Commonly asked questions to the student at Addmission Interview

Commonly asked questions to the student at Addmission Interview

Tell me something about yourself? (Your strengths/weakness)?
This is the dreaded, classic, open-ended interview question and likely to be among the first. It's your chance to introduce your qualifications, good work habits, etc. Keep it mostly work and career related.


Which adjectives would you use to describe yourself?

What is your aim in life?
What do you want to become in life / what will you do when you grow up?
Learn everything you can about the field you wish to enter: history, recent developments, trends, areas, leaders, problems, etc.


What past accomplishments gave you satisfaction?
Briefly describe one to three work projects that made you proud or earned you pats on the back. Focus more on achievement than reward.

What are your hobbies / interest?

What extra-curricular activities do you participate in?

What do you do in your spare moment?

What are the regular T.V. programs that you watch?

Tell me about your family background?

What experiences have you had in . …

What have you read lately?

What will you do if somebody near to you is very ill?

Why do you want to leave the current school? Why do you want to pursue this particular course? What do you know about this school?
Learn everything about the school you wish to enter: faculty, curriculum, requirements, specialties, uniqueness, history, organization locations, expansion plans, reputation, major achievements, etc. (www.doononline.net)

Ask Questions (Think of questions you would like to ask if given the opportunity during the interview)

First and foremost, you should never be afraid to ask questions (even ones you think might be stupid) during your interview and even in the days leading up to it.

Some programs might even interpret a lack of questions by the applicant as a sign of disinterest, and that's the last vibe you should be giving off. The interview is a two-way street; probe your interviewers for information just as they do the same to you.

Ex.: What would the school timings, how big is the library – how many books and categories of books you have. Do you have Internet facility. What types of sports facility are available, how often can I call home or meet my parents.

Rehearse
Rehearse your answers to commonly asked interview questions. You'll feel more comfortable answering questions during the interview. The more comfortable you are, the more likely that you'll be able to think clearly, and you'll appear controlled and mature (always a good thing!). Rehearse in front of a mirror, so that you can see what your interviewer will. Also, a word of warning: people don't enjoy talking to a robot, complete with pre-programmed answers. It's fine to rehearse, just make sure that during the real thing you don't come across like you're reading from a script.

Finally, if you are confronted with a question that you're not prepared for, there is nothing wrong with asking for a moment to think about your answer. Interviewers will respect you for taking a moment to compose an answer instead of just blurting something out to avoid being silent. It shows that you really want to give the best answer you can instead of just anything that comes to mind.

What Interviewers Look For and Assess:

1. Integrity: ethics, morals, sincerity, honesty, responsibility, dependability, and genuineness.

2. Ability to communicate: nonverbal communication (voice, eye-contact, gestures, posture, nervous mannerisms, handshake, facial expressions), verbal communication (language, grammar, ability to organize and express ideas in answers and questions), and ability to listen.

3. Physical bearing: poise, appearance (neatness, appropriate dress, grooming).

4. Personality and human relations skills: ability to create a favorable first impression, understanding of others, tolerance, empathy, sense of humor, warmth, ability to relate, interest in and desire to help people, compassion, objectivity, tactfulness, open-mindedness, independence, self-reliance.

5. Maturity: appropriate for age, status, and experience; reasons for wanting to be a . . .; understanding of the field and daily work of a . . . ; knowledge of trends, issues, problems, strengths and weaknesses, and developments in the chosen field realistic self-concept.

6. Motivation: strength of desire to enter the field, desire to attend this school, initiative, drive, enthusiasm, perseverance, knowledge of this school.

7. Emotional stability: ability to handle pressure and stress, ability to carry out responsibilities, self-discipline, self-confidence, and mental alertness.

8. Experiences: vocational (vocationally oriented curricular and extra curricular activities in school, work with people in the chosen field), and non-vocational (non-vocationally oriented curricular and extra curricular activities, work experiences, working with people).

9. Knowledge: of current events, of the theories and practical applications of these theories to the chosen field.


(Compiled by Shabbar Suterwala)
Post-Graduate in Psychological Counseling,
Personal Growth Trainer
Contact: 989 222 5864
http://shabbarsutewala.blogspot.com/

MASTERING BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWS

MASTERING BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWS 

***************************************************************************

If you are seeking a job within the competitive hospitality industry, 

you 

need to be aware that employers are frequently turning to the use of 

behavioral interviewing, rather than traditional modes. Employers are 

aware that traditional interviews do not give the desired ability to 

predict a candidate's future job performance. Behavioral interviews are 

4-

5 times more likely to give the employer information about your past 

performance, which is the indicator of your future performance. They 

will 

be asking questions that will probe your past and will be listening 

carefully for you to respond using key words that are a part of their 

predetermined acceptable answers. Are you prepared to compete for the 

position? 

What does the buzz phrase "Behavioral Interview" mean? 

The term "behavioral interview" can be defined as the type of interview 

which allows employers to gain a keen sense of the type of employee you 

are. Rather than ask you to respond to something specific such as "Name 

three things you enjoyed in your last position", the employer might 

phrase 

it "Tell me about some things that you enjoyed about your last 

position." 

He will be listening for pre-determined keywords and will rate you 

accordingly. 

What are universal key words in the hospitality industry? 

-Industry Standards: Customer, Satisfaction, Service, Quality, Smile 

-Work Standards: Punctual, Detail, Organized, Decision, Honest, 

Flexible, 

Initiative, Willing 

-Co-worker Standards: Relationship, Teamwork, Multicultural 

-Industry Experience: Professional, Expertise, Result 

Depending upon the specific position, you are interviewing for (hotel, 

resort, food service, and restaurant); there will be additional 

keywords 

the employer is looking for. A chef may want to use the 

word "presentation", for example. A room cleaner would want to be sure 

to 

use the word "thorough" during the interview. A front desk manager 

would 

want to use the word "appearance". Develop your list accordingly. 

Research will pay big dividends 

Whether you are applying for a position in a hotel, resort community, 

or a 

position in food service; it is critical that you do your homework. 

There 

are three easy steps you can take to prepare for the application and 

interview process. 

-Research. Do an internet search, visit, or call to gather information. 

It 

will be beneficial to write keywords used in the web content or 

conversation, to use when applying or interviewing. 

-Apply. Tailor your resume and cover letter to meet the employer's 

needs. 

Use the information that you have gathered to write an effective 

document 

that will cause the employer to immediately take notice and call you in 

for an interview. 

-Interview. Become familiar with behavioral interviews. You can do an 

internet search to obtain lists of potential questions. The key will be 

to 

know the typical formats and have a dozen rehearsed scenarios that you 

can 

tailor to the specific question at the interview. 

What format should you use in relating scenarios? 

Many employers will be listening for a simple three step response 

format 

to their questions; therefore you will want to frame your responses 

accordingly. The format is knows as Situation-Action-Result (SAR). 

-Situation-the employer wants a concise description of the setting and 

circumstances that you are discussing. 

-Action-the employer wants you to describe what action you took in the 

situation. 

-Result-the employer will be looking for the results. Using keywords 

and 

quantitative, measurable results will be very impressive! 

Employers will be listening for how you reacted to the situation, what 

action you took and the results. Be prepared to give at least one 

example 

of what might be perceived as an extremely difficult situation. Prepare 

to 

share about a negative situation that had a positive outcome. 

What are the three types of questions in Behavioral Interviews? 

-Open questions. These are questions that will allow you to use the SAR 

format and answer in a clear and concise manner. The employer will 

likely 

follow up with additional probing questions, looking for signs that you 

may not have been completely honest. 

-Tell me about a time that you helped someone in need. 

-Give an example of a situation that was uncomfortable for you. 

-Relate an experience you have had as a part of a team. 

-Closed questions. These are questions that are asked for the purpose 

of 

verifying something you may have indicated during the application 

process 

or earlier in the interview. The employer is looking for consistency in 

your answers. 

-You attended XYZ Institution, correct? 

-You are able to begin next week, correct? 

-You intend to live in this area for at least another year, correct? 

-Why questions. These are questions that require you to give a logical 

and 

decisive explanation for a previous action. The employer is not judging 

your action, but rather your ability to reason, logic and make a 

decision. 

-Why did you choose to apply here? 

-Why have you changed jobs within the hospitality industry three times? 

-Why did you leave your position at XYZ company? 

You Are Ready 

You have researched the company, located keywords, applied for the job 

prepared a number of scenarios, and rehearsed answers to potential 

questions. You are now ready to go to the Behavioral Interview with 

confidence. 

Interview Questions

Interview Questions

Sample Interview Questions with Answers

Sample interview questions of the common type are listed below. Answers are included. But perhaps suggestions for tailoring your responses is a better way to put it, since specific answers are impossible to provide. Practice answering these sample interview questions out loud to yourself or ask a friend or relative to help you.

Don't feel that you have to answer right away. Interviewers know that you're nervous and expect you to think a bit, so do think carefully before you answer. But don't hesitate too long or it'll appear that you're stalling. Interviewers will ask open-ended questions to see where you'll go with them, so try not to ramble while you're thinking of a real answer.

Q. Tell me about yourself.
A. This is the dreaded, classic, open-ended interview question and likely to be among the first. It's your chance to introduce your qualifications, good work habits, etc. Keep it mostly work and career related.

Q. Why do you want to leave your current job? (Why did you leave your last job?)
A. Be careful with this. Avoid trashing other employers and making statements like, "I need more money." Instead, make generic statements such as, "It's a career move."

Q. What are your strengths?
A. Point out your positive attributes related to the job.

Q. What are your weaknesses?
A. Everybody has weaknesses, but don't spend too much time on this one and keep it work related. Along with a minor weakness or two, try to point out a couple of weaknesses that the interviewer might see as strengths, such as sometimes being a little too meticulous about the quality of your work. (Avoid saying "I work too hard." It's a predictable, common answer.) For every weakness, offer a strength that compensates for it.

Q. Which adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
A. Answer with positive, work-oriented adjectives, such as conscientious, hard-working, honest and courteous, plus a brief description or example of why each fits you well.

Q. What do you know about our company?
A. To answer this one, research the company before you interview.

Q. Why do you want to work for us?
A. Same as above. Research the company before you interview. Avoid the predictable, such as, "Because it's a great company." Say why you think it's a great company.

Q. Why should I hire you?
A. Point out your positive attributes related to the job, and the good job you've done in the past. Include any compliments you've received from management.

Q. What past accomplishments gave you satisfaction?
A. Briefly describe one to three work projects that made you proud or earned you pats on the back, promotions, raises, etc. Focus more on achievement than reward.

Q. What makes you want to work hard?
A. Naturally, material rewards such as perks, salary and benefits come into play. But again, focus more on achievement and the satisfaction you derive from it.

Q. What type of work environment do you like best?
A. Tailor your answer to the job. For example, if in doing your job you're required to lock the lab doors and work alone, then indicate that you enjoy being a team player when needed, but also enjoy working independently. If you're required to attend regular project planning and status meetings, then indicate that you're a strong team player and like being part of a team.

Q. Why do you want this job?
A. To help you answer this and related questions, study the job ad in advance. But a job ad alone may not be enough, so it's okay to ask questions about the job while you're answering. Say what attracts you to the job. Avoid the obvious and meaningless, such as, "I need a job."

Q. How do you handle pressure and stress?
A. This is sort of a double whammy, because you're likely already stressed from the interview and the interviewer can see if you're handling it well or not. Everybody feels stress, but the degree varies. Saying that you whine to your shrink, kick your dog or slam down a fifth of Jack Daniels are not good answers. Exercising, relaxing with a good book, socializing with friends or turning stress into productive energy are more along the lines of the "correct" answers.

Q. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle.
A. The interviewer is likely looking for a particular example of your problem-solving skills and the pride you show for solving it.

Q. Where do you see yourself five (ten or fifteen) years from now?
A. Explain your career-advancement goals that are in line with the job for which you are interviewing. Your interviewer is likely more interested in how he, she or the company will benefit from you achieving your goals than what you'll get from it, but it goes hand in hand to a large degree. It's not a good idea to tell your potential new boss that you'll be going after his or her job, but it's okay to mention that you'd like to earn a senior or management position.

Q. What qualifies you for this job?
A. Tout your skills, experience, education and other qualifications, especially those that match the job description well. Avoid just regurgitating your resume. Explain why.

Q. Why did you choose your college major?
A. The interviewer is likely fishing to see if you are interested in your field of work or just doing a job to get paid. Explain why you like it. Besides your personal interests, include some rock-solid business reasons that show you have vision and business sense.