What is Group Discussion and its Importance - HR Interview Questions

It is a methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its members. In this methodology, the group of candidates is given a topic or a situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then asked to discuss the it among themselves for 15-20 minutes.

As in a football game, where you play like a team, passing the ball to each team member and aim for a common goal, GD is also based on team work, incorporating views of different team members to reach a common goal.

Here are some of the most important personality traits that a candidate should possess to do well at a GD:

The skills that are usually assessed in a Group Discussion are:


    * Communication Skills
    * Interpersonal Skills
    * Leadership Skills
    * Motivational Skills
    * Team Building Skills
    * Tolerance to Ambiguity
    * Divergent Thinking
    * Listening skills
    * Presentation Skills
    * Analytical / Logical skills

So, it's important to assess your current strengths in all these areas and accordingly put efforts to strenthen your weaknesses.

What GD Panel Looks for - HR Interview Questions

All that one observes in a GD can be categorized into two broad areas: the Content and the Process. The content is all about the matter (or the 'what') spoken in the GD. Whereas, the process refers to the 'how', 'when' and 'why' of the GD. Both are equally important and need adequate attention at all stages. A high quality contribution with no regard to the 'process' is as suicidal as one which is high on packaging with little content.

Skills of an Individual that are Judged in Group Discussion are:

    * How good you are at communication with others.
    * How you behave and interact with group.
    * How open minded are you.
    * Your listening skill.
    * How you put forward your views.
    * Your leadership and decision making skills.
    * Your analysis skill and subject knowledge.
    * Problem solving and critical thinking skill.
    * Your attitude and confidence.

Important Points to Remember about Group Discussion (GD) - HR Interview Questions

   * It is important for all the members of a group discussion to use reasoning.
    * It is also important for you to ask questions that will allow you to determine how much the other members know about a specific topic.
    * You should not make a statement which gives your opinion about the accuracy of a comment that has been made by another member.
    * If you are the one who is planning or leading the group, it is important to make sure every members contributes something to the discussion.
    * It is important to make sure everyone is talking about the topic. The students should talk and make statements regarding the topic.
    * The best way to approach the topic of discussion is to start with a concept that is simple before moving to one that is complex.
    * Once you have researched the topic, you should develop your own thoughts or opinions about it.
    * To successfully participate in group discussion, you must know how to work well with others, and you must understand the topic or materials that are being discussed.

How to prepare and succeed in an job interview - HR Interview Questions

It has been effectively proven that in majority of all interviews that are done usually has a decision unto the applicants in a matter of minutes. And the rest is just for formality. This will mean that a glossy first impression will be of utmost importance during an interview to ensure that you get the perfect job.

By the time that you are given the knowledge that an interview is on its way. The first move is to observe and study the company that is offering the interview. A good knowledge and understanding with regards to the products and services offered along with who buys these things will be a great advantage at your part. A brief history about the company of your choice will give you something that other applicants would want. And make sure to get good information about the person who will give the interview to you. Mainly his position in the company along with his name.


On your way inside the place, make sure that every single person deserves a smile from you. Cheerfully great them along the way and politely talk with them. Do this as you can never know who among all of the people inside the building has great connections with the interviewer. Go into the establishment ahead of the interview time to make yourself comfortable with the atmosphere in the place and also to gather more information.

Take a good time going through your application and have enough time to think through the things about you so you don’t get blanked during the interview. Another good point is to bring along with you certain certificates that can be proof with regards to your professional and educational history. Do not bluntly show it to the interviewer. Instead, politely wait until this person asks to see it

As you have the time because you have went to the establishment early. Use some of it by thinking about 2 broad questions. This will come in handy because usually in the end of the interview. They tend to ask you if you got a few questions. This will most likely give the interviewer the idea that you are sharp and you think very fast.

Try to make yourself as simple as possible during the interview. Be the honest person that you can only think of before. Be sure to not let them see or at lost do not cross your arms in front of them and do not fold your legs while they see you. Look at them straightly and keep in mind that this whole interview is done only to acquire information’s and observations from you. This means your answers must be flawless along with your movements.

Body Language for an interview - HR Interview Questions

Posture
When the interviewer offers you a seat at the start of the job interview, sit upright but not too stiffly in your chair. This indicates that you are comfortable and feeling confident. Hunching down in your chair gives the impression of nervousness and low self-esteem. A sloppy posture indicates a careless attitude and a lack of energy. Sitting on the edge of your chair can come across as being nervous and tense.
Relax and lean slightly forward, about 10 degrees, towards your interviewer. This gives the message that you are both interested and involved. Leaning back makes you appear too relaxed and casual. Leaning to the side can be perceived as not feeling comfortable with the interviewer.

How you position your head also sends a message. Tilting your head very slightly to one side comes across as friendly and open. Keeping it straight comes across as self-assured and authoritative.

It is also important to pay attention to the posture of your interviewer. Sometimes you can establish rapport by adopting the same posture as the other person. This is called mirroring. If they have adopted a more formal posture do the same until you see that the interviewer has relaxed and become less formal.

Tell me about yourself - HR Interview Questions

Do you know why this question is asked so often in most job interviews? Because, this question is actually an ice-breaker. Asking this question starts the conversion. So one better be prepared for an answer. This question gives the interviewer a chance to know about the interviewee. Once you start talking about yourself, interviewer starts preparing his/her next question. So there are high chances that the next question that would be fired on you will be based on the answer of this question. As the answer for this will be based on you, you think and prepare it before the interview.


You! Tell them your name and which place you are from. Do not start with “Your name”, start with “I am your name”. This is a very common mistake. Not acceptable in interviews especially in call centre jobs.
You may talk about your family (cover up in short), you may talk about your how you came to the city, etc.


Education- Tell them about your education i.e. graduation/post-graduation.
If you are a fresher then tell them the grades you got. If you have done something different than others then tell them. It surely adds a value!


Experience- Talk about your whole experience. Start from early years and gradually come to recent years. If you have a long experience then you must not be doing same thing all years. Then exactly what you were doing? This is what your interviewer wants to listen.
If you are a fresher then talk about your projects.

Experience regarding to the post you have applied for- This is of most interest to your interviewer. You may be having lot of experience but how much experience you have regarding current job post is very very important. If you do not have it then you can talk about some related experience. Or if you do not have related experience too then say it clearly. Buy along with it give them confidence that you can do it and you have genuine interest to do it.
Fresh candidates who do not have any kind of experience, you should show some positive attitude and exhibit willingness to learn and do new things. Be ready to do new things. Don’t worry that you will make mistakes. Fresher candidates are expected to do mistakes and your employers are well aware of it so you don’t have any reason to be afraid. Believe me no one will give you more work than you can handle.

Do not describe your salary or pay scale at this point of time.
Avoid giving unnecessary details. Value your interviewer’s time.
The idle answer should not last more than 1 minute.


Other reasons that interviewers ask this type of question are because they want to:

Hear your thought pattern
See what’s important to you, by assessing what topics you talk about
Assess your language and grammatical skills
Buy time while they look over your CV
Confirming what you have already written in your CV
Look for loopholes in your resume
Gauge your personality, etc.




Example 

Good morning,

Firstly I would like to thanks for giving me this opputunity and its my pleasure to introduce my self.

I am neha came from hyderabad. I did my Btech IT in JNTU H with 61%. I completed my intermediate with 78% from narayana junior college. And my schooling with 73%.

When it comes to family. My Family contain three member including me. My father and mother are Govt Employee's.

And then coming to my Hobbies. Playing shuttles and watching TV.

My strength is Each and every problem that occured in my life till now has taught me so much. And I think I am strong enough to face any situation in my life and career. My experience is my strength and I feel it as the best teacher.

Coming to My weakness is - I am too concerned with the people, which has given me so much pain and tears.

My Short term Goal is to join in this company and my Long Term goal is to I would like to be in a good position in your company and improving my skills and knowledge in the development of your organization and myself.

My Areas of interest are c, .Net.

I easily adapt to any kind of environment, and that helps me feel comfortable at work. Being calm and patient, helps me to solve the problems in a better way. And that is my biggest strength too.

Am very passionate to be a part of this company if I got selected I'll work whole hardly to the progress of the company.

Why should we hire you - HR Interview Questions

They will ask this question in your job interview because they want to see your confidence level. If you answer the interview in a fantastic way and stumble upon this particular question then you might lessen the impression you have earned so far.
Another reason behind asking this question is, people love surprises. The interview candidates sometimes come with some surprising answers. And it becomes easier to know the candidate.
How to prepare for this tricky interview question?
The best way to answer this question is to convince your interviewers by giving the examples of your skills and worthiness why you are the best candidate for this job. Now, all the interviews might have different job requirement though the required skills are the same. So it will be better if you do not try to make a master answer which you can answer in all interviews. Even if you can find some master answers over the internet, chances are your interviewer is an experienced person who has already heard all of them.
So first, prepare the answer yourself. Before going for an interview; spend some time reading the job description carefully. Compare the job description with your abilities and skills. Also mention what you have accomplished in your other positions. Be positive and attract their attention towards your abilities, your experience, and your energy. Also show your interest in the company and the position.
You may also include some things that are required in any job but not necessary described in the job description. Give them examples of how you are a good team member and how you have tried to put an extra value to the organization interest. Also mention any work you have done for the organization or your colleagues which was not part of your job.

Example:

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 . . .

Good Luck!

What do you know about our organization - HR Interview Questions

Every recruiters have an interest to know about your interest in the their company that up to what extent do you know about this company. You are being able to answer the question. If you have to conduct some researches regarding this company. But always remember this fact that you have to represent yourself as you have done some research work about this company and gained some information and you are keen to know more. Don’t overwhelm the interviewer. This may hurt the interviewer’s ego. You can discuss about its products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. This is the safe way to answer this question, “In my job search, I’ve investigated a number of companies. Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons I am here” Don’t say like this: “Well, everyone tells me that you’re in all sorts of trouble, and that’s why I’m here”.
For answering this question you have to prepare yourself in advance. Go through internet and read blogs and check Discussion Boards and social networking sites. If you are a college going student go to the career office or placement department you can get a list of alumni who work for the company. Mark up some relevant information easy to remember. This will put up a dogmatic impact over the interviewer panel.

Why do you want this job - HR Interview Questions

Sometimes the interviewer is not convinced about your purpose for applying this job. Generally the interviewer wants to know how long this person will stay with them. And if the purpose is not clear then the interviewer may get an impression that you are not looking for a permanent job and you will leave the organization soon.
For answering this question, you have to define yourself as the eligible and best candidate on the behalf of your experience and qualities needed for the job. Also mentioned that you the company have an excellent image and you want to work for an organization like it. You can do your best and enjoy a lot while working for this company.

Tips on how to answer this question
Consider the job position and your background before customizing these answers.
Keep in mind that you should try to construct an answer that will explain who you are and why you are there.
Another good idea is to add a few words about the good/positive image of the company.
Here are the answers:
1. Given the sense of importance of this ‘career field’; it has always made me want to be – “your career” and now to be a “this job”, because I can’t think of any other job-career that is so important to society.

2. This position challenges me to keep up with the cutting edge of technologies.

3. I would like to develop my EFG skills to acquire in-depth experience in my profession for the benefit of this organization.

4. This job in such a stable company offers long-term career development and this is what I am looking for.

5. I see this company not only as a positive work environment, but also as a good opportunity to have my skills and qualifications make a difference.

6. I would like to gain experience in this line of work because I feel that it will perfectly suit my ABC skills.

7. I feel I should have direct hands-on knowledge/experience in this position/at this stage of my career.

8. I believe that this job will help me assume another level of responsibility in my career. 

9. The job is tailored to my AFG skills and previous experience.

10. I want to be a part of a company on its way up as this company already launched several top products.

11. I believe that this entry-level job may enhance my professional experience.

12. Being part of a research and development team is a job experience I always love to have.

13. The company’s good reputation and its successful strategies and values make everyone want to work for such a company.

14. This challenging job will allow me to utilize my ABC skills.

15. This company is known as a company that rewards employees who deliver good results

What Are Your Weaknesses - HR Interview Questions

What are your weaknesses? In almost every job interview, the candidate is asked this question. You might think that this is some kind of leg pulling question. To your surprise that is not true! This is not at all a leg pulling question. But this is actually a brainteaser.
The question will trigger your presence of mind.  Be positive, pure and clear. Plan and deliver your answer in such a way that your weakness should reflect to your strengths. Be confident and answer it in a good sound.
Example 1:
You can answer like; you are a stickler for meeting and project deadlines which may cause you to sometimes work late nights. And you lose the work and personal life balance.
Example 2:
Or you can also answer it like; you like to stay on top of the project until it is done according to quality standards, which sometimes may cause frustration in your juniors.
It shows your maturity level and openness when you are brave enough to talk about your weaknesses.  Now it is time to show your intelligence and presence of mind. So add up something that demonstrates how you take your weaknesses positively. Tell them that you are not just aware of your while you are actually working on them.
So for example for above two weaknesses we spoke about, we will cover them as below.
Weakness 1:
You lose work & personal life balance. But tell them that you work on it by planning your work ahead of time and you have come long way and you are now seeing some improvements.
Weakness 2:
Your juniors sometimes get frustrated because you emphasis much on quality. But you educate them with the importance of quality work and how it makes your product unique than other competitors and puts you in a good position in market.
This will be enough to impress your interviewers. While make sure that you do not spend much time on this question as after some time the conversation might head towards something less important.