Frequently Asked Questions

Tell me about yourself?

This is the first question you might get of number of interviews in Sri Lanka.So here they want you to tell them a bit more about your background, work experience, attitude and ambitions.
Make your answer brief and to the point. Do not talk about your hobbies, personal likes or dislikes. Finish the answer by focusing on your Unique Selling Proposition, do this by mentioning what you are good at etc.

What are your strengths?

You might have already mentioned your main strengths and weaknesses in your CV or cover letter. But to answer any questions like this simply go over what you have written in your resume. However always be prepared to back up any answers you give with a example. Try not to appear big headed or someone with an inflated ego. Add a bit of modesty to any answers you give.

What are your weaknesses?

Mention that you have a flaw, but then also add a suggestion of improving that flaw or demonstrate any actions you are taking to address any weakness. The key to answering questions like this is to show you have learn from your mistakes and are taking concrete steps to address it.

Why did you leave your last job?

Remember do not criticize any previous employers,that will cost very much.Give a reasonable answer such as
I am looking for a job that has more responsibility.
The reason for leaving my last job was that I wanted to spend more time with my family. I am now ready to go back into full time employment.

Why do you want to work for our company?

This is the same question as 'Why did you apply for this job?' & 'Why do you want to work here?'.
Reply to it by showing that you have researched the employer and have logically thought out reasons why you think you are a good match for their requirements. Turn the answer into a compliment to the company you are interviewing for.

What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?

There is no danger in admitting to making a mistake. However to correctly answer this type of query there are certain guidelines that you should follow.
Firstly and always mention that you identified where you went wrong and have learn from the experience.
Secondly try to give a example of something that happened as far back in your past as possible. This way you can shrug it off as a youthful error and something you would not fall for now that you are more mature and experienced.

What do you like about your present job?

Try to link what you ‘like’ to any of the requirements of the job you are applying for. Also keep in mind that you are looking to leave your present jobs so don’t make a big list.

What do you dislike about your present job?

Remember not to directly criticize or be negative about your current company, managers or supervisors. Instead find other general issues to focus on.say something like
Sometimes it is difficult for me to get a sense of my own achievement in a big company like my present employer.
and do not mention about Overtime issues,Salary expectations.

What do you do outside of work?

If possible highlight interests and hobbies that are related to the role you are applying for. Talk about any foreign languages you know or exotic places you have visited. Also give examples of activities that portray you as a responsible, sociable person who has a friendly personality and who can get along within a team.

What's your current salary?

Questions about your current compensation may sound personal, but they can still be asked at interviews. Never lie or stretch the truth, as if you are found out it could jeopardize your entire application.
So give a answer like this
My present employer pays me well outside of the norm, however I would not like to limit my job prospects by using that salary as a comparison.
As a highly valued member of the company, I am paid on the very high end of current market rates.

What do you know about the company?

Remember before you face the interview spend few minutes on company website who you facing at the interview.Any candidate can read and regurgitate the company’s “About” page. So, when interviewers ask this, they aren't necessarily trying to gauge whether you understand the mission—they want to know whether you care about it. Start with one line that shows you understand the company's goals, using a couple key words and phrases from the website, but then go on to make it personal and share a personal example or two.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

This is something like a common question.If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know
a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career,
b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you're considering the question), and
c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth.
Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn’t necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It’s OK to say that you’re not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.

What other companies are you interviewing with?

Interviewer ask this for a number of reasons, from wanting to see what the competition is for you to sniffing out whether you're serious about the industry. “Often the best approach is to mention that you are exploring a number of other similar options in the employer's industry,”
For example, you might say 'I am applying for several positions with IT consulting firms where I can analyze client needs and translate them to development teams in order to find solutions to technology problems.'”

Why were you fired?

OK, if you get the admittedly much tougher follow-up question as to why you were let go (and the truth isn't exactly pretty), your best bet is to be honest (the job-seeking world is small, after all). But it doesn't have to be a deal-breaker. Share how you’ve grown and how you approach your job and life now as a result. If you can position the learning experience as an advantage for this next job, even better.

Why was there a gap in your employment?

If you were unemployed for a period of time, be direct and to the point about what you’ve been up to (and hopefully, that’s a litany of impressive volunteer and other mind-enriching activities, like blogging or taking classes). Then, steer the conversation toward how you will do the job and contribute to the organization: “I decided to take a break at the time, but today I’m ready to contribute to this organization in the following ways.”

Do you have any questions for us?

You probably already know that an interview isn't just a chance for a hiring manager to grill you—it's your opportunity to sniff out whether a job is the right fit for you. What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team? You'll cover a lot of this in the actual interview, so have a few less-common questions ready to go. We especially like questions targeted to the interviewer (“What's your favorite part about working here?") or the company's growth (“What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?")