Frequently Asked Questions in English Interview
Interview session begins, close the door behind you. Sit down only when invited! (May I sit down?) Small talk before interview: 1. Weather I read/watched this morning newspaper/weather forecast, it says rain. It's bright and sunny. A perfect day to start a new career, isn't it? I think the snow will go away pretty soon. Let's hope the weather will clear-up this weekend. 2. Traffic (Traffic was terrible this morning, how did you get here?)I know, that's why I left a little early than usual. Well, it's very congested. But since I came here yesterday for rehearsal, I found out the exact time I should spend coming here by subway. So it wasn't a problem for me. Q: Tell me about yourself? A: OK, the first thing you should know about me is that my name is ***, you can call me English name, and I come from ***. Well, I have been working at *** And I received my *** degree of your majority from your university in sometime. Introduce your work experience detail and how it meets this position. Then talk about your attributes etc. Anyway, I am sure that I match your position requirements, and I have prepared for making an immediate contribution to your company. If appointed, I’ll do my best to prove myself. Thank you! Q: Why should we hire you? Why are you the best person for this job? A: Well, I know this position needs some requirements in the Job Description. And I’m such a person who meets your requirements. First of all … Secondly, I … Last but not least, people said I’m a responsible, self-motivated person. And I’m also a quick learner and a good team player. So I’m sure I meet this position’s requirements and I can make contributions to your company. Q. Why would you leave you last job and join our company? A: I'm sorry to leave but I have to. I need a different perspective to look at my industry and myself. And I'm looking forward to a more challenging position to better utilize my knowledge and skills. Well, I know your company has a great reputation in the industry, and your company is the leader and the innovator in the content in Company Introduction. My experience and skills closely meet the requirements of your position, and my career plan seems compatible with your company's strategy. I'm sure that your company will provide a good opportunity for my professional growth. Once I join the company, I would devote myself to its continuous growth and success! Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Where do you want to be in five years? Key: specify your plan, give a clear vision, long term commitment, this job is included in u plan A: Well, in the near future, I would like to move into a software engineer position. And eventually I'd like to move up to a software architect and develop a new project that can be the company's next growing point. The immediate objective for me right now is to learn as much as possible in the new position. With my previous experience and my capability, and the excellent platform provided by the company, I believe that I will achieve my long term goal. Q: What are your hobbies? A: Well, in my free time, I often read industry news and professional magazines to focus the development of industry. And I enjoy some sports, for example, playing badminton, playing ping-pang, swimming, and traveling. But I didn't travel to many places because of time and money. Q: What are your greatest strengths/merits and weaknesses? Key: talk about your weakness first, how you wan to overcome it, talk about your strength, how you apply your strength to this job A: Well, I have to say, nobody was born perfect, including myself. I realize that sometimes I lose my temper when my colleagues fail to deliver work on time and don't talk anything about the risk before. So I should be more patient and improve my risk management skill. As for my strengths, well, there is a lot to say, but I think the most important attribute is my commitment to quality. Firstly of all, I always follow the good development process. Secondly, I'm good at writing the analysis and design documents after thinking and discussing. Last but not least, I can make reasonable test plans and execute the test cases efficiently according to test plan. So I think my strengths will really help me lot when I doing my work.Q: What do you pride most in your life? How do you define "success"? What is your most significant accomplishment? Key: your value and belief system, how to reach perfection, how to define personal success, apply it in the position. A: Well, let me see…My greatest accomplishment was something of you. As for me, I think success is just to be your personal best. For example, you should set a challenging goal in your work, and then do your best to achieve it. Eventually, you can reach your full potential through bring yourself gradually to higher level. You know, the journey of 10,000 miles begins with the single step. I believe my belief would helps me lot when I take this position. Q: What's your biggest failure in your life? A: Well, let me think… My biggest failure is that your failure. How you overcome the failure and get the new accomplishment. With my diligence and self-motivation, I believe I can do well in this position. Q: Can you describe a mistake you made in your work? How you overcame it? Key: everyone makes mistake, what your mistake is, make it sounds serious, how you face and overcome it, what you learn from it and how you avoid the same mistake. A: Well, I have to say, everyone makes mistake including myself. In my previous job, I made a mistake because of negligence. Give an example in your previous work, and how you overcome it and avoid making the same mistakes again. Q: How do you handle your conflict with your colleagues in the work? A: Well, let me see…Sometimes you do have different opinions with your colleagues about some design details. But I can accept constructive advice from colleagues if the advice is good for our work. For example, give your example. So I have learned lot from those advices. Q: How do you work under pressure /stress? Key: don't mind pressure, part of job, how you handle it, how you have dealt with it before A: Well, I don't mind the pressure. I know that every position has its own kind of pressure, and I am prepared for that. In my previous job, I used to deliver project on a very tight schedule. I always encourage myself to do my best to meet the deadline, I think pressure can bring out my best potential. For example, give your example, and how did you figure out it. So I can work well under pressure. Q: Tell me about your family or your GF/BF? How do your friends describe you? A: I come from your hometown. My family includes your folks, and my family relationships are particularly harmonious. People of my family are honest and diligent, and they live a quiet life in my hometown. They did best they could to offer everything to me, and…I love them. A: I have a lot of friends among my school-mates. Sometimes we have dinners together and talk about our lives and work. Basically, my friends always said that I am honest, rational and diligent. A few colleagues from my previous jobs have become my closest friends. They usually said I am a responsible, self-motivated person, and a good team player. Q: Why are you unemployment for 3 months? A: Well, I have to say, finding a job is easy, but finding the right job is difficult. Now I'm looking for a challenging position to better utilize my knowledge and skills, at the same time, I can also get better professional growth.