Personal Interview Questions with Answers - Part 6

What would you do if your team ceased to perform?

The agenda behind this question is to understand your management style. A good answer to this question could be, I will try to establish the reasons for non-performance of the team and try to eradicate them.

Would you take up this job if we offered it to you?

Again there are two ways to handle this question.

First Way: If you have built up a good rapport with the interviewer by now you can ask a more direct question, Are you offering it to me? (with a smile and right body language). If they say “Yes”, you can say that off course, based on what we have discussed till now I am enthusiastic in taking up this position. How soon would you be able to get me a written offer?

Second Way: Alternatively you can say, based on what we have discussed till now, I will be happy to take up this position but there are still certain things that need to be discussed.

Your expected salary?

Don't jump at a figure when you are asked this question during the personal interview. Try to turn the ball back into the interviewers court and ask him the type of salary the company offers for a position like this.

Still, if you are required to answer this question, mention a range rather than talking about an exact figure but don't keep the range too vast, you will be offered the one at the lower end.

Probably you can say, I should be comfortable with something in the range of mid fifties.

What will you do if you are offered a job with a salary higher than this?

By asking this question the interviewer tries to analyze if the candidate will leave the job for a couple of thousands.

Recruiting a candidate costs money to the company so they would like to hire somebody who has some loyalty towards the company. You can answer this question by saying that though you know the attraction of money every job offers but you would first try to analyze the growth opportunities with both the jobs.

If your present company can offer you the desired growth with the industry trend, you would not switch. You will discuss the issue with your senior and ask his views on your growth in the present job and if you see that there is a potential to grow in the present job, you will stick otherwise you will politely inform him about your decision to move ahead in life.

Do you want to ask us something about the company?

When you are going for a job interview, go prepared. Try to find out the latest information about the company.

When you are asked this question, you can ask interesting questions like the opportunities for you to grow in the company, the expansion plans of the company and the chances for you to grow there.

If the company has been in news recently, you can ask questions related to that also.

Quick tips to answer the personal interview questions

1. As you go for a personal interview, always expect the question “Tell us something about yourself”. Go prepared to answer it.

2. Understand the requirements of the role properly and keep your answer ready for “Why does this role interest you?”

3. To judge your stability in the personal interview, the interviewer might ask a direct question like “Why do you think should we take you?” Go prepared to answer it.

4. Prepare your answer to the question the interviewer might ask about your strengths and weaknesses in the interview. Take the word weaknesses as liberally as possible.

5. Analyze the qualities that you required to achieve something big. Talk your latest achievement in the interview. When asked about mistakes, mention the one from long past.

6. Never approach the interviewer as a “Job Beggar”. Go as a “Problem Solver”. Answer in positive when you are asked if you are speaking to some other companies for your job search.

7. Show your flexible attitude during the personal interview. This can be done by being open to relocation.

8. If you have stayed in your last job for too long or have switched the jobs very frequently, have an answer ready to the queries that might appear during the personal interview.

9. Demonstrate the keenness to learn if you do not have all the required experience.

10. Never talk bad about your last jobs or employers.

11. Sound ambitious but stable.

12. Sound like a team player but be open to take the autonomous responsibilities.

13. Don’t jump on the salary in the initial part of the interview. Let the interviewer take it out first.

14. Study about the company before you go for the interview. Ask intelligent questions when give a chance to ask questions to interviewers.

15. Stay confident, composed and calm during the interview.