Dr.

Baishakhi Bhattacharya
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Academy of Technology
Enrich English
HR Questions

1.  Tell me about yourself/ introduce yourself.

Tell them what kind of person you are, and what your professional strengths
(i.e. technical and soft skills) are. List your projects, trainings, achievements
and awards (academic and other). Tell them what kind of work you like doing
and about your hobbies. End by talking about your interest in the company
you are interviewing for.
Keep it short. Give specific examples. Family background is optional. Be
yourself, but remember to sell yourself properly. Don’t be ashamed about
blowing your own trumpet. Be honest but do not talk about weaknesses.

2. Tell me about your family.

You can refer to whether you have a joint or nuclear family. Give a very brief
introduction of your family members and talk about what qualities & values
you have learned from your family members. Also talk about cooperative,
supportive and inspiring nature of the family members, etc. Talk about your
relationship with your family members.

3. How was your day/ your experience of today’s interview/ exam?

Keep your answer positive. Show interest and enthusiasm.

4. What is the meaning of your name/ surname?

Tell the meaning of your name and if your name justifies your personality
mention that. You can also talk about why you were given that name.

5. What is your native place? What is it famous for?

Know your native place well. List all the well-known features – geographical as
well as historical. If the place is known for any significant persons, add the
details. You can also talk about special local customs and foods. Make your
answer interesting.

6. Tell me about your college.

Speak positively. You can add some of the things (constructive) you enjoy
doing at college.
If you do not like anything about the college you are expected to do a healthy &
positive criticism and cite examples how the problem can be solved. This type
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of question is asked to check your attitude. Instead of listing the negative

side, show them where you can see scope for improvement

7. Tell me about your college life.

Besides telling them the routine jobs you have done at your college, tell them
about your achievements, your constructive ideas, contribution to the college
and your attitude towards your friends. Here you are expected to give the
answer like a professional and not like a kid.

8. Why do you want to work in this industry [and not in an educational

institute]?
Thorough research about the company is expected. Show them how you are a
perfect match; how well you can gel with the work culture of the company.

9. Do you have any plans for further education?

Do not state any degree [M. Tech or MBA], unless the company is known to
sponsor employees for it. You can talk about self-improvement courses. Relate
your plans to the company’s needs and desires. Your career goals should
benefit the company.

10. Why is your CGPA not higher? What are your plans to increase it?
Cite reasons that are beyond your control. Do not blame anyone (person or
organization) else. Take responsibility for your failures (just like you take credit
for your success) and talk about what you have done to compensate for low
grades. Reassure the interviewer that it will not be a hindrance to your
performance. While taking about a plan do not simply say “I will work hard”;
say something concrete.

11. What were your favourite subjects/ courses/ teachers and why?
Mention a subject that has some connection to the job you are applying for. Do
not say that you like it because it is easy or because you get good marks in it.
Emphasise what interests you in it.
When talking about your favourite teacher know his/ her full name. Choose a
teacher who has taught you recently. Emphasise what you learnt from him/
her and what is special about the way he/ she teaches.
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12. What changes would you make at your college?

Remember to be positive and constructive. Identify areas where there is
scope for improvement. Give suggestions that demonstrate your ability to
analyze, and your innovative and methodical approach to issues.

13. How would you describe your ideal job/ company/ location?
The only right answer is to describe what this company is offering. Make your
answer believable; add specific reasons why each quality represented by this
opportunity is attractive to you. Sound sincere. Put their virtues high on the
list of exactly what you’re looking for.

14. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
If your strongest point is your technical skill, highlight that. If it is your
interpersonal or leadership skill, highlight that. In short, the person you
describe should be a splitting image of yourself.

15. What unique skills can you bring to our company?

Your strengths

16. Which challenge/problem was the most/least rewarding?

Choose a challenge that taught you the most when talking of the most
rewarding one; choose one that taught you the least in the other case. Do not
refer to short cuts. Instead demonstrate a quality like presence of mind or time
management or innovation.

17. What is your biggest accomplishment/failure?

Refer to a recent accomplishment and it is always better to cite an example
where you can relate the accomplishment with the job position.
If you are talking about failure it is better to talk about an insignificant one and
do not forget to tell them the lesson you have learnt from the failure and
how you are working on it

18. What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
Similar to biggest accomplishment
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19. What are two or three examples of tasks that you do not particularly
enjoy doing?
Remember this question is a trap. No one likes a complainer. Choose
something which will not affect a company and temper your language so that
you appear professional.

20. What are two or three examples of tasks that you particularly enjoy doing?
Choose things that reflect a positive personality and can be recognised as
assets by a company.

21. What motivates you?

You can talk about a type of behaviour or job or some kind of personality trait.

22. What are your greatest weaknesses?

There can be 3 possibilities.
One, you can disguise a strength as a weakness. However, this is used too
often.
Second, you can assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that
would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence.
Or (and this may be the best approach), you can confess a past weakness and
describe how you have been working to overcome it and also to what extent you
have succeeded. Structure it as: (1) What and when did you identify (2) What
was your plan of action to handle it (3) How far have you been successful

23. Do you prefer to work independently or on a team and why?

Handle the question with wit, because here you are being checked to see
whether you can work both independently and in a team. For instance, you can
tell them that “I love to work in a team with significant individual contribution”
and give a proper example of what kind of contribution you mean.

24. Have you ever lead a team? How did you correlate your team’s efforts? Do
you consider yourself a leader?
You can give examples from your project work and/ or from your extra-
curricular activities.

25. Do you handle conflict well? Give example.

Do not give examples of personal conflicts. Try to cite examples of conflicts are
decisions in lab projects or similar areas.
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26. What type of approach to solving problems seems to work best for you?
Give me an example of when you solved a tough problem

27. What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?

28. Give a specific example of something you have done at college that you
consider innovative.

29. Tell me about the most boring task you’ve ever done.
Be very careful about words like “boring”. They are testing your attitude and
any negativity can cause problems.

30. Who has inspired you in your life and how?

You may choose some industry leader/ great scientist/ inspiring relative or you
can mention a quality that (if present in any person) inspires you. You can also
describe a situation in which a particular person inspired you.

31. What are your short-term or long-term career goals? How do you plan to
achieve these goals?
Do not say something impossible, like ‘CEO of Microsoft’, or cheeky, like ‘in
your position’.
Talk about your plans in the next 2, 5, and 10 years. Talk about plans for self-
improvement, professional goals, etc.

32. How do you measure your own success?

Give a definition of success that will allow you to say that you are successful in
some respects, that you have achieved some worthwhile things, and that you
are on your way to greater success. Never say that you will be successful only
when/ if you get the job.

33. Do you consider yourself successful?

Do not just say yes or no. Talk about what success means to you and in what
areas you feel to have achieved some success and what you are still working
on.

34. What are your greatest strengths?

Have a well-prepared list in your mind. Add examples chosen from your most
recent and most impressive achievements.
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10 most desirable traits: a proven track record as an achiever, intelligence,

honesty/ integrity/ decency, good fit with corporate culture/ team player,
likeability/ positive attitude/ sense of humor, good communication skills,
dedication, definiteness of purpose/ clear goals, enthusiasm/ high level of
motivation, confident/ leader.

35. Describe some situations in which you worked under pressure or met
deadlines

36. If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work?
Work in itself should be important to you, not for the sake of money alone. You
should project yourself as industrious and creative, and such a person would
never be idle. Besides, do you actually rely on lotteries to give yourself financial
success?

37. If you become PM/CM, what will you do?

Give constructive plans for improvement. Choose one area that needs most
attention and then give a suggestion about what can be done. Make sure you
are not attacking someone personally. Do not be biased or prejudiced.

38. Sell me this stapler (this pencil…this clock…or some other object on
interviewer’s desk).

39. What your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?

Do not just list several activities. Choose something that will cast you in a
positive light. It must not be something passive or something that makes you
appear lazy, disinterested or a bad fit with any organization.
You can talk about the story behind the hobby (what made you start it),
describe something interesting about the chosen activities/ hobby, and relate
feelings & experiences that show enthusiasm & passion for your hobby.

40. What kind of salary are you looking for?

Never bring up salary. Let the interviewer do it.
To know what’s reasonable, research the job market and this position for any
relevant salary information. Check the job description to see if salary is
mentioned. If insisted upon, mention a suitable range (instead of a fixed
amount).
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41. What interests you about this job?

You are expected to do research on the job position that you are applying
for. You can always draw the interviewer’s attention to the perfect match
between your personality and attitude and the demand of the job position. It is
advisable that you do not bring the salary talk here.

42. What’s the most difficult part of being an engineer?

First, redefine “difficult” to be “challenging” which is more positive. Then,
identify an area everyone in your profession considers challenging and in which
you excel. Describe the process you follow that enables you to get splendid
results and be specific about those results.

43. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?

Identify your strong points that match with job position. For instance, if you
know that you will be working in a team, you need to cite some qualities which
are required to work in a team. Do not forget to tell them about your technical/
soft skills and point out how they are relevant to success in that job.

44. Why did you choose to attend this college?

Refer to the facilities available in the college and map them to requirements
you had for a successful career. Do not hint that it was the only choice
available to you.

45. Why do you want to work for this organization?

You need thorough knowledge about the organization for this. Pick up some
qualities that you value [from what the company says about itself in its
website] and talk about how you would be a match.

46. What do you know about this organization?

Never go for an interview without researching the organization. The
company website & placement ppt are your best resources. You can also refer
to seniors already working in the organization.

47. What contributions/ changes would you make if you came on board?
You must first find out something about the organization. Unless you do that,
you cannot make changes.
You can refer to your skills. Talk about how, as a fresher, you would bring a
fresh mind and eagerness to learn. Demonstrate a positive attitude.
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48. What challenges are you looking for in this position?

49. What experience do you have in this field?

Refer to your project and internship if they are relevant to the job. You could
also talk about any specialized software or technology you know if the job you
are interviewing for requires it.

50. What applicable attributes or experience do you have that you can bring to
this job?
Talk about both technical and soft skills. Give specific examples. For instance,
if you say that ‘presence of mind’ is an attribute that you will bring to the job,
you must add an example of when you demonstrated it. Do not tell a long
story. Be to the point.

51. Where could you use some improvement? What are your plan for self-
improvement?
Choose an area you are already working on. Point out how you plan to achieve
your aims in that area and a roadmap for the future.

52. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?

Before going to any interview, try to identify the weakest aspects of your
candidacy from the company’s point of view. Rely on your master strategy of
uncovering the employer’s greatest wants and needs and then matching them
with your strengths.
You could begin by agreeing on the importance of experience, explain that your
strength may be greater than your resume indicates because…, review your
greatest strengths, focusing on how you meet the company’s requirements with
your unique combination of strengths.

53. Aren’t you overqualified for this position?

54. How much training do you think you will need to become a productive
employee?
Before answering this question, you must have a clear idea about the kind of
training the company provides. Stress the fact that you have the correct
attitude and will attend the training proactively, rather than passively.
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55. Suppose you were in my chair and you had two candidates in front of you.
One is technically very sound, the other one has potential like you, but
technically weak. Whom would you select and why?
Mention that the candidate with potential is better because while technical
skills can be taught, skills that you possess like creativity, positive attitude, ...
cannot. Make sure you list skills that you can prove with examples.

56. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

57. Why are you the best person for this job?
List your skills and match it to the requirements of the company. For instance,
if you are fluent in English and good at making new contacts, and the company
is an IT services provider, it is always good to stress that quality. Also refer to
relevant project exposure, knowledge of new software, etc.

58. Why should we hire you?

Refer to strengths and skills. Match them to company requirements.

59. What major challenges and problems have you faced? How did you handle
them?
Have a recent example ready that demonstrates either a quality most important
to the job at hand; or a quality that is always in demand, such as leadership,
initiative, managerial skill, persuasiveness, courage, persistence, intelligence,
etc. Describe the rational, methodical process you would follow in analyzing
any problem, who you would consult with, generating possible solutions,
choosing the best course of action, and monitoring the results.

60. Have you done any project? What problems did you face in completing it?
Talk about the live project that you have completed or working on. You must
tell them about your contribution if it is a team project.
Do not start listing your problems, rather disguise it as a challenge and show
them your active and positive participation in overcoming the challenge.

61. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Be honest while answering this question. Refer to books that you have read,
completed any relevant course, attended any seminar, workshop, conferences
etc.
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62. If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what
would they say?

63. What do you worry about?

64. When I call your references, what will they say is your greatest strength
and your greatest weakness?

65. Do you have any fatal flaws?

66. If you had to describe yourself in only three words, what would those
words be?
Try to avoid over-used adjectives and do not be dismissive [flippant, casual]
about your answer.

67. Are you a self-starter? Support your response with suitable examples.

68. Do you enjoy doing independent research?

69. Would you rather work with information or with people?

70. Describe a difficult work situation/project and how you overcame it.

71. Tell me about a problem you had with a team leader/ project guide/
professor.

72. How do you react to criticism from supervisors that you consider to be
unjust? Did you ever encounter any such situations?
Present yourself as a person who can handle criticism without becoming angry,
defensive, vengeful or arrogant. However, emphasize that you do not let others
intimidate or blame you when you don't deserve it.

73. What would you say to your boss if he’s crazy about an idea, but you think
it is terrible?

74. Describe a situation in which you had to work with a difficult person. How
did you handle the situation? Is there anything you would have done
differently in hindsight?
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75. Tell me about something you did – or failed to do – that you now feel a little
ashamed of.

76. What good books have you read lately? What is the last movie you saw?
Tell me about your favourite book/ movie.
Identify the book/ movie you want to talk about carefully – it will reflect your
personality. Sum up the main features and talk about what you like about it or
your experience with it. Add any message or anything inspiring you found in it.

77. Are you social media savvy? Do you feel it is important and why?

78. What is more important to you, the money or the work?

79. How much money do you need to be happy?

80. Have you considered starting your own business?

81. How do you feel about reporting to a younger person (minority, woman,
etc)?

82. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?

You have to be willing to put in extra hours. Make sure your tone and facial
expression is positive.
Be balanced with your answer. Do not go overboard in your attempt to say yes
to everything asked.

83. How familiar are you with the community that we are located in?

84.  Do you have any location preferences?

85. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

86. Are you willing to travel and how much?

87. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

88. What do you think about …Maoists …Kashmir situation …Mercy Killing (or
any other controversial subject)?
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89. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.

Never be negative. Don’t give a numerical rating.
Pay the interviewer a sincere compliment that he/she can believe. Anchor it in
the behavior you’ve just seen. Praise whatever interview style he/she has been
using. Some qualities you can praise: thoroughness, methodical and analytical
approach.

90. On a scale of one to ten, rate yourself as an interviewee.

Try to break up your qualities and rate them separately.

91. What if I don’t select you for this job?

Be positive and confident. Refer to your unique qualities and the (good)
interview, and then say that you would ask what the interviewer found lacking.

92. Is there anything you wanted me to know about you that we haven’t
discussed?

93. Do you have any questions for me?

The interviewer wants to know whether you were engaged in the interview. Ask
about initiatives, new projects or if you have nothing else, any philanthropic
work in which the company participates.
Do not say something like ‘What do you do?’