What is Futures contract?

What is Futures contract?..

Answer / ramesh

what is sensex,nifty and what is difference between those
two the sensex deal with 30 numbers of industries but nifty
dealonly 15 numbers of industries,
sensex is the index name of BSE and nifty is the index name
of the NSE. Where sensex deal with 30 nomber of shares and
nifty deal with 50 number of industries.
Sensex consists of 30 shares and it is baeed on floating
mkt capitalisation whereas nifty has 50 shares based on full
mkt capitalisation
According to indian capital market sensex means sensitive
index it is the index name for BSE where as nifty is the
index name for NSE .BSE consists of 30 companies scripts
and nifty consists of 50 companies scripts

what do you mean by exchange rate? ho0w it is determined
Exchange rate between two countries specifies how much one
currency is worth in terms of the other.
It is value of foreign national currency in terms of
home nation currency.
Exchange rate= e[P/Pf] P= Domestic price level
Pf= foreign prce level
exchange rate is nothing it is only that what is the ratio
of import and export of any country regarding to other
countries
Rate at which one currency may be converted into another.
also called rate of exchange or foreign exchange rate or
currency exchange rate.

What is the basic difference between P/E ratio and EPS??
P/E ratio refers to the price earnings ration.The expected
growth rate in the share price of the firm is denoted by the
p/e ratio.Where as eps stands for earnings per share and it
describes the returns per each share.
P/E ratio is price earning ratio, which shows the valuation
ratio of firms current market price of share to earning by
each share; i.e. CMP/EPS

whereas EPS is earning per share; i.e. profit after tax/no.
of shares outstanding

What Is Reverse Split?
reverse split is the decrease the no of shares and increase
the share prise. It is not affected the worth of the share
holders.this is used for attract rhe investors.

What is share script
It is an another term for Share or stocks. & the no. of
scripts we can say where there is no. of shares in a market
we deals.
A share scrip is the stock which u hold of a particular
company. By holding a stock, u are making an investment in
the company and thus entitled to earn a share of profit
from the company.
share script is nothing share certificate or stock
certificate in the market jargon normal people used to
called as share scrip
what is entry load? what is exit load
entry load is the initial charges collected by mutual fund
company, those are not refundable.
exit load is the fee collected at the time of withdraw your
investment.
The entry and eit load has been called off by SEBI now. So
there are no entry and exit load in mutual fund.
entry load is a charge levied by AMC in the in case of NFO
(new fund offer) to meet the adertising & peliminary exp of
the new scheam.in case of open ended fund later on AMC
charge these exp as recurring exp.

exit load is the charge which is levied by AMC in case of
the investor exit from the scheam. it can very from time to
time. if you exist early you will have to pay higher exit
load which can be less in case you saty with the scheam for
long time.
for both entry load and exit load, there are range of rates
provided by AMFI, compnies have to charge within those
ranges with the follow up of guidelines.
What is Bull Market?
Bull market is where the prices go up. bull market is
purchase of investing securities in low value. >market where
investors invest in low value securities whose price will go
up future .>Bull market is where the prices go up .>bull
market is purchase of investing securities in low
value.

What is Bear market
A market is termed as a bear market if there is a continous
decline in the share prices over a period of time.
What is SEBI
SEBI is a board established by govt. of india in 1991 after
Harshad mehta scam.It's main function is to stop fradulant
activities of stock market. it has full control over stock
market.It ensure smooth functioning of capital market.
sebi stands for securities exchange board of india.which
controls the stock exchange and which protects investors.
securities and Exchange Board of India Was formed in
Jan,1992 as a single agency to look offer control over
capital market ensure its orderly growth.
swap is a agrement between two persons to exchange money
in the future.
A swap is a derivative in which two counterparties agree to
exchange one stream of cash flows against another stream.The
swap agreement defines the dates when the cash flows are
to be paid and the way they are calculated. Swaps can be
used to hedge certain risks such as interest rate risk, or
to speculate on changes in the expected direction of
underlying prices.

Interview Question and Answer
Mental fear of the unknown is often what produces the
physical symptoms of nervousness. In addition to preparing
yourself physically, you also need to prepare yourself
mentally. The best way to prepare mentally is to know what
may be coming. Fear of the unknown can only exist when there
is an unknown. Take the time to understand some of the
"standards" when it comes to interviewing questions.
The following are some of the most difficult questions you
will face in the course of your job interviews. Some
questions may seem rather simple on the surface--such as
"Tell me about yourself"--but these questions can have a
variety of answers. The more open-ended the question, the
wider the variation in the answers. Once you have become
practiced in your interviewing skills, you will find that
you can use almost any question as a launching pad for a
particular topic or compelling story.
Others are "classic" interview questions, such as, "What is
your greatest weakness?" Questions which most people answer
inappropriately. In this case, the standard textbook answer
for the "greatest weakness" question is to give a veiled
positive--"I work too much. I just work and work and
work"--which ends up sending the wrong message. Either you
are lying or, worse yet, you are telling the truth, in which
case you define working too much as a weakness and really
don't want to work much at all. Think about it.
The following answers are provided to give you a new
perspective on how to answer tough interview questions. They
are not there for you to lift from the page and insert into
your next interview. They are there for you to use as the
basic structure for formulating your own answers. While the
specifics of each reply may not apply to you, try to follow
the basic structure of the answer from the perspective of
the interviewer. Answer the questions behaviorally, with
specific examples that show clear evidence backs up what you
are saying about yourself. Always provide information that
shows you want to become the very best _____ for the company
and that you have specifically prepared yourself to become
exactly that. They want to be sold. They are waiting to be
sold. Don't disappoint them!
1. Tell me about yourself. My background to date has been
centered around preparing myself to become the very best
_____ I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I've
prepared myself . . .
2. Why should I hire you? Because I sincerely believe that
I'm the best person for the job. I realize that there are
many other college students who have the ability to do this
job. I also have that ability. But I also bring an
additional quality that makes me the very best person for
the job--my attitude for excellence. Not just giving lip
service to excellence, but putting every part of myself into
achieving it. In _____ and _____ I have consistently reached
for becoming the very best I can become by doing the
following . . .
3. What is your long-range objective? Where do you want to
be 10 or 15 years from now?
Although it's certainly difficult to predict things far into
the future, I know what direction I want to develop toward.
Within five years, I would like to become the very best
_____ your company has. In fact, my personal career mission
statement is to become a world-class _____ in the _____
industry. I will work toward becoming the expert that others
rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I will be fully prepared
to take on any greater responsibilities that might be
presented in the long term.
4. How has your education prepared you for your career? As
you will note on my resume, I've taken not only the required
core classes in the _____ field, I've also gone above and
beyond. I've taken every class the college has to offer in
the field and also completed an independent study project
specifically in this area. But it's not just taking the
classes to gain academic knowledge--I've taken each class,
both inside and outside of my major, with this profession in
mind. So when we're studying _____ in _____, I've viewed it
from the perspective of _____. In addition, I've always
tried to keep a practical view of how the information would
apply to my job. Not just theory, but how it would actually
apply. My capstone course project in my final semester
involved developing a real-world model of _____, which is
very similar to what might be used within your company. Let
me tell you more about it . . .
5. Are you a team player? Very much so. In fact, I've had
opportunities in both athletics and academics to develop my
skills as a team player. I was involved in _____ at the
intramural level, including leading my team in assists
during the past year--I always try to help others achieve
their best. In academics, I've worked on several team
projects, serving as both a member and team leader. I've
seen the value of working together as a team to achieve a
greater goal than any one of us could have achieved
individually. As an example . . .
6. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor?
How was it resolved? Yes, I have had conflicts in the past.
Never major ones, but certainly there have been situations
where there was a disagreement that needed to be resolved.
I've found that when conflict occurs, it's because of a
failure to see both sides of the situation. Therefore, I ask
the other person to give me their perspective and at the
same time ask that they allow me to fully explain my
perspective. At that point, I would work with the person to
find out if a compromise could be reached. If not, I would
submit to their decision because they are my superior. In
the end, you have to be willing to submit yourself to the
directives of your superior, whether you're in full
agreement or not. An example of this was when . . .
7. What is your greatest weakness? I would say my greatest
weakness has been my lack of proper planning in the past. I
would overcommit myself with too many variant tasks, then
not be able to fully accomplish each as I would like.
However, since I've come to recognize that weakness, I've
taken steps to correct it. For example, I now carry a
planning calendar in my pocket so that I can plan all of my
appointments and "to do" items. Here, let me show you how I
have this week planned out . . .
8. If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what
would they say? I believe they would say I'm a very
energetic person, that I put my mind to the task at hand and
see to it that it's accomplished. They would say that if
they ever had something that needed to be done, I was the
person who they could always depend on to see that it was
accomplished. They would say that I always took a keen
interest in the subjects I was
studying and always sought ways to apply the knowledge in
real world settings. Am I just guessing that they would say
these things? No, in fact, I'm quite certain they would say
those things because I have with me several letters of
recommendation from my professors, and those are their very
words. Let me show you . . .
9. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should
have? The key quality should be leadership--the ability to
be the visionary for the people who are working under them.
The person who can set the course and direction for
subordinates. A manager should also be a positive role model
for others to follow. The highest calling of a true leader
is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities.
I'd like to tell you about a person who I consider to be a
true leader . . .
10. If you had to live your life over again, what would you
change? That's a good question. I realize that it can be
very easy to continually look back and wish that things had
been different in the past. But I also realize that things
in the past cannot be changed, that only things in the
future can be changed. That's why I continually strive to
improve myself each and every day and that's why I'm working
hard to continually increase my knowledge in the _____
field. That's also the reason why I want to become the very
best _____ your company has ever had. To make positive
change. And all of that is still in the future. So in answer
to your question, there isn't anything in my past that I
would change. I look only to the future to make changes in
my life.
In reviewing the above responses, please remember that these
are sample answers. Please do not rehearse them verbatim or
adopt them as your own. They are meant to stir your creative
juices and get you thinking about how to properly answer the
broader range of questions that you will face.
Fifty Standard Interview Questions
It is not enough to have solid answers only for the above
questions. You need to be prepared for the full spectrum of
questions that may be presented. For further practice, make
sure you go through the required mock interview (see the
"Competitive Interview Prep" Section) and for further
review, look at some of the following questions:
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What do you want to do with your life?
3. Do you have any actual work experience?
4. How would you describe your ideal job?
5. Why did you choose this career?
6. When did you decide on this career?
7. What goals do you have in your career?
8. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
9. How do you evaluate success?
10. Describe a situation in which you were successful.
11. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
12. What accomplishments have given you the most
satisfaction in your life?
13. If you had to live your life over again, what would you
change?
14. Would your rather work with information or with people?
15. Are you a team player?
16. What motivates you?
17. Why should I hire you?
18. Are you a goal-oriented person?
19. Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did
to achieve them.
20. What are your short-term goals?
21. What is your long-range objective?
22. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
23. Where do you want to be ten years from now?
24. Do you handle conflict well?
25. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor?
How did you resolve it?
26. What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
27. Do you handle pressure well?
28. What is your greatest strength?
29. What is your greatest weakness?
30. If I were to ask one of your professors to describe you,
what would he or she say?
31. Why did you choose to attend your college?
32. What changes would you make at your college?
33. How has your education prepared you for your career?
34. What were your favorite classes? Why?
35. Do you enjoy doing independent research?
36. Who were your favorite professors? Why?
37. Why is your GPA not higher?
38. Do you have any plans for further education?
39. How much training do you think you'll need to become a
productive employee?
40. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
41. Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
42. What do you know about our company?
43. Why are you interested in our company?
44. Do you have any location preferences?
45. How familiar are you with the community that we're
located in?
46. Will you relocate? In the future?
47. Are you willing to travel? How much?
48. Is money important to you?
49. How much money do you need to make to be happy?
50. What kind of salary are you looking for?
Don't just read these questions--practice and rehearse the
answers. Don't let the company interview be the first time
you have actually formulated an answer in spoken words. It
is not enough to think about them in your head--practice!
Sit down with a friend, a significant other, or your
roommate (an especially effective critic, given the amount
of preparation to date) and go through all of the questions.
Make the most of every single interview opportunity by being
fully prepared!
Top Ten Critical Success Factors
With all the different questions being referenced, you may
wonder what exactly the employer is looking for. And I will
tell you. Following is the list of the top ten critical
success factors that nearly every employer is seeking:
1. Positive attitude toward work
2. Proficiency in field of study
3. Communication skills (oral and written)
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Confidence
6. Critical thinking and problem solving skills
7. Flexibility
8. Self-motivation
9. Leadership
10. Teamwork
Show your competence in as many of the above critical
success factors as possible and you will rise above the
competition.
What To Do If You Are Asked An Illegal Question
The interview is going along smoothly. You are psyched that
"this may be the one." And then it happens. Out of nowhere.
"Are you considering having children?" Or, "How long has
your family been in this country?" Or, "Your people place a
high value on that, don't they?" Or, "You've done amazingly
well for someone in a wheelchair. How long have you had to
use one?"
On the surface the question may seem innocent enough. And
most of the time, they are truly asked in innocence. Yet the
structure and format of the question is entirely illegal. So
what do you do? How do you respond?
First of all, it is important to understand the difference
between an illegal question and a criminally liable
question. Even though a question or comment may have been
stated in an illegal form, it does not necessarily mean that
a crime has been committed. There is a difference between
criminal liability and civil liability. For there to be
criminal liability, it requires establishing a motive or
intent. Most illegal questions are asked in ignorance, not
with malicious intent. Yet there can still be civil
recourse, even when there was no criminal motive or intent.
In our politically correct society, we often cry "foul" at
the slightest deviation from the accepted standard. But the
reality is that most illegal interview questions are asked
in true innocence. Or, better stated, in true ignorance.
Ignorance of the law, ignorance of what questions are
proper, ignorance of how the information could be used by
others in a discriminatory way.
Ironically, most illegal questions are asked when the
untrained interviewer is trying to be more friendly and asks
a seemingly innocent question about your personal life or
family background. Therefore, any attempt by the candidate
to assert their constitutional rights will merely throw up
the defense shields and will put an end to mutual
consideration. Warning lights go on, sirens sound, and the
interviewer begins backing down from what may have been an
otherwise very encouraging position.
So what is the proper response? The answer is up to you, but
my recommendation is to follow one of two courses of action:
answer in brief and move on to a new topic area, or ignore
the question altogether and redirect the discussion to a new
topic area. The interviewer may even recognize the personal
misstep and appreciate your willingness to put it aside and
go on.
Unless the question is blatantly discriminatory--and yes,
blatant discrimination does still take place--your best
option is to move on to other things. But if it is blatant
and offensive, you have every right to terminate the
interview and walk out.
While laws vary from state to state, there are some definite
taboo areas with regard to interview questions which
employers should avoid. Following is a brief list of some of
the questions that employers should not be asking:
Questions related to birthplace, nationality, ancestry, or
descent of applicant, applicant's spouse, or parents•
(Example: "Pasquale--is that a Spanish name?")
Questions related to applicant's sex or marital status•
(Example: "Is that your maiden name?")
Questions related to race or color•
(Example: "Are you considered to be part of a minority group?")
Questions related to religion or religious days observed•
(Example: "Does your religion prevent you from working
weekends or holidays?")
Questions related to physical disabilities or handicaps•
(Example: "Do you have any use of your legs at all?")
Questions related to health or medical history•
(Example: "Do you have any pre-existing health conditions?")
Questions related to pregnancy, birth control, and child care•
(Example: "Are you planning on having children?")
It should be noted that just because an illegal question has
been asked does not necessarily mean a crime has been
committed. It is up to a court of law to determine whether
the information was used in a discriminatory manner.
Interview question what are your strong points
It is important to prepare in advance for the interview
question what are your strong points. If you've already
listed your strengths when preparing your CV / resume,
coming up with three answers shouldn't be too difficult.
But be careful. The interviewer is asking you to sell
yourself, but at the same time, they do not want to hear you
being arrogant. And while they may want to know about your
personality (if you are over confident they will certainly
learn something about you), do remember that this is still
an interview situation, so your answers must be relevant to
the job in question. In other words, don't get too personal.
So how do you go about answering the interview question what
are your strong points? The general recommendation is to
prepare at least three answers and to relate them to the
organisation and the vacancy. This means you need to tailor
your answers. Ensure there is truth in what you say, but do
not be too honest, especially it makes you sound like a less
than ideal candidate.
Here are some suggested responses and the reasons why they
might work in interviews for certain kinds of jobs.
"I am confident and outgoing"
This is a response that says something about your
personality, but if you are applying for a role where you
need to relate to a lot of people - particularly the public
- it will serve your purposes. However, if the vacancy
involves consultation, it might be better to say "I have
good interpersonal skills", as this implies that you are
able to listen to people as well.
"I enjoy a challenge"
Be careful with this. It is an excellent response if the
vacancy requires problem solving, or servicing of some kind,
working to tight deadlines or project completion. It will
obviously not be helpful if the job is less dynamic and
involves a larger amount of regular, less exciting duties -
the employer might be concerned that you will become bored.
You could always qualify it to offer a more balanced
response: "I enjoy a challenge, but I'm also happy
completing regular tasks." Then it illustrates that you're
flexible and responsive to different work situations.
"I'm a strong team leader"
Clearly, this is appropriate if the job involves managing
people. It's a good idea to show that you know what leading
a team involves (although this will no doubt come up in
other questions too). So, "I'm a strong team leader with the
ability to motivate others" and "I'm a strong team leader
who leads by example" represent stronger answers. Draw on
your own understanding of your management skills plus the
job description to decide what you'll say here.
"I am ambitious"
This is a very strong answer and you should use it with
care. In the wrong situation, it can sound hard-headed and
the employer may wonder whether you'll compete too fiercely
with your colleagues, or even your superiors. However, in a
sales role it might be perfect, especially if you focus your
response a little more: "I am ambitious and aim to exceed
targets".
"I am dedicated and hard working"
You're on safe ground here, as this can be true whatever
your individual working style. It's not the most exciting
answer, but when presented alongside two others that are
more individual, it should offer reassurance to the interviewer.
"I am a good communicator"
Again, this is a win-win answer. Be prepared to expand,
though: specify whether you have strong writing skills, are
good at explaining difficult ideas in a simple way, or
perform well at important meetings.
"I work well without supervision"
A majority of employers would be pleased to hear this,
providing the vacancy is at a level where they'd normally
expect you to need a degree of supervision. But be careful
not to sound as if you prefer to work without supervision,
as this may sound as if you risk coming into conflict with
your supervisor or manager. A safer option might be to state
"I work well with or without supervision".
"I enjoy learning through my work"
Again, this is a safe answer. The interviewer might then ask
how you have done this in the past, so be ready to give
details of some hands-on learning or special training you've
experienced, and to say why you enjoyed it.
And finally
These examples show that when preparing an answer to the
interview question what are your strong points, it is
important to consider whether your responses could be taken
the wrong way. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes - you
can then ensure that the potential for a negative
interpretation is removed.
“Are you competitive? Is that good or bad?”
Sample Answer(s)
I’m quite a competitive person, but not overly so. I’d say
the person I compete with most is myself. I work hard to
achieve the goals and targets I set myself.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This is a difficult question to answer as competitiveness is
a trait that can be both positive and negative. Almost all
people that achieve success - in any field - will extol the
virtues of a healthy amount of competitiveness. Do the same
in your answer without getting carried away.
Over-competitive employees sometimes have difficulty getting
along with their colleagues.
“What do you know about this organization?”
Sample Answer(s)
I know that XYZ Corp. has been in existence for four years.
It was founded by John Rush in his garage and he has built
it into the third largest office supplies firm in the state
with aspirations to make it number one within two years.
It’s renowned as an ambitious and highly progressive company
and I believe it has a very bright future. I also like the
fact that XYZ Corp isn’t a company that rests on its laurels.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
The interviewer wants to know how hungry you are for this
job. If you haven’t even prepared for the interview, by
doing the most basic research, then the chances of you
getting the job are close to zero. You can be sure that
other candidates will have done their research.
Check out the firm’s website (if they have one) and business
directories in your local library. You should also contact
the firm itself, through their Public Relations department.
“Can you work in a team?”
Sample Answer(s)
Absolutely. I feel very comfortable working in a team. I
feel I have the necessary skills to communicate my own ideas
and also to illicit contributions from my fellow team
members. It’s hard to imagine a project I’ve worked on where
teamwork has not been key.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
There is only one answer to this question - Yes. If you’re
not a team player, it will be difficult to land the job. If
you tell the interviewer that you’re not a team player, it
will be impossible to land the job. Take this opportunity to
explain what makes you a great team player.
“What challenges do you think you‟ll face in this job?
What problems do you think you’ll face in this job?”
Sample Answer(s)
Having worked in a similar role at ABC & Co, I expect that
this job will present regular deadlines to meet, strains on
resource availability, conflicting priorities, and budgetary
concerns to name but a few issues. These are challenges that
I’ve successfully tackled in the past and I’m sure that
record would continue here. I relish a challenge and there’s
nothing that I’ve seen in this job that intimidates me in
any way.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
The interviewer is trying to extract your real fears and
apprehensions about the problems you would face in this
role. Demonstrate confidence in your own abilities and
anticipation rather than apprehension for the job in question.
“How do you define „success‟?”
Sample Answer(s)
That’s very easy. For me, success is achieved if you attain
the goals you have set for yourself or the goals that have
been set for you. I believe that’s true whether you’re
talking about a student, a managing director or even a large
corporation. I know that ABC Corp has set itself the target
of being the number one telecoms firm in the country within
five years. If the firm achieves that goal, it will most
certainly be judged ‘a success’.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
There is a subtle difference between this question and How
do you measure ‘success’? The former asks what it means to
you for something to be successful. The latter asks what you
use to measure your own personal success.
Success means different things to different people. If
you’ve done your homework, you can impress the interviewer
by referring to the company mission statement (or corporate
goals etc) in your response.
“What is the most difficult challenge you‟ve faced? How did
you resolve it?”
Sample Answer(s)
When I assumed the role of Regional Development Manager at
ABC Corp, team morale was low, users were dissatisfied, and
deadlines were repeatedly being missed. The first step I
took was to set a realistic timeline for improving the
situation. I knew that creating unrealistic expectations
would only increase the chances of failure and exacerbate
the situation. Next, I re-
organized the team structure to improve customer and product
focus. I also worked with the business users to prioritize
the work schedule. This allowed us to reduce the number of
products we were developing, which in turn enabled us to
better focus on our core deliverables. Six months later the
business users were happy and the team was happy.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This is a terrific opportunity to shine. You should
certainly prepare an answer to this question prior to the
interview. If your mind goes blank during the interview you
will give an impression of inadequate interview preparation
and hint at a lack of challenging experience in your past.
“What has been you favorite job?”
Sample Answer(s)
It’s hard to pick a single favorite job because there’s been
aspects of every job that I’ve enjoyed, each for different
reasons. My ideal job would involve working in a challenging
environment for an ambitious, forward-moving company. I get
most satisfaction from a job well done, and from
contributing to the success of a progressive organization.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
Your answer can lead to trickier questions such as ‘If it
was so good, why did you leave the job?’ and ‘What was your
worst job?’. Your answer will also cause the interviewer to
use your favorite job as an indication of your demands and
expectations of any new job. A better answer could involve
selecting your favorite aspects of a number of jobs.
Alternatively you could highlight the features of your ideal
job.
Remember even though the question seems to refer to your job
history, the interviewer is in fact trying to find out more
about you. However you answer the question make sure to
promote yourself as best you can.
“If offered to you, how long do you plan to stay in this role?”
Sample Answer(s)
I approach every new job with a long-term view. I would like
to think that I can make a positive contribution to XYZ Corp
for the foreseeable future.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
Recruiting, hiring and training a new employee is an
expensive process and represents a major investment by an
employer. The interviewer wants to ensure that your goals
are compatible with the firm’s investment.
“What are your hobbies?”
Sample Answer(s)
I have run a successful film club for the last 3 years. I
started it as a way to meet new people who share my love of
movies. We now have more than a hundred members and a
waiting list to join. It’s been a terrific excuse to
socialize with people I would not otherwise have met. I also
enjoy working with other organizations such as distributors,
film clubs and local film festivals to show interesting and
foreign films that would otherwise have been missed by the
local multiplexes.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This may seem an identical question to What do you do in
your spare time? However there is a slight distinction.
Specifically: a hobby is a specific activity or pastime in
which you participate regularly. Listening to music or
watching TV are not hobbies, merely things you do.
Individuals with hobbies, particular an unusual one, are
regarded as diverse and well-rounded with a healthy outlook
on life. These are attractive personal traits valued by many
modern employers. Hobbies that can also demonstrate a
business or personal development benefit are of most value.
“How do you handle pressure?”
Sample Answer(s)
I’m the type of person who genuinely revels when under
pressure. I enjoy the challenge and the adrenalin rush when
the chips are down and a big effort is required. Through
good management and work practices I try to avoid a
situation becoming pressurized, however when I am under
pressure I’m always confident that I can complete the job
successfully.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This may seem similar to the question: How do you handle
stress?. There is a subtle difference: Stress is a
difficulty or strain felt from within. Pressure is a strong
external influence. We may not all feel stressful, but
pressure is an expectation in many modern jobs. Pressure
could come from your customers, your boss, or even your
colleagues.
Answering this question in the negative, e.g. I’m never
under pressure may suggest that you avoid pressure and the
responsibility that if often entails. It also tells the
interviewer that your reactions, if pressure is applied, are
unknown even by yourself.
“I‟m worried about your lack of _____ experience.”
Sample Answer(s)
I don’t feel you’ve anything to worry about. While I’ve only
been a designated team leader for one year, I’ve spent
eighteen months as the most experienced member of the team
and in many
situations I effectively led the team. I very much enjoy
team management and am confident in my own abilities.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
The interviewer is challenging you. Don’t worry. In the
hands of a competent interviewee, this is an opportunity to
shine. A good approach to answering this question is to
politely disagree with the interviewer, show how you do have
the experience required, and then finish with a statement
showing how hungry you are to gain more experience.
“What do you know about the position you‟ve applied for?
What duties do you think this job entails?”
Sample Answer(s)
The Media Marketing Co-ordinator reports to the Marketing
Director. Her role is to co-ordinate all media advertising,
particularly print, radio, and television. The Co-ordinator
works with Media agencies to profile advertising
opportunities, then, working within a strict budget, she
organizes cross-media advertising campaigns. An important
aspect of the role is to disseminate the customer response
to the adverts in order to measure its success and thus
improve future campaigns.
At my last job in ABC & Co I worked closely with several
different media agencies, including some that specialized in
new media platforms such as the Internet. I also gained
invaluable experience as a member of the team that
established ABC & Co as a national brand by launching ABC
DooDaa nationwide. I feel that I can bring this expertise to
the Media Marketing Co-ordinator role and help XYZ Corp
achieve it’s goal of doubling it’s customer base every year
for the next three years.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
You should gather as much information as possible about the
job you’re applying for. If you don’t even know what the job
is, how can you possibly claim to be the best candidate for
it? Researching the position demonstrates initiative,
determination and good preparation and is a great way to
impress the interviewer at the start of the interview.
When answering this question make sure to include references
to your skills and how they match the requirements of the job.
You can gather more information about the position from the
location where you learnt about the opening - a job center /
recruitment poster etc. If you have the name of an
appropriate contact, for example a person in the firm’s
Human Resources department, you should contact them and
request further information. You should also gather
information concerning the role in general from a careers
directory in a library or on the Internet.
“Do you feel overqualified for this job?”
Sample Answer(s)
I don’t think there’s such a thing as being over-qualified
for a job. Every position brings with it a new environment,
new people and new challenges. I feel that the skills I
would bring to a new job can only help me to do a better
job, and would in no way hinder the challenges I would face.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
Don’t let this question distress you. It’s seldom meant as
an indication that the interviewer thinks you’re not right
for the job, rather it’s a ‘placed’ question to test your
response. The interviewer wants you to prove that you will
not be bored by the job on offer. Remember, people are
seldom perfectly qualified for a job. If you are
over-qualified, you should be capable of showing that you
will enjoy other challenges that the job presents.
“What kind of salary are you seeking?”
Sample Answer(s)
Answer1: I would expect a salary which reflects the
experience and qualifications that I bring to the role. What
range do you have in mind?
Answer 2: I’ve got a strong background in this industry and
my skills are a perfect match for this role. I would expect
my compensation to be at the upper end of the position’s
salary band. Can you tell me what that salary band is?
Answer 3: Based on the information I have about the
position, a salary in the range 28,000-32,000 would reflect
the experience and expertise that I would bring to the role.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
When preparing for the interview you should try to discover
the salary range for the job from the recruitment consultant
or human resources department. This information can put you
in a strong position when the time comes to negotiate a salary.
Unless pressed, you should not give a specific number here.
Instead you should specify your value relative to a ‘salary
band’. Most firms have salary bands for each position. You
should aim to negotiate a salary towards the peak of the
range for the position in which you are interviewing.
If you are pushed for a specific salary, respond with a
target range. This will help lay the groundwork for future
negotiations. You should qualify yourself by specifying that
your answer is based on the information that you have to
hand about the job. Do not give the actual range that would
satisfy you, as your prospective employer may try to bargain
you down at a later point.
For example, if your target salary range is 26,000 - 30,000,
you should specify a higher range such as 28,000-32,000.
“Have you completed your education?”
Sample Answer(s)
I believe that I’ve finished my formal school and college
education. Right now I’m focusing on my career and on being
as good at my job as I possibly can. I enjoy learning and I
think it’s essential in both personal and career
development. Ideally, I hope that the firm I join will
encourage growth and learning through in-house and/or
external training. I strongly believe that the most
important component of learning occurs ‘on the job’ where
you learn from your peers, manager and others around you. In
summary, my answer is ‘No’, I very much hope that my
education is not over.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
The interviewer is trying to assess your attitude towards
learning and your willingness to take on board new ideas and
new skills. As a new employee in an unfamiliar environment
there will be much to learn. You should demonstrate your
capacity for learning and your desire to take on new knowledge.
“What skills do you need to develop most?”
Sample Answer(s)
It may seem a bit premature, but I would very much like to
develop my project management and team leadership skills. I
would very much like to take responsibility for a project or
team in the next twelve months and I think developing those
skills now would make the transition easier.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
The hidden question the interviewer is asking you is: What
skills do you need to develop most? Be careful answering
this question. The best way to answer is by highlighting the
skills you already have. A good answer would allude to a
skill which would not be expected of someone at your
position in the organization. This could demonstrate
ambition, forward planning and a desire to learn.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Sample Answer(s)
I’m an ambitious, self-motivated account executive and I’m
very happy in my life right now. I’m looking to change jobs
because I feel I’ve achieved all of the goals I set out for
myself when I
embarked in my previous role, six years ago. I’ve still got
a strong appetite for success and I’m looking for a job that
will provide fresh challenges and rewards.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This is a deceptively difficult question to answer. The key
to answer this question is staying focused on your primary
objective here - selling yourself as an employee. With this
in mind, answer this question in light of your overall
interview strategy. Don’t describe your record collection,
your favorite movies or you pets’ names. Do, for example,
describe what motivates your career and drives your passions.
“Name three adjectives that can be best used to describe you.”
Sample Answer(s)
Respond with any three of the following or any similar
adjectives you care to mention:Reliable, hard-working,
conscientious, innovative, smart, intelligent,
communicative, organized, diligent, energetic, likable.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This is a tough question made easier through preparation.
The interviewer will learn most about you by considering why
you chose the three adjectives you did - and not any others
- rather than what those adjectives actually are.
Avoid adjectives with a possible double-edged sword such as
ambitious.
“What educational goals do you currently have?”
Sample Answer(s)
I enjoy sailing very much. In the near future I plan to
begin studying in order to become a qualified yachtsman. My
ultimate goal is to become sufficiently experienced that I
could skipper a crew in a competitive race.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
The keyword in this question is Goals. In other words, you
can respond with an answer that describes an educational
achievement you have yet to even commence! Be creative, yet
be realistic too. Do not feel compelled to respond with a
classroom-based answer. You will gain respect for an unusual
answer that demonstrates the desire to attain a skill that
will benefit your career.
“What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?”
Sample Answer(s)
Being a valuable part of a successful organization is a
reward in itself. Within the organization I feel that
advancement and responsibility are suitable rewards. While
salary is important, I hope it would reflect my role and
responsibilities within the firm.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
Expressing the rewards you hope to achieve will give the
interviewer an insight into the strength of your ambition
and your desire to succeed. Be ambitious in your aspirations
without being unreasonable.
“Why did you apply for this job?
Why do you want this position?
What interests you about this position?
Sample Answer(s)
I’ve worked in the travel industry for five years and I’ve
enjoyed every minute. I’d like to work for XYZ Corp because
they are industry leaders and I want to work with the best
people and the best products I can. There are exciting times
ahead for the firm, particularly in light of the firm’s
recent announcement that it was expanding it’s product range
by 25% over the next 24 months. I feel that my drive,
creativity and determination will be an asset to the firm
and will enable me to succeed in this role. This position
would enable me to apply my skills in an exciting and
challenging environment. I think this position is a perfect
match for my talents and my career goals.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This is a great chance to sell yourself but don’t waste the
opportunity by reciting your resume. You should describe the
assets you bring with you to the company and express the
depth of your interest in this job. Your answer should be
direct and unequivocal. Leave the interviewer in no doubt
that you are the perfect person for the job.
“What do you like to do in your spare time?”
Sample Answer(s)
I enjoy participating in and watching most sports. I
discovered golf at college and find it a great way to relax
and spend time with friends. I also enjoy playing football
and tennis. I was captain of the school swimming team and I
try to keep that up as best I can too. I also enjoy
listening to music, watching movies, and being around my
friends.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
Employers like rounded employees that have a balanced life
with interests out of the workplace. Believe it or not the
perfect employee does not work eighteen hours a day, seven
days a week and employers realize that. They’re looking for
an employee that will spend a number of successful years at
the company, not someone who will burnout in no time.
Most honest answers are acceptable here. Be sure to include
outdoor and team pursuits. Someone whose only pastimes are
playing computer games and listening to their personal
stereo may give the perception that they’re insular in
nature and would not fit in well in a team environment.
Any pursuits that can be perceived to bring benefit to the
workplace (such as captain of a sports team) are greatly
respected.
“What makes you think you‟re qualified for this job?”
Sample Answer(s)
I studied for a diploma in computers which I enjoyed
immensely. In my last job I was able to apply knowledge I’d
gained on the course to do my job better. I streamlined many
of the department’s manual tasks by moving them from paper
to a computer-based solution. I’ve also got an advanced
sailing certificate. This has helped me build many
team-working skills. When I worked at XYZ Corp I voluntarily
attended a series of in-house personal development training
programs.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
This is an opportunity not only to specify your relevant
educational and professional qualifications but also to
describe their relevance to this job. A ‘qualification’ in
the context of this question is not restricted to a
certificate/diploma/degree. Feel free to include relevant
work and/or leisure experience which makes you a better
candidate for this job.
“What size organization do you prefer to work for? Why?”
Sample Answer(s)
There are advantages to working for a small company and
advantages to working for a large company. Size is not the
critical factor when I choose an employer. It’s more
important to me that the organization I work for is an
ambitious, forward-moving company. I want to help it attain
it’s goals and contribute towards it’s growth and development.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
In some questions, the key to a great answer is in
understanding the importance of the context in which the
question is posed. This is one such question. Measure your
answer to this question in
light of the company you are interviewing for. It would be
unwise, to say the least, if you express a preference for
small companies while interviewing for a multi-national and
vice versa.
“Why would you like to work for me?”
Sample Answer(s)
I’ve been aware of your reputation for some time. You’re
regarded as an innovator within the industry and beyond. I
appreciate that your team’s success is due to a number of
factors, not least of which is hard work. I’m an excellent
team player, I’m a very good problem solver, and I work hard
to get the job done. For these reasons, I’m confident I’d be
an asset to your group. I hope that my experience shows I’m
suitably qualified to fulfill the position.
I know that your position within this firm speaks for
itself. My ideal manager is someone that fosters excellence,
innovation, and success, as well as personal and
professional growth. It’s widely recognized that XYZ Corp’s
strongest asset is its staff thanks to its strong belief in
training and development. For these reasons, this is a
highly desirable role.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
There are two approaches to answering this question. If you
know the interviewer personally or by reputation you can
allude to qualities in him that you respect and the
complimentary qualities you could bring to him and his team.
If you do not know the interviewer, answer this question by
referring to how your qualities would match those of a
suitable, hypothetical manager.
“Are you willing to travel?”
Sample Answer(s)
Yes, I enjoy traveling a lot. I realize there’s a big
difference between traveling for leisure purposes and on
business, nonetheless I would be very interested in visiting
other cities/countries/offices and would look upon it as a
learning experience.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
You should be honest in your answer to this question. There
are very few jobs where this question would have a bearing
on the interview. However, if you were to say that you were
willing to travel in an interview, but then refused once you
joined the firm, you would likely create an environment of
mistrust with your new employers. In almost every case, you
are asked this question for informational purposes only.
“What type of a work environment are you seeking?”
Sample Answer(s)
I’m looking for a challenging working environment in which
my abilities will be regularly tested. It’s important to me
that I work in an environment where teamwork is fostered and
I can learn and share with those around me.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
The interviewer is once again trying to learn more about
you, than the actual work environment you’re seeking. The
reason the question is framed this way is because most
employees will describe an environment which best matches
their talents. Focus on keywords such as ‘challenging’,
‘innovative’, ‘hardworking’ and ‘team-driven’.
“What are your strengths? How do they help you?”
Sample Answer(s)
I’m well motivated, I’ve got a strong desire to succeed, and
I’m always ready and willing to learn new information and
skills.
Advice from the recruitment consultant
Resist the temptation to expound your greatest qualities to
the interviewer. Keep your answer brief, naming no more than
three of your qualities. Know when to stop or you will
invalidate your entire answer.
What Are Your Strenght and Weaknesses?
"My strength is my flexibility to handle change. As far as
weaknesses, I feel that my management skills could be
stronger, and I am constantly working to improve them."
Why Should We Hire You?
"I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and
the ability to build strong customer relationships. This
allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to
be more user-friendly." "With five years' experience working
in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the
company money, I could make a big difference in your
company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your
team."
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
This is the company I've been looking for, a place where my
background, experience and skills can be put to use and make
things happen."
or
"I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in
line with my values, and this company is very high on my
list of desirable choices."
WHAT is ur goal
"My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented
company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company
goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of
responsibility."
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next
job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a
company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."
When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?
"I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked
directly with the customers and their problems; that is an
important part of the job for me."
What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say
About You?
It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and
boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself
through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am
the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on
me, and he likes my sense of humor
I have been in the customer service industry for the past
five years. My most recent experience has been handling
incoming calls in the high tech industry. One reason I
particularly enjoy this business, and the challenges that go
along with it, is the opportunity to connect with people. In
my last job,."
Next, mention your strengths and abilities:
"My real strength is my attention to detail. I pride myself
on my reputation for following through and meeting
deadlines. When I commit to doing something, I make sure it
gets done, and on time."
Conclude with a statement about your current situation:
"What I am looking for now is a company that values customer
relations, where I can join a strong team and have a
positive impact on customer retention and sales."
Answers to Some Interview Questions 1. Tell me about
yourself? I am down-to-earth, sweet, smart, creative,
industrious, and thorough. 2. How has your experience
prepared you for your career? Coursework: Aside from the
discipline and engineering foundation learning that I have
gained from my courses, I think the design projects,
reports, and presentations have prepared me most for my
career. Work Experience: Through internships, I have gained
self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving skills. I also
refined my technical writing and learned to prepare
professional documents for clients. Student Organizations:
By working on multiple projects for different student
organizations while keeping up my grades, I've built time
management and efficiency skills. Additionally, I've
developed leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities.
Life Experience: In general, life has taught me
determination and the importance of maintaining my ethical
standards. 3. Describe the ideal job. Ideally, I would like
to work in a fun, warm environment with individuals working
independently towards team goals or individual goals. I am
not concerned about minor elements, such as dress codes,
cubicles, and the level of formality. Most important to me
is an atmosphere that fosters attention to quality, honesty,
and integrity. 4. What type of supervisor have you found to
be the best? I have been fortunate enough to work under
wonderful supervisors who have provided limited supervision,
while answering thoughtful questions and guiding learning.
In my experience, the best supervisors give positive
feedback and tactful criticism.
5. What do you plan to be doing in five years' time? Taking
the PE exam and serving in supervisory/leadership roles both
at work and in professional/community organization(s). 6.
What contributions could you make in this organization that
would help you to stand out from other applicants? In
previous internships, my industriousness and ability to
teach myself have been valuable assets to the company. My
self-teaching abilities will minimize overhead costs, and my
industriousness at targeting needs without prompting will
set me apart from others. Additionally, one thing that has
always set me apart from my scientific/engineering peers are
my broad interests and strong writing abilities. I am not
your typical "left-brained" engineer, and with my broad
talents, I am likely to provide diverse viewpoints. 7. What
sort of criteria are you using to decide the organization
you will work for? Most importantly, I am looking for a
company that values quality, ethics, and teamwork. I would
like to work for a company that hires overachievers. 8. What
made you choose your major? My academic interests are broad,
so I sought civil engineering to achieve a great balance of
mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and writing. 9.
Have your university and major met your expectations? The
College of Engineering at MSU has exceeded my expectations
by providing group activities, career resources, individual
attention, and professors with genuine interest in teaching.
My major has met my expectations by about 90%. I would have
enjoyed more choices in environmental courses, and would
have preferred more calculus-based learning. 10. What made
you choose this college? I chose this college for the
following reasons: my budget limited me to in-state schools,
I was seeking an area with dog-friendly apartments, the MSU
web site impressed me, I saw active student groups, and the
people were very friendly.
11. List 2-3 of your greatest achievements since you've been
in college and why? Receiving the SWE Outstanding Member
Award and College of Engineering Student Service Award I got
involved with student activities to overcome my debilitating
shyness. Receiving these awards signified that I had
accomplished a transition from dragging myself to
participate to feeling energized by it. Receiving the SWE
Web Site Award Without training in web design, I competed
against not only the other student sections, but
professional sections around the nation. Despite competing
with more HTML-experienced people, I brought this award to
my section. After getting so much from SWE, I was able to
give something back. Earning the highest grade in an organic
chemistry class of ~200 people I worked very hard for this
grade and loved the subject, so it was a great feeling to
see that the hard work paid off. 12. Which subjects have you
enjoyed studying the most and why? I have enjoyed hydrology,
fluids, solid & hazardous waste management, water and
wastewater treatment, and oceanography because I love water
and environmental topics. Calculus and linear algebra excite
me because I love logic. I enjoyed the writing and analysis
in economic history. Business law thrilled me because I have
a strong interest in legal matters. 13. Which subjects did
you dislike and why? Introductory soil elicited little
interest in me, most likely because the professor was
inexperienced, the book was ineffective, and I had little
spare time that semester to look into other resources.
14. Do you have plans to continue your education? Yes, but
not immediately. I plan to continue part time with either an
MBA or an environmental engineering masters, depending on
which will be more beneficial to my work. 15. How would a
professor who knows you well describe you? One who does not
know you
well? A professor who knows me well would likely describe my
personal qualities: sweet, down-to-earth, smart,
hard-working, and conscientious. As specific examples of
those who did not know me well, my soils professor and soils
teaching assistant each considered me smart and respectful,
and both thought that I must have enjoyed the class a lot,
due to my performance. 16. Given the chance, how would you
alter your education? Knowing now what I like the most, I
would have used my electives for extra math and psychology
classes, since I tend to be well-rounded enough that a
variety of classes are unnecessary; my personal reading is
diverse enough. I have found that mathematics and psychology
are helpful to all career and life paths. 17. Which
part-time job did you enjoy the most and why? Working for PM
Environmental was most enjoyable to me, since I felt like I
was significantly contributing to the company, and I enjoyed
learning on my own. 18. Interests: Some of my interests
include dogs, hiking, snow-shoeing, water sports, writing,
reading (especially Charles Dickens' novels), skiing,
drawing, crafts, and computers. 19. What are your strengths?
My strongest strength is the ability to teach myself
difficult material, regardless of the subject (with the
exception of theater and drawing blood from dogs, which I
have no talent for). Additionally, I have always excelled
verbally and look forward to writing opportunities. 20. What
are your weaknesses? I tend to try to do too many things,
leaving little time for myself. I have worked on balancing
myself for the last several months. I am also working on
improving my public speaking skills.
21. What sort of serious problems have you experienced, and
how have you handled them? My apartment building burned down
at the end of January during one of my semesters at MSU.
Before the fire got too bad, I was able to rescue my pets
and the neighbor's dog, as well as my
textbooks and backpack, but I lost most of my mementos and
possessions. While the firemen were preparing their hoses, I
drove to school (with the animals in the car) to meet my lab
partners, who were waiting for me. I explained the
situation, emailed my professors, and rushed back to the
apartment. Fortunately, I had renter's insurance. I missed
about a week of school to deal with the insurance matters
and find a new place to live. In order to salvage my grades
and sanity, I dropped a course and honored my existing
student group and research commitments. Staying active
socially and keeping myself well-rounded were the best
healing tools for me. Within a few weeks, I was caught up
and had recovered reasonably from the loss of sentimental
items. 22. Do you or have you in the past experimented with
illegal drugs? No. My only addictions are caffeine and
sugar. 23. Would you be willing to take a drug test? Of
course. 24. Do you drink alcohol socially? No, but I enjoy
Shirley Temples quite a bit. 25. If you had your whole life
to live over, what would you do differently and why? I was
always good in math, but I wish that I would have focused on
math more. I feel that mathematics can lead one anywhere,
and is the basis of most disciplines. On a personal level, I
would have ensured that, despite pre-t

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