GD topics for IT companies, During Interview.

Listed Below are a few GD topics for IT companies.

 

Few GD Probables:

1. US war on iraq-justified or not.

2. Role of UN in peacekeeping.

3. Position of Women in India compared to other nations.

4. Environment MAnagement.

5. Is China better than India in software.

6. Should SONIA gandhi be made the PM

7. BPOs in INDIA

8. Govt contribution to IT

9. will punch lines rule the Advt

10.premaritial sex

11.   is china a threat to indian industry

12.   india or west , which is the land of opportunities

13.   water resources should be nationalised

14.   “BALANCE BETWEEN PROFESSIONALISM AND FAMILY”

15.   Effect of cinema on Youth

16.   Education in India compared to Foreign nations

17.   Is it necessary to ban COCOCOLA in India.

18.   What is the effect of movies on youth.(is it good or bad)

19.   Are studies more benifitial in India or in Abroad.

20.”UN’s peace activities” and “America’s war on Iraq”.

21.”Environment-Whose Responisibility”.

22.Is China a threat to the indian software industry.

23.Role of UN in Peace keeping

24.War on Iraq

25.About Hockey being the primary game in India.  26.Can america occupy iraq 27.Cricket shud be banned or not.

28.IS CHINA A THREAT TO INDIA

29.Present state of Indian Cricket team.

30.Love marriage/Arranged marriage.

31.Advantages of Co-education.

 

The topics of GD can be varied :

Hot Topics:

1.How to deal with international terrorism.  2.Should we pursue our policy of dialogue with Pakistan?

3.Is peace and non-violence outdated concepts?

Current Topics:

1.A Unipolar World spells disaster for underdeveloped countries like India.

2.Is Globalisation Really Necessary?  3.What shall we do about our ever-increasing Population?

4.Corruption is the price we pay for Democracy.  5.Foreign Television Channels are destroying our culture.

6.What India needs is a Dictatorship.  7.With media publishing and telecasting trivia, censorship is the need of the hour.

8.Kaun Banega Krorepati is less about knowledge but more about money and personality.

9.Beauty contests degrade womanhood

10.The rise of regional blocs threatens independent nations like India

11.Six billion and one bronze!

12.Is dependence on computers a good thing?

13.Should the public sector be privatised?  14.China and India are similar nations with contrasting ways 15.Is India a Soft Nation?

16.Value based politics is the need of the hour 17.Religion should not be mixed with politics 18.How to deal with high oil prices 19.Our cricketers are not to blame for match fixing 20.Why cant we be world players in industry as we are in software?

21.Multinational corporations: Are they devils in disguise?

22.Should there be limits on artistic freedom (the controversy on Fire).

23.Should there be private universities?  24.Does banning fashion shows and New Year parties save our culture?

Social Topics:

1.Are Big Dams Necessary?

2.Films are corrupting the Indian Youth

3.A Gandhian State selling liquor is an anomaly

4.Bride burning and dowry may look bad, but are an

integral part of

India.

5.Our Culture is Decaying

6.We are not serious about saving Wildlife/Environment

7.The education system needs serious reforms

8.The impact of MTV on our psyche

9.Showing Violence and Crimes should not be allowed in

films and on

television.

10.Let us legalise gambling

Management Topics:

1.Is management an art or a science?  2.The Rush for MBA is really a rush for big money 3.Ethics in Business are just a passing fashion 4.The objective of Management is to maximise profits 5.Do professional managers have a chance in our family run businesses?

6.The Internet is an exercise in hype 7.Is an MBA necessary to succeed in life?

8.Family owned business vs professionally run

businesses

9.Smaller businesses and start-ups have more scope for

professional

growth.

10.Dot com or doubt com?

Creative Topics:

1.The Wheel is Turning Round and Round 2.If I was the Finance Minister/Prime Minister 3.There is no right way to do a wrong thing 4.Group Task: How can we have Mount Everest in India?  5.Do Beauty and Brains Go Together?

6.When I woke up in the morning I saw…

7.A ship docked in harbour cannot face the storms

8.Up the Down Staircase

9.Just as we have smoke free zones, we should have

child free zones

10.Marriage is a social trap

SOCIAL TOPICS:

1.    The Internet chains have come on the wings of science and technology but are no less restrictive for all that.

2.    Secularism has become a tool to justify the wrongs done by the minorities.

3.    Media is a mixed blessing/How ethical is media?

4.    To fight AIDs, stop being coy about sex education.

5.    What should India strive for- Westernization or modernization?

 

ECONOMIC TOPICS:

1.    Developing countries need trade, not aid.

2.    Why do we lag behind China?

3.    Capitalism is a very flawed system but the others are so much worse.

4.    Flexibility of labour laws is the key to attracting more Foreign Direct Investment.

5.    Is the business of business only business?

 

POLITICAL TOPICS:

1.    Reserving seats for women in Panchayat has not only been a farce but has distracted from developing a more genuine voice of women.

2.    Have the nuclear tests of 1998 benefited or harmed India?

3.    Voters, not, political parties are responsible for the criminalisation of politics.

4.    The voters are required to be well informed and educated about their candidates so that they can elect the right aspirant by their own assessment.

5.    India should go for the presidential form of democracy.

ECONOMIC TOPICS:

1.    In our economic matters, there is an excessive tendency towards the thinking rather than doing.

2.    Every cloud has a silver lining

3.    Can the economy achieve an 8 percent growth rate?.

4.    Is disinvestment really that good for India or is a rethink in order ?

5.    Are co-operatives relevant in today’s globalised environment?.

6.    Foreign aid is a dangerous drug that can stimulate in small doses but

become fatally addictive in larger doses.

7.    Modern day sport in industrialised society is an industry, as anything else.

8.    Government should clean its own hands before pointing finger at the private sector for corruption.

9.    Is the NPA ordinance too harsh?

10.   Reforms have to grow up.

11.   The future lies with glocalisation .

12.   Is the consumer really the king in India?.

13.   Globalisation versus nationalism

14.   Conditional access system for cable TV watchers: boon or bane? 15.

If India is poorly governed, the reason is that we have designed our system of governance for protecting, if not encouraging, corruption?

16.   Commercialisation of health care : Good or Bad ?

17.   For globalisation to succeed in India people must be able to see what is in it for them

18.   Is the US economy headed the Japanese economy way?

19.   Economic freedom not old fashioned theories of

development will

lead

to growth and prosperity

20.   Markets left to themselves encourage greed.

21.   For globalisation to succeed in India people must be able to see what is in it for them

22.   Should businessmen run the finance ministry

23.   Should important services like transport be left to market forces?.

24.   Is there any point in having a business strategy when the world changes from month to month?

25.   Is the patents bill good for India? .

26.   Is the business of business only business?.

27.   Globalisation is good for developing countries

28.   Public sector being a guarantor of job security is a myth.

29.   Is industryless growth here to stay ?

30.   Capitalism is a very flawed system but the others are so much worse ?

31.   How can business get rid of the bad name that it has earned?

32.   Government pumping money into the economy is not the solution for our economic problems

33.   Business ethics are no longer a luxury for corporates but a necessity?

34.   How should privatisation proceeds be utilised ?

35.   Is the budgeting exercise of any use?

36.   Should agricultural subsidies be stopped ?

37.   Will Mumbai’s film industry ever evolve into a truly modern corporatised one?

38.   Will market reforms enrich rich states further, while poorer ones lag further?.

39.   Why do we lag behind China ?

40.   Who says MNCs are superior to Indian companies ?.

41.   Why not use a brand index to measure national prosperity?.

42.   What we need to reduce scams is better regulatory bodies.

43.   War rhetoric is misplaced in a country like India which is trying to globalise its economy.

44.   Trade can help the poor ?

45.   The power ministry should cut off supplies to all the defaulting SEBs.

46.   Steal a few lakhs and you’re a criminal. Steal a few hundred crores and you become an industrialist.

47.   Should PSUs be divested through strategic sale or public offer? 48.  The state is above the law?

 

Management Education Topics

1.    Managerial skills learnt in the classroom can never match those learnt    from experience

2.    Democracy is hampering India progress

3.    MBA in India is highly overrated.

4.    Religion is a private affair and should be of no concern for the state

5.    Decreasing defense expenditure and increasing social expenditure is the need of the hour

 

TCY Online:

1.Public sector is more a hindrance than help to promote socialism.

2.Economic betterment of the poorer nations is as important as disarmament to ensure lasting world peace.  3.From public sector to privatization as in the U.K., is the right answer for India’s instant economic breakthrough.  4.The doctrine of “limited nuclear war” is an ill-convinced, ill-logical, irrational and extremely dangerous concept.  5.Some simple but effective electoral reforms will enable us to retain the present parliamentary system and ensure the preservation of democracy in India.

6.We must have only two national parties to contest parliamentary elections and regional parties should not be allowed to contest for the same.

7.We can increase our food production not only to match our population explosion but also for export provided we adopt modern, mechanized farming methods with large size land holdings.

8.Nuclear war cannot be won and should not be fought.

9.Private enterprise and not public sector will contribute to faster and higher economic growth in India.

10.Inflation is inevitable in our developing country.  11.The policy of reservation is a legacy of the British and it has done more harm than good.

12.Do you think MBAs are useful in the manufacturing / production department?

13.For a marketing post graduate, without prior work experience working in a big marketing firm is a disadvantage when compared with working in a small firm. Discuss.  14.Consumerism is destroying the social fabric of Indian culture.

15.Free market is a prerequisite for growth.  16.Cricket as a national obsession is a detriment to other sports.

17.To develop India has to empower women. 
18.Formulate the government’s health policy to control the spread of AIDS.

19.Advertising is a waste of resources.

20.Privatization will lead to less corruption.

21.State is the biggest violator of human rights.

22.There can never be a classless society.

23.Beauty pageants are a marketing gimmick.  24.Voting rights to illiterates in India is illogical because it is widely misused.

25.Joint family is a blessing in disguise.  26.Higher education should be made possible only for those who can pay for it.

27.The weaker sex is the weakness of the stronger sex.  28.Women cannot successfully combine both career and home.

29.Women are good managers.

30.Executive should be allowed to form unions.

31.Effect of liberalization on poverty.  32.Indians perform better as individuals rather than in groups.

33.Business and ethics go hand in hand, or do they?  34.Developing countries should spend more on development than on defense.

35.Political parties have outlived their utility.

36.Is Swadeshi relevant for India today?

37.Money is required to earn more money.  38.Foreign trade is necessary for any country to survive .

39.Presidential Vs Parliamentary form of government of India.

40.Technology: The Ism’ Of The New Millennium?  41.Religion And Politics Should Not Mix 42.TRIPS Controversy And The Patent Act Amendment 43.Export Stagnation: Causes And Cures 44.Excessive Depiction Of Sex And Violence In Films 45.Classical Music Heritage And The Growing Pop-Culture 46.Decentralisation & The Panchayati Raj Institutions 47.Should India Sign The CTBT 48.State Interventions In Market Kind Or Mixed Economy 49.Science Is A Boon Or Bane 50.Is Swapping Terrorists For Hostages An Encouragement For Plane-Hijackers?

51.India and the political dynasties: The Nehru Family

context

52.Nice Guys Finish Last

53.All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy 54.Individual Freedom And Civil Society 55.Conventionalism And Modernity: The Ever going Debate 56.Should There Be A Restriction On Permissiveness Being propagated by The MTV Culture And Foreign Media?  57.Marxism And Its Future All Over The World 58.The Growing Menace Of Casteism And Regionalism 59.Presidential Form Of Government Is Needed In India 60.Bullet For Bullet: Is It The Right Policy?

61.Capitation Fees Should Be Abolished

62.Arranged Marriages Are Better Than The Love-Marriages

63.Brain-Drain Has To Be Stopped

64.Business And Ethics Can’t / Don’t Go Together 65.Are women As good as Men Or Inferior?

66.Nothing Succeeds Like Success

67.The Malthusian Economic Prophecy Is No Longer Relevant 68.Secessionism In The North-East: Who’s To Blame?  69.Should India Break Diplomatic Ties With Pakistan?  70.Age and Youth: Experience And Young Talent 71.‘East Is East & West Is Where All The Action Is’:

Mark Twain

72.Freedom Of _Expression And The State Authority.

73.Capital Punishment Should Be Abolished

74.Tuitions Should Be Banned

75.India Needs Gujral Doctrine For Better

International Relations

76.Doctors’ Accountability To Improve Health-Care

77.Universal Disarmament Is A Must

78.Indian Cricket Team Shouldn’t Be Allowed To Play Abroad

Few HR Questions

1. Tell me about yourself:The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing  for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present. 

2. Why did you leave your last job?Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons. 

3. What experience do you have in this field?Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can. 

4. Do you consider yourself successful?You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others. 

5. What do co-workers say about you?Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself. 

6. What do you know about this organization?This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players? 

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety  of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good  ones handy to mention. 

8. Are you applying for other jobs?Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction. 

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals. 

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of. 

 

 

 

 

 

11. What kind of salary do you need?A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range. 

12. Are you a team player?You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point. 

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I’d like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I’m doing a good job. 

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to  do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force. 

15. What is your philosophy towards work?The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That’s the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization. 

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it. 

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved. 

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organizationYou should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship. 

19. Why should we hire you?Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison. 

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have madeHave a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus. 

21. What irritates you about co-workers?This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great. 

22. What is your greatest strength?Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills,  Your positive attitude 

 

23. Tell me about your dream job.Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can’t wait to get to work. 

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest. 

25. What are you looking for in a job?See answer # 23 

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with? Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner. 

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer. 

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?There are numerous good possibilities:Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver 

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisorBiggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor. 

30. What has disappointed you about a job?Don’t get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility. 

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for. 

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one. 

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge,  Achievement,  Recognition 

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?This is up to you. Be totally honest. 

35. How would you know you were successful on this job?Several ways are good measures:You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful 

 

 

 

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief. 

37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes. 

38. Describe your management style.Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all. 

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off. 

40. Do you have any blind spots?Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them. 

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have. 

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position. 

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner. 

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits. 

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled. 

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out. 

47. Describe your work ethic.Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good. 

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings. 

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization. 

 

 

50. Do you have any questions for me?Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples. 

Few HR Interviews Question and How To face The Interview

How To face The Interview 1.Are your work practices similar or different from ours? 
(If Experienced)
2.Describe our (products/services). 
3.Describe our company for me. 
4.Describe our corporate environment for me. 
5.Describe your work (methods/processes) in comparison to ours? 
(If Experienced)
6.Do our competitors do things that we should be doing? 
7.Do you have any concerns about working here? 
8.Do you have any questions about (our/this) company? 
9.Do you know how long we have been in business? 
10.Do you know what products we make? 
11.How could you have prevented your (judgmental) errors? 
12.How do you think our company determines success? 
13.How does you present employer communicate with others in your 
deprtment? (If Experienced)
14.Tell me how you found out information about (our/this) company? 
15.Tell me what you know about (our/this) company? 
16.Was there anything your company could have done to be more 
successful? 
17.What about our company do you like best? 
18.What about your present employer (do/did) you like best? 
19.What advantages do you think our competitors have over us? 
20.What advantages do you think we have over our competitors? 
21.What are the greatest challenges that this company faces? 
22.What concerns do you have about this company? 
23.What direction do you think this company is headed in? 
24.What do you dislike about our company? 
25.What do you know about (our/this) company? 
26.What do you know about (our/this) operation? 
27.What do you know about our competitors? 
28.What do you know about our customers? 
29.What do you know about our products? 
30.What do you know about our products or services? 
31.What do you know about our stock? 
32.What do you know about our web site? 
33.What do you know about the way our company (works/operates)? 
34.What do you know about this position? 
35.What do you think are the challenges facing this company? 
36.What do you think are the greatest challenges facing this company 
in the near future? 
37.What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like 
ours? 
38.What do you think it takes to be successful in our company? 
39.What do you think the atmosphere here is like? 
40.What is the financial stability of your last company? 
41.What questions do you have about our organization? 
42.What would make someone successful in our business? 
43.What is the (best/worst) thing you have heard about (our/this) 
company? 
44. What is the (best/worst) thing you have heard about 
(our/this) department? 

Types Of Interview Questions

Yesterday night I was Studying for my MBA Courses and I got valuable information about Interviewing. So please find the types of interview can be taken by organization.

Type of Questions

Interviewers use five different types of questions – directive, non-directive, hypothetical, behavior descriptive, and stress. Being aware of the different types can help you in the preparation stage as you  build your skills  inventory. It may also help you focus in on exactly what is being asked and what the employer is looking for in specific questions.

 
Directive Questions

The interviewer determines the focus of your answer. The information that the interviewer wants is very clear. If you have completed the research on yourself, this type of question should be easy to answer.

 Example: “What skills do you have that relate to this position?”

“I have very good communication and interpersonal skills that I have refined through several summer and part-time jobs working with the public. In addition, I am fluent in both English and French.”

 
Non-Directive Questions 

You determine the focus of your answer. The interviewer asks a general question and does not ask for specific information. The most common non-directive question is

“Tell me about yourself.”

When answering the question, keep in mind that the employer is interested in knowing how your background and personality qualify you for the job. In your answer, you should cover four areas: your education, related experience, skills and abilities, and personal attributes. As you talk about these areas, relate them to the job you are seeking. Decide what your response will be before starting to speak, this helps to keep responses concise.

Example: “ Tell me about yourself.”

“I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, and have recently completed the course

in Volunteer Management through the
Volunteer
Center of
Winnipeg. These have given me a strong background in many of the principles of human behavior and the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers. I have experience in working with young adults in a helping capacity, both through my position as a Peer Advisor at the

University of
Manitoba, and as a camp counselor at a camp for behaviorally troubled adolescents. Both of these positions involved individual counseling, facilitating discussion groups, and teaching young people about health issues – all of which relate directly to the services which I would be training volunteers to provide within your organization. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy working with young people, and can establish rapport with them easily.”

 
Hypothetical or Scenario Questions 

When asking a hypothetical question, the interviewer describes a situation, which you may encounter in the position and asks how you would react in a similar situation. This is a good way to test problem-solving abilities. When answering this type of question, try applying a simple problem solving model to it – gather information, evaluate the information, priories the information, seek advice, weigh the alternatives, make a decision, communicate the decision, monitor the results and modify if necessary.

Example: “Suppose you are working your first day in our laboratory, and a fire at a nearby work station breaks out. What would you do?”

“Before I start working in any laboratory, I always locate the emergency equipment, such as eye washes, fire blankets and alarms. I would also review the safety protocols. So in this situation, I would be aware of these. As soon as I noticed the fire, I would shut down my experiment and if the fire is significant, I would pull the firm alarm and help to evacuate the lab. In the case of very small flame, I would ask the staff member at the station what I could do to help, Which would vary with the type of substances involved.”

 Behavior Descriptive or Behavioral Questions

This type of question is becoming increasingly popular in interview situations. It asks what you did in a particular situation rather than what you would do. Situations chosen usually follow the job description fairly closely. Some employers feel that examples of past performance will help them to predict future performance in similar situations. There is no right or wrong answer to this type of question, but keep in mind that you should relate the answer to the position. If you are interviewing for a research position, talk about a research project you completed.

Example: “Give me an example of a work situation in which you were proud of your performance.”

“While working as a sales representative for XYZ Company for the summer, I called on Prospective clients and persuaded them of the ecological and economic benefits of Recycling. I also followed up on clients to ensure that they were satisfied with the service They received. This involved both telephone and in-person contacts. I increased sales 34% over the same period in the previous year.”

When preparing for this type of questioning, it is crucial that you review the skills and qualities that the position would require and identify specific examples from your past which demonstrated those traits.

Stress Questions

Some questions will surprise you and possibly make you feel uncomfortable during an interview. For

Example:“  Which do you prefer, fruits or vegetables?” There are many reasons why an interviewer might ask such questions. They may want to see how you react in difficult situations, or they may simply be trying to test your sense of humor. Such questions may directly challenge an opinion that you have just stated or say something negative about you or a reference. Sometimes they ask seemingly irrelevant questions such as,

“If you were an animal, what type of animal would you be?”

The best way to deal with this type of question is to recognize what is happening. The interviewer is trying to elicit a reaction from you. Stay calm, and do not become defensive. If humour comes naturally to you, you might try using it in your response, but it is important to respond to the question. What you say is not nearly as important as maintaining your composure.

Example: “Which do you like better, Lions or Tigers?”

“Oh, lions definitely. They appear so majestic and are very sociable. To be honest, I think that seeing The Lion King four times has probably contributed to this!”