Interviews are
defined as smart people meeting smarter once to screen the level of their
smartness. Many a times, most candidates fail in interviews because of
underestimating the interviewer or themselves. Even if the interviewer asks a
stupid question, a smart candidate can prove his smartness by giving smart
answers to stupid questions. Let us see some of the commonly asked interview questions and smart way of answering to them.
Q: Will you be
out to take my job?
A: Maybe in
about twenty years, but by then, I suspect you'll be running the entire company
and will need a good, loyal lieutenant to help you manage this department!
Q: What if you
work here for five years and don't get promoted? Many of our employees don't.
Won't you find it frustrating?
A: I consider
myself ambitious, but I'm also practical. As long as I am continuing to learn
and grow within my position, I'll be a happy camper. Different companies
promote people at different rates, and I'm pretty confident that working for
you will keep me motivated and mentally stimulated for several years to come.
Q: What is your
biggest weakness that's really a weakness, and not a secret strength?
A: I am
extremely impatient. I expect my employees to prove themselves on the very
first assignment. If they fail, my tendency is to stop delegating to them and
start doing everything myself.
Q: You have
changed careers before. Why should I let you experiment on my nickel?
A. As a
career-changer, I believe that I'm a better employee because I've gained a lot
of diverse skills from moving around. These skills help me solve problems
creatively.
Q: If you knew
that things at your company were rocky, why didn't you get out of the company
sooner?
A: I was working
so hard to keep my job while everyone around me was being cut that I didn't
have any time left over to look for another job. With all of the mergers that
have been happening in our field, layoffs are a way of life. At least I gave it
my best shot!
Q: From your
resume, it looks like you were fired twice. How did that make you feel?
A: After I
recuperated from the shock both times, it made me feel stronger. It's true that
I was fired twice, but I managed to bounce back both times and land jobs that
gave me more responsibility, paid me more money, and were at better firms.
Q: How many
hours a week do you usually work, and why?
A: I work pretty
long hours most of the time. With the extra time, I try to find ways to
"add value" to each assignment, both my own and the firm's. When our
clients read our reports, I want them to think that no one else could have
possibly written them, except for our company.
