As freelancers, we're always on the lookout for the next project because sometimes good, steady clients are hard to come by. Or you may even be a full-timer looking for change. So, we log on to job sites, apply for the jobs that seem like a good fit and wait for a response, which usually comes through a phone call.
This is the call that will make or break your chances of winning a personal interview, so it's a good idea to always be prepared to answer any questions the caller may have to gauge whether the objectives of their company are in tandem with yours.
Below are some of the questions usually asked by human resources. Reflect on each one of them and write down your answers to retain them in your mind.
- Tell me a bit about yourself: This is your sales pitch.Have 3-5 sentences about your accomplishments so far and where you are at the moment in your career.
- What do your job duties involve?: They want to check whether your experience is relevant to the position.
- What was your last drawn package/CTC?: This will determine whether they can get away with paying you lower than they'd originally intended to pay for this position. After all, if your current employee thinks you're worth that much, there must be a reason for it.
- What is your expected CTC?: They want to ensure that they can afford you. Calculate this carefully. You don't want to be too generous or too ambitious. Your future pay packages rely on your ability to find the right balance.
- Why did you leave/are you leaving your job? You're looking for newer challenges, of course.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?: This question aims to find out whether you have drive and ambition and once again whether you're a good fit for a position.
- What do you know about this company we're hiring you for?: Do your research online and ask friends about the company beforehand. They want to know that they're not a random company you picked out of a hat of chits.
- Do you have any questions for me?: Of course you do. Ask about the company culture, a typical day at office, why the interviewer works there and what s/he likes the most about it, whether this is a new role that's been created (so you're aware in advance of the challenges associated with such a position), are the main responsibilities of the position expected to change in the next 6-12 months, etc.
