Introduction
Common character questions
Introduction
If you have character, ugliness becomes your beauty; if there is none, beauty becomes your ugliness. ( Nigerian proverb)
A character can win a war for you, character is a daily routine that improves your personality.
With a person’s skill, his character is the second factor which will help an organization to grow. In a personal interview it’s obvious that the interviewer will try to test your character by firing up questions which will emphasize on your character.
Character questions will also check your soft skills and the number of time it can be a deciding factor between two candidates for a job.
This article will help you to understand the few common character questions and right answers for them.
Common character questions
1. Tell us something beyond your CV
Sometimes to lighten up the mood interviewers ask this question from the candidate. This question is simple but the tense situation in the room makes it difficult for the interviewee. Interviewee can be in conflict whether to discuss personal things or just strictly related to business and profession.
A mixup of both will be the right option for answering the question. Don’t repeat what’s already there in your CV because the interviewer has already scanned the CV and he/she strictly wants to know something which is not there in the CV.
The best way to answer the question is to start talking about your previous job experiences and how you tackled the challenges you faced there ( remember, talk only about the positives). While ending your answer you can talk about your hobbies and area of interest, try to present your genuine hobby.
If you are interested in a particular field then only mention it in your area of interest because if the interviewer asked a question related to that field and you failed to answer the question, it may simply land you in trouble. Be Genuine!
It’s ok to use your sense of humor but an overdo or being sarcastic may create a negative impression. So it’s important to keep this in mind while answering the question.
2. Factors that drive you in professional life
This question has a number of aspects. One can either understand this question as “ What motivates you?”, “ What makes you love your work?”, “ Do you really enjoy what you do?” or “What forces you to put all your effort into the work?”
In your answer try including the factors why you choose this profession, why you want to work in this role, how you will excelm yourself while working. Tell the work environment you like to work in and how that work environment motivates you to achieve your goals faster. While answering this question don’t forget to express how your passion for the work can help the organization to grow.
“ I enjoy bringing creative ideas to the table, I always like tackling new challenges, I get motivated seeing other people, I get motivated when someone appreciates my work.”
These are a few points you can add while answering your question.
3. Is it OK to spend time on non-essential activities at time of work
Sometimes if the interviewer is workaholic then he/she can fire this question in the interview and one needs to look honest as well as careful while handling this question.
According to a study people spend around two hours of their working day on social media platforms and as an organization it’s a matter of concern for them.
Interviewee needs to play safe and go in denial mode while answering this question, irrespective of personal opinion. Interviewee needs to tell the interviewer what he/she wants to listen to.
“ It’s wrong to spend time on social media or in any other work which is not at all related to the office. It’s ok to spend a few minutes exploring the internet during lunch break but when you are supposed to work, you should be doing that. A company pays an employee for the value he adds in the growth of the company.”
Avoid sharing any nasty ideas or unpopular opinions which an interviewer may not like.
It’s up to you if you complete a eight hours task in just four hours but don’t be too open in front of the interviewer.
4. Why should we hire you or what makes you unique
This is one of the common questions which an interviewee has to answer in every interview.
This answer will be basically how you look at your skills and experiences. Avoid repeating facts that are already mentioned in your CV. Motive of the interviewer is to know from you why he/she should hire you and not the other candidates in the queue. This is a chance where you can create an impact in front of the interviewer and it’s a high chance that if you impress the interviewer you will be hired.
Start your answer by highlighting your skills and tell the interviewer why you are unique without degrading the other candidates. List the characteristics which you appreciate about yourself in front of him/her. Let them know what values your presence will add in the growth of the company or organization.
Tell them about the challenges you faced recently (either in personal or professional life) and also mention how with your presence of mind and skills you tackled them. Narrate them about the experiences which makes you an ideal candidate for the post,if you received any award in your work life then do mention that too.
Just keep in mind that this is the chance where the ball is in your court!
Also Read: 5 Common Job interview mistakes
5. What’s your opinion on lying in a business
The harsh reality is everyone lies at some point of time in their life but an interviewer will not like to hire a liar in the company. There are circumstances where you will have to lie but what wrong is wrong and there should not be any justification to it.
In an interview you can’t mix up the choice, either you have to choose white or black.
The best option which will keep you safe is to tell the interviewer that you never recommend lying.
It’s also true that lies never work in the long run, one or the other day an employee will have to pay the price of his/her lie. It’s better to apologize for the mistakes and perform better from the next time. A person will accept your apology and forgive you but a person will never forgive you for your lies. Mistakes will teach you and will add experience in your life.
While answering this question try to be as simple as you can. Avoid adding phrases like “ lying is not a problem, just as long as you don’t get caught”.
An interview is all about how you satisfy the interviewer with the answers he/she wants to listen to from you. Be genuine in an interview and focus on winning the interview by presentation of your answers.
Don’t hesitate while sharing your experiences (prefer positive ones) and just show the interviewer how good your skills are.
Remember your soft skill will make you an ideal candidate for the job and your character is also all about the soft skills you have.
Before an interview keep few points in mind;
● Rehearse your answers
● Be confident
● You have to win the battle with your body language.
Hope you got to know about the character questions which you can probably expect in your interview.
There’s always a chance of improvement.
If this article helped you anyhow in your interview then do comment on your experience.
All the best for your INTERVIEW!
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