Interview questions for freshers
You’ve graduated and are on your way to working in the corporate sector. Even for experienced professionals, interviews can feel intimidating and daunting. You as a fresher may have little or no prior interview experience, but wouldn’t it be a bit less nerve-wracking if you knew what type of questions you may expect?
Yes! Without further ado, let us have a look at some of the most common interview questions for which you might prepare answers ahead of time!
1. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?
This is one of the most common questions asked at the start of an interview. It is an icebreaker question that lets the interviewer know a bit about yourself. You can start with your academic qualifications, brief on your family background, and move on to highlight your skills and achievements that are relevant to the job role. Share your previous experiences and how you’re preparing for the future journey that will lead you to who you want to be. Keep your introduction brief and to the point, no more than 2-3 minutes.
2. Tell us about your greatest strength and weaknesses
This question lets the interviewer assess how well your abilities align with the job role and how well you are aware of yourself. Mention your strengths and give an example of a moment when you exhibited them. For example, if you state your greatest skill is your ability to work well with others, describe a time when you were part of a team and how you worked together to achieve your goal.
Stating your weakness can be tricky because neither should you deny having a weakness nor should you say something that would have a bad impression on the interviewer. You can talk about a weakness of yours (for example, focusing on multiple tasks at a time) and what you’ve done (or are doing) to overcome it.
3. What is your biggest achievement?
This could include any academic or personal achievement that you are proud of. Mention any obstacles you overcame while attempting to reach your goal.
4. How do you handle stressful situations?
The interviewer is interested in learning about your abilities to deal with potentially difficult situations at work. Describe the methods you take to deal with such situations. It’s far better if you can recall times in your life when you remained calm and patient in the face of challenges.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is one of the commonly asked questions to know about your plans and goals. Though you might not have a clear picture of your future, answer optimistically. Tell them how you plan to gain experience and hone your skills to reach your objective of making an impact and achieving success. For example, you may describe how, with continuous enthusiasm and efforts, you would like to envision yourself as the project manager of your team down the road.
6. Why this job role?
To answer this question, you must read the job description carefully. Highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the position, as well as your passion for it.
7. What are your hobbies?
Your hobbies are a reflection of your personality, and the interviewers want to see if your personality traits match the company’s culture. Mention your hobbies and how they help you in sharpening your skills. If chess is your hobby, for example, you may talk about how it helps you think critically and make better judgments.
8. Why do you want to join us?
Do thorough research on the company and throw some light on your understanding of the company’s culture, work environment, mission, and vision. Say how you are interested and excited about the services offered by the company and how well its values and beliefs align with your personality traits.
9. Are you willing to relocate?
It’s a fairly straightforward question. Employers typically expect employees to be adaptable and open to change to meet the company’s requirements. Answer them honestly. If at all your answer’s a no, state your reason as humbly and politely as possible.
10. What environment do you work best in?
No matter how skilled a person is, he or she can only be fully productive in the right environment. You could say that working in an inspiring, lively, and engaging workplace that encourages teamwork brings out your best capabilities.
11. How long are you planning to stay in the company?
The interviewer wants to know the level of your commitment to the company. Employers invest a significant amount of time and effort in training new employees, and they expect you to remain dedicated to them. Do not mention any plans regarding your higher studies. Tell them that you are interested in acquiring work experience and skills and would be willing to continue working in the company as long as it is a good fit.
12. Why should we hire you?
This is one of the most important interview questions. This is your chance to put yourself out there and convince the interviewer as to why you are the right candidate for this role. Sell yourself. Tell them how your skills and abilities could be put to good use. Mention the qualities in you that would create an impact and take the company to greater heights. The key here is to stay very confident while answering. You should be able to radiate confidence in your abilities to do great work.
This is typically the last question an interviewer asks you. It’s always best to ask questions and some of the questions that can be asked are:
How would you describe the company’s culture?
What do the career paths of those who have held this position look like?
What is the biggest challenge a fresher has had to face in the company?
What would my day-to-day routine look like if I got the job?
What are the prospects for growth?