Dated June 08, 2005
"Are you a self-starter? Could you quote an example to support your statement?" How should one tackle this question in interviews?
Suresh
Chennai
The right answer to this question is always a "yes", and the ideal answer includes an example of how you can work with minimal supervision, keep your skills current without being told, or a ti me when you took it upon yourself to be more efficient, accurate or productive.
"Yes, I am a self-starter. I always think of ways I can improve my efficiency and help the company become profitable. For example, "the sales representatives of our company were having a very difficult time finding client files when they called. The sales representatives would put clients on hold and spend, sometimes, as much as five minutes frantically trying to locate a file. I took it upon myself to design a file management system that enabled them to locate client files on their desktops in less than 15 seconds. This has made the office much more efficient and, of course, made both the representatives and our clients much happier."
Describe the ideal job for you and how would you relate it to what you have studied in your college.
Srinivasa Chary
Hyderabad
My ideal job is one that requires both my education and practical work skills. Namely, combining my education in the area of __________ with my working knowledge of _______________ service operations, entrepreneurial abilities, computer knowledge and administrative skills. I want to utilise my analytical expertise to help people meet their goals. This is exactly why I am convinced that I would be a very valuable member of this organisation."
You could also say, "I would describe my ideal job as one that puts me in a position where I would be faced with challenges. These challenges would definitely help me go an extra mile in getting my work done."
Be as specific as possible regarding level of responsibility, skills (whether you currently have the skills or not), type of organisation, work environment, location, hours, compensation package, travel and any other factors you feel are important and essential to be your best and be your most productive self.
Though it is the most common interview question, how should one go about identifying their strengths and weaknesses?
Jenitha Joseph
Visakhapatnam
Before you identify your strengths and weaknesses, analyse the position you are applying for and mention strengths that are relevant to the position. Self-assessment exercises will help you do this. If you are asked a question about your weaknesses, clarify if the interviewer is asking about personal or job-related weaknesses. Never mention a weakness that would be a weakness for the job (for example, an accountant who is poor with details).
Choose a weakness that might also be seen as a strength (for example, being a perfectionist). While being too picky can certainly cause problems, it is also a desirable trait in many situations. Also mention what you are doing to overcome the weakness: like, "I used to be a little shy in front of large groups of people. So, while I was at the previous company, I took up training to improve my presentation skills. Through lots of practice I have significantly increased my self-confidence and ability to make effective presentations over a period. I am proud of my improvement."
When identifying strengths and weaknesses, give concrete examples from your education and work experience and avoid talking in generalities. Be positive, and, above all, be honest.
Recently, I attended an interview for a call centre job where they asked me: "Don't you think you are overqualified for this job?" Despite my experience in handling tough questions, my reply was not satisfactory. How should one respond to such a question?
Sharanya
New Delhi
Most people don't expect to be asked if they have a great deal of experience. This question could quite easily catch a candidate off guard, which is exactly the interviewer's intention. The candidate doesn't hesitate in answering this question and shows complete confidence in his or her ability.
You can respond by saying, "Not at all. My experience and qualifications make me do my job only better, and in my opinion, my skills in this area will only help me better my work. My experience helps me to work in a cost-efficient manner, thus saving the company's expenditure.
Finally, I think I'm able to attract better opportunities because of my industry contacts. My qualifications are an advantage for your company too, since you'll be getting a better return on investment. Again, I'm interested in establishing a long-term relationship with my employer, and if I do well, I would expect expanded responsibilities that could make use of even my other skills."
"You should be aware of the market for a sales job; according to you what does it take to be successful in a sales career?" What's the best answer?
Nihar
Cuttack
"I believe successful salespeople put forth that extra effort that turns potential clients into first-time customers. Salespeople who attend to the details by doing whatever it takes to win over a prospective customer distinguish themselves from the countless others who don't put in any extra effort. Second, I think that if you label success as an attainable goal, you will never consistently remain successful. You can only succeed if you learn all there is to learn about your product, your competitors, and personal selling. Since this learning process is continuous, it's an unattainable goal. With good reason, salespeople should not consider success an attainable ending point but an objective that will always linger slightly beyond their reach.
A person in this field should be enthusiastic, friendly and positive. Sound authoritative, competent, businesslike and upbeat. Your voice and manner should evoke positive feelings about your company.
The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to The C&K Management LTD. PO Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com
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