15 Basic Interview Question that you have to Know

There are some basic tricky interview questions that you must know before interview. The following are some of the basic interview questions that you must expect in any interview.

1.       Tell me a brief about yourself?

2.       What are your strengths?

3.       What are your weaknesses?

4.       What are your short term and long term goals?

5.       Where do you want to be five years from now?

6.       If you have to change something about your personality what could it be?

7.       What do you understand by the term success?

8.       What do you understand by the term failure?

9.       Are you a well oriented person?

10.   In what way are you organized and what way are you disorganized?

11.   How do you manage your time?

12.   How do manage change?

13.   How do you make decision?

14.   How can you work under pressure?

Importance of Job Descriptions Review

Most of the job applicants and newly graduates make a mistake of jumping to job application with outing reviewing the job description.  Many of the job seekers jump to apply the job vacancy with our understanding it. They are happy to forward their application.

This is not totally impressive, not recommendable and could be more wrong. Generally employers, feel impressive with employees who read and know more about the job description. This shows how employers are well informed about the job they are seeking. It also indicates that the employee is more interested in the job they are looking for and that they will be responsible. The following are the reasons why job descriptions are important to employees and those who are searching jobs.

1. Updates you with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

A job description provides you with the duties and responsibilities of position. It will update you with what you are supposed to do at the job and what is required for the job. If you get a job that does not match your job description your work performance results will be poor.

2. Provide clue of interview questions to face

Employers are keen about specific person with specific features that best fits the job that is needed to be undertaken as mentioned in the job description. They will advertise the duties and responsibilities that is required to be done by the job candidate. They will be asking interview questions related to the job description duties and the experiences that you have for it.

Basic interview Questions

1.       Tell me a brief about a time you made a mistake?

2.       Do you anticipate or react to problems?

3.       Are you a risk taker or risk avoidant?

4.       Tell me why I should hire you?

5.       Tell me about a time that you make a very good decision?

6.       Tell us about a time that you made a poor decision?

7.       Tell us about a time that you fired someone from job?

8.       Tell me a time that you hired someone for a job vacancy?

9.       Tell me about a time that you failed to complete an assignment on  time?

10.   Tell me about a time that you found a solution that you can save the money of the company?

11.   Tell me about the time that you aimed high?

12.   Tell me about a time that you aimed low?

13.   Tell me about a time you made a great sale?

14.   Tell me about a time you went over budget?

Job Searching Advice

Job Searching Advice.

If you are not sure of how you are going to do a job search the following tips may be helpful to you to search for the job that you want.

1.       Know your career interest. 

Try to identify the career that interests you or the talents that you have. Understand yourself what qualities, talents or skills that you have that can shape your well in the market.

2.       Evaluate your career of interest.

Test yourself what career are you good at. You can do a career assessment test that you can find even online. Choose a career that best suits you according to your work interests and according to your competencies.

3.       Brain storm with your friends.

As your friends to tell you what they you are good at. Let them mention and hear from them, take advantage of their advises, strength and opportunities available that you can take over. Your staff mates are a better source of information of the skills and traits that you have that can help you get the job that you want. Always know where you want to be, which career you desire and what you want do about it to get there.

4.       What are your plans to achieve?

Are you interested in salary, your community development or you want to get to prestigious position. If you do so, how are you going to achieve them? How are you going to get that job or level?

5.       Take control of yourself and don’t let the company take charge of you.

Gone are the days where you have to work for one company and work for them for two to three decades in the same company. Just like what use to happen in 1980's where you work as a career for the rest of your life.  Back In those days, your career was shaped by the corporation you work for and used to manage it the way it uses to fit which his different from nowadays where within 5 years you work for almost 5 companies.

6.       Evaluate the company that suits your interest. 

When choosing a company to work for you need to take into consideration of the company’s culture, value, product or service provided. This is important professional goals you need to look at when you are doing your job search. What you need to do is to consider the values and principles of the company and compare them with your own.  It is important that you feel comfortable and fit in with company. 

How To Answer Salary Expectation Question in Job Interview.

How are you going to answer if you are posed with the question of what is your salary expectation? Actually is a tough interview question which is also tricky to answer it. It may cost you the job if you don’t carefully approach to answer this kind of interview questions.

Interviewer may ask you such kind of question when they have interest in you to employ. It is very tough and tricky to answer this type of interview question. To answer this common interview questions you need to be prepared. You must have done research on the company or organization pay scale for the position you have applied for.

The interviewer will want to hear what is your expectation even if you say “I don’t know”. They will ask you approximately how much you are expecting to get from this position.

Most of the employers try to see your personality by answering these questions. They want see who is the real person in you. If you mention a higher salary payment, it will signals to the employer that you are after money and you can do everything to get that desired level of money. Which will eventually led to corruption and theft of the organization property.

If you mention a lower salary expectation, the employer will still think that you are incompetent and desperate person who is ready to work for any pay. They will start doubting your skills and abilities after passing all those tough interview questions.

 The best answer to this question can be stating a salary that is paid to that position in the industry. This impresses the hiring person that you are well prepared and done your interview preparation research well.

If you don’t know how much is salary paid for the vacancy, you can do two things.

1.      Mention an average salary or a range such as $ 2000 and explain why you choose to be given that amount.

 Example “I expect to be paid the amount of salary paid to the same line officers in the organization but I need an average of $2000 because, I have to pay $ 1000 for my rentals and my school fees. $ 500 for my personal expenses, $ 250 for my parents’ bill and $ 250 to save in case for emergency need arises.

2.       Negotiate with them.

Sample answer “we can agree on the salary if you are sure am the right person for the position. “

If you were previously working and taking another job, you should view in seconds the range of salary you received in your previous employment and give an average of that.

But it is always advisable to mention the amount of a salary paid at that company or a salary that is close to that.  

Interviews Do’s and Don’ts

As an interview candidate, there are many thing that you suppose to do and others you don’t need to do in order to succeed in an interview. Interview itself in not something that is so big deal but, it is not a crucial moment when you need to discuss with the employer about a job that you need to be given and how you can do it.

In the job interview, you need to convince the hiring person or company that you have the knowledge , the skills and abilities required to do that job. As a potential interview candidate there are things that you need to do and things that you need to avoid to be successful.

 The following are the rules that you need to follow to be successful with job interview.

What you need to do

Review the job description.

Get to know the skills and the type of person they are looking for

Relate yourself to the skills and competence that they need.

Research the company well.

Do interview practice.

Dress smartly.

Be neat and clean.

Carry a copy of the CV you sent to them.

Get early to the job interview.

Greet the interviewers and if possible does a strong hand shake

Be enthusiastic as possible.

Keep standing until you are offered to sit.

Give examples to behavioral questions

Answers the questions that you are asked only and relate to the skills they are looking for.

Take three to four minutes answering the questions.

Maintain eye contacts

Sell yourself –show what you can do well and your achievements.

Send thank you note.

Turn off your mobile phone or put in vibration.

What not to Do

Do not get late

Don’t lie

Don’t get panicked in interview

Do not chew gum.

 don’t understand

Don’t answer questions that y

Don’t put your phone on.

Don’t inquire about salary, vacation and other benefits.

Do not use social linguistics such as slang words.

Do not speak impolitely

Don’t argue with the interviewer

Do not say something bad about your coworkers

Don’t talk about your personal problem

Don’t laugh

Do not joke

 To win an interview follows these guidelines. Many interviewers are keen on how you behave and what you say.  Get always ready for the interview. If you are not sure go to the reception desk and inquire them before the interview.

How to answer inappropriate Interview Questions

How to answer inappropriate Interview Questions.

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There are some job interview questions that are not appropriate for the employer to ask the interviewee. Generally, the interviewer cannot ask you about   some of the questions that are related to your Tribe, your origin, your religion, who you live with, your age , if you are married or not, your disability or your income level.

It is in appropriate for the hiring person to ask you such questions. However, there are some of these interview questions that you might be asked that are appropriate for you to answer.  Such interview questions are appropriate to answer if:

1.       If the type of job of working for people who have been excluded  on the basis of tribe, your place of origin, your religion , your nationality, your age, disability, pregnancy  or not pregnancy.

2.       If these information are very important for the work that is supposed to be done such as medical examination and pre-explained reasons.

3.       If the contestant of the job vacancy is your relative such as son, parents or the employer.

In case if the employers ask you’re such unlawful interview questions it is upon you to choose how you are going to answers these questions. If you say that you are not happy to answer such questions or it is in appropriate to answer it, you may fail the interview and you may not be selected.  

If you are applying through a recruitment agency, ask them to guide you on how to approach and answer such interview question.  It is very crucial to prepare yourself for the interview.

The best way to answer such kind of inappropriate interview question is not to directly answer the question but change the topic as you answer it instead talk about your skills and ability.

Behavioral Job Interview Questions and Answers.

Behavioral Job Interview Questions and Answers.

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Some of the job interview questions are behavioral questions which are commonly known as a STAR interview questions (Situation, Task, Action and Results). These are interview questions that are oriented to assess the interviewee ability to solve immediate situation that come up in the work place.  They recount on the past behaviors at the work place, past experience on tasks assigned, how you managed to come up with action plan and what were the results of the activities that you have taken.

Generally, behavioral interview question are question that ask you for scenarios , experiences, skills and how to approached those situations and what was the outcome of the action that you have taken. In this type of interview, the interviewer will always asks you to describe the situation and how you have handled it. The answers you provide will give reflect your behavior, character and personality, and how you manage stress at work place.

The best interview answers to give to behavioral interview questions is that you should give an example of a situation, describe the scenario and  show how you managed to put under control. Show the skills, approach and strategies that you have used in solving that situation. Explain what were the results of the skills and the techniques that you have used to deal with the situation.

To answer behavioral interview question always use S.T.A.R method. STAR method is the selection of situation to describe the task that was required, what action you have taken and the outcome or the result of your actions.

 The most common behavioral interview questions are:

1.    How do you motivate your teammates or your employees?

2.    Tell me about a time that you had go beyond the leaving time to get a job done

3.    Describe a situation that you had convinced an employee to get the job done before it d date.

4.    Tell me about a project that you failed, how it has gone wrong and what you did

5.    Describe a situation that you have seen that some of your workmate have overlooked about certain task.

6.    Give an example a time that when you did not accomplish your weekly duties and what happened and how did you try to recover it ?

7.    Tell me about a time that you were to make a very hard decision?

8.    Describe about a project that you managed and  how you keep it going without diverting it from its plan activities

9.    Describe a stressful situation that you have worked and how you managed it not to affect your work and how you did get through it.

10. Tell me about a time you worked without supervision and how you planned your worked.

The above are some of the behavioral interview questions asked by the interviewer. To answer such interview questions you must use STAR method.

How to Answer Tell about You Educational Background ?

How to Answer Tell about You Educational Background .

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Hints: to give the best answer to this interview question, you should be specific and organized. It is advisable to use and follow how you have indicated in your Resume. Mention your educational achievement from the latest to the earliest. Start from PhD, Master, Undergraduate studies to elementary school and not forgetting about professional studies, training, workshop and related conferences.

Don’t forget to mention the name of the university or the college from where you had graduated place and country. It is a time that you are building your image and selling yourself. Do not hesitate to mention any studies that you have put an effort to earn a certificate. They may be extra advantage that you may be considered.

A Sample answer to such common interview question can be “I have graduated from Harvard University in USA with a PhD in Accounting. I have also finished my MBA in Canada where I also did Certified Public Account, a professional Accounting Coarse. On top of that,   I attended several training and conferences related to accounting and finance. ”

This is an example of one of the best job interview answers that you can give when asked by the interviewing employers.

Phone Interview Questions and Answers

Phone Interview Questions and Answers,
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Phone interview questions are not easy as you might think. Many of the interviewees do not do any early preparation to such interviews. The interview can be clumsy if you don't have interview tips of the phone interviews. Early preparation worthwhile to get a clue of how to answer and manage common telephone  interviews questions. you don not need to fear phone interviews or get nervous. Be composed and attentive to answer questions.

The important tips to phone interviews is that :

1. You must have a calm environment where there is no distractions. If in case you are distributed by noise, tell the interviewer that was it. 
2. Get a good phone for the interview that you can hear each other well. It is advisable to use a landline for interviews because they are clear and you can stay on phone interview for long time with out pain in the ear.
3. If you are using a phone get to a place where a good network. i mean a place where the network can Higo down.
4. Phone interviews can range between 10-20 minutes.

Remember: Accent of the interviewees can vary so be attentive and if you don't understand,  don't feel shy to pardon or ask for Clarification.

The Most asked phone interview questions include the following:

Why are you interested in this job ?
Hint: to answer this question, you need to show to the hiring company how the job best fits your career and you seek to build it. show how you interest it and given that you can perform well since its you passion and dream job.

What skills do you have to perform this task given the job ?
Hint: i gain here you must have researched on the what skills do the company needs. Then relate to your past situation that you have applied . To manage this interview question. you need to reflect that past experience and give with example.

What qualification you have ? 
Hint: you have to be direct to the point. Mentions the university that you have completed and what career course you did. to take advantage of this  job question include all the professional courses , training and worships that you have done or either attended.

Are you going to be available full time or part time for this job ?
Hint: here you have to know if the company wants full time or part time employee as well as you availability for the job. Remember if the job is full time and you choose to be part time , you will not be successful in the interview.

What is your salary expectation ? 

Hint: The interview tips to answer this question is that, you must have researched on what level of pay the company makes to its employees at that  rank or position you have applied for. note that. if you mention beyond the level you pay, it will denote that you are after money and not reliable and trustworthy. if you also mention below the level of the pay they make in the interview it will also denote that you desperate and not worthy to be employed.

it good that you mention amount that is almost to what they pay. Not below ans not beyond the salary they give.

What experience do you have ?

Hint: to answer this phone interview, you must mention all the places that you have worked since. Not to forget about the self employment that you have taken. its a good basis that shows you are creative, hardworking and good at management. At this telephone interview do also mention the positions title and management level of that company.

When will you be available to take up this job ?

Hint: to be successful to this common interview questions you need to be know when they require the job started. answer successfully a month or two weeks before they need the job started.

What are your weakness and strengths ?

Hint: to answer this question you need to do interview preparation of  what to say. You should not say any negative thing about yourself. Remember you are marketing your self and you need to build your image rather than turning it.

To answer to this weakness interview questions you need to change some of the strengths to weakness. the best answer to this phone interview question is manipulating your strengths to weakness. for example you can say " i turn to concentrate on my work so much. "