Dated April 27, 2005
What's the best way to approach the question: Why do you want to switch your job?
Aravind Karthik
Kavali
Adopt a constructive approach to questions interviewers ask. If presently employed, state a valid reason such as career progression, or a desire to explore new avenues.
Use your research information to put forth several positive points about the company that you feel will be a great match (for the company) and suit your particular skills and experiences. Emphasise that you were looking for just such a positive opportunity to grow professionally.
Remember, when asked why you left, do not downgrade in any way your prior/current employer. Leave the interviewer with the feeling that you have only been associated with winners! Do not go into the 'I can retire from this job' aspect; it can have negative connotations.
Present yourself as a vital, enthusiastic employee who can use his experience for the welfare of the organisation, for many years to come. Remember, if appropriate, point out that you are not just 'looking around' but are sincerely interested in working for this particular company and that you are not a 'job-hopper' but are interested in a long-term career move.
"Tell me something about your life at college or university, or even at your previous organisation. " What's the purpose of asking this question in an interview?
Manasa
Warangal
The question offers you an opportunity to demonstrate the qualities that the interviewer is looking for in the candidate to fill the post. So, you need to orientate your answer towards these expectations (without distorting the truth obviously).
In your answer, emphasise your experience and achievements (ideally backed with examples and evidence), which will impress the interviewer because of its relevance to the role requirements.
The interviewer looks to find out whether you would bring the capability you ostensibly showed in college to the workplace too. Your emphasis should be on your achievements, and how they are relevant to the job requirement.
Interviewers with special interest in behaviour and personality may also use questions like these to assess your self-awareness and maturity; based on how you consider your answer and relate it to your own experience and development.
College and university are environments that provide lots of opportunity. Good candidates will be able to demonstrate that they have used the opportunity to learn and develop; irrespective of the outcome, whether positive or otherwise.
Kishore Karva
Hyderabad
"Tell us about yourself" is the most frequently asked question in any interview. It's a question that most interviewees expect and also find it very difficult to answer. Though one could answer this open-ended question in a number of ways, the key to answering this particular question or any other interview question is to offer a response that supports your career objective. This means you shouldn't start off with details about your hobbies, your family or extra curricular activities, as the interviewer is not really bothered about all this.
Interviewers use the interview process as a vehicle to eliminate your candidacy. Every question they ask is used to differentiate your skills, experience, and personality with that of other candidates. They want to determine if what you have to offer will go well with the organisation's mission and goals.
You can provide a brief introduction. Introduce attributes that are key to the open position like career summary of your most recent work history. Your career summary is the "key" of your response, so it must support your job objective and must be compelling. It is your responsibility as the interviewee to make sure the interviewer understands how your experiences are transferable to the position they are seeking to fill. Support the responses with suitable examples.
When broken down into manageable pieces, the question, "So, tell me about yourself?" isn't overwhelming. In fact, answering the question effectively gives you the opportunity to talk about your strengths, achievements, and qualifications for the position.<137>
What should my answer be if the interviewer asks: "What are your future plans?"
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