“Congratulations! Mr. Chatterjee, You are selected. Welcome to our XYZ family”
We know as a fresher, you eagerly want to hear from Hr. after going through a round of screening, Hr round and technical round of interview.
But, this can never come easily.
Especially after Covid work from the home facility is also available for the recruiters. Not only offline, but also, online interviews also gain popularity. Companies can find the best candidates around the world with reasonable salary packages.
So, friends, as a fresher, you should prepare yourself to compete easily and secure your dream job.
Here is the way! Read out what possible questions the interviewer may ask and how you can impress him with incredible and amazing answers.
Table of Contents
Common Interview Questions for Freshers With Sample Answers
There are three different types of interview questions : Technical, Analytical and Behavioral.
But in this blog we only discuss behavioral interview questions for freshers. Through this questions, the interviewer wants to know
- What are you doing in your life?
- How have you handled work situations in the past?
- About your education?
In my experience, around 65-70% of the questions would be behavioral. Because through these questions, the hiring manager decides whether you’ll be the right fit for the job or not.
So, in this blog, we’re going to discuss the most commonly asked behavioral questions. Analyse these questions based on
- What does the interviewer want to know?
- Common mistakes we make while answering them.
- How to answer these questions?
1. How are you today?
A: “I’m fine. Thank you”.
I’m fine is one of the safest ways to answer this question.
But you don’t want to leave the interviewer with such a short response. Make room for more conversation.
You can say this one of six sample answer
1. I’m doing great and quite excited about the interview. How about you?
2. Feeling energetic and I’m really looking forward to a great day ahead.
3. I’m really excited to start a new chapter of my life today.
4. Thanks for asking. Things are good. How is it going for you?
5. It’s been a rough week but I’m looking forward to an exciting one.
6. I’m good. I had a great run this morning and I’m excited about the weekend because I have XYZ plans. What about you?
2. Tell me something about yourself?
A: Let’s begin. 99.9% of the time, this is how the interview starts.
Why?
Because before anything else, the interviewer wants to know two things
1. Can you communicate well?
2. What is most important to you?
So, please don’t talk about your favorite movies or your favorite cricketers. Don’t talk about your life story from the beginning.
The only thing the interviewer is interested in is if you are the right person for the job or not.
The sample format for this question is
Hello, sir or madam. First of all, thank you for giving me this golden opportunity to introduce myself.
I am Kalyan Chatterjee, I have Completed a digital marketing internship at XYZ organisation. I also specialise in website SEO.
During my internship, I worked on various domestic and international SEO projects under my sinner, who has more than seven years of experience in the digital marketing field. I have also good working experience with Facebook ads, Google Performance Max ads, Social Media Optimization and Google My Business listing.
By the way, I am from Kolkata. In my family, I have only one mother. My father died at an early age. I have an interest in music and freehand exercise. Thank you.
3. Can you please describe yourself in one word?
A: Never say, I am Hardworking or I am a teen player, Only this type of line.
You can respond this way
I am a result-oriented person. I constantly keep checking how close or how far it will take to achieve my goals. I find this pressure inspiring and a great motivator for the rest of my team. In fact, over the past year, I was able to help my team to finish a project within the deadline.
4. What do you know about our company?
A: There’s absolutely no way you can just bluff about it. So make sure you’re prepared to answer.
Here are a few ways you can research about the company
- Visit the company website.
- Browse the company’s social media accounts.
- Check out their LinkedIn company profile.
- Leverage your network. Find people who work there and talk to them.
- Finally, familiarise yourself with the industry and competitors for comprehensive awareness.
5. Why did you leave your previous job?
A: Never say, I was so bored with the job or I had a very toxic work culture.
You were rejected. Because in the future you will also say something wrong about your present company.
Here’s how you can answer it
I left my last job because I realised that my skills and aspirations were not aligned with the position.
The company was great, but the position did not offer enough challenges to fully utilise my skills.
I have read about the work culture and value system of your company.
The job description blends well with my long-term career goals. Given my excellent resource utilisation skills,
So I’m looking forward to adding immense value to this position.
6. Why do you want this job?
A: What a useless question? I want a job because of money.
That is what you are thinking. But let me tell you now what the interviewer is thinking.
Money is important. But if that’s the only reason why you want this job, then you will leave for somewhere else for a better salary. Why will I want to waste my time and effort in training you then?
So through this question, the interviewer wants to know why you want this job in particular.
So, tell them what motivates you to work for this company. Don’t give a general answer, “ABC” is a great company, that’s why I’d love to work for it. It proved that you have not done your research.
1. Research about the company. Check their website, follow their media coverage, talk to friends who are working there and figure out what it is about the company that appeals the most to you.
For example
ABC’s reputation is certainly a factor. Also, a friend of mine who’s been working here in the IT department for the past few years has said that the company’s culture encourages learning and development while on the job and really rewards hard work.
2. Your next statement should highlight how your skills go along with the vibe of the company or the role.
For example
As I’ve read on your website, you’re planning to launch several new products and features in the upcoming months and I would love to be a part of that growth. I know that my experience in product management and my leadership skills will help your company with on-time releases and delivery.
7. Tell me about your strength?
A: Now, why are they asking this?
Simple!
They want to know two things
No one, do you know your strengths?
No two, do you focus on your strength?
Now, don’t be too pompous and say things like, “I am good at this”, “I am great at that”. Anybody can say it.
But to make it more believable, you also need to tell how or why.
Suppose being a quick learner is your strength. Then this is how you answer it.
I am a quick learner. For the past 6 months, I have worked on many different projects with different industries as a digital marketing intern. With my team, I even had the opportunity to learn about marketing while involved in new projects. It is my motto in life to learn something new every day. And I actively seek feedback to help me grow.
Some other strengths that you can talk about are adaptability, hard work, flexibility, persistence, self-motivation and so on.
8. Tell me about your weakness?
A: Usually this question is asked for three reasons.
First, are we self-aware and know about our weaknesses?
Second, will we talk about it honestly?
Third, are we taking any action to improve it?
So, in response to this, “I work too hard” or “I am a perfectionist”. You don’t have to give such answers. If we show our strength as weakness, then it seems fake.
In this case, we should tell our genuine weakness plus steps to improve what we are taking.
This can be an example of this
Public speaking makes me nervous. Although I don’t need public speaking for my role as a SEO professional, I still think that it’s an important skill, especially when I want to offer up my opinion in meetings or group discussions.
To tackle this, I’ve joined the various SEO communities on social media and I regularly attend sessions through Zoom meetings to overcome my fears.
You can form your answer in this way.
These are some common weaknesses which you can include in your answer. Like, lack of patience, timidity, micromanaging, talkative etc.
9. What challenges have you faced at work?
A: The interviewer has very less time to decide whether you’re fit for the role or not. So they ask tough questions. By asking what are the challenges you’ve faced at work.
- They want to know how you solve problems
- How you work under stress
- Your way of getting things done
So what they are looking for is a story.
The most common mistake is to take it personally and get emotional about it.
If you want to nail this answer, then here are the 4 elements that you must include
1.Talk about the challenge
2.Briefly, focus more on how you overcame the challenge.
3.Talk about what you learned from the challenge.
4.Talk about how you are helping your teammates who are facing the same challenge.
For example
When our project release was delayed, I coordinated with the entire team to get the schedule back on track.
We troubleshooted the issues and solved the problems. Upon further investigation, I found out that lack of proper communication and restriction of knowledge among a few team members was the main issue. So I scheduled weekly share and learn sessions where both the seniors and the freshers of the team would come together and discuss the advancements of the project.
This challenge taught me that along with technology, proper communication is also crucial in driving a project to completion.
Did you see how the four elements together turn a failure in your favour.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow. You’re asking about 5 years!
He’s an answer you should keep to yourself.
Because through this question, the interviewer wants to know if you’re ambitious and if your long-term goals align with the company.
Don’t say, I want to become a manager or I want to be very successful in my career.
Surely not, I want to become CEO of this company. Sounds too unrealistic.
You can say this one of three sample answer
1. A few of the goals I’ve set for myself over the next few years include acquiring management skills within my position to upskill my knowledge.
2. I also reviewed your website before the interview and I was drawn to the training programs that your company offers. I would love to learn new skills and grow within my position.
3. Over the next five years, I see myself taking on new and exciting projects within your company. I truly believe that I can pursue my career goals and eventually move into a management position within your organisation.
11. Are you planning to have children?
A: If you are a lady, you may face these uncomfortable questions. It may make you terribly angry when somebody asks this question.
Any questions related to gender, race or religion are illegal. But they do get asked. The children or marriage question is maybe to understand how committed you will be to the company.
So don’t take it too personally. Everybody makes mistakes. Even the interviewer sitting at the other end of the table.
So the best way to answer it is to gracefully avoid the question and bring the conversation back to the job or your skills or your experience.
You can respond this way
“You know I’m not quite there yet. But I’d like to know more about career progress at the company. Can you tell me a little bit more about that?”
This tells your interviewer that you’re committed towards your professional growth and lets you direct the conversation back to the job-related topics.
12. Tell me about that one area you still feel you need to improve?
A. Never say, I am the best, I am hardworking, I am perfect, I am punctual. No one believes you.
You can say this type of answer
One of my career goals is to take a leadership position in my organization. So I want to improve my leadership skills. Specifically, I want to get better at speaking in front of large groups and motivating teams. I plan on completing a leadership certification to improve in this area.
13. What are your salary expectations?
A: Be very careful while answering this question. If you quote too high, you might exceed the company’s budget and throw off the recruiter. If you quote too low, you might lose out on money on the table.
So if you’re asked this question in the early stage of the hiring process, you can say this
I’m yet to completely understand the full scope of work in this position. So it’s a little difficult for me to point you to a number at this stage. Can we discuss this once I have a full understanding of my role and responsibilities?
If you’re asked this question towards the end of the hiring process, here’s what you can say
Thank you for asking. Based on my market research and my experience of X years, a similar role in this area would be worth anywhere between Y and Z (2-3 lakhs). I am however flexible and open to hearing about the company’s compensation structure for this role.
14. Can you please explain about the one-year gap in your CV?
A: Don’t say, I was confused and did nothing and after that, I tried searching for jobs. I also had some personal issues.
This is how you answer the question correctly
1. Due to my health condition, I had to take medical care so I took time off and now I am fully recovered and ready to take up a new role.
2. I assessed myself and I found that I had a skills gap and I had to take some time to focus and upskill myself.
3. When my role in my previous organization ended, I started applying for roles immediately but haven’t found the right fit yet.
4. Due to a family emergency, I had to leave my previous organization. However, thankfully the problem has been taken care of now.
15. Do you prefer hard work or smart work?
A: Never say this way, I don’t do hard work. I prefer working smart.
Here’s what you can say
Actually, I don’t particularly have a preference. I believe that both hard and smart work is important to get the desired results.
Smart work on the one hand makes you figure out the most efficient way to get things done and hard work makes you capable of dedicating long hours to get it done.
I always analyse if smart work can be applied to a particular task. If not I will choose to give my 100% to complete the task.
16. Why have you changed three jobs in one year?
A: Never say this type of answer, The first job was very bad and the second job I had toxic co-workers. In my third job, I was paid very little.
You can respond this way
After college, I joined as a software developer with ABC company. Later I realized that my skills were not being put to optimum use.
So I wanted to try a few other options to advance my career. I did not expect to work with three companies in just a year. but it has been an incredible learning experience as I have now gained X, Y and z skills.
After reading the job requirements for this company, I was sure this is something fit for me.
17. Why should we hire you?
A: Never say “I’m the best” or “I badly need this job”.
Interviewers ask you this question to know what you can do for them. So focus on your employer’s needs and not yours.
It is basically a sales question where you are supposed to sell yourself to the interviewer.
The best way to answer this question has two parts to it
No 1. Give examples of how your skills match the employer’s needs.
No 2. Show how excited you are to work with them.
You can say this one of two sample answer
1.Based on your job description, you need somebody who has a sound understanding of Search Engine Optimization.
During my internship, I did SEO for various types of websites which grew our website traffic by 50%.
Also, the company’s vision on ABC resonates with me because I’m very passionate about this space, which makes me very excited to use my skills and experience to contribute to the business.
2. Based on your job description, it looks like you’re looking for somebody who has experience managing teams and also has social media experience. I’ve had more than 6 months of experience as a marketing manager and I’ve been leading large diverse teams. In my previous role, we did a campaign which led to our social media growth by 50%.
Also, the company’s vision on ABC resonates with me as I’m very passionate about this space and so I’m really excited to use my experience and skills to contribute to the business.
18. Why should we not hire you?
A: You have to turn this tricky question into an opportunity to showcase your resilience and self-awareness. So pick a weakness that is a strength for that role.
Here’s an example
You shouldn’t hire me if you’re looking for somebody who thrives in an environment where management strictly prescribes how each task is to be done.
I’m somebody who works better when there are some general work guidelines with the desired outcome and then I have some realway to figure out my way around it.
19. Are you willing to work overtime?
A: They want to know what kind of commitment they can gain from you if they hire you. So your answer should express that you are a reliable and dedicated individual.
Also, show that you can finish your task in a reasonable amount of time.
- Avoid saying a complete “No”
- Avoid sounding like a workaholic too.
Here’s what you can say
I’m happy to work overtime when the situation demands. I do however prefer projects scoped and scheduled in such a way that long hours are not a consistent practice.
Be sure you do your due diligence on the company and figure out if overtime is a constant practice there and then decide accordingly.
20. How long do you plan on working here?
A: Employees often ask this question to determine whether a candidate is interested in working for their company for an extended period or not.
So you have to be reassuring while highlighting how you will be an asset to the company if hired.
Here’s what you can say
I would like to work with your company as long as I feel that I am making positive contributions to its success. Growth and challenges drive me and I am sure with my SEO skills, I would start making an impact early.
If I am actively making a positive impact on the company and its clients, I see no reason why I wouldn’t stay here for as long as I can find new ways to keep doing that.
21. What is your current salary?
A: Recruiters ask this question mostly to benchmark their new offer against your existing salary. And if you’re in India especially, there is no way they will reveal the budget first.
So here’s what you can say to answer this question and not reveal your exact pay.
My current CTC is between 2 to 3 lakhs. However, I do want to emphasise that my current job and this job are not very similar. From my understanding of the new role, it looks like the responsibilities here are going to be a lot more. While I’m excited about it, I do expect to be fairly compensated for the same.
22. What did you hate about your last job?
A: Be honest, but don’t get too negative and divide your answer into three parts.
Start off by mentioning what you like about your last job.
Next, mention what you didn’t like. Focus on tasks, not company politics or people.
Then talk about how the position you’re applying for can help you overcome that.
Here’s an example.
I had a great time at my last job working with so many wonderful people and I learned a lot.
I did feel that the opportunities for me there were limited by the structure and size of the company. Since your company is larger with an international presence, It can offer me challenges and opportunities that usually a smaller firm cannot.
It’s a great match for my skill set as well, which is why I feel I would be an asset to your marketing team.
23. Why do you want to leave your job?
A: Do not badmouth your previous employer or talk about company politics. Instead, keep it honest, positive, brief and focused on you the entire time.
Here are some examples
When you don’t like your job
You can say, I’m looking for new challenges at work that hone my skills.
When you’re not getting promotions
Say, I’m looking for career opportunities for my professional growth.
When you don’t like your company
You can say, I realise my calling is in a different sector and I want to use my skills for that.
When you’re moving for higher pay
You can say, I’m looking for opportunities that help me achieve my financial goals while selling the products I love.
24. Why have you changed jobs so frequently?
A: Don’t worry, you can use job hopping to your advantage.
Divide your answer into three parts.
1. Focus on what you’ve learned and the skills you acquired in your past position.
2. State legitimate reasons as to why you left certain jobs.
3. Convince the hiring manager that you are now ready to commit to their company.
Here’s an example
After graduation, I wanted to experience working in diverse industries to identify which one would be the best fit for me. From my past jobs, I learned a variety of skills and also how to adapt quickly to any change.
Now that I know I want to work as an SEO expert, I am very excited about the opportunity at your company as it is leading the further of SEO’s latest changes. I am looking to settle down with a stable position here.
25. How do you think your manager would describe you?
A: Instead of just listing down your qualities, talk about why your boss values you and try to keep it relevant to the job.
Watch how
In my last performance review, my manager said he was quite happy with the way I had led a very high-impact critical project on SEO.
He was also appreciative of the way I had managed the entire flow of deliverables without
hampering any of the priorities.
He also added that he was quite happy to see the way I presented it to senior management and got it approved within a week.
26. Why do you want to work here?
A: Give a reference to the company’s mission and talk about how that aligns with your career aspirations.
Here’s an example
I have been a digital marketing learner and I’m consistently impressed by the modern technology and the user experience that your company provides.
I’m deeply passionate about this space and would love to grow my career at a company that cares so much about these two pillars.
Also, I completely resonate with the company’s vision, so I’m confident that I’ll be able to develop my skills as well as make a meaningful contribution to the business.
27. What do you hate about your job?
A: It’s not easy to answer this question without putting your company or yourself in a negative light.
So you have to follow the structure to answer this question.
Start by saying something positive about your job.
Then focus on some tasks that bothered you. Remember, do not talk about company politics or people that bothered you.
Finally, end your answer with strength.
For example
Well, I have given this question a lot of thought and overall I was very satisfied with my job. I met a lot of interesting people and we had such a great time working together.
Just sometimes there used to be this inordinate amount of paperwork which sort of bogged me down because my core strength is to work with people and come up with new ideas.
So that was something that sort of did put me off sometimes.
28. What is your take on feedback at work?
A: Never say,
- I genuinely do not care about feedback.
- I hate asking for feedback.
- I generally do not take feedback from anyone.
You can respond this way
I always work on handling feedback better and I’ve improved a lot over the years. I see it as an opportunity to improve my work.
For example, once I shared a draft of my SEO planned presentation with the manager, I received a lot of feedback about tiny errors in technical SEO projects.
At first, I felt really bad but later I got to know and understand the importance of every section in the presentation. Later on, I took enough time for an in-depth review of my presentation and submitted it after my review.
29. What are your short-term goals?
You can respond through one of two sample answer
1. In the short term, I want to settle into my new role as an SEO executive. I want to make real-time strategies for our client’s websites as soon as possible. I want to gain as much knowledge and experience as I can to help me understand and advance in this field.
2. In the short-term goals, I want to learn multiple sets of skills in digital marketing. I can do this by working on various tasks from different fields of digital marketing with an experienced team. I want to deliver more than what is expected of me.
30. Can you tell me about your long term goals?
Never say,
- My long term goal is to start my own business.
- I want to become the manager of this company.
- I want to become the CEO of this company.
Here’s what you can say
As I have read the job description for this position, I have set up both short and long-term goals that would help me hit the required targets.
I plan on delivering more than asked of me. My long-term goal is to take on more challenging targets so that I can expose my abilities.
I plan on shaping myself during this initial time so that I am prepared to deliver on bigger targets later.
Although I have been in this field for a while now, I haven’t been able to utilize my entire set of skills. But this job allows me to do so.
31. What are your hobbies?
A: Never said,
- I love watching Netflix.
- I love chatting as well.
- I don’t have any hobbies.
- I only like to work.
- I love to sleep.
You can say this one of two sample answer
1. I’m more into reading books and magazines because that helps me improve my communication every day. Moreover, it also helps me to mold myself into a better person.
Sometimes I also love playing cricket or football or tennis, because I feel it personally keeps my physical and mental health stable.
2. I love traveling and I try to take a trip every season. Travelling allows me to adapt to new situations and I use my organisation and planning skills to ensure I enjoy myself to the fullest.
I’m also very passionate about cooking. Me and my mom love to watch cooking shows and we often try out new recipes on the weekend.
32. Who is there in your family?
A: “Four people. Mom, dad, one brother and me”.
Even though you’ve answered the question correctly, with such a response, you will fail to come across as a well-prepared candidate with good communication skills.
You can respond through one of two sample answer
1.Ma’am, we are a nuclear family of four members. My father is a serviceman and my mother is a housewife. I have an elder brother who is pursuing a career in the IT field. We are a very close-knit family who share a great bond.
2.In our joint family, there are quite a few members. Besides my parents and me, there are my grandparents, my uncles, aunts, and their children. It’s a big and bustling household and there’s always something happening with so many family members living together.
33. How do you define success?
A: The interviewer asks this question to assess the candidate’s goals, aspirations, ambition and outlook on life.
So Naver says, “I don’t know”.
Here are two impressive answers that you can use to answer this question
1. Success to me is accomplishing goals that are meaningful to me. I measure success by the impact I create through my work and the progress I make towards my personal and professional goals.
2. Success to me is achieving a goal that I have set for myself. It can be as simple as completing a task or a big life milestone. It is about reflecting on the journey and feeling proud of what I have accomplished.
This is an important interview question, especially for candidates applying for middle level and higher level management positions.
34. Do you have other job offers in hand?
A: Answer this question honestly. If you have got other job offers, there is no harm in accepting it.
In fact, telling the interviewer that you have a job offer shows that another employer sees you as a valuable candidate and wants you on their team.
This is what you can say
I do have an offer in hand. However, the position doesn’t interest me as much as this one. This is the reason I wanted to be interviewed here to understand more about my role and the position.
I was at an early stage of my job search when I interviewed for a few companies in X domain and luckily out of three companies, I got an offer from one company.
However, based on the discussion regarding my role and responsibilities here, I am confident that this is where I would love to contribute.
35. Can you tell me why you want to work here?
A: Naver says this type of answer, “This is the best company”.
The HR asked this question to understand what drives you to seek out a job with this company in particular.
To answer this question correctly, research the company thoroughly. Your research should focus on:
- What is the mission of the company,
- What problems they are trying to solve and anything that makes them stand out.
This is what you can say to answer this question correctly
I have always been drawn to the mission of this company and the value that it stands for.
I am passionate about helping people and making a positive difference. I see this company as an incredible opportunity to do both.
I am excited to join this company as I strongly believe my SEO and GMB skills will help me to contribute to your upcoming projects.
36. How do you handle stressful situations?
A: It is wrong to say, “I don’t feel stressed” or “I don’t know”,
This question is asked, How well can you perform under the pressure?
Here are the top three responses that you can use to answer this question
1. When I’m faced with a stressful situation, I take a few deep breaths and focus on finding a constructive solution.
2. Whenever I face a stressful situation, I try to break down the situation into smaller, more manageable tasks and prioritise them accordingly.
3. During stressful situations, I keep an open mind and look for creative solutions to help me work through the problem.
I also ensure that I take regular breaks to refresh myself.
37. Can you tell me what you do in your spare time?
A: Spending time with friends or watching Netflix web series.
Interviews ask this question to gain insight into candidates’ hobbies and interests.
So mention a hobby and explain how it helps in improving your overall lifestyle.
Here are three great examples that you can use
1. I love to read. I’ve recently read books about self-improvement and personal development. I believe reading is the best hobby to enhance your communication skills.
2. I’m passionate about photography, so I often take trips to nearby places to capture the beauty of nature.
3. I love playing Badminton. It keeps me active and also allows me to spend quality time with my friends.
38. Why are you changing your domain?
A: Never respond to this question, “I don’t like my current job”.
Interviews ask this question to understand your motivations and reasons for making a change. It helps them gauge your level of commitment to the job and your ability to manage the transition into a new field.
This is what you can say
1. I’m looking to post you a career in a field that more closely aligns with my interest and allows me to utilize my skills and experience in a more meaningful way.
I’m confident that switching data entry to the digital marketing domain will enable me to grow professionally and achieve greater success.
2. I’m changing my domain data entry to digital marketing because I don’t see much scope for growth in my current domain and I want to take advantage of new opportunities for learning, creativity and success.
Additionally, I believe that the digital marketing domain I’m moving into is better suited to my experience and skill set which will allow me to have a greater impact on my professional life.
39. What is your biggest regret and why?
A: This is a very important interview question.
So never said, I don’t have any regrets.
This question is indicative of how your pro challenges. It can give an employer a better understanding of how you learn and grow from your mistakes.
You can say this one of three sample answer
1. My biggest regret as a working professional is not taking risks in my career. I have always been too risk-averse which has limited my opportunities for professional growth.
2. I regret not having the courage to try new things and explore different paths earlier in my career.
3. My biggest regret is that I have changed two jobs this year. I regret this because I feel that I am not allowing myself to build long-term relationships.
My goal now is to be more focused and committed to my job, develop a better understanding of the corporate environment and build strong relationships with my colleagues.
40. What is the most memorable day in your life?
A: Never say, “I don’t remember”.
Recruiters ask this question to better understand a candidate’s life experiences and how they think about the impactful moments in their life.
Here are three great examples that you can use
1. The most memorable day of my life was when I successfully introduced an innovative change in our company that resulted in a 10% increase in productivity.
It was a project that I had been working on for months and it was rewarding to see all my hard work getting paid off.
2. The most memorable day of my life was when I received an award for the best employee at my job. It was such an incredible feeling of accomplishment and recognition.
3. The most memorable day of my life was when I mentored my co-workers and helped them pass a difficult project. Seeing them achieve their goal was an incredible feeling I’ll never forget.
41. How to organize your work?
A: This is what you can say
I make use of various calendar applications such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.
Apart from this, I also keep a physical calendar on my desk to keep track of my daily tasks, meetings and other activities.
Additionally, I like to use sticky notes to keep track of ideas or reminders that come up throughout the day.
42. What can you bring to the table?
A: This question is the variation of the most frequently asked interview question “Why should we hire you?”
This question is asked because the hiring manager wants to know more about your skill set and how you can help them solve their problems.
This is what you can say
I will excel at handling complex tasks with patients.
I have an innovative mindset and can work well in a team as well as alone.
As you require a candidate who should be great at handling client meetings and presentations, that’s my core strength.
Moreover, I have the right skill set and qualifications for this role.
43. Why don’t you join your family business?
A: Never say, It’s very boring or I have no interest in that.
This question is asked to determine your passion for pursuing your career.
The employer wants to know if you’re allowed to follow your passion or work for a family business, what will you choose?
You can respond this way
Me and my father had this conversation many times. We both concluded that it would be best for me to do my experiments and learn from my failures just like he did.
Moreover, I want to do something that I’m passionate about.
44. Any time your work was criticised?
A: Your reaction to this question will tell the hiring manager a lot about your personality.
You must portray in your answer that you’re able to take criticism well because it helps you grow and become better at your job.
You can say this type of answer
In my previous job, I was working on an important analysis. I spent days collecting marketing data and conducting market research trying to come up with some suggestions for the management. However, they did not like my analysis and criticised my methodology of work and also the suggestions I made.
However, I stayed calm and simply explained why I did things differently than expected. They eventually appreciated my creative approach and I think that all the parties left the meeting satisfied having learnt something new.
45. What’s your biggest failure?
A: This question is asked to see how well you embrace your mistakes and what measures you’ve taken to avert errors in future.
You can say this one of two sample answer
1. My biggest failure was when I overlooked an important detail in a project. Since then, I have made it a habit to double-check everything before final submissions.
2. My biggest failure was when I crossed a deadline of an important project. I believe this happened due to a poor strategy of not communicating with all the team members regarding their responsibilities.
Since then, I have been super cautious to ensure weekly meetings are held and everyone is briefed about the details of the project.
46. What are you expecting from our organisation?
A: Naver say,
- I don’t have any expectations
- I just want a good salary.
This question is asked to see how well you understand the company’s requirements.
To do this, read the job description carefully and assure the employer that you are the candidate who has the right skill set for the job.
You can respond through one of two sample answer
1. My expectations for the company would be to provide a work environment in which I can contribute to the team.
I receive appreciation for my contributions, I have job stability and the ability to grow with the company.
2. As I qualify for the eligibility criteria for this role, I would expect the company to allow me to contribute to digital marketing projects.
I did research about the company before the interview and would love to be considered for helping you in your upcoming marketing project.
47. Can you tell me who is your mentor?
A: You can answer this question by talking about an experienced and trusted advisor who helped you make major life decisions. You can give an example of a formal or an informal mentor.
A formal mentor in your life can be your director, manager or teammate.
Informal mentors can be your parents, relatives and friends.
You can say this one of two sample answer
1. My professional mentor at work is a team leader in our SEO department. He has been working with me for the past two years to make sure that I am taking the right steps to develop for potential future advancement in my career.
2. My maternal uncle is my mentor. He was the one who guided me to study MBA in digital marketing. I have always looked up to him because I have huge respect for him. I intend to work hard and become successful in my career to make him feel proud.
48. Why do you want to switch your job?
A: If you are leaving your previous company, you need to prepare a good response to answer this question. I will provide you with three sample answers.
You can say this one of three sample answer
1. I have done the best for myself and my current organization. I strongly felt that it’s high time to move to a new place and develop a fresher perspective with the competitive role that you are offering.
2. I have been working with the X company as an intern for six months now. I need to push myself to the next level and for that, a change was required.
3. I am relocating and the job is too far from my house. Also, this job best suits my skills, experience and educational qualifications.
The plus point is I can easily put extra hours into my work rather than commuting.
49. What are your future plans?
A: When talking about your future goals, show that you’re ambitious and career-oriented, but without giving the impression that this job is only a stepping stone.
Rather, your answer should reflect that you see your future in the company.
You can respond through one of three sample answer
1. I’m very open to whatever opportunities the future may hold, especially within this company. I pride myself on being flexible and adaptable. I applied for this job because I strongly believe it is a perfect fit with my interests and skill set.
2. In three years, I hope to be on a career path that will lead to a team leader position in your company. I also plan to finish my online certification course in advanced SEO within one year.
3. My plans include securing a position as an email marketing strategist. I know the company is interested in reaching a younger clientele. I have the skills to help with the email marketing part of the new ad campaign if hired for the advertising assistant job that is available.
50. Why is this job important to you?
A: Never express your emergency like this, I have been unemployed for the past 6 months. I want to work now. Such a response is a big no for an answer.
To answer this question correctly, match your skills to the role and understand how the role will benefit you in the long run.
You can say this one of three sample answer
1. This opportunity is really exciting for me as I will be able to contribute to your upcoming projects. We spend a lot of time at work and I want to do something that I am passionate about.
2. This job is important to me because I strongly believe that I will succeed in the role as I have 5 years of experience in the SEO domain. As the job description requires the candidate to be good at analytical skills, that’s my core strength. I will be able to adjust quickly and deliver the best possible results.
3. I believe my skills are well suited to this job because I have been handling similar responsibilities in my previous role. I am excited to work here and help you meet the company’s requirements.
51. How did you hear about this position?
A: Hiring managers ask this question because they want to hire someone excited for their specific job.
Your answer should reflect that you have full sincerity for the role that you’re interviewing for and you haven’t randomly applied for the position.
You can respond through one of two sample answer
1. I’m actively job searching right now and found your job posting on Indeed while searching for an SEO executive position. I reviewed the job description on Indeed before applying and it seemed like a great potential fit. So I wanted to apply and learn more about the opportunity to see if it’s a good match.
2. A friend of mine recommended that you were hiring on your website and said she had heard good things about your work environment. I went to your website and did some reading on the careers page and I liked what I saw so I decided I should apply and learn more about the opportunity.
52. What is most important to you in your job?
A: Never say, I don’t know or I guess money.
This question helps HR to understand what drives you to stay motivated.
This is what you can say
Growth is the most important thing to me in any role. I’d love to work for a company that is innovative and is always looking for new opportunities to expand and I look for companies that have a positive and adaptive culture.
53. Can you tell me about your work experience?
A: Even though your resume includes all the details, the hiring manager wants to know what skills have you acquired from your previous job.
You can respond this way
While working at X company as an intern, I learned a great deal about dealing with customers and how to handle difficult requests from those who might be a bit irritated when approaching me.
I learned that keeping a cool head during a confrontation is a must and that arguing back with anyone in a professional setting doesn’t help solve anything.
54. How would your co-workers describe you?
A: Go to the job description for the specific role that you’re interviewing for. Check out what the core values and skills are that are listed in that job description and think of a couple of examples of times you’ve demonstrated that.
Then you’re going to say, great question.
I have a super close relationship with my co-workers and they would describe me as these two things I pulled directly from the job description.
Here’s an example
My coworkers would describe me as a problem solver.
When my team wasn’t about to hit our sales target, I organized a lunch and learned so we could learn best practices from each other. By the end of the month, we hit the sales quota.
55. Can you tell me what other companies are you interviewing with?
A: If you have lineup interviews, be honest. Never say, This is the only company or I’m not interviewing anywhere else.
You can respond this way
I have a couple of interviews coming up soon with XYZ company for the ABC position. But I can tell you that based on what I know, this position has exactly the kinds of challenges I’m looking for in my next role.
I have five other interviews scheduled with other companies. I chose this company as my primary choice because I am aware that it has a supportive, diverse company culture and I believe I’m a good match for it.
56. Tell me what motivates you?
A: Employers ask this question to gauge your level of self-awareness and ensure your sources of motivation align with the role. To answer, be as specific as possible, provide real-life examples and tie your answer back to the job role.
You can respond through one of three sample answer
1. I’m motivated by the desire to beat my last record. My goal is to always make larger deals and see bigger numbers and more clients.
2. I’m motivated by innovation. I like to try different things and I love being in sales because every customer brings the opportunity for a new approach.
3. I’m motivated by challenges. I enjoy spending time showcasing a product and helping the customer understand how it can benefit them.
57. Why were you fired from your last job?
A: Never say this type of answer,
Everything was good from my side. I don’t know what went wrong.
I was not performing well, but it wasn’t my fault.
If your prior employer fired you because of underperformance, hold yourself accountable for your actions and explain how you have moved forward from them.
This is how you can answer this question
I realize now that I did not have a clear understanding of my employees’ expectations and should have asked for more clarification.
Moving forward, I now know the importance of making sure that I’m regularly communicating with my supervisor and asking for feedback on my work to ensure that I’m following their standards.
58. What do you do in your current role?
A: Like the question, tell me about yourself, this provides the context for the interviewer to get a sense of your skill set and expertise.
It also shows whether or not you can effectively communicate your value proposition. Talk about what skills you have developed in your current role and how the skills are an asset to your company.
For example, an SEO executive can say something like this
As an SEO executive, I am responsible for keyword research, on-page and backlinking for higher rank website pages and blogs on the search engine result page(SERP).
Additionally, I am responsible for analysing marketing data and building scalable databases for future marketing strategy.
59. Can you tell me when you can start?
A: This is a fundamental interview question.
You can say this one of three sample answer
1. After learning more about this role, I’m confident it would be a great fit for my experience and skill set. I can be available to start as soon as the beginning of the next work week.
2. I’m excited for the opportunity to join your team. I have several projects to wrap up in my current role. I plan to give them four weeks’ notice to make a smooth transition for my co-workers and will be happy to come on board with the team here after that time.
3. While my ideal start date is dash, I do have some flexibility and I’d be happy to figure out a date that works with your timeline.
60. Can you do night shifts?
A: Most service-based companies like Wipro and TCS run double shifts. Therefore, it is a very common question to ask in interviews.
The answer to this question is usually a simple yes or a no, followed by an explanation.
You can respond through one of three sample answer
1. Yes, sure, I will be available for night shifts.I’m staying alone at my place, so it won’t be any problem for me. However, it would be great help for me if there is a transportation facility for those who work at night.
2. It is not possible for me to work at night as it might affect my time with family. I would give my best and provide maximum output in the day shifts, but working at night won’t be possible for me.
3. It is not like an impossible thing for me, but I will prefer to work in day shifts. But if something urgent is required of me, I will definitely be available.
61. What is your ideal company like?
A: Never say,
- I want to work in a company where I earn 6 figure income.
- A company that is flexible and allows me to take vacations.
No matter how much you feel like saying this, the interviewer is not interested in listening to these things and considers this as a red flag as it makes you sound materialistic and unprofessional.
As this is a fundamental interview question, You can say this is one of three types of sample answer
1. Reflect sincerity in what you want in an ideal workspace.
2. What you say should align with the company’s work culture.
3. Show that your long-term goals align with the company.
62. Is money important to you?
A: Naver says, No, I only want to focus on my career right now.
Money is an important and motivating factor for everyone.
Jobs that undervalue employee skills become frustrating after a point of time. So you should not reject the importance of money outright. Rather, strike a balance between money and opportunities for growth.
This is what you can say
Yes, money is important to me since it’s a measure of my value and it helps me to take care of the personal needs in my life. But the opportunities for growth and advancement which would be offered to me in this role are even more important than money.
For this reason, I’m excited about this role to advance my career growth.
63. Why were your grades so low in college?
A: Never say,
I don’t like to study and focus on grades.
I was so busy in organising college events all the time.
You can say this one of two sample answer
1. I do understand that my grades are less than ideal.
Reason being, I was also working part-time in a marketing agency. I understand that it negatively affected my grades, but it has given me a lot of experience to join this profession full-time now.
2. I was actively involved in organising college fests and other important events of my college. This made my schedule very difficult and at times it negatively affected my grades.
However, I have developed a lot of practical experience like meeting deadlines, working in a team and understanding the importance of effective communication.
64. Would you consider taking less pay?
A: Never say on recruiters mouth,
- No, not at all.
- Why would I settle for less? I’m more experienced now.
You can respond through one of two sample answer
1. Ma’am, with all due respect, I need to know more about my responsibilities and your whole package before I give an exact answer to this question. It will help me to decide with much more clarity after I know about the perks and bonuses that are given to the employees for this position and role.
2. Opportunity is valuable to me. I’m always willing to look at the bigger picture. However, I would want to be paid according to what I bring to the position, but I’m certainly flexible to ensure we are in alignment with my salary.
65. What do you think of your previous boss?
A: “He was very strict” or “He was okay. You are more friendly”.
Never badmouth your previous boss. This question tests your loyalty towards the organisation.
The hiring managers are interested in hiring those candidates who have positive attitudes and focus on their careers rather than gossip.
This is how you can answer this question
I got along well with my previous boss. He always motivated the team to stay focused. I believe the reason he was admired by everyone was because he was flexible and his work was not micromanaged.
Therefore, we were free to find our approach to the tasks that were assigned to us.
I thank him to date for being such an amazing mentor.
66. Why is there a gap after your graduation?
A: The correct way to explain the gap is to not make it sound like a wrong decision. Rather, focus on what all you did to keep yourself productive during this break.
You can say this is one of two sample answer
1. I took a two-year gap after my studies as I was preparing for a competitive exam. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out for me. However, that preparation period has taught me to stay persistent and focused in life. I am excited to be here today and start my career at your organisation.
2. I took a gap because I wanted to explore more career options for myself. However, during this period, I did X and Y courses (Digital Marketing and SEO courses) to upskill my knowledge. I can assure you that I have the skills and the right educational background to fit into this role.
67. Do you have any plans for further education?
A: Naver says, “No, I just want to make some money now” or “I haven’t thought about it”.
An important tip, know the role and the requirements before you answer this question.
Answer the question in a way which shows that you are committed to both learning the role and preparing yourself for potential future advancement.
This is what you can say
I view learning as a lifelong process. Even though I have completed my graduation, I want to continue to learn as much as I can to become a skilled employee. So if that requires further training and education, I’m ready and prepared to do that.
68. Do you consider yourself successful?
A: Never say,
- Of course, yes. I’ve always got good grades.
- I guess I still have to achieve a lot in life.
You can respond through one of two sample answer
1. I feel successful with continuous progress. It gives me a lot of satisfaction when I work with full sincerity and the results are positive. I truly believe my hard work and dedication have never let my superiors down. So indeed, I have been successful in most of the tasks that have been assigned to me.
2. Indeed, I do. My college life has taught me to set goals and work hard towards them. I have always been sincere and true to myself and that has enabled me to always achieve good results. I know I will work with the same dedication if I’m chosen to contribute.
69. Do you like to work alone or with a team?
A: This is a tricky question and the best way to answer this is that you tell the interviewer that you can work in a team as well as alone.
This is how you can answer this
I can work under any management style including without supervision. Once it is clear what my objectives are and how the company wants me to execute those objectives, I can do the job.
I also enjoy working in a team environment and I get along well with people. In my past work experience, I can solve complex projects through collaboration with a dedicated team.
70. Are you willing to relocate?
A: Never say, No, I want to work here in this city or I have to ask my parents.
This question requires a straight yes or no.
But of course, things aren’t always cut and dried.
If your answer is yes, here’s a sample
1. I’m excited about this opportunity and I feel I could provide great value in this role. I would be open to relocation and I’m looking forward to learning more details around this.
2. I’m looking for a change of scenery. So this job would be the perfect opportunity to make a change and work.
If your answer is no, then say this
1. Certainly relocating in the future is of interest to me, especially for this position. But in the meantime, working remotely is an option I’m drawn to.
2. Due to a current family obligation, I’m not able to relocate at this time. However, I have experience working remotely and could be available to travel frequently.
71. Do you have any questions for me?
A: This question is the best way to show that we are very much interested and passionate about the company and its role.
So, instead of saying that I don’t want to ask any question in response to this question, it would be better to ask such questions so that our interest in the company and its role comes out more.
So, to show our interest, we can ask such questions:
- Can you please tell me more about the company culture?
- What can I do to prepare myself better for this job if I get selected?
- What do you like the most about working in this organisation?
- Can you please share the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
- What do you love the most about this company?
So by asking some such questions about that role, we can leave a positive image in the mind of the interviewer.
72. Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
A: This is a common interview question that the hiring manager asks before they wrap up the interview.
If there is something relevant that you haven’t had a chance to mention, do it now.
Otherwise, you can briefly say something like this
I think we’ve covered most of it, but just to summarise, it sounds like you’re looking for someone with my qualifications and skill set.
My previous experience in the industry for X years, I think I’d be a great fit. I’m looking forward to working with you. This shows you a confident person.
Things to Keep in Mind Before an Interview as a Fresher
No matter the job or role or company you’re applying to, always do these seven things while you’re preparing for your next interview.
1. Read the job description carefully, because that is the easiest way for you to figure out what’s going on in your interviewer’s mind.
2. Reach out to people who have already been interviewed for that company or even for that role. Professional networks like LinkedIn, Monster, GeeksforGeeks, Glassdoor, you can find employees or past employees of that company from whom you can request and ask for interview advice.
3. Make the interview all about them. Sure, you don’t like your current job for many reasons. But the interview is not about you. It’s about the company that you’re applying to. So to say, I’m leaving my old job because bla bla bla, talk about why you’re passionate about the current role that you’re applying for.
4. Communication Skills and Body Language are important for cracking any interview. Communication skills are not just language specific, you are not able to speak only in English. It means that you are able to speak about your job-related topic confidently with open body language.
5. Attend scheduled interviews on time. If we are giving an interview physically, we should ensure that we reach the interview half an hour earlier. And if we are giving an online interview, if we have to join a platform or if we have to join a meeting, then we should start sending requests there 10 minutes earlier. It shows your punctuality.
6. Be prepared for the interview. Focus on common interview questions for freshers along with a good answer script. You also prepare for a technical interview also. Preparation and more practice give you more confidence than other candidates.
7. Remember, the best technique to crack interviews is that 90% is a game of confidence. If you are confident, if you don’t feel nervous, you will be able to give your best.
FAQs on Interview Questions for Freshers
What is the Purpose of a Job Interview?
A: The journey to find a job begins with sending your resume and ends with the interview. But the purpose of the interview is not only to test your knowledge, but also to check your aptitude, personality and team spirit. Which helps recruiters in the decision-making process to hire the right candidates.
What is a Behavioral Interview?
A: In a behavioral interview, your interviewers will be assessing your behaviors. So there’s a wide variety of things that they can assess for and that can include things like
- Stress Response
- Teamwork
- Motivation
- Adaptivity
- Values
- Dealing with conflict
- Communication Skills
- Perception of success and failure etc.
Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?
A: Hard skills are concrete skills that are specific to your job and are required for you to actually do your work. For example, if you’re a SEO expert, Technical SEO would be an example.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal or people skills that can be used in every job. These include communication, teamwork and adaptability etc.
Difference Between Resume and CV?
A: Technically, it has only one meaning. In the USA it’s called resume on the other hand the British call CV or curriculum vitae.
But practically, there is a difference between the two.
A resume is only one page in which you give a brief overview of your educational and professional journey (usually 1-2 pages)
The CV presents a full history of your academic and personal credentials like Parents’ name, marital status, hobby, signature etc.
In Interview Language Does Matter?
A: Ideally, you should reply in the language in which the interviewer is speaking. If the question is in Hindi, then reply in Hindi. If they are asking questions in English, you have to reply in English.
But if your English, especially spoken English is bad, then reply in the language in which you are comfortable and confident.
Knowledge and confidence do not always depend on the language. So, answer in the language in which you are comfortable and confident.
Finally friends, I’m sure this blog on interview questions for freshers, is going to help you a lot to face interviews confidently.
If you are facing any other problem with any other question and you are not able to prepare their answers, you can comment below. I will definitely reply to you.
One last thing that I have to tell you here is don’t think of the interviewer as a lion. That person is a human being. That person is not going to eat you.
All you need to do is prepare yourself well. If you know what you are doing, why you are applying, knowledge about the company and you are following all the techniques that I have discussed with you through this blog, throughout the interview process, you’re going to feel confident.
You spoil interviews only when you get nervous and in those 10-15 minutes, you can’t even tell the other person if you have talent or not.
So you should not do that. Prepare well, practice and you are definitely going to get your dream job.
Thanks for reading, keep learning.
