How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Possible Intention:

• To know if you are seriously thinking of staying long term.

Insights:

• "I will stay until retire" is a good answer but very hard to believe today.
• You are not expected to give time period in years or months.
• Expectation is what you like and will keep you happily going in the organization.

Example Answer:

I am not a person who switches jobs very frequently. I like to do challenging work in technology which will give me pleasure of creating new solutions. I strongly believe that the kind of projects and technology your organization is into, can keep me in high spirits to continue working for longer period.

Anti Pattern:

• Do not say time period like five years etc. without any justification.
• Never say till you get challenging work rests with the employing organization.

Interviewer's Interpretation:

• Display the extra commitment can be regarded as falsity.
• Some indirect indication of time would be sweet music for interviewer's ears.

Interview Tips For Success

Here are some important tips for success in personal interview.

• While answering any question, be consistent with the information you have provided in the resume.

• Never tell untruth or manufactured stories. Be honest.

• No short answers of one or two words. It shows disinterest.

• When you state any fact, support it with the real data points or statistic. It strengths the answer.

• Come what may, ever answer should end with an upbeat note.[Even when asked about your failures.]

• Every question asked is an opportunity for you to narrate your success stories though the question may not directly demand so. Hence each of your response should contain a success story.

Do you have offers from other organizations?

These words from HR are most significant from interviewee's perspective. Interviewee's reply may leave a negative impact if not handled carefully. But on the other road it also gives a chance to proof your value to him.

Possible Intention:

• To know if you actually have offers from any other organization. If you are good, then the interviewer has to close the decision quickly.
• To know if any other organization has evaluated you and found you to be worthy.
• To know where recruiting organization is in the list of your preference.

Insights:

• Be truthful
• If you have offers in hand obviously the next question would be which organization you would choose and why.

Example Answer:

I have in 3-4 organizations and have given interviews. I have already one offer at hand and by end of this week, I am expecting another from one more organization. They are in the similar technology space. However, given a chance, I would like to work in your organization considering the kind of growth I can have. Your organization really works on different business domains and different technologies which is very exciting for me.

Anti Pattern:

• Do not lie to create an impression, it may backfire.
• Never disclose the name, position etc. if you have offers in hand. This can be useful later when you would negotiate salary.

Interviewer's Interpretation:

• If you have other offers then you might be a better choice.
• She/He has to take a quicker decision if you do well in the interview.