1. Why do you want this job?

Your answer should be precise and must explain the positive aspects that attracted you to apply for this job. However, you must be careful in not mentioning the negative aspects of your present job.

2. What do you think you can contribute to the success of the company?

This is a chance for you to form an impression. Explain about your past achievements in your previous job relevant to the new position you are applying for and how you could contribute to the company's success.

3. Why do you want to work with this company?

Your answer must emphasize all the positive aspects of the job you have applied. However, it is better to avoid controversial subjects such as money and working hours.

4. What is the feature that interests you about our product/service?

We recommend prior research on the company before attending the interview. It helps you to answer such questions better.

5. What do you think we can offer that your previous company has not offered?

Answer with utmost care here. Do not mention money aspects as it may create a negative impression. You could stress upon opportunities for personal growth, new challenges, etc. as positive motivators in applying for the job.

6. Why do you think we should employ you?

You may answer this question based on your previous experience and achievements relating to the position and company. As a conclusion, you could mention that you could fit into the position comfortably with a supporting reason. You may also ask the employers opinion about this.

7. How long would it take for you to make a significant contribution to the success of the company or yj project?

You may mention that you can contribute to the company's success from day one. You may also ask the employer about the period provided to demonstrate your capabilities.

8. How competitive are you for this job?

You may sound ambitious depending upon the position you have applied. However, it is incorrect to appear as if you are after the interviewer's position.

9. What do you like and dislike the most about your job?

Likes: Here you can stress things like new challenges, opportunities to bring a new experience to the company.
Dislikes: Mention that you do not dislike anything in particular which is the reason why you like the job.

10. Why did you choose a career in this field?

Your answer must be positive with appropriate reasoning and advantages of this field. If you have changed careers, you must offer logical reasoning on why you did so.

11. What according to you are the similarities and differences between your previous job and your present job?

The interviewer is trying to visualize how well you could fit into the position so try to focus more on the similarities rather than the differences. Coming to the point of differences, it will help you if you can demonstrate that you have done similar task before or you could pick up the new skill quickly. .

12. What is your opinion about the previous company you have worked for?

Mention the positive points your present employer with a few words of praise for the company. You may also mention the training programs you have attended and work experiences gained.

13. Did your previous company live up to your expectations? Why do you want to leave that company?

You may focus your answer on joining or leaving your present employer. However, it is best not to remark any thing negative about your employer. Instead, you may say that, you are looking for new challenges and mention that the company who is interviewing you fits very well into your scheme of things.

14. What is the organization structure in your previous company and how did you fit in it?

Questions of this nature are asked to know whether the old job is at a comparable level to your new one. If the new job is at a higher level than your previous job, you must be able to demonstrate that you can take up more demanding position. You may also convey that you have already been handling most of the responsibilities and possess the required skills.

15. What is the size of the company you would prefer to work with? Small, medium or large?

Before answering this question bear in mind the company size where you are attending the interview. If it is a medium or small sized company you could say that you like to work in a close atmosphere with a good team spirit. If it is a large company you can say that you enjoy the stability of working in a large company and established company.

16. What are your expectations in the new job?

The most appropriate reply would be that you are looking for a job where you can apply your present skills and learn new ones.

17. What would be your ideal job?

You may describe your ideal job keeping in view the job description of the job you have applied. An ideal job can include challenging work environment, team spirit, opportunity to learn new skills or apply existing skills.

18. Are you thinking of considering any other jobs at the moment?

If you are considering other jobs, be careful not provide too many details as it may weaken your negotiation position later. If you are not considering any, you may say you have a few irons in the fire.

19. How would you describe yourself?

Utilize this opportunity to describe about your personal and professional attributes and achievements.

20. Do you think that you are successful?

Your answer should be positive. You could explain about some of your past work-related achievements that will suit the position you desire for.

21. What has been your greatest success? How did you achieve it?

Describe about an achievement, which best suits their needs.

22. What has been your greatest failure?

Speak about a failure, which you have rectified in later stages, or something, which is not very significant.

23. How do you think you can improve?

Be careful in not mentioning any of your negative points as the interviewer is waiting to find a flaw in you. Instead, stress on things like learning new things.

24. Did you have any chance for growth in your previous jobs?

If you had successful growth opportunities, you can mention them. However, if you have not had any, you will have to be extremely careful in your choice of words.

25. Are you a leader?

Explain about your previous experiences where you have successfully demonstrated your leadership qualities.

26. Are you a loner or do you get along well with others?

Some jobs mean that you have to work in a team and for some jobs you need to be on your own. You can say that you are comfortable in both the situations.

27. Are you self motivated or you need someone to motivate you?

You should answer that you are self-motivated and narrate events to substantiate your claim.

28. Will you be able to work on your own initiative?

You should answer positively asking how much responsibility will you be required to handle.

29. What are the motivational factors for you?

You can say good career growth, opportunities to learn new skills, a congenial work environment etc. as motivational growth factors.

31. What are your career goals?

Mention the goals, which are in common interest of the company's requirements.

32. Are you prepared to relocate?

If you are, say so. If you do not want to move, then you do not have to accept the job - try and come across as someone who is positive.

33. Are you willing to travel?

Again if you are, say so. You want to sound positive, so find out how much traveling is involved before you turn down the job.

34. How often are you off sick?

This can be a difficult question to answer if you are frequently off sick or you have just recovered from a prolonged period of illness. If you have generally enjoyed good health and this period of illness is not typical then you should say so.

35. What did you earn in your last job?

You have to be very careful when answering this question because once an interviewer knows your current salary they will try and fix your next remuneration based on this figure. This may be satisfactory if you only wanted a modest rise in salary and your current salary is in line with their salary range, but, what if your current salary is substantially lower than the rate for the job, or if you want a substantial salary rise? In these cases you would be best advised to say that you do not really want to prejudice yourself by being too high or too low. Ask if you can discuss this later after the responsibilities for the job have been discussed; you may also want to ask them what the range for the job is (if you do not already know).

36. What level of salary are you looking for now?

Be very careful when you answer this question - you would not want to appear to be greedy. If you are applying for a specific vacancy, you could ask the interviewer the salary range. Once this is answered you could say "I think my experience would place me at the top end of your range, don't you?" If they ask you this question fairly early on in the interview you could delay answering by saying "It is hard to discuss salary without first knowing a little bit more about the job and the responsibilities."

37. What will your referees say about you?

You could offer your references and what they would say about you. However make sure that the references are aware that you have applied for the particular job.

38. Difficult questions

You might reply with "That's an interesting question" and answer the question if you do know the answer fairly well. If you have no clue about the question, you might as well say "I am sorry! I do not know" instead of hazarding a guess.

39. Fantasy questions

These types of questions are often very tricky to answer. Questions such as "What would you do if you won the National Lottery?" or If you were given an opportunity to see an event in the future, which event would you see." Your answer has to be positive and must be something which offers the best chance of getting the job .