Interview Clichés

Folks, After the not so successful attempt at doing some serious writing… I value the feedback of the blog community…and hence would try to refrain from such indulgences in the future… what I thought was that I should write on what I know more about…Job hopping, interview experiences, both as an interviewed, which was my hobby a couple of years ago, and as an interviewer. I haven’t had too many chances though as an interviewer, just about half a dozen ,and after reading this, the chances of being on the interview panel could diminish further as here is a question paper that is being leaked.. open secrets actually..
This blog is dedicated to all those who are active job hoppers. Even rookies can read this and customize these thoughts to their needs…There is some food for thought for interviewers too!

Here is a set of interview clichés that one can’t avoid, and what are the first thoughts that cross our mind, followed by what answers we finally land up with. Happy reading!

1. Tell me something about yourself
Just imagine how it would feel to be asked the same first question day in and day out when your job search is at its peak. We might be irked so much to say that “my name is Arun… I am a school drop out, then joined private studies, wasn’t interested, and then joined as a mechanic in the corner shed, and job hopping is my hobby”. My humble request to interviewers is start the question with a more interesting question which might involve lateral thinking of various levels depending on the job for which the candidate is hired. This can be a real wake up alarm. For all you know, he might have mugged up the “Tell me about yourself”answer!!
2. Why do you think we should hire you
This is a question which actually targets at your strengths, which would differentiate you from the rest for the job. We should be clear about this, and not put generic gyaan like “I am hardworking, I can work well under pressure..blah blah blah…”.. Mind you these are taken for granted, and your CV will reflect these traits of yours with your acads, awards won, etc….. Please be specific how you would fit the profile that the employer is looking for, and adjust your answer accordingly. There is no straight answer for this. For example, if the profile involves analytical skills, talk about your how you can predict what the management expects rather than your late staying abilities, as management level decisions are hardly taken overnight.
3. What do you think you should join this company and not others
“Because you pay me 50 grand more than the down the lane software company” Though this could be the tip of the tongue response, all set to be missiled, we are expected to be lot more diplomatic, and are supposed to talk on how this would be a learning experience for you, what you have read in the papers that interested you to apply. Etc. etc. Just try to recall if any interviewer, has posed this question after your gyaan “ Then, would you be able to take a 50 K cut to take this job?” No one would have for the simple reason that every interviewer is also an interviewed, and they would not like this to be posed at them!
4. Where do you think you would be in five years
I have always found this really funny. This is one question that I have restrained myself from asking candidates. The reason - Five years is too far a timeframe to plan for. I am not being shortsighted, or utterly careless. All of us have some broad vision of where we would like to be, which are in terms of economic status, and in social circles. It is impossible to say that I would be the AVP, VP, Manager, or whatever, in the company which is offering you the job, as things are so dynamic, that even the company cannot have its plan chartered beyond three years max, in the clear terms that it expects the candidate to have. We obviously cannot say that “ I would be in a powerful position, in the fourth company from now”. You need to tread carefully here, and say that you would expect to be in a position to make your opinions count, and would be an active part of the organisation’s growth. This is a non committal feel good answer. When I tried to give the gyaan of “ I don’t want to think in terms of ‘ I don’t want be VP, etc.etc”, snap came the reply…”Arun.. I think you are being impatient”.. and I had to cover up by saying that “there is nothing wrong in restlessness driven by positive energy “ and crap like that. Very poor cover up, I must admit. It is very risky to talk about designations unless we are dead sure about the promotion life cycle, which is pretty tough to keep track of, company to company, in the midst of our job search hurry.
5. The job that we would be offering you would involve a lot of monotonous things. Are you okay with it.
This basically means that there are enough people in the queue and that they wouldn’t really mind if you are not interested. This is basically an attitude related question. Be rest assured that there is nothing known as a monotonous job. You can always make it interesting by goofing simple mundane things as well, and pose yourself as a crisis champion and resolve things. Sometimes perceptions can be handled in such a way that, when you do your duty, still the other person thinks that you a re doing a favour to sort things out for the internal clients.
6. How much do you expect in terms of salary.
“As much as my savings account can hold”. How many times we would have thought about this, but somehow, this is the question that causes a thousand butterflies in our stomach. Though we have a floor and a ceiling amounts in our minds, we think hajaar times before saying it, for the simple fact, that there is this trickle of hope that keeps telling you “Don’t commit.. what if they offer more than what you expect”. My experience is .. if you think that the HR is robust enough to ensure that there would be no unjustifiable reason for differential pay, leave it to the company, and you always have the option to turn down the offer later. If you think, the prospective employer runs like a kiraana.. go for the kill.. quote your ceiling amount, and then start the negotiations.
Mostly, this question is asked if the prospective employer is interested in recruiting you.
7. Why are you leaving the current organization.
“Those guys treat humans as stock in trade and just don’t care about attrition and resource movement. They have not had a compensation review for years, and appraisals are episodes from a fairy tale”. Though these are genuine concerns, it is important to mellow down a bit, and not use this question as an emotional vent. These thoughts are to be expressed in the exit interview and not in the recruitment interview. We have to stick to the ways the current employer is affecting your career path, and how you think the prospective employer would address those concerns.

Next to come:

Exit Interviews and counter offers - My humble thoughts