INTERVIEW ZING FOR PO: Questions Related To Your Qualifications

Hello Readers,

In continuation to our Interview Zing for PO series, today we are discussing about the "Questions related to your qualifications". This is a very crucial segment which can make or break your interview, hence we request you to concentrate on this segment. In addition to our inputs, we recommend you to compile your own questions as well.

1) Do you have any questions for us?

Discussion and suggested guidelines:

• This question usually comes at the far end of the interview. A wrong answer will wash off the entire good work done by you during the interview.

• If you are not clear, do not ask anything simply thank them for this opportunity with a smile.

• Do not ask anything pertaining to your personal benefits. if you have rehearsed well and have enough information regarding the organization and your role as a Clerk or PO, you may ask;

What are the thrust areas for the organization for the future growth, so on and so forth?

Normally, the interviewers feels flattered to speak on the subject of company, culture and future activities of the organization. The interviewer speaking for a few minutes at the end of the interview to you will indicate his interest in your candidature. Do not ask a question which is avoided by the interviewer by saying that we will tell you when you join us.

2) Why did you make so many changes in the past?

Discussion:

This question assumes different significance for pre-qualification changes and post qualification changes. While pre-qualification changes are not significant as these can always be referred as short term assignments.

Why this question?

To find your motivation and de-motivation factors from your past.

Suggested Guidelines:

• Pre-qualification changes should be portrayed as short term assignments taken for sustaining yourself during the studies, to utilized the time and to meaningfully gain the industry experience or even to make some money to sustain your studies.

• Post qualification changes have to be justified in a logical manner citing specific reasons for making career decisions. your should pre-analyze the impact/effect of your answer on the interviewer and the possible counter questions.

• In all changes you need to mention that you were guided by the added value or results rather than the monetary considerations.

• Qualified professionals should not portray themselves to be chasing money rather they should show that they believe in the philosophy of chasing a good job which they can do well, so that money and other perks will naturally flow to them.

• A professional sitting idle or unemployed diminishes the bargaining power of the interviewee in an an interview. hence be careful not to highlight your unemployment.

• In such situations you should have rational explanation to offer for such absence from work. rather it will be appropriate to fill the breaks with justified answer.

3) Do you consider yourself successful and why?

Objective:

To check your result orientation and attitude towards self.

Suggested guidelines:

• Neither be defensive nor boastful, just show that you are comfortable with your achievements so far and looking ahead. Be prepared to give your specific achievements from the past.

• Avoid flowery language or vague generalization. interviewer wants to associate with successful people only.

4) Tell us about your biggest achievement.

• Say either your qualification or skill related development, however be prepared to give justification and be prepared for the cross examination.

• Try to avoid an emotional, flowery language. be functional and specific. 

• Do not evade the questions by referring to generalizations. you have to exhibit your confidence to handle the job on strength of your professional qualification and training.

• Make a gentle statement that whatever you planned to achieve in life, you have achieved so far and will continue to strive in future.

5) Why did you choose CA/ Engineering/ MBA/ CS/ Pharmacy , if you wanted to enter into banking?

Objective:

This question is aimed to find out whether you are a product of choice or circumstances. Your stand should be that of choice and not circumstances, but with good reasoning.

Suggested Guidelines:

• Never take the position that you did not like the other so you came to this. Among the various options available to you in all the three situations, you have deeply analysed, taken pros and cons into consideration and have arrived at a decision. You have chosen this option as you thought you will do well and will have a good long term professional growth.

• This question enables you to show a realistic and practical personality and the ability to exercise the right choice in life.

• This will show your futuristic outlook and result orientation. This will also reveal that you are not inclined to fall in comfort zone and willing to pay the price for achievement in life.

• Do not take a stand which shows traces of negativity or your helplessness. you can mention that you have done your homework and feel assured to have a long term successful career in this chosen job, industry. you were driven by long term gains and not deterred by short term pains of having to start from the very basic.

Remember it is not what you say but how you say is important!

The secret of being happy is not doing what one likes but in liking what one does.

6) What preparations did you make for this interview? What did you do specifically to prepare for this job?

Objective:

These questions are aimed to find out whether you have casually walked in the interview or have made serious preparations.

Guidelines:

• As a professional you should never give an impression that your actions / decisions are without due preparations and deliberations. 

• Be honest and mention briefly the steps you have undertaken in order to succeed in the interview. 

• Do not give all the source of your preparation or information.

• However you can take a position that you attach a lot of importance to your decision of joining a particular industry or organization and you have been making efforts in the same direction. 

• When asked about the specific steps you should be able to mention the specific steps that you taken in the past.

Too much details may invite counter questions which ultimately may not suit you.

The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

The difference between a successful person and others is not the lack of strength, not the lack of knowledge, but rather the lack of will!

7) Why should we select you? 

8) Give us three reasons so as to why we select you.

9) What are your strengths? 

10) Why do you think you will do well in this job or profile?

Objective:

To check your self-esteem, confidence and persuasive skills. this is a question to measure your level of confidence to handle the job.

Suggested guidelines:

• Relate with your past achievements in studies, article-ship, training, family commitment and past projects. 

• Tell them that whatever assignment was given to you in the past, you have delivered results. you are quick to learn.

• Show confidence to handle the position and deliver the result in allotted resources as you have done in the past assignments or positions.

• It is essential to mention 3 reasons if you feel that the producing results at the given position can be well justified.

• Avoid giving stereo type answers like I am hard working, sincere, and punctual.

• Take a few moments to compare the job description with your abilities, as well as mentioning what you have accomplished in your other positions. be positive and reiterate your interest in the company and the position.

Every thing is possible for the person who believes.

The characteristic trait of a mediocre is that he never speaks, he repeats.