How to Answer Interview Preparation Guide

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The #1 rule of answering this question is doing your research on what you should be paid by using sites. You'll likely come up with a range, and we recommend stating the highest number in that range that applies, based on your experience, education, and skills. Then, make sure the hiring manager knows that you're flexible. You're communicating that you know your skills are valuable, but that you want the job and are willing to negotiate.

Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews generally because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There's no wrong answer here, but you'll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, "Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say… "

Don't be thrown off by this question-just take a deep breath and explain to the hiring manager why you've made the career deicions you have. More importantly, give a few examples of how your past experience is transferrable to the new role. This doesn't have to be a direct connection; in fact, it's often more impressive when a candidate can make seemingly irrelevant experience seem very relevant to the role.

Choose an answer that shows that you can meet a stressful situation head-on in a productive, positive manner and let nothing stop you from accomplishing your goals," says McKee. A great approach is to talk through your go-to stress-reduction tactics (making the world's greatest to-do list, stopping to take 10 deep breaths), and then share an example of a stressful situation you navigated with ease.

If you were unemployed for a period of time, be direct and to the point about what you've been up to (and hopefully, that's a litany of impressive volunteer and other mind-enriching activities, like blogging or taking classes). Then, steer the conversation toward how you will do the job and contribute to the organization: "I decided to take a break at the time, but today I'm ready to contribute to this organization in the following ways.

This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.

Arrive at least five minutes early and if – for reasons out of your control – you’re running late, call your interviewer and explain why.

Be professional:
Take pride in your presentation. We will be looking for professionalism in how you dress, how you speak and what you tell us about yourself.

Be yourself:
Try to relax and remember that we’re interested in the real you. When preparing, it’s helpful to think about how you’d like to communicate certain points but avoid over-rehearsing, as it may come across as impersonal.

Be proactive:
Prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewer(s) so you can assess whether Ernst & Young is the right place to launch your career. Ask us questions about our organization, our clients, the opportunities we can offer you and what you can expect from us.

Be prepared:
Learn as much as you can about Ernst & Young, who we are, our services and our strategic direction. Make sure you can articulate how your strengths and career goals align with ours, and why you think you’ll succeed in our organization.

When you speak either to a group, panel or to an interviewer you need to open your mouth and speak audibly. Person in front of you should never ever assume that you have answered to a certain question. He should not ask you to reply the answer you just gave it shows poor communication skills. Be confident and express yourself about an answer to a certain question.

Be to the point never over do or under do. If you want to reply to a question say what are the difficulties you faced during the project? Then answer according to the question and don’t explain to him the whole project reserve it for another question. Explain to him all the difficulties you faced during the project. Never over do or under do.

It is always good to ask the outcome of the interview but it all depends upon how you ask. Many recruiters never answer this question and the most common reply will be I will let you know after interviewing other candidates. Ask them if I was the only candidate do I have chances for the job if he hesitates to this question then you need to sell yourself better next time.

Ask questions on your job profile, your position, timings, and general information about the company and technical doubts. Never ever ask questions because you need to ask them. HR professionals are much experienced in taking interviews then you are they can easily spot between a fake candidate, one trying to put up a fake image and the talented one.

You need to have your LOR before you when you speak about your experience with your ex employer. If you are a fresher then it is very important to get letters of recommendation from your lecturer, professor or from the head of the department.

Never undermine the knowledge of the HR department professionals because they have interviewed many candidates and they have adequate knowledge about the different horizontals and verticals of the industry. In case you get selected still the way you behaved will be reflected in the CR. Respect them even you have lost the job and ask them the different areas they need to concentrate to achieve the desired results.

When answering technical questions it is always important to have a notepad and a pencil to explain him thoroughly about the various process or logic you have employed in the project. Always maintain professionalism no matter how friendly the recruiter is. Professionalism is much wanted in service oriented industries. If you have applied for a sales position you can show him your achievements in meting the targets set for the previous quarter if you haven’t achieved the results you can specify the reason for not achieving the desired result.

You can answer to the interviewer questions only if you are comfortable with your clothing and perfume. Don’t over exaggerate yourself to impress the interviewer. Wear good clothes and minimal amount of deodorant.

Flow of thought should be present if you don’t have words to express yourself then it is better to take an interview course or public speaking course. If you cannot express yourself then there is no point in attending an interview. But if you have adequate technical knowledge and facing difficulty to express it in English then ask permission of the interviewer to express your opinion or interview in your native language and then show him sufficient documents that you are trying to develop command in the language. Attend a tutorial or classes because it can have a significant impact in future.

Make the interviewer and yourself comfortable because it can make the environment very friendly for discussion.

Management skills should be exhibited in your words and actions during the interview. Body language can help you very much while you are displaying management skills.

Don’t brood on negative aspects of your ex employer or your weakness it can send negative vibes to your interviewer.

Positive tone and stress on important issues.

Behavioral questions and situational specific questions are asked to judge your personality and behavior. These days’ companies are also testing your emotional quotient in addition to your intelligent quotient because they help you take important management decisions. While answering these questions it is very important to have a positive tone because it helps you gain crucial points during the interview.