1. Why do you want this job?

One of the most predictable questions and very important! You need to demonstrate that you have researched the employer and tie your knowledge of them into the skills and interests that led you to apply. For example, an interviewee with a small public relations agency might say:

"I'm always ready to take on responsibility and feel this will come more quickly with a firm of this size. A small firm also gives the chance to build closer working relationships with clients and colleagues and I've found through my past work experience that this makes an organization more effective as well as more satisfying to work in."

Try to find some specific feature on which the employer prides themselves: their training, their client base, their individuality, their public image, etc. This may not always be possible with very small organizations but you may be able to pick up something of this nature from the interviewer.

2. Have you got any questions?

At the end of the interview, it is likely that you will be given the chance to put your own questions to the interviewer.

- Keep them brief: there may be other interviewees waiting.

- Ask about the work itself, training and career development: not about holidays, pensions, and season ticket loans!

- Prepare some questions in advance: it is OK to write these down and to refer to your notes to remind yourself of what you wanted to ask.

It often happens that, during the interview, all the points that you had noted down to ask about will be covered before you get to this stage. In this situation, you can respond as follows:

Interviewer: Well, that seems to have covered everything: is there anything you would like to ask me?

Interviewee: Thank you: I'd made a note to ask about your appraisal system and the study arrangements for professional exams, but we went over those earlier and I really feel you've covered everything that I need to know at this moment.

You can also use this opportunity to tell the interviewer anything about yourself that they have not raised during the interview but which you feel is important to your application:

Don't feel you have to wait until this point to ask questions - if the chance to ask a question seems to arise naturally in the course of the interview, take it! Remember that a traditional interview is a conversation - with a purpose.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.

2. What do you know about our organization?

You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more.

You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies.

Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."

Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

The deadliest answer you can give is "Because I like people." What else would you like-animals?

Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs. You might say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should mention a reverence for numbers.

If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it really doesn't interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview, because you probably shouldn't be considering a job with that organization.

Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid approaching places where you wouldn't be able -or wouldn't want- to function. Since most of us are poor liars, it's difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don't really want.

4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?

5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it?

6. Why should we hire you?

7. What do you look for in a job?

8. Please give me your defintion of [the position for which you are being interviewed].

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

10. How long would you stay with us?

11. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for this position. What's Your opinion?

12. What is your management style?

You should know enough about the company's style to know that your management style will complement it. Possible styles include: task oriented (I'll enjoy problem-solving identifying what's wrong, choosing a solution and implementing it"), results-oriented ("Every management decision I make is determined by how it will affect the bottom line"), or even paternalistic ("I'm committed to taking care of my subordinates and pointing them in the right direction").

A participative style is currently quite popular: an open-door method of managing in which you get things done by motivating people and delegating responsibility.

As you consider this question, think about whether your style will let you work hatppily and effectively within the organization.

13. Are you a good manager? Can you give me some examples? Do you feel that you have top managerial potential?

14. What do you look for when You hire people?

15. Have you ever had to fire people? What were the reasons, and how did you handle the situation?

16. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive?

17. What important trends do you see in our industry?

18. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?

Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. where you considered this topic as you set your reference statements. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision, the result of your action. Do not mention personality conflicts.

The interviewer may spend some time probing you on this issue, particularly if it is clear that you were terminated. The "We agreed to disagree" approach may be useful. Remember hat your references are likely to be checked, so don't concoct a story for an interview.

19. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits to find a new job?

20. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The least?

21. What do you think of your boss?

22. Why aren't you earning more at your age?

23. What do you feel this position should pay?

Salary is a delicate topic. We suggest that you defer tying yourself to a precise figure for as long as you can do so politely. You might say, "I understand that the range for this job is between $______ and $______. That seems appropriate for the job as I understand it." You might answer the question with a question: "Perhaps you can help me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the organization?"

If you are asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need to know more about the position's responsibilities before you could give a meaningful answer to that question. Here, too, either by asking the interviewer or search executive (if one is involved), or in research done as part of your homework, you can try to find out whether there is a salary grade attached to the job. If there is, and if you can live with it, say that the range seems right to you.

If the interviewer continues to probe, you might say, "You know that I'm making $______ now. Like everyone else, I'd like to improve on that figure, but my major interest is with the job itself." Remember that the act of taking a new job does not, in and of itself, make you worth more money.

If a search firm is involved, your contact there may be able to help with the salary question. He or she may even be able to run interference for you. If, for instance, he tells you what the position pays, and you tell him that you are earning that amount now and would Like to do a bit better, he might go back to the employer and propose that you be offered an additional 10%.

If no price range is attached to the job, and the interviewer continues to press the subject, then you will have to restpond with a number. You cannot leave the impression that it does not really matter, that you'll accept whatever is offered. If you've been making $80,000 a year, you can't say that a $35,000 figure would be fine without sounding as if you've given up on yourself. (If you are making a radical career change, however, this kind of disparity may be more reasonable and understandable.)

Don't sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don't leave the impression that money is the only thing that is important to you. Link questions of salary to the work itself.

But whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until you reach the "final" stage of the interview process. At that point, you know that the company is genuinely interested in you and that it is likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.

24. What are your long-range goals?

25. How successful do you you've been so far?

Say that, all-in-all, you're happy with the way your career has progressed so far. Given the normal ups and downs of life, you feel that you've done quite well and have no complaints.

Present a positive and confident picture of yourself, but don't overstate your case. An answer like, "Everything's wonderful! I can't think of a time when things were going better! I'm overjoyed!" is likely to make an interviewer wonder whether you're trying to fool him . . . or yourself. The most convincing confidence is usually quiet confidence.

When can I take time off for vacation?

Did I get the job?

What is the salary for this position?

How many hours will I be expected to work each work? Will I need to work on weekends?

How long would I have to wait to get promoted?

More Questions Not to Ask

• What is the astrological sign of the company president?
• Can I see the break room?
• How late can I be to work without getting fired?
• How long is lunch?
• Will I have to take a drug test?
• Does this company monitor Internet usage?
• How many warnings do you get before you are fired?
• 10. "Can I work at another job part time?"
• Employers want someone who is devoted to the company, not someone who could burn out by juggling too much, says Robert Galinsky, founder of the New York Reality TV School.
• 13. "How did I do?"
• Sure, you want to find out if you're a contender after an interview. "But asking that question puts an interviewer on the spot, and they're rarely in a position to answer," says Frances Cole Jones, the author of "The Wow Factor." Plus, it makes you sound unprofessional. She suggests an effective alternative like, "So what are my next steps?"

Its depends the performance in the interview part, especially the 'tough and tricky' questions.

Never Blame others

• There are many tough questions that put pressure on you or create stress.
• E.G :- "Why did you leave your last job?", or "Why have you had so many jobs?"
• If you say all your jobs have been terrible, you'll be seen as someone who blames others and fails to take responsibility for your own actions and decision.
• Moreover Employers don't want to employ people who blame others.
• "So, Always express positive reasons and answers when given an opportunity to express the negative. Never blame anyone or anything else.

Answer questions directly

Then elaborate with examples. Choose an example that highlight past successes and relate it to the projects or issues that interviewer is facing, but avoid excessively lengthy responses.

Today I am going to tell you a few tips on “HOW TO CRACK A JOB INTERVIEW”. First let’s get this straight,

First thing - Your appearance and Body Language.

You should be well dressed preferably in a formal dress or business casuals.

Be clean shaved and appear quite active and energetic.  

So, its about the JOB - weather it be a Receptionist job or a Operations Manager’s job in a giant MNC. Choose a job that has some competition for the position. Where you have opportunities to grow and succeed.

You should have an excellent resume. It’s doesn’t have to be crammed with lots of stuff. It should not be hand-written or typed on a typewriter. The printout should be neat and clear on a white paper. A best resume is never more than 3 pages long with highlighted main points.

Let’s start with the Interview:

1. Greet your interviewer or employer first instead of waiting for a hello or good morning from his end.
2. Use professional greetings like Good morning or Good afternoon instead of Hi or Hello.
3. Sit straight and do not lean on the chair or table.
4. There should be a smile on your face and be optimistic. Always bear a positive approach to almost everything.
5. Use proper English during the interview and avoid using unprofessional language.
6. Avoid verbal blunders that could cost you the job like : YEAH instead of YES, GONNA or WANNA instead of GOING TO or WANT TO, AKSED instead of ASKED, AIN’T instead of ISN’T, DON’T instead of DOESN’T, HOW IS YOU instead of HOW ARE YOU, CV instead of RESUME, THANKS instead of THANKYOU, NOPE instead of NO etc.
7. You should be heard clearly instead of being loud.
8. Answer all the questions confidently and don’t look confused. If you don’t know the answer simply say – “I DON’T KNOW”.
9. When you speak look straight in to the eyes of the interviewer and sound like a grown-up professional adult.
10. Do not make too many gestures with your face and hands.
11. During an interview you need to be the person that you think the company wants to hire.
12. Here are some examples of the questions on how they should be answered:

Why do you want to work for this company?

Why did you leave your last job?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

1. Is this a new position or has someone recently left, leaving his position available. (if they left, and the interviewer doesn’t say why… then say: May I ask why they left?)
2. How many employees work at this location?
3. Who would I be working with?
4. I noticed online that your company has several locations, is the position for this location?

Good Luck