The biggest challenge that freshers face today is answering questions during an interview. This is because interview questions are usually designed to test the fresher’s subject knowledge as well as their ability to answer. And, freshers, who have no experience of working, usually feel nervous while giving an interview. Therefore, with a little preparation for the first interview, you can confidently answer any questions thrown at you and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the right candidate for the job.
Pro tip:
Companies are usually happy to train freshers and thus, expect limited subject knowledge. However, there are several other aspects that they want to test you on, including your presence of mind, communication skills, and attitude towards work.
Answering such questions which test you on your softer skills is usually hard to crack. This is where this blog will help you. Given below is a list of 15 common interview questions and answers for freshers.
Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers
“Practice maketh a man perfect” and thus practicing the interview questions before appearing for one can be of huge benefit. Here is a list of common interview questions and answers for freshers that you might want to read before you appear for an interview.
What we’ll cover -
TOC
Tell us something about yourself
This is how most of the interviews begin. The interviewer will usually begin the interview with a few light-hearted questions to get a feel of how you communicate and how confident you are. You can use this opportunity to share with the interviewer about your educational and family background, and any key achievements and skills that you may have. Keep the answer to this question short and steer away from telling everything that is there on your resume. Keep it crisp, short, and unique for the interviewer.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
This simple yet very tricky question could also be one of the first interview questions. Here, you are expected to be spontaneous. In order to describe yourself, you can use various adjectives like a growth-oriented, team player, inquisitive, innovative, creative, practical, etc. The interviewer is looking to find those qualities in you that they value. It’s best to elaborate with a real-life example of why you chose a certain word and how well it fits with you. Mind it, this question might attract counter-questions if you fail to explain why you chose a certain characteristic trait to define you.
Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses
Remember when our teachers used to ask us to write a paragraph on our strengths and weaknesses? This is just the time to remember that paragraph. The interviewer usually tries to confuse the fresher by asking counter questions. Freshers are usually asked this question when the interviewer is trying to analyze their attitude and their analysis of themselves. Your self-esteem plays the highlighted role here but makes sure that you don't get arrogant. Be precise here. Do not drown in yourself while describing your strengths.
No human is perfect and you are no exception. Everyone has something that they are not so comfortable with. This might be a weakness, a skill, an interest, or a habit. It is good to be real in an interview. And, the trick to speak your weaknesses is to call them development areas instead. Describe what you are doing to improve yourself on the identified weaknesses. For example, you could say, I have a habit of procrastinating but I am trying to manage my time well by maintaining a to-do list every morning and sticking to it by the end of the day.
Why did you apply for this particular job?
First interview questions are designed to get you to talk about yourself and show the employer why you would be a good fit for the job. Most of these questions are fairly easy to answer, but there is one question that stands out above all the rest: Your motive behind applying for this particular job.
Finding a job that interests you is the first step toward securing a job and learning how to describe that interest to an interviewer is the second step. But when you face a job interview, you face questions that are meant to evaluate your suitability for the job along with your interest in that job. Try to be patient and talk about how you have the skills required for that particular job. You could also stress your interest in this job in order to answer this question wisely.
What are your hobbies?
While the interviewer intends to judge your personality with this question, you can go ahead and give a personalised answer. This will not only demonstrate that you are passionate about something, but it will also show that you do have a life beyond work and hold interests to soothe your personal life.
Here, you can talk about your painting experience, your interest in creative writing, or anything that you like doing away from work. Try to be as real as possible because any counter questions might get you into a fix. Preferably talk about hobbies which you can show proof of, like paintings made by you, a blog page you manage, or a book you recently read.
Tip: Try to keep it professional. It should not sound like you are going to spend your entire time pursuing this hobby instead of being interested in work.
Where do you see yourself a few years from now?
This question is a difficult one to answer in our list of interview questions and answers for freshers. This is a question that is designed to assess your long-term career ambitions. You can talk about your goals in terms of where you see yourself a few years from now, what you want to be doing five years from now, and so on. You should try to be honest and very specific about what you want to do. Being a fresher, it would be okay to say that you are not sure yet and you would want to explore more. At this point, the recruiter is trying to gauge your ambitions, realism, and sincerity towards your career.
Why do you want to work with us?
Another significant question that you may be asked relates to the reason why you want to work with the company. This question allows the interviewer to get a sense of your motivation for the job. This is a clear sign that you have done your research about the company.
The strength of the company can be understood by looking at its achievements and goals. This can be explained in your answer by mentioning the same and adding how it can help your career grow. This shows that you understand the company and that you care about it too. This also shows that you are committed to your career and that you have a growth mindset.
What do you know about our organization?
The question that is similar to the above question is, “What do you know about your organization”. Before going for the interview, make sure that you know almost everything about the company. Your research skills along with your memorization power come in handy here. Jot down the names of eminent people associated with this company and how they have influenced you. You may also analyze the graph of the growth rate of that company. You should know about the important events and organizations associated with that company. Do a brief case study of the company you are applying for before you sit in an interview. The most basic interview question that can come at this point is - what is our business model? This question is usually the make or breakpoint in an interview.
Do you know who our biggest competitors are?
Your answer to this question should not be a simple yes or no. Instead, it requires research about the company. You must know the domain where the company operates and have some understanding of the competitors/companies operating in the same domain. This shows that you are not only committed to your career but also to the company you want to work with. Sometimes commitments matter more than what you already know!
What do you think is the ideal job for you?
This question is often asked in the form of a closing question. In this case, the interviewer is trying to understand what kind of job, which is related to the job that you are being offered, would suit you the best. This shows that you have done your research about the job. This also gives you the opportunity to speak about your aspirations and the job that you would like to be in, which is a good sign that you have a growth-oriented mindset and behavior and you are not someone who is afraid to learn.
When do you think you can start working with us?
Freshers can be excited about a new job opportunity, but being able to start on the same day can be a big factor in whether or not you get the position. This is why it’s important that you’re able to show the interviewer that you’re committed to the position even if you don’t have other job offers or commitments that would prevent you from starting immediately. This is what the interviewer is assessing when they ask you whether you have other commitments or job offers that are preventing you from starting immediately. They want to know whether you’ll be able to carry out your duties without any delays or distractions.
Also, it’s important not to come across as overexcited when you’re being asked this question. Instead, you need to express your willingness to start as soon as possible unless you genuinely have a prior commitment. It’s also worth noting that you can use this answer to back out of a commitment if you find yourself needing to take longer than expected to find suitable accommodation.
Will you be comfortable working overtime?
Freshers can often feel pressured into saying that they’re willing and able to work long hours, even if that means working late hours or on the weekend. This is because being able to work long hours is often seen as a sign of commitment in many countries, which is something that some interviewers are looking for. However, if you’re not willing to work long hours or on the weekends, you should be honest with the interviewer and let them know. This will help you avoid being at a disadvantage when it comes to being offered the job.
Will you be able to relocate when asked to do so?
This is a very straightforward question which intends to inquire whether or not you are willing to relocate to a new city for work purposes. This question is usually asked by freshers who are applying for a job that is based in a city away from where they stay.
If your personal condition allows you to, you must agree to travel for work, even if you’re not okay with relocating in the near future. By saying no to this question, you’ll be seen as someone who is rigid and doesn't want to make extra efforts to learn at work.
Example answer to interview question: Yes, I can relocate when asked for. This will help me adjust to various work environments rather than being stagnant.
What number do you have in mind for your salary?
The interview process is a two-way street, and it’s important for you to be prepared to discuss your salary expectations. Estimate the salary that your peers are getting in other companies for the same skills and education they have. This will help you to know if you’re being offered a fair pay rate.
When it comes to discussing your salary expectations, it’s important to avoid saying ‘I want a specific salary’. This shows that you’re not confident in your negotiating skills, which can put you at a disadvantage. Instead, try to come up with a vague salary range. This way, if you’re asked about your salary expectations, you can say that you expect the salary as per the latest industry standards.
Example answer to interview question: I am expecting a pay between Rs x and y per annum. This is a fair expectation basis the industry average for a fresher with my set of skills. Although, I am open to negotiation.
Do you plan to continue studying in the future?
The interviewer is trying to understand why you’ve made the decision to start working over continuing with your education, and whether you have any such plans in the near future. You need to explain to the interviewer that you’ve chosen to start working over continuing with your studies, as this will help to show that you have the necessary motivation and dedication to the job.
Convince the hiring committee that even though you might go for higher studies in the future, right now, this job exposure is what you need and what you desire. This will help you to show that you’re not just after the payment, but you’re also interested in building a fulfilling career.
Re-emphasizing the power of honesty here: Say it upfront if you do have plans to study one or two years down the line. Some recruiters also appreciate that you have plans to upskill yourself after getting some experience.
Example answer to interview question: Yes, I do plan to study in the future, but for now, I am sure that being a part of this company is what I desire. This will give me great exposure and I am sure that I can significantly add to the growth of this company.
- This is a regularly updated blog! Stay tuned for more updates and the latest interview questions and answers for freshers.
