General Interview Questions and Answers

Answer - 1 : - My background to date has been centered around preparing myself to become the very best Software Engineer I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I've prepared myself. I am an graduate in Informatin Science  from _________ University. My past experiences has been in retail and higher education. Both aspects have prepared me well for this career.

Answer - 2 : - I want to be working for an excellent company like yours in a job in which I am managing information. I plan to contribute my leadership, interpersonal, and technical skills. My long-range career goal is to be the best information systems technician I can for the company I work for.

Answer - 3 : - I have prepared myself to transition into the the work force through real-world experience involving travel abroad, internship, and entrepreneurial opportunities. While interning with a private organization in Ecuador, I developed a 15-page marketing plan composed in Spanish that recommended more effective ways the company could promote its services. I also traveled abroad on two other occasions in which I researched the indigenous culture of the Mayan Indians in Todos Santos, Guatemala, and participate din a total language immersion program in Costa Rica. As you can see from my academic, extracurricular, and experiential background, I have unconditionally committed myself to success as a marketing professional.

Answer - 4 : - My ideal job is one that incorporates both my education and practical work skills to be the best I can be. Namely combining my education in finance with my working knowledge of customer service operations, entrepreneurial abilities, computer skills, and administrative skills. I want to utilize my analytical expertise to help people meet their financial goals. This is exactly why I am convinced that I would be a very valuable member of the Merrill Lynch team. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial.

Answer - 5 : - My past experiences have shown me that I enjoy facing and overcoming the challenge of making a sale. Without a doubt, once I have practiced my presentation and prepared myself for objections, I feel very confident approaching people I don't know and convincing them that they need my product. Lastly, I like sales because my potential for success is limited only by how much of myself I dedicate toward my goal. If any profession is founded on self-determinism, it surely must be sales.

Answer - 6 : - I knew that I wanted to pursue information systems technology about my sophomore year in college. It was then that I realized that my that my hobby (computers) was taking up most of my time. My favorite courses were IT courses. I also realized that I was doing computer-oriented work-study that I enjoyed so much I would have done it for free.

Answer - 7 : - My goals include becoming a Certified Financial Advisor so I can obtain a better working knowledge of financial research analysis, which would allow me contribute to my client base as a better financial consultant since I would have that extra insight into the companies they are seeking to invest in. Also this is the foundation block to advancing my career to portfolio manager or even branch office manager.

Answer - 8 : - I've already done some research on other workers at Merrill Lynch to see how they achieved similar goals. I know that Merrill Lynch encourages the pursuit and will reimburse for tuition of a graduate degree. I plan on pursuing a MBA to give me an even more extensive knowledge of business and financial analysis.

Answer - 9 : - 1) Dress appropriately – A well dressed and groomed appearance can do wonders for that first impression. Now is not exactly the time to make a fashion statement so a tastefully chosen professional outfit, with suitable accessories like a hand-bag or brief case should be fine. 2) Posture and Carriage - The way in which the candidate carries himself while walking and sitting tells the interviewer about your confidence. Good “carriage” and posture have to be developed over a period of time and are essential in distinguishing a shoddy and careless attitude from a sharp and alert one. 3) Be confident - Self confidence, or the lack of it, is observed through your behavior, right from the way you sit to how you speak. Good manners and proper behavior are obviously necessary. Suitable greetings for the time of the day and other formalities must be known to the interviewee; for example, sit down only after being told to; elbows must not be put on the table; the brief case or bag should be kept on the floor beside the chair and do not play with any of your accessories or clothes. Nervous movements betray show a lack of confidence and concentration. 4) Mental Preparation - The candidate should be well informed about current events, domestic and international, and topics of general interest. Regular reading of newspapers, listening to radio and TV discussions, participating in group discussions and general reading habits are helpful activities in developing the required mental status for an interview. Information about the organization, its directors, turnover, share capital and other relevant information which are available in its annual report, is expected of candidates by public limited companies. A candidate must know as much as possible about the prospective employer company. 5) Go back to the books - The candidate should also possess adequate knowledge in the subjects studied during graduation and professional examinations. A reasonable revision of the subjects can solve the purpose. Several general questions and biographical questions are usually asked by the interviewers and candidates should be well prepared to answer them. 6) No guessing games - In situations where the candidate does not know the answer to a question i

Answer - 10 : - 6) No guessing games - In situations where the candidate does not know the answer to a question it is always better to state ones inability to answer than to make a guess. No one is expected to know everything; admitting that one does not know the answer reflects honesty. 7) Be clear - A candidate must have clarity of purpose and determination enough to want to know his prospects in the organization. He/she must be able to ask questions about the nature of duties, employee benefits, future prospects and other things which he may want to know about the organization before taking any decision. 8) Know your own worth - It is advisable to talk about salary without appearing to be bargaining and without being driven or defeated. This requires careful prior thinking; if possible this topic should be discussed with the family and with experienced elders or friends. It is useful to assess ones training, experience, proved ability, as well as needs, in order to quantify ones worth. It is, of course, necessary to know the payments made for similar positions or work in other companies. 9) At the end, candidate’s are usually not sure when to leave. If the interviewers indicate that the interview is over, collect your bag, wish them and thank them for their friendly attitude and leave. Some candidates, due to nervousness, seem to be in a hurry to leave and forget to wish or thank the interviewers. Always remember that your parting movements are also closely observed so hurried and frantic movements may betray an earlier composed attitude. In order to succeed in an interview each individual must make an honest self-assessment and find out one’s areas of strength and weakness. Knowledge of one’s deficiencies is useful in overcoming weaknesses and unconscious bad habits of posture or speech can be improved by effort. Shortcomings which cannot be overcome can be accepted and acknowledged so that they do not lead to depression and embarrassment when others notice them. Therefore, coming to terms with oneself and knowing how to deal with one’s faults, and how to make the best use of one’s knowledge and skills, is another vital element in preparing for an interview.