General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions

Everyone is nervous on interviews. If you simply allow yourself to feel nervous, you’ll do much better. Remember also that it’s difficult for the interviewer as well.

In general, be upbeat and positive. Never be negative! Rehearse your answers and time them. Never talk for more than 2 minutes straight.  Don’t try to memorize answers word for word. Use the answers provided here as a guide only, and don’t be afraid to include your own thoughts and words. To help you remember key concepts, jot down and review a few key words for each answer. Rehearse your answers frequently, and they will come to you naturally in interviews.

As you will read on this website, the single most important strategy in interviewing, as in all phases of your job search, is what we call: “The Greatest Executive Job Finding Secret.”  And that is…
Find out what people want, than show them how you can help them get it.
Find out what an employer wants most in his or her ideal candidate, then show how you meet those qualifications.

In other words, you must match your abilities, with the needs of the employer. You must sell what the buyer is buying. To do that, before you know what to emphasize in your answers, you must find out what the buyer is buying… what he is looking for. And the best way to do that is to ask a few questions yourself.
You will see how to bring this off skillfully as you read the first two questions of this report. But regardless of how you accomplish it, you must remember this strategy above all: before blurting out your qualifications, you must get some idea of what the employer wants most. Once you know what he wants, you can then present your qualifications as the perfect “key” that fits the “lock” of that position.

• Other important interview strategies:
• Turn weaknesses into strengths (You’ll see how to do this in a few moments.)
• Think before you answer. A pause to collect your thoughts is a hallmark of a thoughtful person.

As a daily exercise, practice being more optimistic. For example, try putting a positive spin on events and situations you would normally regard as negative. This is not meant to turn you into a Pollyanna, but to sharpen your selling skills. The best salespeople, as well as the best liked interview candidates, come off as being naturally optimistic, “can do” people. You will dramatically raise your level of attractiveness by daily practicing to be more optimistic.
“Be honest…never lie. ”

Do’s and Don’ts of Interviews:
Do’s:

• Arrive on time or few minutes earlier
• Walk in the room confidently and greet the interviewer
• Always be positive.
• Wait till you are offered a seat
• Be polite, sit straight on the seat, look alert and interested at all times
• Maintain an eye contact with the interviewer
• Keep a copy of your resume in front of you so that you can explain the projects you have undertaken and you are right at all times
• Before interview always get the full detail about the company, products, services and the post you have applied
• Listen to the questions carefully and try to answer to the point. If you are unable to understand the question, ask the interviewer to repeat it and request for related information. Answer the questions truthfully.
• Switch off your mobile

Dont’s:

• Don’t put your folder on the interviewers table.
• Don’t lie under any circumstances.
• Don’t give wrong impression.
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer.
• Don’t give long answers, stories to go off the topic you are discussing.
• Never show or express unwillingness to be interviewed.

Reference: 64 Toughest Question e-book