ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY

MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

Interview
Dos and Donts
Maintain basic etiquette

Do not have chewing gum in your mouth. Do

not smell like smoke

Turn off your cell phone before entering

Do not keep your phone in vibrating mode. Do

not use it to check time or anything else

Knock and ask permission before you enter

Do not try to peep in through any opening on

the door

Face the interviewer and Sit upright.

Do not slouch

Look alert and interested

Do not be distracted

Smile and maintain a pleasant expression

Do not look nervous or stressed or frightened

or tired or morose

Maintain eye contact. Look at the triangle

made by the

Do not stare at the interviewers eyes. Do not

look here and there.

Project confidence

Do not fidget

Use a polite, formal tone and language

Do not tell jokes during the interview. Do not

use colloquial words or slang

Address all the interviewers

Do not forget to look at everyone when you

answer

Expect some small talk; relax and be yourself

Do not respond to small talk by trying to be too

friendly yourself

Think before speaking

Do not be too quick to answer

Be positive in your attitude

Do not talk about all the things you do not like

or begin complaining

Highlight your good points

Do not talk about weaknesses until specifically

asked to

Staying focused on the question

Do not go off on a tangent

Try to give concrete examples of every

quality and achievement you have

Do not be vague and just try to define the

qualities asked about in general terms

Try to understand what information the

interviewer is actually seeking

Do not take all the questions at face value and

answer with only a yes and no

If asked about failures, share the lessons

learned

Do not blame others

Be honest and fair

do not try to fake

Be proactive; offer information you consider

necessary

Do not act desperate

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

Stress what you can do for the company, not

what the company can do for you

Do not talk about salary till asked to and even

then talk realistically remember you are a
fresher

Thank the interviewer before you leave

Do not be rude or behave arrogantly even if the

interview did not go well

Steps to Remember
Knock on the door before opening it [make a moderate sound; not too loud and not too
soft]
Seek permission to enter [May I come in please?]
Walk in smartly [Make eye contact, dont drag your feet, make sure that your shoes
dont make any inappropriate noise]
Greet the interviewers [Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, sir/
madam]
State your name and purpose [I am ........., from the ......... department of Academy of
Technology, sir/ madam. I am here for my interview.]
Wait till you are offered a seat [If you are not offered one, you may seek permission to
sit - May I have a seat please?] [Say Thank you when given permission to sit]
Always remember to be polite and pleasant.
Use your research on the company and the company presentation to answer questions
like Why should we hire you? How can you be an asset to us? Do you have any
questions for us? If you prove that you are interested in the company they will be
interested in you.
At the end remember to thank the interviewers for their time. [Thank you, sir. I learnt a
lot today. Or Thank you, sir. It was a very nice experience talking to you. Or something
similar]
What you Need to get the Job
Communication skills (including listening)
Analytical skills
Interest in industry/company
Interpersonal comfort and skills
Enthusiasm
Having a clear goal
Leadership skill
Confidence
Personal presence
Credibility
High energy (But not overwhelming)

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

Ability to work well in teams

Professionalism
High degree of intelligence
Ability to think creatively
Personal "fit" with company
Clear, concise answers
Honesty
HR Questions
With hints on how to answer them

1. Tell me about yourself/ introduce yourself.

Tell them what kind of person you are, and what your professional strengths are. List your
achievements and awards. Tell them what kind of work you like doing and about your hobbies.
End by talk about your interest in the company you are interviewing for. Keep it short. Match
your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. For e.g., for a position in marketing a
peoples person is preferred. Do all the homework you can before the interview. After
uncovering what the employer is looking for, describe why the needs of this job bear striking
parallels to tasks you've succeeded at before. Give specific examples. Mention your academic
and other achievements. Do not mention family background until asked. Be yourself, but
remember to sell yourself properly. Dont be ashamed about blowing your own trumpet. Be
absolutely honest.
2. Tell me about your family.
You can refer to whether you have a joint or nuclear family. You can 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.
3. How was your day/ your experience of todays interview/ exam?
Keep you answer positive. Show interest and enthusiasm.
4. What is the meaning of your name?
Tell the meaning of your name and if your name justifies your personality mention that
5. What is your native place? What is it famous for?
Know your native place well, List all the well known places. If any place has any historical
significance know the details

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

6. Tell me about your college.

List all the positive qualities first. 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
of question is asked to see 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 job 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 college
goer.
8. Why do you want to work in this industry [and not in an educational institute]?
Thorough research about the company is expected and show them how you are a perfect match
how well you can gel with the working culture of the company
9. Do you have any plans for further education?
Relate your plans to the companys 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.
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.
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.

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

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 youre 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?
19. What are two or three examples of tasks that you do not particularly enjoy doing?
20. What are two or three examples of tasks that you particularly enjoy doing?
21. What motivates you?
22. What are your greatest weaknesses?
Disguise strength as a weakness. However, this is used too often. A better answer would be to
assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your
performing in this position with excellence. Or, you can, instead of confessing a weakness,
describe what you like most and like least, making sure that what you like most matches up
with the most important qualification for success in the position, and what you like least is not
essential.

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

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 teams efforts? Do you consider
yourself a leader?
25. Do you handle conflict well? Give example.
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 work that you consider
innovative.
29. Tell me about the most boring work youve ever done.
30. Who has inspired you in your life and how?
You may choose some industry leader/ great scientist or you can mention a quality in a person
that inspires you. You can also describe a situation in which a particular person has 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. 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?

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

34. What are your greatest strengths?

Have a well-prepared list in your mind. Illustrate each strength in your list with a
corresponding example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements. 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 a 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 pencilthis clockor some other object on interviewers desk).
39. What your hobbies?
40. What kind of salary are you looking for?
Never bring up salary. Let the interviewer do it. Make the interviewer want you first, and your
bargaining position will be much stronger. If your interviewer raises the salary question too
early, before youve had a chance to create desire for your qualifications, postpone the question.
Know beforehand what youd accept. To know whats reasonable, research the job market and
this position for any relevant salary information.
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 interviewers 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. Why do you want to work in this industry [and not in an educational institute]?
Thorough research about the company is expected and show them how you are a perfect match
how well you can gel with the working culture of the company

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

43. Whats 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.
44. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
You need to cite some qualities which are required to work in a team if you know that you will
be working in a team. Besides that identify your strong points which normally matches with a
job position. Do not forget to tell them about your technical skills.
45. What are your career options right now?
Show them that you really are willing to do the job right now and gather some job experience.
That does not mean you will beg for the job. If you are planning for higher education ask them
if the company gives you any chance for further education. If you are willing to go abroad you
can ask them about the projects that are being handled outside India. Here you can also talk
about your area of interest and what kind of job the company provides in your area
46. Why did you choose to attend your college?
Refer to the facilities available in the college. Do not hint that it was the only choice available to
you.
47. Why do you want to work for this organization?
48. What do you know about this organization?
49. What contributions/ changes would you make if you came on board?
You must first find out something about the organisation. 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.
50. What challenges are you looking for in this position?
51. 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
specialised software or technology you know if the job you are interviewing for requires it.
52. 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.

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

53. Where could you use some improvement?

A good way to answer this question is to identify a cutting-edge branch of your profession (one
thats not essential to your employers needs) as an area youre very excited about.
54. 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
companys point of view. rely on your master strategy of uncovering the employers 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 companys
requirements with your unique combination of strengths.
55. Arent you overqualified for this position?
56. 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.
57. 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.
58. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
59. 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.
60. Why should we hire you?
61. 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,

ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

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.
62. 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 tell them about the problem rather disguise it as
a challenge and show them your active and positive participation in overcoming the problem
63. When did you last have to work on a challenging project with a tight deadline? Tell me
about the experience.
64. 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
65. If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?
66. What do you worry about?
67. When I call your references, what will they say is your greatest strength and your greatest
weakness?
68. Do you have any fatal flaws?
69. If you had to describe yourself in only three words, what would those words be?
70. Are you a self-starter? Support your response with suitable examples.
71. Do you enjoy doing independent research?
72. Would you rather work with information or with people?
73. Describe a difficult work situation/project and how you overcame it.
74. Tell me about a problem you had with a boss/ supervisor/ professor.

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ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

75. 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.
76. Describe some situations in which you worked under pressure or met deadlines.
77. What would you say to your boss if hes crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?
78. 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?
79. Tell me about something you did or failed to do that you now feel a little ashamed of.
80. What good books have you read lately? [Mention why]
81. Are you net savvy? Do you feel it is important and why?
82. What is more important to you, the money or the work?
83. How much money do you need to be happy?
84. Have you considered starting your own business?
85. How do you feel about reporting to a younger person (minority, woman, etc)?
86. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
If youre a confirmed workaholic, this question is easy for you. Say that this kind of schedule is
just your style. Add that your family understands it. If however, you prefer a more balanced
lifestyle, you could try asking: Whats the norm for your best people here? If the hours still
sound unrealistic for you, ask, Do you have any top people who perform exceptionally for
you, but who also have families and like to get home in time to see them at night? Depending
on the answer, be honest about how you would fit into the picture. If all those extra hours make
you uncomfortable, say so, but phrase your response positively. E.g.: I love my work and do it
exceptionally well. Ive built my whole career on working not just hard, but smart. I think youll
find me one of the most productive people here. At the same time, I do have a family. They add
balance and richness to my life, which in turn helps me be happy and productive at work. If I
could handle some of the extra work at home, in the evenings or on weekends, it would be
ideal.

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ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
MATERIALS FOR ENRICH ENGLISH PROGRAMME

87. How familiar are you with the community that we are located in?
88. Do you have any location preferences?
89. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
90. Are you willing to travel and how much?
91. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
92. What do you think about AbortionMaoists The Death Penalty (or any other
controversial subject)?
93. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.
Never be negative. Dont give a numerical rating. Pay the interviewer a sincere compliment that
he/she can believe. Anchor it in the behaviour youve just seen. Praise whatever interview style
he/she has been using. Some qualities you can praise: thoroughness, methodical and analytical
approach.
94. What if I dont 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.
95. Is there anything you wanted me to know about you that we havent discussed?
96. 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?

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