)

50. If my memory serves me right (If I don’t forget)

51. It is raining cats & dogs. (It is raining heavily)

52. I slept like a log (Sound sleep in the same posture)



53. Let me think: Give me some time to think over the matter.(When we are unable to give

the opinion immediately).

54. Here we are : To conclude.

55. By the way : To shift the focus from the topic of discussion / to divert to another topic.

IBS Interview Skills

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