There are some trick questions that are a part of interview drill. One must be prepared to play these googlies Interviews are nerve racking. Yes? But they do not have to be. Questions may be thrown at you left, right and centre but they should not necessarily throw you off. You are going to sail through if you answer simply, honestly and with a certain degree of preparedness. There are some standard tricky questions that are asked. We are going to try and give you some pointers as to how to deal with these. Question 1. Are you applying for other jobs as well? Be honest. You cannot possibly be just applying for one job. However, do not waste too much time answering this one and do not dwell into details. Without comparing with other companies, just end with a few positive points about their company which would motivate you to work for them. Question 2. How long are you willing to work with us, if hired? You are not supposed to inform them about your life plans. Tell them what they would want to hear. Obviously, they are looking for someone who can stick around for the company. Do not be specific. Saying something like you will work as long as the company is good for you and you are good for the company would be the best way to go. Question 3. Are you a team player? And do you think you can handle conflict in a team? It is essential for your boss to know if you can work efficiently with a team and also can help your team members achieve maximum output. You can state examples from school, college or previous job where you worked in a team. Question 4. Have you ever had problems with your boss? Never go on a tirade against your boss or professor. It will make a wrong impression on your boss. Mention some genuine problems that you faced and also mention efforts put in by you to get around those conflicts. Question 5. What do your co-workers have to say about you? Quote one of your colleagues. It could be any little remark about your working style. It does not have to be something great and astonishing. Something like that you are cordial with everyone in office and are always serious about your work is enough. Question 6. Why did you leave your last job? Be careful while answering this one. You should say that you felt ready to accept more challenging tasks. Do not say anything bad about the previous company. Rather, draw on your research and show how your career goals match better with their company. Question 7. Have you been asked to leave a position? It will not do good to hide the truth. Reference checks done by your prospective employer will cancel all your chances of getting the job. Admit it but focus on how you tried to grow out of that experience. Stress on your willingness to improve yourself. Question 8. What kind of salary are you expecting? It becomes one of the most difficult questions to tackle. Avoid stating an amount first. Ask them instead about their pay scale. Do not attempt to try your luck by stating an exaggerated amount and stick to the market rates. They will only hire you if you ask for a reasonable and deserving amount. You must also take into consideration other facilities provided to you by the company apart from your salary and then weigh your options. Lastly, you should be prepared to ask them questions whether invited to do so or not. Do keep a few questions ready always. Clarify your doubts and queries so as to know if the company at all suits your abilities and objectives. This will also make you seem like an intelligent and sensible person. Good luck with your interview!

Things to avoid during an Interview You are at the interview. It is time to put your best foot forward and present yourself in the best possible light to the interviewers. Go through our essential checklist to avoid making some fauz pas at the interview. Remain professional at all times during the interview. Mind your manners in an interview Chewing Gum / Eating Candy Looking at the clock / watch Answering your cell phone / Leaving your cell phone on Smoking even if the interviewer asks you to Speaking too loudly Getting angry or frustrated Sitting too close to the interviewer Don't be to casual in an Interview Being too casual Reclining your chair / putting your feet up Rocking your chair back and forth Fidgeting Sitting before the Interviewer sits Avoid extravagant gestures / too much hand waving Take Care of Hygiene Issues before the Interview Using the bathroom in the middle of an interview Sweaty palms as you will have to shake hands Showing too much nervousness in a Interview Being someone that you are not Rambling on and on Exaggerating too much

What to wear for an Interview (Interview Dress Code) First impressions last a lifetime. Research shows that interviewers make up their mind about a candidate quickly (less than 20 seconds or so). So you want to make the best impression that you can when you enter the interview room. Generally the type of dress will depend on the company that you are interviewing for. Once you have done your research on the company – you will have a better idea of the type of wardrobe that would be acceptable - whether the Interview dress should be casual or formal. When unsure it is better to err on the side of formal and conservative. Also do not assume that that it you should wear what the current employees wear to work everyday. Interview attire is generally more formal than everyday office-wear. Fairly Safe Bets for what to wear to an Interview(Interview Dress Code) Men: Blazer, Formal Shirt and Slacks (no jeans) Women: Formal Shirt and Pants In certain type of industries, your type of dress also conveys a lot about you. For example: Media, Fashion & Advertising Interviews: Designer, Smart Casual, Trendy, Colourful Banking Interviews: Suit, Tie, Formal Shoes Technology Interviews: Smart Casual (No JEANS) Civil Servant Interviews: Smart Shirt and Trousers (No jeans and T-Shirts), Smart Belt, Formal Shoes MBA Interview: Suit & Tie, Blazer & Tie, Formal Shoes Accounting: Suit & Tie, Blazer & Tie, Formal Shoes For Women Traditional Wear is also accetable for Interviews Dress in many sectors If you are not comfortable in western wear, you can always opt for traditional wear. Keep the print simple and focus more on the cut. A sari or suit is perfectly acceptable as long as it looks professional and not like party wear. Make sure you do you research on the company, as to whether traditional wear is an acceptable part of the dress code. Be Comfortable in what you wear at the Interview Whatever you wear, you need to look comfortable. Make sure that everything fits well and does not look sloppy. Your clothes should be clean and well ironed. Your shoes should be polished. Also make sure that your clothes are not too big or too tight. Ensure that there are no loose buttons and stains on your clothes. What not to wear in an Interview Do not wear too much jewelry, perfume or accessories. Keep it simple as possible. For example, bangles can be very distracting. Do not wear sneakers, chappals, noisy shoes or overly high heels. Do not wear too expensive accessories or jewelry.

Simple Interview Questions that you should be prepared to answer Now that you are starting to interview, you should be prepared to answer these simple interview questions. These questions are designed to help you be aware of yourself and what you would bring to the table in an interview. Try really hard to have answers for the following questions ready. It is quite likely you will be asked something similar to these simple interview questions. Simple Interview Question List Tell me about yourself? What are the most difficult challenges that you have faced? What are your strengths and weaknesses? When did you show leadership and persuade others? What are your best ideas and how did you get them implemented? How well do you work in a team? In which areas do you consider yourself an expert? When did you show flexibility and a willingness to do things a new way? What are the most important activities that you were responsible for? When did you improve the way that something is organized?

Preparation is essential if you want to do well. Have a look at the checklist: Stage 1 - Preparation Re-read your resume. Prepare questions to ask and to be asked Work out clothes to wear Rehearse interview Anticipate the obvious questions during the interview Work out a strategy for dealing with stress Read vacancy details, employer's literature - what they are and what they want Know where the interview will take placeStage 2 - First Impressions Count Arrive in good time Make a good entrance Body language - handshake, posture, eye contact SmileStage 3 - The Interview Be yourself Be honest Be prepared to talk - but not too much Don't be afraid to ask for clarification Illustrate your answers with examples Be ready to sell yourself Be interestingStage 4 - The Final Stage Know when the interview is over - read employer's body language Thank him/her for his/her time Learn from the experience - ask for feedback if necessaryQuestions You May Wish To Ask The Organisation Major current projects Future developmentsWork What you would be doing How long for Typical projects/timescales Variety of workTraining Training offered/possible Help with professional qualificationsColleagues Who would you work with?Location Where would you be based? How much travel/mobilityProspects/Salary Likely progression Where are previous graduatesGeneral Way of Life Accommodation, amenities, limits on free time etcQuestions You Can Prepare For Tell us about yourself Why did you choose your degree and what have you gained from it? What has been your most important achievement in life so far? Why? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why have you applied for this job? What do you have to offer us? What are the current issues in this sector of work? What experience do you have of working in a team and what role did you play in that team? Describe a project you have successfully completed. How would your friends describe you? Describe a situation you have found difficult. How did you overcome it? What questions would you like to ask us? If you would like help with interviews come to the Careers Service to talk to an adviser. We have a video available called, "Why Ask Me That?" which shows you how to do well at interviews. We also have a range of books on interview techniques for you to look at.

Tips to dress for positive impact *.The appropriate interview attire depends on the industry in which you’ll be interviewing, as well as the geographic location and time of year. *.Spend time on the Internet researching the company, industry and competitors to determine suitable interview outfits. *.Still not sure? Call the company’s HR department and ask what they recommend you wear. *.When in doubt, err on the side of being slightly over dressed, rather than show up looking too casual. *.Don’t have an appropriate outfit? Go to a large department store like Nordstrom or Macy’s and ask for help from a personal shopper or hire a personal stylist. *.Ensure that your clothes are cleaned and pressed. *.Avoid wearing perfume or cologne. *.Wear makeup and jewelry that are appropriate to the job/company/industry. Your clothes can influence your chances for landing a job If a man wore a dark suit to a job interview in California (or any warm climate) in August for a position as a construction worker, the hiring manager might think the man had lost his mind. Why? The attire is inappropriate not just for the position and industry, but also for the location and time of year. What if a woman wore a navy pant suit, pulled her hair into a low ponytail, wore little makeup, no jewelry and flat shoes to a job interview as a clothing stylist? It’s doubtful she would be offered the job. The hiring manager would probably be looking for someone who projects an image of creativity and wears clothing, makeup and accessories that are fashion-forward. As the old saying goes: “Perception is reality.” Think about the image you want to project during your interview and then choose an outfit that will create a positive perception and is appropriate, given the time of year, your geographic location, and the job/company/industry. ~ Lisa Quast, author of award-winning book, YOUR CAREER, YOUR WAY!